What is Standard Operating Procedure Number One when a piece of tech is malfunctioning? Reboot it or remove its power. I’ve given that instruction countless times with success. And sometimes, the church gets a bit wonky, broken, or malfunctioning. In our next Corinthian Controversy, Paul reboots something in the church in Corinth.
Paul begins, “Now in giving this instruction I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.” (1 Corinthians 11:17, CSB) He identifies the problem in verses 18-22. Basically, the social and economic structures of the city were being overlayed on the church gathering, creating divisions of haves and have-nots. Paul sees the evidence of this when they gather for a shared meal with an attitude of selfishness or entitlement.
Paul reboots the church by emphasizing the unity and rightness in sharing The Lord’s Supper. “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23–26, CSB) This reminded them that Jesus is the center of our gathering and that the ground is level at the foot of the cross.
None of us deserves God’s grace. There is no human means of factions, division, or “isms” that elevate or diminish individuals in the eyes of Christ. We all come as broken sinners to glorify the risen Lord.
But even The Lord’s Supper can be bent out of shape, so Paul instructs the Corinthians and us to examine ourselves before partaking. “Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28, CSB) What is our attitude? Are we flippant? Are we apathetic and just going through the motions? Perhaps prideful in our place or judgemental concerning someone else? Paul doesn’t say don’t eat but examine yourself with an attitude of repentance and reliance on God’s grace and then eat.
Today, there are many ways that these same bad attitudes may infect a local body of believers. Sometimes, this is seen in a church, but often, it is seen between churches. Any time we lift ourselves up or put others down, we enter the same territory as the Corinthians. Even good things such as worship styles, teaching/preaching methods, and pet doctrines can supplant the centrality of Jesus in our hearts. There will be differences; the question is what we will do about it and how we will view others with different thoughts.
Any time we or a church gets out of whack, a reboot is in order, with a return to the centrality of Christ in our lives, attitudes, doctrines, and methods. We need these reminders that it is not about us, but about Jesus. There is a song by Matt Redman that reflects this truth.
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longin’ just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You’re looking into my heart
I’m comin’ back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus
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