Mind Your Manners
The Sign that Seals
March 21, 2021
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
Paul warns believers to examine themselves before eating the Lord's Supper so they won't bring judgment on themselves, to safeguard the integrity of the gospel by discerning the body, reconciling with others, accepting God's corrective discipline, and caring for the weak in the church.
Summary
Using 1 Corinthians 11:27–32 as a capstone to the series on the Lord's Supper, the sermon calls Christians to self-examination before partaking of the bread and cup—not to prove worthiness but to discern the body, avoid eating unworthily (and thereby being guilty of Christ's blood), and to preserve the gospel's integrity. Paul teaches practical steps: examine your standing in the church, make personal reconciliation if someone has something against you, and strive for peace with one another. When God brings discipline for unexamined sin, it is loving correction intended for our holiness; the congregation is also urged to pray for and care for those who are weak or ill. The hoped-for outcome is a church shaped by repentance, mutual care, and a faithful witness to the world.
Key Points
- Text: 1 Corinthians 11:27–32 and the capstone of the Lord's Supper series
- Central command: each Christian must examine themselves before partaking of Communion
- Meaning of examine: to test, discern, and evaluate—not to prove worthiness but to discern the body
- Danger: eating and drinking unworthily makes one liable for the body and blood of Christ and brings judgment
- The Lord's Table is also an opportunity for unbelievers to come to faith and be cleansed of blood guilt
- Practical steps to safeguard the gospel: examine your standing, make personal contact to reconcile if someone has something against you, and strive to be at peace
- Discipline: when God disciplines the church or individuals for failure to examine, it is for our good to share His holiness
- Pastoral care: pray for the weak and ill and consider whether sin underlies their weakness; care for one another
- Goal: a church marked by repentance, mutual service, holiness, and a faithful public witness (illustrated by the need for respect and integrity)
- Closing: a pastoral prayer asking God to shepherd the church for His glory, our good, and the culture’s need
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