THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH

TEXT: ACTS 2:42; I CORINTHIANS 11:17-34

INTRODUCTION
A. The success of the 1st Century Church ​​​​
1. Continued steadfastly in the Apostles Doctrine

2. Continued steadfastly in Fellowship

3. Continued steadfastly in Breaking Bread

4. Continued steadfastly in Prayers

B. Fellowship: Is what the church had / Is what the church did [Koinonia]​
1. A relationship that involves a common interest and mutual, active participation in that interest

2. To have things in Common // a Community // Communion

C. Love Feast – Physical Fellowship ​​​​​
1. A fellowship meal which preceded the Lord’s Supper

2. Abuses: Jude 12, 13 // 2 Peter 2:12-17 // I Corinthians 11:17-34

D. Lord’s Supper – Spiritual Fellowship ​​​​
1. Jesus ate the Passover Meal with His Disciples (Lk 22:15)

2. “As they were eating”, Jesus took the bread and the cup (Mt 26:26)

WHY IS FELLOWSHIP IMPORTANT? (I Corinthians 11)
A. V. 18 – “There are divisions among you…” ​​​​

B. V. 20 – Food became more important than the Lord’s Supper ​​

C. VV. 21, 22 – Problem: Nothing Common / No Community / No Communion
1. The rich arrived early and began to eat and drink

2. The poor arrived later and the food was gone
3. Result: The rich were drunk and the poor were hungry

D. The priority is the Lord’s Supper ​​​​​
1. Jesus told us to do it… “Do this in remembrance of Me”

2. Do what?
a. “Eat this bread”
b. “Drink this cup”
c. John 6:56-58

3. Why? “To proclaim His death till He comes”
a. Looking Back – Proclaim His death

b. Looking Forward – Till He comes

E. When the Spiritual Fellowship (Lord’s Supper) is sincere, the Physical Fellowship (Love Feast) will be automatic ​​​​
1. First, Eating and drinking with Jesus

2. Second, Eating and drinking with each other

CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK:
THAT I WILL COMMIT MYSELF TO FELLOWSHIP:
FIRST, WITH JESUS AND THEN WITH YOU