Communion and Self Examination

1 Corinthians 11:27–33 ESV

27 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. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—

It is very possible that we could

What are the risks of reckless worship?

1 Corinthians 11:21–22 ESV

21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

Reckless worship distorts the gospel.

1 cor 11 26

1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV)

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Reckless worship makes a mockery of the sacred.

1 Corinthians 11:20 (ESV)

20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.

Just because we call it worship doesn’t mean that it honors God.

Our actions and attitudes might undermine

It is possible to worship in such a way that our worship isn’t worshipful to God!

Reckless worship divides the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:18–19 ESV

18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

Reckless worship leaves us guilty before a Holy God.

1 Corinthians 11:27 ESV

27 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.

ἔνοχος "guilty" subject subject to legal action.

Reckless worship subjects us to God’s judgment.

1 Corinthians 11:29–32 (ESV)

29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.

32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

What is the nature of this warning?

The First Letter to the Corinthians iii. Warnings and Instructions to Correct the Abuses at the Lord’s Supper, 11:27–34

The reference to participating in the Lord’s supper in an unworthy manner must be understood in light of the context, where the Corinthians were practicing the supper in a way that humiliated other members of Christ’s body. To eat and drink in an unworthy manner is to eat and drink in a way that demeans, humiliates, or disrespects other members of Christ’s community.

This warning was not to those who were leading unworthy lives and longed for forgiveness but to those who were making a mockery of that which should have been most sacred and solemn by their behaviour at the meal.

Craig Blomberg

Examine Yourselves!

Am I loving my church family the way Christ loves me?

You can’t rightly proclaim the love of Christ without loving the body of Christ.

Is there a rift in a relationship that I need to repair?

When I come to this table am I coming as one in right relationship with my church family?

Am I patient and long suffering towards every members?

Is there forgiveness I need to seek?

Don’t come to this table that proclaims the forgiveness of Christ while not forgiving someone in the body of Christ!

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.