Preparing for the Lord's Supper

You may have noticed that the pastors always announce the Lord's Supper a week ahead of time.  And we'll typically say something like, "Be sure to prepare yourself this week for next week's Lord's Supper."  What do we mean by that, and how should God's people prepare themselves for this holy sacrament?

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul makes it abundantly clear that it is possible to partake of the Lord's Supper in an "unworthy manner" (v. 27).  In fact, he goes on to say that if we don't get this right, we "eat and drink judgment on ourselves" (v. 29).  What does it mean to eat and drink in an unworthy manner?  The context of this verse provides the answer.  Apparently, the Corinthian believers were abusing the Lord's Supper in a variety of ways:

• First, there was disunity in the body.  Paul says that "when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you" (v. 18).

• Second, there was neglect of the poor.  Paul pointed out that the rich were eating all the choice food earlier in the day, leaving only scraps for the poor who had to work all day and had to come late to the feast (vv. 20-22).

• Third, there was misunderstanding of what the Lord's Supper represented.  Paul clarified the true meaning of the meal as being done "in remembrance of [Jesus]" (v. 24), as the "new covenant in [Jesus'] blood" (v. 25), an act where we "proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (v. 26), and where we "recognize the body of the Lord" (v. 29).
  

• First, we need to understand ourselves.  Paul says, "A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup" (v. 28).  This means taking an honest look at our hearts and lives and confessing any failures and sins to God.  We do this by measuring ourselves against God's holy law.  This command also has a corporate element to it.  We need our spiritual shepherds (like elders and small group leaders) to be speaking into our lives and helping us see our own blind spots so we can confess sins and keep coming back to the paths of righteousness.

• Second, we need to understand Jesus and the cross.  When we look honestly at ourselves, our sin should so disturb us that it drives us immediately to the cross of Christ where we find forgiveness.  When we partake of the bread and wine, it should move us to tears of overwhelming sorrow and inexpressible joy.  Our hearts should break because our sins nailed Him to the cross.  But our hearts should also well up in sheer delight because that same crucifixion also paid our debts to God and brought forgiveness and life.  That's why the Lord's Supper is a "remembrance" of Jesus (v. 24), and a "proclamation of the death of Christ" (v. 26).

• Third, before partaking, we need to reconcile with one another.  The Lord's Supper doesn't just deal with our relationship to God, but also our relationship with one another.  If we've sinned against someone and we're not willing to repent of that sin, then we're not to partake of the Lord's Supper until we repent and reconcile (as far as it depends on us).  Paul makes it clear that disunity destroys the purpose and value of the Lord's Supper.

• Fourth, we need to care for the poor.  This one may surprise you, but it is clearly a theme in Paul's exhortation to us about how to conduct the Lord's Supper in a worthy manner (v.20-22).  Every time we conduct the Lord's Supper, we encourage the people to give an extra "mercy gift" which is a love-offering for the poor, both in our church and in our surrounding community.  But this is more than bringing a financial offering.  This is a basic heart-attitude toward those who are less fortunate.  After all, didn't Jesus die for the spiritually poor and destitute (you and me)?  Should that not move us to care for people in need?

Practical Questions

• In what areas of my life am I sinning?  In other words, what bad things am I doing, and what good things am I failing to do?

• Do I really understand why Jesus had to be crucified for my salvation?  Do I really appreciating the Gospel of grace that forgives me of my sin?

• Is there anybody I've offended and need to ask forgiveness from?

• Is there anybody who has offended me and I haven't forgiven?

• Am I failing to promote the peace and unity of the church fellowship in any way?

• Am I engaged in true fellowship with a few other brothers or sisters in the church (like small group)?

• Am I neglecting the poor in any way?

"Come to Me"