DESPISING THE CHURCH
                       I CORINTHIANS 11:22

     Is it a sin to eat in the church building?  I have been told such is the case, and this
passage was used as the proof (?) text!  I know this--it is a sin to eat your own private meal
in the public assembly!  It would be a sin to have a fellowship supper, and tell the "have-
nots" they could only eat what they brought!  The brethren at Corinth not only had
perverted the Lord's Supper; they were showing public contempt for the poor and destitute
of their number.  Let us study three things about this matter.

I.  THE MEANING OF THE ACCUSATION.
     A.  "Church of God"   Paul used this expression four times speaking of the church 
           in both the local and universal sense.  1:2; 10:32; 11:22; 15:9.
     B.  "Despise"   "To think down upon or against anyone; to think slightly of" as in
           Matthew 6:24; 18:10; Romans 2:4; I Timothy 4:12; Hebrews 12:2.
     C.  "You despise the church of God"   It was done by members mistreating other
           members.  Galatians 1:13; Acts 9:4; Matthew 25:40,45.
II.  THE MISCHIEF OF SUCH AN ATTITUDE.
     A.  It does not imitate the heart of God!
     1.  God the Father ordained the church for His glory.  Eph. 3:10,21.
     2.  Jesus loved the church supremely.  Eph. 5:25; Acts 20:28.
     3.  The Holy Spirit dwells in this spiritual body. I Cor. 3:16,17.
     B.  It rather imitates the actions of evil doers.  Satan has always been against the
           Church; and evil men have never had an appreciation for it.
     C.  It is an attitude that brings on self-destruction.  The church is the only place of
           salvation and service.  Acts 2:47; Col. 1:13.
III.  THE MANNER OF APPLICATION.
     A.  We despise the church when we do not attend its worship services.
     1.  We should attend out of conscience, privilege, and duty. Psa. 122:1.
     2.  Our absence should be noted, not our presence.  Heb. 10:25.
     3.  "A hearse is a poor carriage in which to go to church!"
     B.  We despise the church when we do not make preparation for its services.
     1.  Worship is regulated, therefore preparation is required.  Jn. 4:24.
     2.  Should the leaders prepare?  "What" - Mk. 4:24; "How" - Lk. 8:18.
     3.  There should be reverence in His presence. Mt. 18:20; Psa. 89:7.
     C.  We despise the church when we hold only shallow doctrinal convictions.
     1.  We ought to be able to defend our faith.  I Pet. 3:15.
     2.  The pulpit is no place for compromise. II Cor. 4:13; Acts 4:20.
     3.  But, then, neither is the pew! Mk. 8:38; Rev. 21:8.
     D.  We despise the church when we live a worldly life.
     1.  Our job is to lead people from the lower to the higher. Mt. 5:13-16.
     2.  Inconsistency is a hindrance.  Rom. 2:21-24; I Cor. 10:31,32.
     3.  The best argument is a good demonstration.  II Cor. 3:2.
     E.  We despise the church by dishonesty in our stewardship.
     1.  Our relationship to Jesus is one of stewardship.  Mt. 25:14-30.
     2.  We are not the owner, He is!  I Cor. 6:19,20; 4:2.
     3.  These are not "benevolent" acts!  No more than any other obligation is!

     Remember, there are only two classes of people that despise the church.  Those in it
who look down upon it with contempt, undervalue, disregard, pervert and neglect it.  As a
member of the church, are you in that number?  Shame on you--you need to repent.  Then,
there are those without, who have no connection with the church.  It is never looked upon
with the interest and appreciation that it should receive.  If you think you can go to heaven
without the church, then you have an idea that is not grounded upon the solid foundation of
scripture.  You need to change your mind, too!