Observance of Communion
It is at the Lord's table that we as the Body of Christ prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit we observe that which is physical becomes spiritual. The bread and wine are physical but when we as the Body of Christ partake of them they become so much more to us than mere food items. The bread was to represent the the body of Christ that died on the Cross for our sins. He suffered many abuses and He gave his life for us. The cup was to represent the blood of Christ that He shed on the Cross for our sins. The bible says that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. Hebrews 9:22 In the Old Testament they used animal sacrifices because they were looking forward to a time when Christ himself would shed His blood for the sins of the world. This sacrifice was the final one needed to bring salvation to all sinners. True believers experience the most blessed and sacred bond between themselves and their risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and between others in the Body of Christ. They become ONE. It merges their heart and mind and soul in devotion to the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the custom of the Christian church to observe the Lord's supper on the first day of the week. Jesus commanded us to do this so our participation is not optional. He said “Take, eat, this is my body which is being broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24
The scriptures are clear that each individual bears the responsibility before God to determine his or her fitness to partake: " A man or woman should thoroughly examine himself, and only then should he eat the bread or drink of the cup. He that eats and drinks carelessly is eating and drinking a judgment on himself, for he is blind to the presence of the Lord’s body." 1 Corinthians 11:28
When we examine ourselves we are able to see the deep hidden sins that are keeping us from a right relationship with the Lord. " Consequently, if we were to say that we enjoyed fellowship with him and still went on living in darkness, we should be both telling and living a lie. But if we really are living in the same light in which he eternally exists, then we have true fellowship with each other, and the blood which his Son shed for us keeps us clean from all sin. If we refuse to admit that we are sinners, then we live in a world of illusion and truth becomes a stranger to us. But if we freely admit that we have sinned, we find God utterly reliable and straightforward—he forgives our sins and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil. For if we take up the attitude “we have not sinned”, we flatly deny God’s diagnosis of our condition and cut ourselves off from what he has to say to us." 1:John 1:5-10
If we do not examine ourselves then become like those individuals who chooses to come to church and doesn't take seriously the sin that is plaguing their lives. They might be people who have accepted Christ as their Savior but are living uncommitted lives. They are sometimes called "Sunday Christians". The world calls these people "hypocrites". These type of people should reflect and repent before taking the Lord's Supper because the Lord will not tolerate this behavior. There will be consequences.
"It is this careless participation which is the reason for many feeble and sickly Christians in your church, and the explanation of the fact that many of you are spiritually asleep.
If we were closely to examine ourselves beforehand, we should avoid the judgment of God. But when God does judge us, he disciplines us as his own sons, that we may not be involved in the general condemnation of the world." 1 Corithians 11: 30-32
If you are reading this and have not been examining your life for sin I want to challenge you today to do so. God is going to deal with his children. Sometimes that means "Chastening"
" After all, your fight against sin has not yet meant the shedding of blood, and you have perhaps lost sight of that piece of advice which reminds you of our sonship in God: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by him; for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives." Hebrews 12:6 There are many who become weak and sickly in their bodies because they have not confessed their sin to the Lord. Before you partake in the remembrance of Christ's sacrifice you need to repent and be restored into a right relationship with Him.
