Introduction
The Holy Communion is an act of worship we engage every Sunday. It is also known as the Lord’s supper as well as the Eucharist. A term with its roots in the Greek ‘eucharisto’ which means ‘giving of thanks’.
Though it’s a seemingly simple act where Christians break bread and drink of the cup, holy communion is an important act. Therefore we should seek to understand (especially if you are new to the faith) why we do it because otherwise our participation becomes meaningless, displeasing to God and detrimental to us also. So in today’s sermon I am going to address three important truths that all of us should be aware of.
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-33
1. The message
A. That a new covenant was established when Jesus shed his blood on the cross of Calvary, (1 Corinthians 11:25)
B. That Christ himself became the sacrifice and the old covenant which relied on animal sacrifices to provide atonement for sin is no longer necessary, (Hebrews 8:13)
C. That God seals his agreement of salvation with those who believe Jesus died to set them free.
2. The purpose
A. To remember his sufferings and death as it was mandated by Christ himself, (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
B. To proclaim our faith in the efficiency of his death, (1 Corinthians 11:26a) and in his return, (1 Corinthians 11:26b)
C. To fellowship in the body of Christ in the sense of reinforcing fellowship among each other in the church, (1 Corinthians 11:33)
3. The order
A. Must not take part in a manner unworthy of Christ’s sufferings. Implies sin not repented for and irreverent attitudes, (1 Corinthians 11:27)
B. Each one should put himself to test as to the attitude of his heart, outward conduct and understanding of the true nature and purpose of the communion, (1 Corinthians 11:28)
C. Because those who don’t participate in an unworthy manner and are guilty of re-crucifying Christ. They risk illness and even physical death, (1 Corinthians 11:29-30)
D. If we judge ourselves before participating however the Lord shall not judge us eternally with the world but discipline us, (1 Corinthians 11:31-33)
Conclusion
Observing the holy communion in a manner worthy of Christ’s sufferings is at the core of Paul’s instructions to the church of Corinth which reminds me of Jesus’ conversation with Peter right before the last supper.
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus replied, “The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet” (John 13:9-10)
Image: Zsuzsanna Kilian
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For Catholics, receiving the body and blood of Christ is the heart of Sunday worship and/or daily everytime the Eucharist is being celebrated. Just curious, are you Catholics? God bless.
Abednego asked if we are worthy to partake in communion. I would say no one is “worthy”. But the scripture tells us not to take communion unworthily, it does not say the unworthy shouldn’t take it. Surely this means that when we eat and drink, we really have to do it in remembrance of the Lord Jesus, and not just take them because it’s Sunday and that’s what we do on Sunday. To take the elements without giving them the true respect that such a sacrifice deserves, is to take them unworthily. But a person who is unworthy of receiving… Continue »
“Unworthy manner” speaks not of the actor but of the action.
“For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” 1 Corinthians 11:29 (KJV)
We are advised to examine whether we have sin, but if we know what we are partaking and why? The “worthy manner” is to discern the Lord’s body.
“For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep and failure to do so causes weakness,sick, and death. It’s all about Jesus and his finished work. Not about us.”
I stand corrected:
We are advised not to examine whether we have sin, but if we know what we are partaking and why?
Brother Yohan said that failure of not examining himself with the help of Holy Spirit brings consequences but Brother Chan Wang Tak understood that failure of partake causes the consequences, when I was going through this sermon I did not find any difficulty to understand brother Yohan’s opinion and the Holy Spirit helped me to meditate more on this, thanks to Brother Yohan for his wonderful sermon.
What is brother Chang’s translation of respect? Is it clasping your hands together with head bowed down and walking gently to partake in the communion? Or total self inner examination with the help of Holy Spirit, acknowledging your short comings and asking for His mercy?
Though my comment is coming late, I’m of the opinion that Bro. Yohan has done justice to the issue based on Biblical references. God bless.
Yes, we have to take part in the Holy Communion worthily. Are we worthy to take part? That’s a different topic. What I mean is we need to examine, correct ourselves and then God will forgive us, then we have to take part. Thank you for the good sermon sir.
You said: Failure brings consequences A. Some get sick and grow week. V. 29-30 B. Some fall asleep (die). That view appears to be wrong. Paul did not say that failure to partake the Holy Communion lead to sickness and death. Paul said, if one does not partake of it with “proper respect” for importance of the Holy Communion, then these ill consequences will happen. The sickness and death do not come upon people who eat it with un-confessed sins. They fall on people who partake of it without due respect. Your view appears to be widespread conventional teaching, but… Continue »