Social Selfishness

1 Corinthians 11:17–34

Social Selfishness

Scofield Foster Staff Photo (Updated)

Scofield Foster

Downtown Campus Pastor

In this passage, Paul addresses the Corinthians’ self-centered church mentality, particularly in their treatment of the Lord’s Supper. He challenges their willingness to partake in a meal that represents Christ’s love for them while behaving in a way that disregards and wounds their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Application

  1. Take some time to honestly examine yourself. In what ways have you been wounded and used that as an excuse to talk poorly about someone rather than going to them in love and honesty about your hurt? Or, who have you wounded, and how do you need to move towards them in confession and repentance?

  2. In what ways do you view the church as a consumer? How can you be more intentional about being mindful of others when you gather to worship?

Key Points

  • The church should not be a place where it is normal that people are being harmed; rather, it should be a place of love and unity, where we acknowledge our mutual poverty and need for Christ.

  • Communion is a physical meal that engages our bodies to connect with the reality of what Jesus has accomplished for us in the past and look forward to his return in the future.

  • Part of taking communion in a worthy manner means extending the same self-sacrificing love to others that we have received from Christ.

  • God will not allow his Temple (the Church) to be destroyed by division and selfishness, and he will judge anyone who seeks to do so.

Other Scripture References

Matthew 26:28

Luke 22:20

1 Corinthians 3:16–17

Colossians 3:13

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