“The Communion Checklist”

Posted on 27Feb CATEGORIES: General 4260

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you: This do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” —Luke 22:19-20

As the tray of communion crackers passes by a little boy, he reaches in and grabs one like everybody else around him. His granny pops his hand, and he drops it back into the tray. “Why did you pick up that cracker?” He answers her, “Everybody else is grabbing one.” “Yes, but everybody else is baptized.”

How many of us use this as our barometer on whether or not we get to partake of communion? Of course, we understand that our status as baptized believers is important regarding communion, but it is not the only factor we should consider.

So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. –1 Corinthians 11:27-28 (NIV)

It is often pointed out how we should examine ourselves and be careful not to partake of communion in an unworthy manner. What does that really mean? In the instance where Paul issued this warning, there was an attitude problem in the church at Corinth. There was disunity and discord. There was a lack of regard for the sacrifice of Christ, and a lack of respect for the significance of the common elements used to symbolize the body and blood. They’re attitude was unworthy. They lacked humility and gratitude. They could not possibly identify with Christ and therefore, could not appropriately share in his suffering and death.

Before you take communion, be sure you are in the right position. Do you respect what the bread and juice represents? Are you repentant? Are you humble? Are you grateful? Nobody but God truly knows who among us is about to take communion in an unworthy manner. Communion is a vitally important sacrament, and making sure we are taking it in a worthy manner is relatively simple. I encourage you to check yourself against these tips:

o Be repentant. Seek forgiveness of your sins and seek God’s help to avoid temptations in the future. You can utter a prayer as communion is served, if you haven’t already done so.

o Be present. Don’t just go through the motions of communion, but actually think about the suffering and sacrifice of Christ that the bread and juice symbolizes. Respect the bread and juice, and stay focused on the entire communion service. It’s not very long anyway.

o Be humble. It is important to recognize that we are all sinners in need of salvation through Jesus Christ. Nothing in our human ability can bridge the gap between God and man. Not even the most talented or richest or smartest person in our congregation is able to enter heaven without Christ as his or her savior. We must remember this, and stay humble.

Towards the end of the service, it is tempting to lose focus and think about everything else going on afterwards. Communion is too important for this. Instead, always be very deliberate about the manner in which you take communion.

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“The Communion Checklist”

“The Communion Checklist”

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