Why No Church Suppers???

Why No Church Suppers???

• Good question• Gives opportunity to discuss principles of

Bible authority and its application• Authority is Important!

1 Peter 4 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

2 Timothy 3 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Revelation 22 18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Colossians 3 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Bible Authority• Bible Teaches By:

– Direct Statement (1 Cor. 16:1)– Apostolic Example (Acts 20:7)– Necessary Inference (Matt. 26:26)

• Authority Can Be:– General (Heb. 10:25 – assemble)– Specific (1 Cor. 16:2 – 1st day of the week)

We Are NOT Discussing Benevolence – Church Can Serve Tables For It’s Poor (Acts 6:1-7).We Are Discussing Meals Sponsored by the Church Which Satisfy Hunger and the Social Needs of Man.

Accepted Practice

But

Is It

Scriptural?

Why No Church Suppers???• The Bible Forbids It! (1 Cor. 11:17-34)

– Perverted Lord’s Supper Into A Social Meal (20, 27-30)– Selfish Eating (21-22, 33)– Confuses Church Work & Personal Social Acts (22-34)

• Alternatives (Acts 2:46; 1 Tim. 5:10; 1 Pet. 4:9)– Confine Assembly of Church to Spiritual Things

• Revealed: Lord’s Supper, Jesus’ Death

– Personal Social Needs—Hunger – Eat at Home– Share Meal & Other Social Activities – Home

Why No Church Suppers???• Perverts Mission of the Church! (1 Tim. 3:15;

1 Thess. 1:8; Acts 2:42; 6:1-7)– It’s Not Gospel Preaching– It’s Not Worship– It’s Not Benevolence

• Alternatives– Press On in the Great Mission (Neh. 6:3; 1 Tim. 2:4-6)– Do Not Be Deceived By Worldly “Success”– God Knows What He Is Doing—True Success

Why No Church Suppers???• Leads To Multiplied Errors! (2 John 9)

New Testament Pattern:• Gospel Preaching – Worship – Benevolence

• Where Stop???– Provide Meals– Full Recreational Program—Ball Teams, etc.– Full Social Services—Day Care, Schools, Colleges, etc.– From One Gimmick To Another—Pie in Face, etc.

• Alternative: Stop Error’s 1st Step!(1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:2; 3:14; Jude 3)

Why No Church Suppers???• Degrades the Power of the Gospel! (John

12:32; Rom. 1:16; 1 Tim. 3:15)– Insult To God’s Power– Insult To Soul’s Seeking Truth

• Alternatives– Increase Our Faith in the Gospel!– Increase Our Zeal for the Gospel!– Increase Our Labors to Spread the Gospel!– 1 Corinthians 1:23-29; 3:6-7, 11

Attempts To Justify “Church Suppers”

Argument AnswerFood AttractsJohn 6:1-14

Truth AttractsJohn 6:26

“Fellowship”

Spiritual Relation - 1 Jn. 1:3Worship & Work - Acts 2:42

Support Preacher – Phil. 4:15Aid Destitute – 2 Cor. 8:4

“Compel”Luke 14:23

With Christ, Not FoodJohn 12:32

Attempts To Justify “Church Suppers”

Argument Answer

Church Ready Unto Every Good Work

Titus 3:11

Local Church Not Given Every Good Work

1 Cor. 11:34; 1 Tim. 5:16

“Love Feast”Jude 12

Not A Social Meal1 Cor. 11:34

Building Not “Sacred”Church Plan, Provide, &

Promote Work of Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:25; Lk. 19:10