Self Examination Save's Lives

Self-Examination Save’s lives

1 Corinthians 11:28

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

INTRO; TO examine is to look for or judge ones self.

An examination is a preventative measure.

Doctors encourage people to regularly examine themselves. Why?

Somethings grow on the surface where it is easily seen. But their are those things that grow beneath the surface. That is why doctors encourage people to examine themselves.

Now Our text also urges a man to examine himself, Notice! not someone else.

Not to make him or force him,

but let him examine himself.

Of course the text here is speaking of a

spiritual check up not so much a physical checkup.

Why did Paul write this to the church?

Because just like their are physical cancers that effect our physical live’s their are also spiritual cancers that can eat away at your spiritual life, Our walk and our life in Jesus! The thief has come to steal (sneeky thief),

to kill (stopyour life in christ ,

and to destroy( unrepairable)!

So Paul encourage’s the church to examine Ones self before each Communion. So that nothing will hinder their communion or walk with Jesus Christ our lord. He encourages us to be sober to be vigilant.

But question remains, what are we to look for?

What are the signs of a Christian life that is out of control?

That’s headed for the path of self destruction?

I. We must EXAMINE OUR COMPANIONS.

A. Psa. 1:1 Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

B. Prov. 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

C. Ever hear The Old saying,? “Birds of a feather, flock together.”Or “if you lie down with dogs you’ll get up with flea’s”?

D. Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together except they be agreed?”

E. 2 Cor. 6:14-18

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

II. We must EXAMINE OUR HABITS.

A. 1 John 2:15-16 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

B. James said, “Whosoever will be a friend of the world is an enemy of God.” James 4:4 .

C. 2 Cor. 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away, behold, all things are become new.”.

D. Matt. 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

A young Jewish girl, after reading the 4 gospels said,

“I wonder when Christians began to be so different from Jesus?”

III. We must EXAMINE OUR THOUGHTS.

Where do our thoughts come from?

A. Proverbs 23:7

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

B. Luke 10:27

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

C. Matt. 12:34 Jesus speaking to the pharisee's

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

D. Isaiah 55: 8-9

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,Neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.

So what thoughts are supposed to fill our hearts & minds?

E. Philippians 4:8-9

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you

IV. We must EXAMINE OUR AFFECTIONS.(desires)

A. Col.3:2 “Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth.”

Our heart & mind should be centered on;

heavenly things, Kingdom things, & not earthly things!

B. Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace

C. Paul wrote timothy saying 2 Tim. 4:10 “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.”

Demas had become distracted by the earthly things Or Worldly things our focus must stay on Christ.

D. Chesterton said “The Christian ideal (conception) has not been tried and found wanting.

It has been found difficult, and left untried.”

E. Jesus asked Peter, “lovest thou me?” John 21:17

F. Matt.10:37 “He that loveth father and mother more than me is not worthy of me and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Why? Because anyone or anything you value more than God has become and Idol to you!

V. We must EXAMINE OUR MOTIVES.

A. 1 Cor. 10:31

 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

B. Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

C. We will be rewarded [only] for the work done for Jesus’ sake.For his Kingdom!

Anything done for show, for self-, to build a name, for self promotion, for favors, it will be burned up in the fire of Gods eternal Judgement.

But every deed done in the name of Jesus and for His sake, no matter how small, will stand the test of fire and will be recognized by Jesus and rewarded.

Robert Moffatt, the great pioneer & missionary said,

“We shall have all eternity in which to celebrate our victories, but we have only one short hour before the sunset in which to win them.”

CONCLUSION: We should examine ourselves now! There is serious danger in delay! It will soon be too late!

If we fail to face up to an honest examination of ourselves, there could come a long,& never-ending day of regret.