Communion Meditation 1

Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. my sermon ideas and illustrations are often taken from many sources including those at Sermoncentral.com, there could be instances where other minister’s wording is used, or wording similar. I am not trying to steal anything from anyone else, just trying to help others proclaim the gospel. my sermons are not copyrighted and may be used or preached freely. May God richly bless you as you read these words. It is my sincere desire that all who read them may be enriched. All scriptures quoted in these sermons are copied and quoted from the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible.

this evening we are going to take communion together so as we prepare to do this I would like you to turn with me to

1 Cor 11:23-32

23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

1 Cor 10:16-17

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

When we come to the Lord’s table, to participate in this holy communion we need to take a fourfold look.

1. WE NEED TO LOOK BACK -

we need to remember the Lord’s death

when we look back to the cross.

We are reminded of our Lord’s sacrifice

how He gave himself unselfishly and completely, for the atonement of our sins.

The marvelous thing about the sacrifice Christ made for us is that He did this "while we were still sinners"

Romans 5:8

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

It is easy to love the lovable

but so hard to love the unlovable

Our Lord did just that

what Christ did for us all he did without exception

he did it for us all while we were unworthy sinners

we need to always keep that in mind and always give him his proper praise

2. WE NEED TO LOOK WITHIN -

we need to examine ourselves before we eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

1 COR 11:28

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

The second look we need to take is within ourselves.

here and now.

We need to look at ourselves:

we need to ask ourselves

What are we doing with our lives?

How are we living?

Are we striving for holiness?

I know that none of us are perfect or ever will be this side of Heaven but are you trying to be.

or are you using Grace as a crutch to just mess up

our we putting Jesus first in our lives

are we totally committed to him?

Let us truly examine ourselves,

look deep into our own hearts

1 Corinthians 11:28, 29

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

God wants us to acknowledge our sins and humbly ask for his forgiveness.

ILLUSTRATION - (Self Evaluation)