June 2, 2024

Jesus commanded, “Take, eat … Do this in remembrance of me.” But most of us have participated in the Lord’s Supper so often that we’re in danger of forgetting its significance, of simply going through the motions, and behaving like the Corinthians Paul rebuked.

The Apostle Paul gives us two reasons why we must take our Lord’s command very seriously:

First, by sharing communion, you testify to the world that you worship the crucified, resurrected and soon to return Christ. Our Lord’s Cross divides all time, history, and humanity. He died in your place! Paul sums it up:

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

I Corinthians 11:26

I’m pretty certain that the bread is not symbolized by a donut, nor the blood by a cup of coffee.

Second, Paul shows us the other side of the coin, warning us:

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

I Corinthians 11:27

Paul then tells us what can happen to you if you are guilty of the body and blood of Christ:

For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.

I Corinthians 11:30

Wait! Are all Christianswho become sick guilty of sin? Of course not. Paul said, “many are!”AndJesus had already clarified the issue, in John chapter 9:

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.”

John 9:1-3

How should we prepare for communion? Paul tells us:

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

Corinthians 11:28-29

I don’t mean to darken this glorious morning by threatening anyone. We are celebrating our Lord in this new shelter that he’s provided. Paul gave you the solution to your problem: He said, examine yourself! That is, identify, sorrow over, confess and turn from your sins.

This morning is a defining moment, an instant when your flesh will again war with your spirit, demanding that you hold back and not yield everything to Christ.

But, dear friends, right now you can make sure you have a clean slate. If you haven’t received Jesus, ask him to to be your Savior, and give your life to him. If you have, then search your heart, repent, confess, start fresh!

When Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples, he hadn’t yet been crucified, he hadn’t risen from the dead, nor had he, 40 days later, ascended into heaven.

At this last supper, Jesuscommanded:

“TAKE, EAT; this is My body which is broken for you!”

Corinthians 11:24

Now, on a happier note, let me point out some wonderful promises of which you may not be aware. A thousand years earlier, King David uttered a similar invitation:

OH, TASTE and see that the LORD is good;How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

Psalm 34:8

Many of you have “tasted” and seen that the Lord is good. The 34th Psalm describes the results of King David’s tasting the Lord. In verse 4, David states:

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me;

He delivered me from all my fears.

In verse 5: “Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.

Verse 6: “This poor man called out, andthe LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.

7 “The angel of the LORD encampsaround those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

Verse 9 “Fear the LORD, you His saints, forthose who fear Him lack nothing.

Verse 10 “Young lions go lacking and hungry,

but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.”

You must taste of the Lord before you can experience his blessings, and to taste, you must come in innocence and trust. The Apostle Peter, too, implies that you may not have tasted:

…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

1 Peter 2:2-3.

We are tempted to enjoy the benefits without bearing the responsibilities. God asks us to walk worthy, and he provides the means. Before you take of the bread and the cup today, don’t risk doing so unworthily. Put every fault you can think of under a magnifying glass, and take it to God.

Wednesday night, I came under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, when I realized I’d begun judging those with whom I had been laboring shoulder to shoulder as we prepared this building to shelter our fellowship. Those folks are the very best! Over the past few months, they have literally shed blood, sweat, and tears, even risking their health.

It’s been a time of stress when old, dear, and trusted friendshave have been in danger of breakingone another’s hearts by saying things they shouldn’t.

Remember the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” That’s not true. Words can do awful damage, and slander and gossip are grievous sins! Mark those who practice them, and avoid them.

Sure, we all grow exhausted and short-tempered, but that’s no excuse. In fact, it’sa great testing ground for God to measure our self-control and humility. Criticisms may have been made, often by those who contributed little or nothing to the work. Did people make mistakes? Sure! Dare we judge them? Absolutely not!

We have too few godly friends, and we get enough criticism from Satan. Name calling is one evil;manipulating people to gain favor or power is wicked, and God hates such behavior! Don’t help our very capable enemydamageour fellowship.

Is there any volunteer here that did not spill some paint, spread sawdust on the carpet, or damage something during our labors? I know that I did! I bear in my body the marks of a careless painter. Remember Isaiah’s words (Take off your coat!):

“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

Isaiah 1:18

This building is just a pile of sticks and stones. It’ll pass away, but God’s Word will not pass away. The Lord provided this structure for us to build one another up. It must not be the cause of division. Look around! Everything worked out. Someday this place will be forgotten just as quickly as the building we occupiedlast Sunday.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul warned:

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

Romans 2:1

Jesus said:

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:14-15

As we pray, search your heart to make certain you haven’t any unconfessed sin in your life, and aren’t about to eat and drink unworthily. Make your confession.

Then, “Taste and see that the Lord is good!”