The Sacredness Of Holy Communion Or Lord's Supper. Series

In Christian tradition, Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper, is a sacred ritual where believers partake in the body and blood of Jesus Christ. However, the Bible emphasizes the importance of approaching Communion in a worthy manner, warning against eating and drinking in an unworthy way.

In this sermon , we'll explore the biblical basis for this warning, the consequences of unworthy participation, and who should not partake in the Lord's Supper.

The Warning Against Unworthy Participation

In 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, the Apostle Paul writes, "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord... For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself." This passage highlights the seriousness of approaching Communion without proper reverence and understanding.

The Sin of Eating in a Non-Sacred Way

Eating in a non-sacred way refers to partaking in Communion without recognizing the true nature of the elements, without self-examination, and without reverence. This can lead to judgment, illness, and even death, as seen in 1 Corinthians 11:30, "That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died."

Consequences of Unworthy Participation

The consequences of eating in an unworthy manner are severe. According to the Bible, participants may experience:

Guilt concerning the body and blood of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:27)

Judgment on themselves (1 Corinthians 11:29)

Weakness and illness (1 Corinthians 11:30)

Death (1 Corinthians 11:30)

Who Should Not Partake in the Lord's Supper?

The Bible provides guidance on who should not partake in the Lord's Supper:

Unbelievers: Those who do not know Jesus Christ or have not put their faith in Him should not partake in Communion. In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Paul asks, "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" This implies that only those who have a relationship with Christ should participate.

Those with Foul and Unclean Behavior:

Believers who are living in sin or have unrepentant hearts should not partake in Communion without first examining themselves and repenting. In 1 Corinthians 11:28, Paul writes, "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup."

Animals: It's implicit in the biblical context that animals are not capable of understanding the sacred nature of Communion, and therefore, it should not be given to them.

Those Who Desecrate the Sacred: Those who treat Communion with irreverence or disrespect should not partake in the Lord's Supper.

Taking Communion with Clean Hands and a Holy Heart

The Bible emphasizes the importance of approaching Communion with reverence and a clean heart. In Psalm 24:3-4, David asks, "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart." This principle applies to partaking in Communion, where believers should examine themselves, repent of their sins, and approach the table with reverence.

Conclusion

The Lord's Supper is a sacred ritual that requires reverence, self-examination, and a deep understanding of its significance. The Bible warns against eating and drinking in an unworthy manner, emphasizing the importance of approaching Communion with clean hands and a holy heart.

By understanding the biblical perspective on Communion, believers can participate in this sacred ritual with reverence and respect, honoring the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Before partaking in Communion, believers should examine themselves, confessing any known sins and seeking forgiveness (1 Corinthians 11:28).

Churches should ensure that participants understand the significance of Communion and are living in accordance with God's Word.

Believers should approach Communion with reverence, recognizing the true nature of the elements and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

By embracing the biblical perspective on Communion, believers can deepen their understanding of this sacred ritual and participate in it with reverence and respect.