Communion Message
(Let a man examine himself)
June 5-6, 1999
Pastor Leighton Sheley

Reading from God's word 1 Corinthians chapter 11. For I have received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me. In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. 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. 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. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

This passage is so rich and there are so many lessons to be learned. It says, let a man examine himself. Some churches have modified that verse into something more like; let a man be examined by the church board or eldership or communion committee or whatever the case might be. If he meets our expectations and approvals then we will give our permission for him to partake and participate in communion. The Scriptures say let a man examine himself. There nothing so individual as our relationship with our Creator. And one of the reasons that we almost use the same terminology week after week in our invitation to communion is so that it is very clear. The invitation extends to all and any who have declared Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior. I think there's another concern and that is that those who are in such a situation where their approval is based upon the acceptance of a man or body of men, may misunderstand and believe that they have been examined, the final verdict is in, and their eternal destiny is assured and so forth. The Word says that whenever we hold these elements we should examine ourselves. It's not a final examination. Each time we gather together we need to take a fresh examination. Where are we at as individuals with the Lord? Are there areas in our life that do not bring honor and glory to Him? Let a man examine himself. For if we would judge ourselves we would not be judged. In the original language it's two different words, same root that can be translated, if we would contend with ourselves we would not be judged. Contend with ourselves. What does that mean? Contend with ourselves. One of the things that happens when we receive salvation is God's Holy Spirit comes and dwells within us. We become the temple of the Holy Spirit and God gives us a new nature. But so long as we live in these tents of flesh we also have to deal with the old nature, and the old nature and the new nature are in contention with each other. This is what Paul is referring to when he says, that which I would not do, that I do; and that which I would do, that I do not. O wicked, wretched man that I am! The conflict between the old nature and the new, and sometimes the old nature wins and we do things, we sin, we do things that are displeasing to God. We thank the Lord for His provision. For if we confess our sins, He's faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I invite you now to join me as we kneel in the presence of our Lord. Lord, as we hold these elements we examine ourselves, and Your spirit reveals to us thoughts and words and deeds that are sin. Thank you Lord for Your promises. Thank you for Your mercy which is new every morning. Thank you Lord that when we confess our sin You're faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank you Lord for all that You've done, for all that You're going to do. Thank you Lord. And Lord, as we hold these elements, we are also reminded of the great price that was paid because of our sin, Jesus Christ being poured out on Calvary. May it never be that we trivialize sin for it is paid with so great a price. Thank you Lord. Let's partake of the bread and also the cup. Thank you Lord. Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord. Let's say thank you together. Thank you Lord. Say it again. Thank you Lord. Let's say it one more time. Thank you Lord. Lord we do thank you. Thank you. In Jesus' name we pray and together we say, amen. Let's stand and greet those who've come to worship with us today.