But let a man examine himself

The Lord's Table is for Believers only, and it is to be shared with only with Believers who are in proper fellowship. I will be leading the Family Communion service this Sunday and I'll be preaching from the following Scriptures.

Last week a Brother lead and reminded us that when we eat and drink at the Lord's Table that we are instructed to examine ourselves.  We read about this and why in 1Cor 11:23-34.

Note that this is clear instruction to Believers, and that the consequences of not obeying are dire. Believers who eat in an "unworthy fashion" are judged by God and can become sick even die. This is no small matter to be brushed aside. This is how seriously God takes the concept of "biblical separation."

But how are we to examine ourselves, what are we looking for, what are we to do about what we find? In some persuasions of theology we are told to look for the evidences of God's working in and through us. However, the Apostles Paul and John explain that we are to expose what we would rather have hidden, our sin, to the Light. We are to allow the Spirit, God's Word and our Brethren even to make manifest our sin so as to be cleansed from it and have true fellowship, rest and fruitfulness.

Eph 5:8-14 and 1Jn 1:5-10 are good examples.

The entire chapter of Hebrews 4 ( Heb 4:1-16 ) is about entering our rest in Christ. In order to do this we have to approach God "boldly." God who sees all, knows all and will judge all.

Heb 4:16 reads

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

But what does "boldly" really mean? How ought we expose our sin to the Light and then come boldly? Well consider the Tax Collector and the Pharisee of Luke 18:9-14

9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:  10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Tax Collector who was a great sinner approached God "boldly" because he knew he was a sinner but came anyway - in faith. Boldly didn't mean he marched up to God, but that he feared God but came anyway! The Pharisee looked only at his good works and thought they gave him reason to have assurance before God.

The cup that Jesus called the blood of the New Covenant was the Cup of Redemption. We drink it today to proclaim the death of Jesus Christ for sinners until He returns. When we drink this cup we must do so in a worthy fashion, knowing our need of the Saviour - else we make Him a liar and so drink it in an unworthy fashion.  We do not need to reform our lives to drink the cup, but we do need to expose our lives to the Light. He'll clean us up as He chooses.

I'll close with Hebrews 10:19-25

19   Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,  20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,  21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,  22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,  25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.