Careful Examination
1 Corinthians 11:27 “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” [1]
I. Wherefore
A. Separated
B. Selfish
II. Whosoever
A. Cooperative
B. Concerned
III. Worthily
A. Disciplined
B. Decided
Introduction: You have heard from the 11th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians many times as you have taken communion. I can’t count the number of times I have heard from preachers who quote a few of the verses from this place in the Bible. It is amazing what else is in here which we do not consider, that leads up to that which we pay such close attention to. It is amazing to consider how the conclusion that the Bible writer intended is often disregarded, while an illustration which reinforces the writers main point is the only thing remembered. It happens to all preachers in all churches. Like they said in Hee Haw, “Better listen closely the first time.”
We do the same with the Bible that we do with other things God has given us. We take the part that we like and we discard that which might actually be the cream which would actually nourish more than that which we don’t want to acknowledge.
God just brought us through a week that was intended to revive us as His church here in Merry Oaks. Norman, our evangelist, has gone on to be back with Debby after he has been diverted again to speak to another local church or group where The Holy Spirit has directed him. I pray that we keep Norman in our prayers daily.
Evangelists come and people pay attention to them and then they move on to the next place. As we read about Paul, we suppose that he might have been like a modern day evangelist. It was much more difficult in Paul’s day to travel from place to place so he really spent more time in each place than we might imagine. He got to know personalities and often his writings were more specific about those he got to know in the different places. His life touched many and he was interested in how the new disciples had grown in their discipleship. Probably others wrote to him and his letters were a response to what he had heard. If he’d had a cell phone we probably wouldn’t have the New Testament. Can you imagine Paul riding around with a cell phone texting to all who wanted to hear from him?
Once I refused to text. Now I use it as another way to communicate but it is so easy to let it take your day if you let it. Oh well, chasing rabbits again…
Scripture: The scripture is 1 Corinthians 11:27-28. When you have found it please humble yourself as you rise for the reading of God’s written word.
Prayer: Please be seated
Message: In a few minutes we will hear from verses 23 – 26 but let us search for Paul’s main point first. The chapter begins in response to something that Paul had somehow heard about. People in the church at Corinth were divided and they were arguing about things that were secondary instead of being united in their primary worship of Jesus Christ. They were arguing about whom to follow.
Paul started with a statement that is hard. Be ye followers of me. Look there yourself at verse one; there in that first verse of 1Corinthians chapter eleven. That is what we are supposed to do. We are to be such close followers of Jesus that it would be good for people to follow us as their example of being a Christian!
As you read on, there is that thing that people argue about even today and many discount what Paul has to say because they use this about women covering their heads as ammunition in the argument that Paul was, as I often hear now in the media, a sexist. People twist this and say things like, “Paul didn’t like women much. He encouraged women to be kept in their place.”
Truth of the matter; women in that church were causing dissention and division. They were gossiping about everything and often speaking in tongues to gain attention without having anyone to understand what they were saying.
This custom of wearing hats was being elevated to the place so that it was causing division. Imagine that! People taking a minor thing and talking about it so much that it became a major mess.
Paul described why and how they came to the conclusion to adopt this policy in verses 2 – 15. We won’t take time to read it now. Surely you remember the sermon preached many months ago concerning this. If you don’t, maybe I can find notes that I can share with you later. This head covering thing started as an idea but had become an ordinance. Notice there in verse two; Paul referred to that thing of head covering as an ordinance. Later he expanded on what he really meant. Following an ordinance is what we will do at the conclusion of this sermon today. Ordinance is something ordained by God. Marriage ceremony, communion or observance of the Last Supper, baptism, these are things ordained by God that we are to follow.
Sometimes we suppose that the church constitution or bylaws are the gospel. Something ordained by God. They are not. Like I said, we’ve already had a sermon about that. If the customs adopted become contentious than it’s time to change them! We agreed with this some months ago but somehow here at Merry Oaks, we still have the same bylaws that I hear some here think should be changed. Amazing huh? The Bible is still speaking! Are we listening?
In verses 16, Paul wraps it all up into that one verse. If anybody has a problem with a custom, and it really is just a custom that was once agreed upon, if now it is causing division then it’s time to change it because it is no longer a custom so let’s get back to being church, church!
Verse 17 – 22 could never happen here could they? People were fussing about having a church meal together. Some people were taking care to have what they wanted to eat while others either decided not to eat with everyone else or they were being ignored. Some were actually getting drunk at the church functions. If y’all start getting drunk here, I’m gone. Just so you know. Drinking really bothers me. I know that people drink and I won’t get into why I hate it so bad. It’s more my problem I think than the problem of people who drink not to excess but I can’t be around it. I can’t imagine that ever happening here and that’s one reason Rachael and I are here. Just so you know…
Anyhow, the church meals were causing a big mess. Is that why the Army calls the cafeteria a mess hall? In verses 23 – 26 Paul switches gears to speak of the real ordinance of communion. After the dissertation that we often use in our observance of communion, Paul switched back to his reprimand of the church.
If you are not worthy to eat this bread or drink from this cup, don’t do it! What is the wherefore? You have to go back to what was said before the dissertation about communion. If you think it’s OK to be separated from the rest of the congregation in the way you honor Jesus, if you have selfish goals instead of selfless service in mind, wherefore you better examine yourself before you take communion.
Jesus said in John 3:16 that whosoever believeth would be saved. Here Paul uses that same word to warn whosoever would divide but there must be that other whosoever too that is worthy. When I was a child, still am by the way, I sure miss you momma, I would voice my concern about this to my mother. Who in the world is worthy to partake in eating an example of the flesh and blood of Jesus? How can I? Why should I? Momma had no good answer except, “you’ll know.”
So let’s look at the opposite of the contention maker to see who Paul considers worthy. If you are not one that demands what doesn’t fit anymore and are willing to cooperate with your church family so that the good of the church is your goal, then it’s not like Jeff Foxworthy might say. No you are not a redneck; then you might be worthy to partake in the Lord’s Last Supper ordinance. If you are more concerned that others are taken care of than your own personal comforts and desires are being met, then you might be worthy.
There it is! How can you know if you’re worthy? Examine yourself by these things that Paul has described. Are you partaking in union with your church? That is called communion. If you love your church family because Jesus loved you enough to die for them and for you, you are worthy.
Are you more interested in what you want than what others need? Better examine yourself and find out your motives. I think maybe that’s one reason I’ve had a weight problem. Who knows? He knows, that’s who.
Yeah we need to finish the chapter before we partake. “29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnationh to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnationi. And the rest will I set in order when I come.” [2]
This is Paul who wrote this but remember the beginning about who to follow. Paul followed Jesus and here I suppose Paul is talking for himself yet we understand that Jesus Himself will be the One to set in order, the way He intended, when He comes for us.
Prayer:
Invitation: Have you examined yourself? Are you disciplined to the place of following Jesus so that others could use you for their example of a Christian? Have you decided that the church is not the church until you have decided to be a part of the church? Are you a truly a member of this body of Christ? If you can answer yes to this, we are ready to observe the Last Supper worthily.
[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (1995). (electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version., 1 Co 11:27–28). Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
h damnation: or, judgment
i condemnation: or, judgment
[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (1995). (electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version., 1 Co 11:29–34). Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
