210131 Communion Examination

1:30 HRS (1 HOUR OF IT HAS BEEN JUST PICKING A TOPIC)

LONG PAUSE AS GET IN THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND

Every month we take part in one of two wonderful ordinances set forth by our Lord. Communion… We celebrate a meal together with each other and with our Savior. A significant portion of the ordinance includes an examination prior to participating in it. Our principal text is 1 Corinthians 11:28 where we read that, “a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” This is a command, a mandate, a requirement but sometimes we get lost in the lingo. We forget its meaning. What is this examination? Are we doing it right? What does proper examination look like? What is the result of examination?

The Greek word for examination here is δοκιμάζω

It carries with it the idea of testing. Testing to determine what is being looked at, reviewed, examined. When we test water, we want to know if there is bacteria in it. When we test gold we want to make sure there is no copper or zinc contained within it. When we examine a structure, we apply a strain to it to see what kind of load it can bear… When we examine something we inquire, we want to know what it can hold… what it contains… what it produces.

Understandably examination can be unpleasant, but we are required to examine ourselves. We need to examine ourselves to see what we produce, what we contain, what we hold, what is inside of us and what comes out of us.

When we examine ourselves properly we don’t do it alone by ourselves. We do it amongst others that are also participating in the ordinances and following the lead of God Himself who examines our hearts (1 Thes 2.4).

What do we examine? Here is a short list of things that the Bible tells us to examine.

Ourselves (1 Co 11.28)

Our work (1 Co 3.13)

How diligent we have been (2 Co 8.22)

Things that are excellent (Php 1:10)

What is the end result of this evaluation. When it is done truthfully, honestly, it produces a report. God this is what I am, this is what I have, this is my product… this can be discouraging. This evaluation can hurt our hearts and humiliate us, grieve us, shame us.

But it can also put things in proper perspective. If we are feeling convicted because the Holy Spirit is spotlighting a particular sin in our life that is the perfect opportunity to repent, to turn, to abandon this sin in our life.

Let us go to prayer and confess any sin which might hinder our Communion with Him and each other and if there is any sin that you are unwilling to release, to repent of, please do not partake of the elements. You will be eating and drinking judgment to yourself. Better to repent, confess and be released back into wholesome relationship with Your God and His church. Let’s pray.

WAIT FOR ONE WHOLE MINUTE .

Close in prayer._Dad TO BE CONFIRMED_________ will you ask the blessing on the bread?

NASB95For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which 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.” 1 Corinthians 11:23–24

George TO BE CONFIRMED_________ will you ask the blessing on the cup?

NASB95In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:25

PAUSE

NASB95For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26

LETS PRAY