EXAMINATION BEFORE COMMUNION
1 Cor. 11:17-34
INTRO: Many times we partake of the Lord’s Supper without understanding
the full meaning of this ordinance. It is the most sacred of all the ordinances we practice because it represents the shed blood of Christ, without which there could be no salvation.
It also points to his Second Coming. Today, before observing this ordinance, let us examine ourselves, and ask Christ to make us acceptable for this ordinance.
I. WHY SHOULD WE EXAMINE OURSELVES?
A. Partaking unworthily, we are guilty of the Body and the Blood
of Jesus.
The Church was to have the Lord’s Supper as a part of a meal. It
was not a part of the worship service as now observed. There were
those present who were abusing this practice. This was what Paul
was writing about. 1 Corinthians was written before the Gospels
were written.
1. To regard the supper as if it had no spiritual meaning is
to partake unworthily.
2. Partaking while carnal, or while indulging in open sin is
to partake unworthily.
3. Holding grudges, undedicated life, is to partake
unworthily.
4. Anyone partaking unworthily is committing an act which
involves him in guilt for the death of Jesus.
B. Let a man examine himself.
1. Not just men but women also.
2. Put himself to a test.
3. Search his heart under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
4. Be honest with self and God, confess all unconfessed sin.
II. FAILURE TO EXAMINE ONESELF.
A. Partaking unworthily brings damnation to us.
1. Not in the sense of Hell.
2. Judgment is meant by this.
B. A careless and irreverent receiving will bring forth
punishment.
C. For Christians to fail to recognize what the Bread and Cup
represent, is to fail in the meaning, and to eat it unworthily.
III. RESULT OF UNWORTHILY PARTAKING.
A. Physical illnesses, weakness, death, etc., for treating it so
lightly.
B. Physical death is meant by sleep.
1. Those who died committed the "Sin unto death."
2. Sin unto death is UNCONFESSED, KNOWN SIN in the
Christian’s life that hinders another person’s walk with
God.
3. God will cut off the Christian who continues to practice
known sin, and who, knowing he should confess his sin,
refuses to do so.
CONC: Let us now bow our heads and examine our own lives and our motives
for partaking of the Lord’s Supper, and if we have need, confess our sins to God.
