carroll
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Posts posted by carroll
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Q3. (1 Corinthians 11:28, 31) Introspection by a neurotic person can foster guilt and self-loathing. Where is the balance? How can we conduct self-examination and self-judgment so that it has a healthy rather than an unhealthy result in us?
The balance lies in seeking to understand the mind of God regarding the issue at hand. We are here speaking of the attitude that professed believers should bring to the Lord
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Q2. (1 Corinthians 11:29-32) Why has God brought judgment to the offending parties at Corinth? Isn't sickness and death rather harsh? How does God's discipline actually work for our good in the light of Hebrews 12:5-7?
Judgment was brought to the offending Corinthians because they had sinned by not honoring the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Through self-indulgence and selfishness they failed to respect the holiness of the Lord
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Q1. (11:29) Why does "not discerning the body" at the Lord's Supper constitute such a grave sin? Aren't there worse things a church could have done?
Lack of discernment of the
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That part where the actual bread and wine are taken. These serve as a
powerful, humbling reminder of how much God loves me. That thought is
almost too good to comprehend. Afterall, in today's world there are not
too many who care about one's welfare - spiritual or physical. The very
persons with whom we relate daily. The Lord's Supper reminds me that we are
mere mortals, and that God is God, for God is capable of doing things like
loving us when no else else can. And that to ensure that we are not
condemned eternally because of sin, he did what he alone can do; and that is
lay down his life for the sins of man.
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The two words are "given" and "shed" meaning Christ's body "given" for
you; Christ's blood "shed" for you.
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Generally speaking, most forms of dogmatism and extremism are dangerous
as they lead to a kind of intolerance to other beliefs. This type of
intolerance often leads to conflict. There is little danger with an extreme
symbolic interpretation of the Lord's Supper causing too little respect for
it though once it is recognized what the symbolism represents. Extremity in
this case should mean a sincere reverence for the elements as they ought not
to be taken at face value of merely a piece of bread/wafer or juice/wine,
but representing the body and blood of Christ sacrificed for the sins of the
world. The experience should only seek to draw us closer to God, and that's
where the balance lies. It's based on a conviction that Christ not only
died, but that he's alive and preparing to return for those who have sought
forgiveness for their sins.
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A. It is my belief that the bread and wine shared and taken at the Lord's
supper are symbolic of the body of Jesus Christ our saviour that was
tortured and broken, and of his blood that was shed in the process of the
literal sacrifice of his life on Calvary's cross for the sins of all people.
In my view, partaking of the Lord's Supper is important, for it reminds us,
lest we forget as we prone, of how precious we are in God's sight (a
reflection of his unconditional love for us), and that nothing less than
God's own life could atone for the sins of man. Whenever I partake of
communion I am humbled as it serves as a powerful reminder that I am loved;
if by none other, by the one that truly matters - God himself. What other
than unconditional would require the sacrifice of God's own life for us.
This sacrifice also reminds me of how much God hates sin; that he's totally
unaccommodating to sin. So much so that he demonstrates to us through his
sacrifice that sin will infact separate us from him. Therefore if we desire
to be in his presence eternally, that we too must denounce sin and submit
ourselves to him unconditionally.
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Q4. (Revelation 22:4) When you meditate on "seeing his face," what thoughts come to mind? Why should the Lord's Supper stimulate these thoughts every time we partake of it?
There are times that amidst the evil and wickedness in this world, that someone or some
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Q3. In what sense does the Lord's Supper point to the past? How does it point to the present? How does it point to the future?
The Lord
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Q2. (Luke 22:16) In what sense does the Lord's Supper find its "fulfillment" in the Great Banquet at the end of the age? What should this do to our thoughts at the Lord's Table?
The Lord
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Q1. Why are so many of Jesus' teachings oriented toward the future? What kinds of associations come to mind as you think of the Great Banquet?
Many of Jesus
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Q4. How does "eating the Bread of Life" (to use Jesus' metaphor in John 6) nourish our faith? How does partaking of the Lord's Supper build and nourish our faith? What does the main point of the Bread of Life discourse (John 6:25-69) have in common with "Do this in remembrance of me," in Jesus' Words of Institution (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)?
Eating the
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Q3. (John 6:53-71) If to eat Jesus' flesh and drink his blood is a strong expression for "to believe," why does Jesus emphasize this so strongly? What was the difference between the Twelve and the crowd of "disciples" that turned away from Jesus? What is the mark of true disciples according to John 8:31-32?
Jesus emphasizes it strongly because belief is the very essence of acceptance of Jesus Christ as the chosen one as savior of the world. He was acutely aware that many found it difficult to believe it, not just because he is God and knows everything, but he knows human nature which tends to doubt and question anything that is new. He also knew that many also doubted that he could be the one since he was one of them, and that it is seemingly easier for one to accept a stranger as
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Q2. (John 6:51b) What is Jesus referring to when he says, "This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world"? What similarities do you see with Jesus' teaching at the Last Supper in Luke 22:19b?
Jesus was referring to his own body which was going to sacrificed for the sins of all people. Following this, anyone who believes in him and lives according to his teachings would be granted spiritual life forevermore.
The similarity is absolute. I see no difference in the two, for both scriptures speak to Jesus
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Q1. (John 6:35-51) What does the metaphor of "eating the Bread of Life" mean in practical terms? To extend the same metaphor, what do you think might be the difference between nibbling and actually making a meal of it?
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Q4. (1 Corinthians 10:17) How does Paul's teaching on the One Loaf affect our relationships and love for those of other Christian denominations and traditions? How does blanket judgmentalism towards the faith of other Christian groups sometimes seem to excuse us from Jesus' command to love one another?
We should consider the Body of Christ of not only being those who share the denominational or doctrinal beliefs as ourselves; but rather all of those who embrace Christ as head of their church.
The body of Christ must seek to be tolerant and appreciative of the form of worship of other believers, for who knows what the heart of God feels for anyone
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Q3. In what ways do the divisions in Corinth sound familiar in our own congregations? Don't pick on another congregation; how about your own? How serious was the need for unity? Can bickering congregations partake of the Lord's Supper without sin?
When human behavior is observed, it becomes clear that the nature of man has not changed over the course of time; for what obtained then, obtains now. The descriptions of the divisions in Corinth at the time are equally descriptive of my church. It is truly amazing the petty issues that cause division and the lengths that some will go to make what they consider their
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Q2. Read Mark 11:25 and Matthew 5:23-24. How do these relate to Paul's teaching on the One Loaf (1 Corinthians 10:17)? What must we personally do to achieve unity to prepare ourselves to partake of the Lord's Supper righteously?
These verses relate to Paul
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Q1. What does the "cup of blessing" teach us about our focus at the Lord's Supper? Who is to be blessed when the "cup of blessing" is lifted heavenward?
It teaches us that the blessing receive is only a segment of the whole experience. Surely, those who partake of the
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Q 4: In what way is the Lord's Supper a proclamation? To whom is the proclamation made? Why is this
important? What happens to the church when its proclamation shifts to a different central theme?
The Lord's Supper is a proclamation in that it symbolizes remembrance of Christ's death on the one hand, and signifies a kind of vigil or "watch" in anticipation of Christ's promised return.
Christ died for all people. Therefore the proclamation is made to all people, and whosoever will may claim it as Christ's promise to them.
It is important, for it is necessary in this world where faith is sometimes severely challenged, to have hope that a better day is coming after Christ would have returned to redeem those who have been faithful to him.
When the proclamation of the church shifts to another central theme, it means that the church has lost its reason for being - for preparing people for Christ's second coming based upon his own promise that he will return, and that the Lord's Supper should be done as a reminder of this, and of his sacrificial death. It means that the church has established its own man-made theme, and therefore becomes an institution of man and not of God.
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Q3. Why is our remembrance of Christ's death so important? What happens to Christianity if we neglect remembering in this way? What happens to us personally when we forget Christ's death?
Our remembrance of Christ's death is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it's a response and observance of Christ's command to do it as a remembrance of him. If one's life is centered on Christ therefore, one would wish to do it in obedience to him. Secondly, remembrance of Christ's death brings into focus the sacrifice made by Christ of his own life for the sins of all people; and a clear indication of his love and caring. Thirdly, remembrance reminds us to watch and pray and prepare for Christ's second coming.
If we neglect remembering in this way then there is no hope for the salvation and redemption of the world of christianity, for it is through Christ's death as a sacrifice; and his promise of returning that those who follow him are justified in their faith.
When we forget Christ's death personally, the Holy Spirit will in time depart from us. And since there cannot be a void, then the spirit of satan will take its place and we will become agents of the devil rather than of Christ.
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The Passover meal was a memorial to future generations of God's grace to the children of Israel by releasing them from the bondage of Egypt, and of his deliverance of them to the promised land.
It was to be repeated so that God's deliverance of them would be forever imbedded into the minds and psyche of the people so that they would never forget that they were a chosen people, and that they would forever worship him as their God.
It was to be remembered so that they would never forget that God delivered them from bondage and that he shall forever be their God, and they his people.
If the Jews had stopped remembering the Exodus they would have also forgotten their history concerning God's deliverance of them from bondage, possibly resulting in them turning their backs on their God and degenerating into sinfulness and worship of other than the true God.
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Things of this world often do become mundane and lose their meaning. The Lord's supper cannot however be looked at in like manner. It's frequent observance is a Christ-given mandate which was given such that this spiritual observance would not become mundane like secular observances. Christ knows everything, and had he known that often repeated observance would lead to a loss of meaning, he would not have commanded it.
Infact, its frequent observance should serve as a means of keeping those who partake of it in close contact with the Holy Spirit so that it does not depart from them. After all, the Sacrament should never be taken frivolously or lightly. It should always be a serious spiritual experience in which the participant is spiritually renewed and infused with greater zeal to make Jesus Christ the center of their lives.
Q4. Confession and Repentance
in 10. Preparing for the Lord's Supper
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Q4. How do confession and repentance fit with self-examination? What is the result of self-examination without confession and repentance? How do confession and repentance serve to bring spiritual health and character change?
Self-examination is a process in which believers should continually be engaged. This self-examination must be based on a knowledge of what God requires of those who have accepted the gift of salvation. This then leads to confession and repentance if it is recognized that sin has tarnished the relationship between the believer and God.
Self-examination without confession and repentance is an exercise in futility that leaves the sinner in the same state of sinfulness as before the examination. It is the same as if no self-examination were done, resulting in non-acceptance of sin and therefore no confession and consequently no repentance or forgiveness. Sin in that case wins!!!
After self-examination and determination that sin has come between the believer and God, confession and repentance should lead to a determination to walk closer to God by consciously resisting sin through spiritual growth by studying God