Food and Drink at Church: Sin or Godly Hospitality? WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2009 Posted by: Horizons Baptist Church | more.. 17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. - 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 (ESV) The Corinthian church distorted the Lord's Supper ordinance, turning it into a riotous feast. During their observance of the "Lord's Supper," the poor went hungry while the wealthy ate to gluttonous proportions. Many even got drunk! The holy ordinance of Communion was turned on its head by this group! The food and drink were simply the outward symptoms of major inner spiritual problems. Paul speaks against the wealthy, who would bring plenty of food for themselves, yet not provide for those who had nothing to eat. He rebukes them and tells them that they should eat their meals at home so as not to bring additional humiliation on those who have little or nothing. He was disappointed that the Corinthians were turning the solemn ordinance of Communion into a simple carnal display. He was concerned with people not freely sharing and caring for one another. To this abuse of the Lord's Table, Paul brought clear teaching: Do not treat the Lord's Table in such an unworthy manner! Paul pointed out that by perverting the Lord's supper, the Corinthians were not really observing the ordinance at all! He then teaches the Corinthians the proper way to administer the Lord's supper during worship services (I Corinthians 11:23ff). So does God prohibit eating and drinking in the context of Christian gatherings? Absolutely not. The Bible encourages hospitality amongst believers. In fact, Jesus fed thousands with fishes and loaves right in the middle of a worship service (Mark 6:44). They did not go somewhere else to eat and drink. Additionally, Christ often taught His disciples around fellowship meals (John 21:12,13). And, of course, there is the Lord's Supper, an ordinance we are commanded to perform during worship services utilizing bread and wine (Acts 2:42). If God prohibited food and drink in the context of Christian gatherings, there would be no way for the church to celebrate the ordinance of Communion! God prohibits elitism and snobbery in the church. We do not demonstrate a Christ-like attitude if only the wealthy eat and drink in front of those who cannot afford food. However, if the Lord's Supper is administered in accordance with the biblical mandates, there is no reason a church may not freely share meals and fellowship with one another, provided that everyone in attendance is treated equitably. In the end, hospitality and fellowship are beautiful Christian qualities (Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). So, if giving so little as a cup of water in the name of Jesus is a fruitful endeavor (Matthew 10:42), surely sharing warm hospitality with visitors and fellow members during church services is a clear act of Christ-like obedience. And so, while we patiently await the great Marriage "Supper" of the Lamb, let us show godly hospitality one to another, caring and sharing with all who come our way. Jason Keith Boothe • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

Rain, Sunshine, and the Providence of God MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2009 Posted by: Horizons Baptist Church | more.. Rain,Sunshine, and the Providence of God44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Jason Keith Boothe • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

The Gospel Causes Divison WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2008 Posted by: Horizons Baptist Church | more.. "So there was a division among the people over him."John 7:43It seems that unity is the hallmark goal of most modern Christian movements. Everything from the World Council of Churches to Evangelicals and Catholics Together testify to the trend of... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Jason Keith Boothe • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

Is Sovereign Grace Compatible with John 3:16? SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2008 Posted by: Horizons Baptist Church | more.. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" - John 3:16 When Anti-Sovereign Grace/Anti-Calvinist types wish to proclaim their opposition to the... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Pastor Jason Photos of Pastor Jason • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

"Our God Reigns" A New Quarterly Journal by Horizons Baptist Church FRIDAY, AUGUST 08, 2008 Posted by: Horizons Baptist Church | more.. The first issue of "Our God Reigns: The Good News of God's Free and Sovereign Grace" is available for download. Issues will be stored in the "e-docs" section of our Sermonaudio.com page (horizonsbaptist.sermonaudio.com). Additionally, the issues... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Pastor Jason Photos of Pastor Jason • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

Doctrines of Grace Bible Study Coming to Chillicothe, Ohio SATURDAY, AUGUST 02, 2008 Posted by: Horizons Baptist Church | more.. Beginning Tuesday, September 2 and continuing each Tuesday evening until Tuesday Sept. 30, Horizons Baptist Church is offering a Doctrines of Grace Bible Study in Chillicothe, Ohio entitled, "Saved By Grace: An Introduction to Calvinism." If you... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Pastor Jason Photos of Pastor Jason • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

Following Christ....... Phillip's Way MONDAY, JULY 28, 2008 Posted by: Horizons Baptist Church | more.. I preached a sermon from John 1:43-51 this past Sunday. The scripture lesson dealt with Christ's calling of Phillip and Nathanael. Christ called Phillip by simply saying, "Follow Me." Immediately, Phillip followed the Lord. He even went and found... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Pastor Jason Photos of Pastor Jason • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

HBC offering a FREE 12 Week Bible Institute on Prophecy SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2008 Posted by: Horizons Baptist Church | more.. Who is the Antichrist? What is the Millennium? What "Generation" will Witness the End? If you are tired of simply not knowing enough about Bible prophecy or just someone who finds themselves confused about the last days, then this FREE Bible... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Pastor Jason Photos of Pastor Jason • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

The “Music” of Predestination: A Solo Performance by God, Not Man SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2008 Posted by: Horizons Baptist Church | more.. The “Music” of Predestination: A Solo Performance by God, Not ManRecently, while listening to a message on Sermonaudio.com by a very popular regional evangelist entitled, “The Will of God,” I was taken aback at how far the... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Pastor Jason Photos of Pastor Jason • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

Beloved, Do Not Believe Every Spirit.....Or every Singer! THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2008 Posted by: Horizons Baptist Church | more.. "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." - 1 John 4:1 Recently, it was reported on James White's Alpha Omega Ministries blog (... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Pastor Jason Photos of Pastor Jason • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

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