Before our taking Communion as a church this past Sunday, Pastor Jason preached through 1 Corinthians 11:17-29. In this text, the Apostle Paul pointed out a major issue of division among the Corinthians believers during Communion. Instead of taking the Lord’s Supper as a community devoted to Christ and each other, some of the people were showing up early and eating and drinking way too much, leaving nothing for the other believers. Paul tells the church that when they gather together with division, it is for the “worse.”
Pastor Jason reminded us of the explicit “one another” commands of the New Testament that should be exhibited when the church gathers, especially for Communion. We were challenged to examine ourselves before taking Communion: Have I spent time in my relationship with God (word and prayer)? Am I ready to take Communion today with a grateful heart? Is there any unconfessed sin in my life that I need to deal with before I take communion? Are there any of the "one another" commands that I know I have neglected towards a specific person? Have I displayed favoritism or separatism towards another believer? Have I been harboring offense or bitterness towards another believer? Have I been putting my wants before the needs of others?
