2:10). We read the New Testament and as we learn we create a new law from it for ourselves; I call this Christianese. The Potter's original intent wasn't to make vessels of wrath. . 1 Corinthians 11:28-29NKJV, This morning we look at Westminster Larger Catechism Question 174, which asks, What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lords Supper in the time of the administration of it? It gives the answer, It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lords Supper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance, diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions, heedfully discern the Lords body, and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings, and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces; in judging themselves, and sorrowing for sin; in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ, feeding on him by faith, receiving of his fullness, trusting in his merits, rejoicing in his love, giving thanks for his grace; in renewing of their covenant with God, and love to all the saints.. We read some strong words of warning in 1 Corinthians 11 about the way in which we approach the Lord's Table and take communion. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as a Christian, The All-Clear "Drug" OCD Sufferers Desperately Pursue, Renewing of the Mind - Difficult Reprogramming and Why It's Crucial, OCD, Scrupulosity, and Well Traveled Bad Synaptic Pathways. Thus, the Lords Supper is for current believers who understand and affirm their covenant responsibilities towards God and man. "Until He comes" means we don't have to fret that it would come up short anytime before then. Wherever I walked I saw men at peace. He said to me that if that disqualified me, well then we're all disqualified. They come to the celebration but refuse to celebrate. Before Covid as an usher I had the privilege of serving communion to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Communion, or the Lord's Supper, is an act of worship meant to memorialize Christ's sacrifice and reflect the love and unity among members of the body of Christ. It's also interesting that it says Jesus "lives" to make intercession. The consequences of partaking in the Lords Supper in an unworthy manner can result in sickness and even death (v 30). There are 613 Mosaic laws, and Jesus said out of all of them the greatest of these is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27) and the second most commandment was like it which was to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39). That as long as I cling to His work on the cross I can get in and it doesn't matter what I do?!" Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The inmates carved this reminder themselves. This exchange is why the most perverse, arrogant, wicked, and unrighteous person is, like the thief on the cross, is merely a prayer away from salvation. Yet without missing a beat, he related with me, shared some of his own previous relatable shortcomings, was encouraged how I was handling it, and overall he was unfazed. I believe this is why Jesus commanded us to specifically do this in remembrance of Him even saying "as often as you drink it" to do so in remembrance of Him (1 Cor. To say Christianity is a crutch is to say this Body and Blood are merely a coupon into heaven. Your salvation has nothing to do with your performance but it has everything to do with His. I'm curious, how did you come about to faith in Christ? The Greek word translated "unworthy" (Strong's G371) has the idea of unfitting or inappropriate. Both are symbolic and both declare the success of Jesus Christ on our behalf. 5:48) then there is none of us who measure up! It is an integral part of Christian worship. Or worse, that somehow the breaking of Jesus body, or the pouring out of His blood on our behalf is somehow negated by our performance. Jesus could have said nothing and still saved Him. This is extremely serious, and something that demands closer scrutiny. 1:18, 2:4, Psa. A twisting of words to mean something else. We intellectually know this not to be, but our hearts have been duped into believing that the grace of God needs propping up. I think it's safe to assume the same is true about us. God has NOT forsaken Israel but rather God is using those in their unbelief to bring about His greater redemptive plan for all..including Israel. When we take communion the message of the gospel becomes visible. The walls were decorated with Biblical sayings from Psalms and Proverbs. We read the New Testament and as we learn we create a new law from it for ourselves; I call this Christianese. Fortunately for us our salvation has nothing to do with our performance but has everything to do with Christ's performance and communion is proclaiming that very thing! 11:17 and continue to the end of the chapter and must be taken as a whole. I would liken the honor of serving you in communion to be right there with being asked to join someone in the water for their baptism. In every church I've participated in and in many I've visited are the words inscribed which Jesus spoke when giving instructions on communion which state "do this in remembrance of Me" (1 Cor. . (John 11:25-26). Romans 9:1-12 - It's About God's Promise, Not Individual Salvation. 53:10). The bread At the Last Supper Jesus handed out the bread, said it was his body, and told the disciples to eat it in remembrance of him (Luke 22:19). 5:8, Exo. taking communion in an unworthy manner is about faith if you believe you are unworthy then you are taking in an unworthy manner ,making the work of the cross powerless. 5:8, 10). When I consider the status of myself, my character, my nature, I may wonder how hard is it for me to be saved. Our relationship with God and His relationship with us is always through Jesus! The Apostle Paul in Romans, a letter written some 23 years after he became a Christian wrote that there was nothing good in his flesh (Rom. Jesus always lives to make intercession for you! 12:2) and have become fixed inwardly on ourselves, specifically our unworthiness, our shortcomings, and our failures even as a Christian. There's no time to build a bridge, the parents aren't capable of crossing the raging waters like I am, there's not enough time for me to get go get the inhaler and come back, the only solution is to carry the kid through the raging waters to their parents. Before God looks at you, He looks at Jesus who is at His right hand Who intercedes on your behalf. In the last few Catechism questions we have been examining the great emphasis the Westminster Divines placed upon requiring a certain level of understanding before one could rightly (and safely) partake of the Lords Supper. May I argue with you, that there is no other way to apply God's grace that's not abuse. Why can I be confident in this? Because I'm confident in Him and His work on our behalf. There are six main views on what it means to take communion in an unworthy manner. But when I behold the status of Jesus seated at the right hand of God, and I dwell on His Character, His works, and His nature, I realize saving me, even me, comes naturally for Him and I wonder how hard it is for Him when we don't accept and even celebrate His body being broken, and His blood being poured out. The Scariest Part of the Cross Is What It Tells Us About Hell. 27 So then, 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. To get to be present at such a celebration whether it's symbolizing what the Lord has done through baptism or symbolizing what the Lord has done through His sacrifice is a cause to celebrate indeed. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup." "But Ryan, we should be careful not to abuse God's grace". While a feast with our church body is grand, we have largely separated our potlucks from our partaking of the Lord's supper. 1 Corinthians 11:28-29NKJV. Between you and Jesus, you're the only one holding you in contempt! God will not give us more than HE can handle., "Truth without grace only kills, grace without truth goes unnoticed, unappreciated, and therefore unaccepted. Romans 11:1-6 - Grace and Works Are Like Oil and Water, They Don't Mix. 6:26, 10:31, Eph. That, like a coupon, this body and blood offer a significant discount in purchasing our redemption but I say to you that is grossly mistaken. An encouraging exegete of Romans 9 that maintains a high view of God's sovereignty yet respects the character of God as seen in Jesus. Hallelujah, you're finally getting it!". My guide escorted me to the notorious prison cell once used for torture. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink . Some are hostile, some are flaky, some are divided, but there's hope! This judgment is not from God, but from others. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Why? That leaning on Jesus as we navigate and walk through this life is a cop-out, an excuse for not doing what we should be doing. Taking Communion in a Worthy Manner. I knew that those who took communion in an unworthy manner risked condemnation, even death, for the Bible told me so: 1Co 11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Romans 9:13-18 - A Matter So Important God Saw To It Personally. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers. I might also say to you that I'd rather die than not get to travel, or that if I couldn't travel "it would kill me". This fact is why the Lords Supper is the ongoing sacrament, otherwise having communed once would be sufficient. 28:19-20). Christ screamed out those words of forsakenness so that you and I would never have to. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. The kid could demand I put them down and let them do it which is absurd given how raging and deep the waters are. 5:48) then there is none of us who measure up! That, like a coupon, this body and blood offer a significant discount in purchasing our redemption but I say to you that is grossly mistaken. 11:25). OCD is Damage in the Old Self, Your New Self is Untouched! Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 this is the key text "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord." So, you don't want to do that. Our relationship with God and His relationship with us is always through Jesus! 20-22); (b) an attempt to combine participation at pagan . How Does God Feel About Audrey Hale the Transgender Woman Who Shot up a Christian School. 11:27-32) and if you are here and haven't received Jesus then that for example is a justifiable reason for not taking communion. Romans 9, when studied properly, is a beautiful exegete of the Old Testament making known a mystery that prior to the Messiah was largely misunderstood. 13:7), it's a crazy notion that upon my every screw-up Jesus Christ takes ownership of it as if it were His (2 Cor. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
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