• The precept of I Corinthians 11:22
    • Despise
      • A matter of examination
        • After regarding the goodness of God do you dismiss it? Romans 2:4
        • Such are those who reject the stone. I Peter 2:4
        • Such are those who turn from God. Hebrews 6:4-6
      • Look down on with contempt
    • Correcting attitudes towards the church via the example of the Lord’s Supper
      • Assemble for the better, I Corinthians 11:17
        • Suggests purposes of assembly: worship, mutual edification
        • They disregarded the sacrifice of the Lord. I Corinthians 11:24-27
        • They hold in low esteem their own spiritual well-being. I Corinthians 11:28-30
      • Assemble in unity, I Corinthians 11:18
        • But they were dismissive of one another, I Corinthians 11:21-22
        • By this they showed their lack of regard for the church.
    • They showed disdain for the church by changing the holy into the common.
    • They showed disregard for brethren by flaunting “riches” over “poverty”.
  • Some ways the church is despised
    • By altering God’s local arrangement
      • Saints, bishops, deacons, Philippians 1:1
      • Elders in every church, Acts 14:23
        • Despised by unqualified elders and deacons, elders over many churches
      • Autonomy of the church among you - with its own elders, deacons, saints (I Peter 5:3
        • Despised by: sisterhood of churches under central oversight.
    • By altering the divine arrangement of the church in: evangelism
      • To sound out the word. I Thessalonians 1:7-8
      • To train up and send out preachers. Acts 13:2-3
      • Despised by: creating and supporting some other organization to do this work - i.e. missionary organizations, institutional organizations, publication organizations, etc.
      • Or also by sponsoring another church to do the work God assigned
    • By altering the divine arrangement of the church in: edification
      • Spiritual growth and encouragement through instruction and understanding
      • Despised by: some other means of building up the saints unto some other purpose - i.e. choirs, concerts, gyms, food, movies, etc.
    • By altering the divine arrangement of the church in: benevolence
      • Caring for needy saints, Romans 15:25-27
      • Assuring church is not charged with those for whom it is not responsible, I Timothy 5:16
      • Despised by: church funds assisting non-saints, sponsoring organizations, or other churches to do it
    • By corrupting the worship
      • Singing - Ephesians 5:19
      • Prayer - I Corinthians 14:15-17
      • Preaching - Acts 20:20
      • Lord’s Supper - I Corinthians 11
      • Giving - I Corinthians 16:2
    • By non-attendance
      • Out to be glad to be present, Psalms 122:1
      • Should be so regular that an absence is noticed by all.
    • By failure to prepare for service
      • God is to be worshipped in spirit/truth. John 4:24
      • Preacher must prepare: sermons not accidental, must study, think, pray, meditate. Ezra 7:10
      • Congregation must prepare: worship not accidental, must prepare hearts for it. II Chronicles 20:33
      • Assembly should bear reverence. Psalm 89:7
    • By lax convication
      • Pulpit not for compromisers, Acts 4:19-20
      • Pew is not for religious fence-stradler, I Kings 18:21
      • Known what and why you believe, I Peter 3:15
    • By worldly living
      • It disregards our high calling, Ephesians 4:1
      • Don’t preach one way and live another, Romans 2:21-24
      • Live offenselessly unto the church, I Corinthians 10:31-32
      • Be effective for mutual benefit, Matthew 5:13-16