Eating in the Building Revisited

Introduction:
One of the greatest areas of division among brethren centers around the fellowship hall issue. Some feel nothing is more important than having a fellowship hall. Those who disagree are cut off and regarded as “over-sensitive legalists.” Unfortunately, with many brethren this is an issue where there is no room for discussion. Churches of Christ have not always had a problem in this area. Only after WWII did we see the influx of what has become known as the social gospel. From humble beginnings, fellowship halls evolved into something greater than many 50 years ago could imagine. Where does it stop? Does the end justify the means? Why do people attend? Motives? Let’s look at this from a biblical point of view.

I. What this issue is not.
    A. We are NOT saying that a person cannot ______ something in the building.
    B. We are NOT saying that it is not good from Christians to eat a _________ ________ together.
        1. Need to do this more regularly!

II. Confusion over the role of the ____________ ____________.
    A. The building is an __________. Heb. 10:25—Christians have been commanded to __________ together.
        1. Expedient = a helpful means to carry out a ____________ of God.
        2. Expedients are only authorized by the ______________ themselves.
        3. What kind of command do kitchens expedite?
    B. Yes, we understand the building is not _______.
        1. But,...it was erected for a sacred __________________!

III. Confusion over the word __________________________.
    A. Fellowship defined as “________ _______________” or “mutual sharing.”
        1. Fellowship is _______________; not ____________!
    B. There is no reference in the NT to “fellowship” referring to a ________ _____!

IV. What about _______ ____________?
    A. See 2 Pet. 2:13; Jude 12; Acts 2:46; 20:11; 1 Cor. 11:17-22
    B. What exactly were they?
        1. The _________ __________?
        2. A social meal? A benevolent meal?
    C. A closer look.
        1. Acts 2:46—passage separates the common meal from the ________!
        2. Acts 20:11—how does this prove a church needs a fellowship hall?
        3. What about breaking of bread?
                a) 20:7—breaking bread = the __________ ___________!
                b) 20:11—who ate here? Entire congregation or just Paul?

V. What about the church at Corinth?
    A. 1 Cor. 11:20-22. Church engaging in abuse of an authorized ___________.
    B. All that authorized is the proper partaking of the LS; not social meals!
    C. 11:22- DESTROYS argument for social meals as a function of the church!

VI. Why this issue is so important!
    A. _____________ is a function of the ________; not the church!
        1. See Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; 1 Pet. 4:9
    B. Mixing _________ & spiritual things is a recipe for disaster!
        1. Rom. 14:17—__________ is not a spiritual work!
        2. 1 Cor. 11—eat and drink at ___________!
    C. Carnal appetites should never be elevated over spiritual nourishment.
    D. It boils down to a matter of ________________. Mt. 28:18

Conclusion:
    A. Many brethren like what they are doing and will not change. This is realistic.
    B. Quotes from two prominent brethren
    C. Let’s keep the church the church by doing its work!



Eating in the Building Revisited Introduction: One of the greatest areas of division among brethren centers around the fellowship hall issue. Some feel nothing is more important than having a fellowship hall. Those who disagree are cut off and regarded as “over-sensitive legalists.” Unfortunately, with many brethren this is an issue where there is no room for discussion. Churches of Christ have not always had a problem in this area. Only after WWII did we see the influx of what has become known as the social gospel. From humble beginnings, fellowship halls evolved into something greater than many 50 years ago could imagine. Where does it stop? Does the end justify the means? Why do people attend? Motives? Let’s look at this from a biblical point of view. I. What this issue is not. A. We are NOT saying that a person cannot ______ something in the building. B. We are NOT saying that it is not good from Christians to eat a _________ ________ together. 1. Need to do this more regularly! II. Confusion over the role of the ____________ ____________. A. The building is an __________. Heb. 10:25—Christians have been commanded to __________ together. 1. Expedient = a helpful means to carry out a ____________ of God. 2. Expedients are only authorized by the ______________ themselves. 3. What kind of command do kitchens expedite? B. Yes, we understand the building is not _______. 1. But,...it was erected for a sacred __________________! III. Confusion over the word __________________________. A. Fellowship defined as “________ _______________” or “mutual sharing.” 1. Fellowship is _______________; not ____________! B. There is no reference in the NT to “fellowship” referring to a ________ _____! IV. What about _______ ____________? A. See 2 Pet. 2:13; Jude 12; Acts 2:46; 20:11; 1 Cor. 11:17-22 B. What exactly were they? 1. The _________ __________? 2. A social meal? A benevolent meal? C. A closer look. 1. Acts 2:46—passage separates the common meal from the ________! 2. Acts 20:11—how does this prove a church needs a fellowship hall? 3. What about breaking of bread? a) 20:7—breaking bread = the __________ ___________! b) 20:11—who ate here? Entire congregation or just Paul? V. What about the church at Corinth? A. 1 Cor. 11:20-22. Church engaging in abuse of an authorized ___________. B. All that authorized is the proper partaking of the LS; not social meals! C. 11:22- DESTROYS argument for social meals as a function of the church! VI. Why this issue is so important! A. _____________ is a function of the ________; not the church! 1. See Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; 1 Pet. 4:9 B. Mixing _________ & spiritual things is a recipe for disaster! 1. Rom. 14:17—__________ is not a spiritual work! 2. 1 Cor. 11—eat and drink at ___________! C. Carnal appetites should never be elevated over spiritual nourishment. D. It boils down to a matter of ________________. Mt. 28:18 Conclusion: A. Many brethren like what they are doing and will not change. This is realistic. B. Quotes from two prominent brethren C. Let’s keep the church the church by doing its work!