Ahhh... the church potluck.  There's nothing quite like walking into a room full of friends with a table full of food just waiting to be devoured.  

While the contents of the table have changed dramatically over the years, the tradition of sharing a meal with believers dates back to the earliest moments of the church.  In fact, sharing food was a major part of life for Jews and a variety of other idol worshippers throughout the Old Testament as well.  Food was not just for sustenance; food could also be a powerfully symbol. 

Additionally, gathering for a meal represented an act of worship.  Jesus created the clearest example of this as He gathered with His disciples on the night He was arrested.  He took two basic elements of a meal and used them to describe a life-changing spiritual truth.  The bread and the wine helped the disciples (and us!) understand Jesus' death on the cross.  In the years that followed, celebration of the Lord's Supper would be combined with what we know as the "love feast" (Jude 1:12).  Supper took on a whole new meaning. 

This Sunday, as we continue in our series on First Corinthians, A Better Way, we arrive at the second half of chapter 11.  Paul provides passionate correction and specific instruction to a church that had lost sight of the meaning of eating together.  By mistreating each other during these gatherings, the Corinthians were failing to live out the Gospel.  This passage contains important reminders about caring for others, as well as a pattern for remembering Jesus' sacrifice for us.  Let's figure out how to make progress in both of these vital areas.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Tom Beasley