Paul examines our agendas regarding the Lord's Table

Another aspect of the church is in the way we keep the observance of the Lord's table or communion.  Paul devotes the second half of 1 Corinthians 11 to the abuses of the Corinthian church concerning the Lord's table and provides correction so the church's observance of this ordinance is in line with the intention of how Christ originally charged this church to keep it.  In 11:17, Paul says they are coming together for the worse, not for the better.  When they assemble, it's all about self rather than the purpose of strengthening and serving one another.  How about church today?  What would characterize our assembly?  When the Corinthians came together to eat and to observe communion, Paul says there was no thought of one another.  And yet, they were ignoring the example of the very Christ that was the reason for this assembly.  His life and obedience to the extent of death on a cross was the greatest example of selflessness and humility and they understand what it all meant.  It became symbols without substance and Christ never intended this for His church.  What we do as a church, when we come together should always be to propel us forward in our walk with God and bring us closer to our Christ.  Jesus told us to do this all in remembrance of Him.  How can we truly be remembering Him and make it all about us?  That's why Paul spent the last part of chapter 11 warning the church to approach the Lord's table with the proper respect and reverence that is worthy of Christ.  Paul says at all times, but especially as the church remember Christ and what He willingly did for us, we should, "wait for one another."  (verse 33)  We should look out for one another because if it becomes about satisfying our appetites rather than serving one another in love, Paul says we should just stay home and do that.  What is the church?  It's a place where we come to strengthen and serve one another in the name of Jesus Christ.  So God help us to put away our selfish agendas and follow the example of our Lord.