Each week as we gather together for this precious moment around the Lord's Table we look to Scriptures to provide some insight that can give us greater understanding. This day I am attracted to the passage that is most familiar to us found in 1 Corinthians chapter 11. And what I'd like to do is were going to read this passage, but were going to take a look this morning at the verses that immediately preceding it, and those that immediately follow.

For I have received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: the Lord Jesus on the night 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." In the same way after supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord, eats and drinks judgment on himself. That's why many among you are weak and sick and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves we would not come under judgment, but when we are judged by the Lord we're being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

Now often times in our study we stop right there, but if we were to continue reading this is what we would here: So then my brothers when you come together to eat, wait for each other. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further instructions.
Now I want to read the verses that immediately precede this valuable instruction that we have as to how to participate in the Lord's Table. In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings to more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. When you come together it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!

Now our attention is drawn this morning to verse 29 which reads: For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment to himself. Now some scholars have suggested that the phrase ‘the body of the Lord’ may have a secondary or additional meaning. Of course, we recognize it referring to the body of Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross suffering to pay the wages of our sin, and that is the most common understanding of that particular scripture, and the very heart of examining ourselves.

And some believe also that that reference to the body of the Lord refers to the family of believers as well. For you see, the passage begins by confronting the Corinthians for not being considerate of fellow believers. The passage ends by instructing the believers to wait upon each other, and as this letter is continued the next passage refers to the body of Christ as the family of believers. In any event, Christians are called upon to bear one another's burdens. And so as we enter our moment of reflection this day, in addition to examining ourselves as the Scriptures call us to do, perhaps the Holy Spirit of God will bring to your mind someone who is in need of your intercessory prayer. Perhaps they're going through difficult times. Perhaps it's a husband and wife who are struggling with their marriage. Perhaps it's a parent who is needing God's wisdom in the raising of a child, or patience as that child goes through a rebellious period. Perhaps it is a believer trying to overcome some inclination to sin. Whatever it might be, as we bow now in the presence of our Lord and Savior, let us also consider His body, the church. I invite you now to join with me as we kneel in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

Lord as we've reflected in these moments Your spirit has brought to our attention areas in our life that we've done, or said, or thought things that are displeasing to You. For give us our sins we pray Lord. Thank you for Your Word that says if we confess our sin You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank you Lord for Your faithfulness to us though so often we are unfaithful to You. Thank you Lord, thank you Lord. Let's partake of the bread and also the cup. And Lord, Your Spirit may have also brought to our attention others who are in need of prayer and intercession. Lord we truly want to function as Your body and care for each other. Lord we just ask You to undertake on behalf of that other person in such a fashion that the outcome, the result, is honor and glory to You. For we know, Lord, from Your Word that that's really the reason for which we were created; so Lord, we just ask You to undertake on their behalf this day. In Jesus’ name we pray, and together we say, amen. Let's stand. Let's greet our neighbors.