Examine Yourself For A New Year

Examine Yourself

1Cor. 11:28

Intro.

As we come down to the end of the year, I believe it is the perfect time to share in the Lord’s Supper (Wednesday).

1 Corinthians 11 is Paul instruction to the Church at Corinth about how it should be done.

- They were doing it wrong.

- Paul told them the proper way to observe this important ordinance of the Church.

One of those things is found in verse 28

1Cor. 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

Examine himself

Not everybody else.

It’s not your job

It’s not the Pastor’s job.

So, how is this done?

I. Examine your faith

A. Are you trusting Christ for your Salvation - are you saved?

1. Sometimes Satan will bring up these questions to make you doubt.

2. We should ask so we have assurance.

1John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you

may know that you have eternal life. (ESV)

B. Am I living in obedience to God’s Word?

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (ESV)

a. It’s one thing to read it.

b. It’s another thing to DO what it says.

C. Am I truly following Jesus?

a. Trying to be like Him.

b. Learning his ways.

c. Learning what He taught us.

John 12:26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be

also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (ESV)

II. Examine your relationships

A. With God.

1. Am I as right with God as I ought to be.

2. You are as close to God as you want to be.

3. Search you heart like David

Psa. 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Psa. 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

a. “Wicked way” Anything that would grieve God’s heart.

b. Sin!

1) Repent of it - turn away (STOP IT!)

2) Confess it.

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to

cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)

c. Confess it to God

1). Admit your sin

2). Own it!

3) I did it, it was wrong.

4). NO EXCUSES

5). God already knows.

B. With other people.

Lord’s Prayer Luke 11:1-4

1. Do I need to seek the forgiveness of someone I’ve wronged?

a) Do not just apologize - it's only an acknowledgment of wrong doing.

b) Ask their forgiveness.

2. Do I need to forgive someone who has wronged me?

Eph. 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave

you. (ESV)

a) “They never asked me for forgiveness”

b) Forgive them anyway - no where does it say they need other ask you.

c) Jesus forgave the very people who crucified Him - and they never asked.

Luke 22:24 “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

Conclusion

Sometime between now and Wednesday (New Year’s Day)

Spend some time with the Lord and ask yourself these questions.

I. Am I truly saved?

II Am I honestly walking with God

III. Is there sin I need to confess and turn away from

IV. Is there anyone that I need to ask forgiveness from

V. Is there anyone I need to forgive.

Invitation - Cleanse me - 657