Bridging the Gap

Today's scripture verses in celebration of World Wide Communion Day were I Corinthians 11:17-26.

Corinth was the ancient Las Vegas. Located on an isthmus. It had ports on both sides of the city, on the east was the Aegean Sea and on the west was the Adriatic. Sailors were constantly flowing in and out of the city looking for a good time and ready to blow off some steam. (Were the ancient times really that different from today?)

What a place for Paul to establish a church! But a city that definitely needed a church.

Chapter 11 of First Corinthians addresses the Lord's Supper and the way it was being abused. At that time the Lord's Supper was a full meal, not just a bite of bread and a sip of juice. Some people were abusing this sacred remembrance of our Lord. Instead of an act of reconciliation, they came for a party of gluttony and drunkenness. Having no concern for others, they ate and drank as much as they could without concern for anyone else.

The problem was self interest, self absorption, selfishness. Paul told the people that if they no longer have the healing blood of Christ in their hearts then they cannot be a part of the body of Christ.

Patrick went on to tell some interesting information about some of the famous bridges in the world. The Brooklyn Bridge, The Golden Gate Bridge, the Mackinac Bridge and Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge in Japan, the longest suspension bridge in the world. (Patrick said that in 1998 when the bridge was built, the construction cost 500 billion yen which at today's exchange rate is approximately $6 billion dollars.)

That's an expensive bridge! But the most expensive bridge is the altar of God. The gap between God and man is immeasurable. The cost to bridge that gap is the body and blood of Christ.

My hope is that if you were unable to worship and celebrate World Wide Communion Day with us this morning that this sermon summary will help bridge the gap of your absence. We missed you and hope to see you soon.
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