Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-35
Selfishness was rotting the church at Corinth. Like the Greek mythological character Narcissus who loved his own reflection so much that he died while glaring at it, narcissism plagued the Corinthian church. They used Spirit-enabled gifts to feed their own ego rather than build up one another or glorify God. They prided themselves for their tolerance and inclusivity as they gave a permissive 'pass' to a man in their church claiming to be a believer while he was actively engaged in flagrant incest. They even abused the Lord’s Supper as a chance to gorge themselves and get drunk, all to the exclusion of loving God or loving the poorer working-class believers who arrived later. Arrogant strife evidenced itself in a divisive party mentality as each group congratulated themselves for following their favorite church leaders. You would almost think someone snipped an article about a church in 21st century America.
As Paul challenged the Corinthians, we must consider how our selfishness is hurting the church today. Look into your own heart and search your own motives. Why do you do what you do? Why do you come to church, give financially, sing, pray, read Scripture, memorize the Bible? Is it for God, or is it for you to get some praise of man and boost your ego? Look out on your brothers and sisters and take note of how your heart attitudes and misguided expectations evidence themselves in how we mistreat one another and how we treat the worship of our holy God. Do we take Communion too lightly? Look and see how our selfishness could be bringing the Lord’s judgment on our church. Look for ways to intentionally show loving care for one another just as He cared for us.
Look back to what the Lord’s table truly remembered. In the most selfless act, He who was rich became poor for us that He might bring us to God. He allowed himself to be betrayed by his most trusted friends. He shared a meal signifying deep, trusting friendship with those who would abandon him and repeatedly disown him, just as they showed the same self-interest that led them to vie for power and secretly steal from Jesus during the last 3 years. He paid the greatest sacrifice for our sins as he willingly, joyfully surrendered his life that we might find true life in His wrath-quenching sacrifice.
Then look forward to the coming kingdom of our Lord where He will make all things new. Look forward to the joy of being in his presence forevermore. Look forward to the time when time will be no more. Look forward to sharing the intimacy of a family meal around the table with our Lord welcoming us: the ones who once defied him as treacherous enemies.
Also look out at the dying world around us and seek to show forth the life-giving power of his sacrificial death & resurrection. Proclaim the victory of his death! Look out at the church and remind each other of His coming and the certain reward He will bring for all those who love his appearing. Remind each other to persevere since in the Lord our labor is not in vain.
