Unity

Communion gives the church an opportunity for unity around the sacrifice of Jesus. However, when gathering around The Lord's Table for communion, it's important to remember that the value of the experience depends on the condition of the heart. 

In the reading of 1 Corinthians 11, Paul finds the condition of the church as un-unified. When the Christians in Corinth gathered to celebrate the Lord's Supper, they lost sight of its purpose. There was little unity. Ultimately, the divisions among the Corinthian believers were dishonoring to God. Because real love involves the whole family of God, Paul would not allow such division to continue. Paul's approach to the church was bathed in an efficient challenge for the church today. As we gather around the table, we do so in a call to remembrance, reflection, and thanksgiving. 

The Lord's Supper gives us an opportunity for spiritual growth and blessings if we approach it with the right attitude. In verses 23-26, Paul directs the church to look back; be reflective upon your own life. Christ chooses to implement this communion time as part of a greater historical reflection to that of the Passover feast. However, this "remembering" is not simply the recalling of historical facts. It is a participation in spiritual realities. At the Lord's Table, we do not walk around a monument and admire it. Instead, we have fellowship with a living Savior as our hearts reach out by faith.

Second Paul directed the church to look ahead at its ongoing witness. Verse 26 concludes with, "In doing this you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." We observe the Lord's Supper "till He comes." The return of Jesus Christ is the blessed hope of the church and the individual Christian. Jesus not only died for us, but He rose again and ascended to heaven; one day He shall return to take us to heaven. Today, we are not all we should be; but when we see Him, "we shall be like Him" (1 John 3:2). We have a responsibility to be His witness not only in the moment today but until the day He returns. 

Third, the church is told to examine themselves (v. 27). Upon this self-examination, it is fair to think that I would deem myself unworthy. In part, that is true but look again at the text. Paul did not say that we (believers) had to be worthy to participate in the meal. Instead, we need to approach the meal worthily. Those that approach in an unworthy way ultimately eats and drink judgment upon themselves. 

Finally, this reminder to the church concludes with the call to look around at others (vs. 33-34). The Lord's Supper is a family meal. The Lord of the family desires that His children love one another and care for one another. A genuine Christian can't get closer to his Lord while at the same time he is separated from his fellow believers. How can we remember the Lord's death and not love one another? "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another" (1 John 4:11).

As you get ready to attend worship this weekend, do so by incorporating prayer into your preparation. Thank God for His sacrifice on our behalf. Ask God that He would make our church into a united church. Pray that He would grant deep relationships among all our members and ask that He protect us from division and disunity. Also, pray that our members would feel a sense of gratitude and honor in being a part of the body of Christ.

It continues to be a great honor serving Our Lord while serving the family of faith at Union Avenue Baptist. 
Pastor Jeff