Sundays at SSCC: Reflections & Recap
SERMON
Watch the sermon video below if you missed last Sunday's service or want to revisit the lessons we explored. Pastor Nate Loucks discussed the Eucharist and its significance in our faith and community.
Primary Scripture
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 NRSV
Now, in the following instructions, I do not commend you because when you come together, it is not for the better but for the worse. To begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and to some extent, I believe it. Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine. When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper. When the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry, and another becomes drunk. What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter, I do not commend you!
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.†In the same way, he took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.†As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. For this reason, many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If you are hungry, eat at home so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation; about the other things, I will give instructions when I come.
Now, in the following instructions, I do not commend you because when you come together, it is not for the better but for the worse. To begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and to some extent, I believe it. Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine. When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper. When the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry, and another becomes drunk. What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter, I do not commend you!
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.†In the same way, he took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.†As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. For this reason, many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If you are hungry, eat at home so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation; about the other things, I will give instructions when I come.
Quotes
"The word "Eucharist" means literally "act of thanksgiving." To celebrate the Eucharist and to live a Eucharistic life has everything to do with gratitude. Living Eucharistically is living life as a gift, a gift for which one is grateful. But gratitude is not the most obvious response to life, certainly not when we experience life as a series of losses! Still, the great mystery we celebrate in the Eucharist and live a Eucharistic life is precisely that through mourning our losses, we come to know life as a gift." - Henri Nouwen, With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life
"It is, as some modern Christian thinkers have said, what makes the Church what it really is. For that short time, when we gather as God’s guests at God’s table, the Church becomes what it is meant to be – a community of strangers who have become guests together and are listening together to the invitation of God." - Rowan Williams, Being Christian
"It is, as some modern Christian thinkers have said, what makes the Church what it really is. For that short time, when we gather as God’s guests at God’s table, the Church becomes what it is meant to be – a community of strangers who have become guests together and are listening together to the invitation of God." - Rowan Williams, Being Christian
Reflection Questions
- According to Pastor Nate, what is the significance of understanding having rhythms in our faith? It helps become a community centered on the love of Christ.
- How does Pastor Nate describe State Street's value in a diverse denominational background? Pastor Nate describes State Street as "ecumenically inclusive," with people from different faith backgrounds.
- What sacrament does Pastor Nate emphasize its significance in their faith practices this week? The Eucharist or communion.
- Pastor Nate talks about the challenges that State Street experienced during the pandemic. Reflect on the difficulties you've experienced and how they still linger today.
- Pastor Nate emphasizes the appropriate Christian response when approaching the tables of Christ. What is that response? Gratitude and acceptance of being welcomed and wanted.
- What does Pastor Nate mention about the early Christians' reliance on shared meals? Early Christians relied on shared meals, particularly the Eucharist, to bond and engage in their faith practice before they had the scriptures.
- Pastor Nate explained that gossip and rumors were a problem in the church in the Apostle Paul's day. Do you think they still impact the church today?
- What is Pastor Nate's main emphasis when approaching the table of Christ? Gratitude.
- What is the main point that Pastor Nate stresses about the importance of self-reflection? It helps one understand oneself and one's motivations.
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