Feeding Our Souls on Christ

Feeding Our Souls on Christ 1 Corinthians 11:17–34 The Grove, February 2, 2026

Hearers of the Word

Today we approach the Lord’s Supper I want us to focus on this moment today and seek to treasure Christ in this communion. In a few moments, may this table become an act of worship—not through ritual alone, but because our hearts declare: He is worth remembering.

I. Introduction & Redefining Worship

Today it is fitting to consider the place of communion. Importantly, the New Testament never calls the Lord’s Supper “worship,” nor does it label any church gathering as “worship.” No New Testament service is ever described that way.

This matters because we often misuse the word. We say “worship” to mean this Sunday event—especially the singing—and treat everything else (offerings, prayers, Scripture, communion) as something different. That habit is misleading.

The New Testament radically redefines worship: it is first an inner reality of the heart, then expressed in all of life. Worship is treasuring, valuing, and cherishing the beauty, truth, and infinite worth of Christ. Outward acts—songs, service, daily routines—become worship when they flow from that inner treasuring (see 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”).

III. The Corporate Nature of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:18, 20)

The Lord’s Supper, however, is a corporate act. Paul writes, “when you come together as a church” (v. 18) and “when you come together to eat” (v. 20). It is not a private or scattered meal, but a gathered event of the whole body—“one bread, one body” (10:17). We should not reduce it to individual moments (e.g., at weddings); it belongs to the assembled church.

Paul rebukes the Corinthians for turning the Supper into a selfish feast (vv. 20–22). They satisfy physical hunger at home; here the elements are intentionally small so the focus remains spiritual. The Supper feeds the soul, not the body. Come hungry for Christ.

III. Three Ways the Supper Directs Us to Treasure Christ (Worship)

1. Remembering (vv. 23–25) Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” The Supper becomes worship when we intentionally recall His death—more worthy of memory than any other event or person. If our hearts say, “He is worth remembering,” we are worshiping.
2. Proclaiming (v. 26) “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Remembering lifts Christ to mind; proclaiming makes that treasure visible and public. Through simple, tangible signs—bread broken, cup shared—we announce together His infinite worth.
3. Nourishing our souls on Christ Eating and drinking are acts of nourishment. The Supper is not about physical food but about feeding on Christ spiritually.
   
   
   • Roman Catholics: transubstantiation—the elements become the literal body and blood.
     
     
   • Lutherans: consubstantiation—the body is present “with” the elements.
     
     
   • Reformed (our view): the bread and cup are symbols/emblems of Christ’s real body (now in heaven at the Father’s right hand). By faith and the Spirit, we truly feed on the living Christ (John 6:63: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken are spirit and life”). The cup “is the new covenant in my blood” (v. 25)—not literally the covenant, but a vivid sign of it, just as a photo “is” your child.

When we remember Him as infinitely worthy, proclaim Him as infinitely worthy, and nourish our souls on Him, the Supper becomes worship.

IV. Who may come to the table? This is the Lord’s table—not ours, not a Baptist table. All baptized believers in Jesus Christ are welcome: those who have publicly professed faith through baptism and who are actively trusting and following Him. We do not come because we feel worthy, but because Christ has made us worthy through His blood. Confess known sin, rest in His forgiveness, and feed on Him.

Every time we gather at this table we remember: God has saved us, is saving us, and will complete our salvation. We proclaim the gospel, anticipate His return, and taste the promise of eternal life—all in Christ.

Let us now come, treasuring Him.

Doers of the Word

These questions are designed for personal study and reflection. They move us from hearing and cause us reflection and stir in us application and theological engagement. Therefore we are to become doers of the word.

James 1:22: But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Pastor Steven argues that true worship is first an inner experience of "treasuring Christ" rather than merely an outward event or service. How would you define or describe what it means personally to "treasure" Christ in your everyday life? Can you give an example from the past week?

Why do you think the New Testament never calls the Lord's Supper (or any church gathering) "worship"? How does this challenge the way many Christians today use the word "worship"? What practical difference might this make in how we approach Sunday services at The Grove?

Paul emphasizes that the Lord's Supper is a corporate, gathered act of the whole church (1 Cor 11:18, 20). Why is this important? Have you ever experienced the Lord's Supper in a private or small-group setting? What are the strengths and potential weaknesses of each approach?

Pastor Steven highlighted three ways communion directs us to treasure Christ: remembering, proclaiming, and nourishing our souls on Him. Which of these three resonates most deeply with you right now, and why? How might intentionally focusing on one of them change the way you participate in communion next time we come to the table?

Pastor Steven contrasted three historic views of Christ's presence in the Supper (transubstantiation, consubstantiation, and the Reformed/symbolic + spiritual presence view). Without getting into technical debate, what difference does it make to you personally to believe that we feed on Christ spiritually by faith rather than physically through the elements? How does John 6:63 ("The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing") shape your understanding?