Proclaim the Lord’s Death Till He Comes

Proclaim the Lord’s Death Till He Comes

By Rev. H.A.K. Agbesinyale

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

The Apostle Paul’s teaching on the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 is a profound reminder of the meaning, responsibility, and unity that surround the table of the Lord. Writing to the church in Corinth, Paul addresses serious concerns about how believers were observing Holy Communion. What was meant to be a sacred moment of remembrance and fellowship had become a source of division and inequality.

Paul explains that some members of the church, particularly the wealthy, were eating and drinking freely while ignoring the poor. Instead of sharing as one body, they acted selfishly, leaving others hungry and humiliated. This behavior, Paul notes, contradicted the very essence of the Lord’s Supper, which represents Christ’s sacrifice for all believers, not a privileged few. He makes it clear that such divisions within the church are dangerous and reveal deeper spiritual problems.

Using practical illustrations, Paul teaches that stability is revealed during testing. Just as a building’s strength is proven during a storm, and just as the skill of a mason or carpenter is revealed under pressure, a believer’s faith is tested during difficult times. Hard times do not come to destroy us, but to expose whether our faith in Christ is firm. If a person has never faced trials, their spiritual foundation may remain untested and weak.

Rev. H.A.K. Agbesinyale emphasizes that hardship is not meant to weaken believers, but to strengthen them through God’s grace. Paul’s prayer for the church is that they rely not on status or wealth, but on the sustaining grace of God. Trials refine our faith and help us grow in maturity and love.

Another key issue Paul addresses is division among church members. What we say about others behind their backs reveals whether we truly love them. The church is called to truthfulness, sincerity, and mutual respect. Without these, unity cannot survive.

Referencing Matthew 26:26, Rev. Agbesinyale reminds us that Jesus Christ did not exclude anyone at the Last Supper. He invited all to partake, symbolizing grace, forgiveness, and inclusion. Likewise, when God blesses us, we are called to let others benefit from that blessing.

Finally, in 1 Corinthians 11:27, Paul urges believers to partake of the cup with reverence, recognizing it as the blood of the new covenant. To proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes is not merely a ritual—it is a call to unity, love, humility, and faithful living until Christ returns.