1 CORINTHIANS 11:22-32
 

1. TAKE AN APPRECIATIVE BACKWARD LOOK: VV24, 25:
1. This is a time of remembrance, of casting our mind back across the centuries to that which is history with present relevance.
2. Recalling events of the past is sometimes heartrending, sometimes heartwarming. I love to recall days in Las Cruces in college; to relive, in memories, days at Bible College; to enjoy afresh the all too fast gone days of my children's babyhood and youth.
3. To remember him correctly, look back to what Jesus Christ did to save you!
1. He left Heaven's glory! PHILIPPIANS 2:6, 7: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
2. He endured men's rejection and hate! JOHN 1:10, 11: "He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him."
3. He endured the mock trial: MATTHEW 26:59: "Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, in order that they might put Him to death;"
4. He endured the cross with its agony, curse and shame: HEBREWS 12:2: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
4. A restauranteur named Emil Mettler would never allow a Christian worker to pay for a meal in his restaurant. On one occasion he opened his cash register in the presence of a friend. The man was astonished to see among the bills and coins a six-inch nail. What was it doing there? Mettler explained, "I keep this nail with my money to remind me of the price that Christ paid for my salvation and of what I owe Him in return." (A. Leonard Griffith) As we come to this table, let us take a good lock back and remember what we owe Him.
2. TAKE A HOPEFUL FORWARD LOOK: V26:
1. While we have not been given exact instructions on frequency of participation, we have surely been told how long we are to continue gathering at His table: until He comes!
2. Until He comes, each time we receive the elements representing His Body and Blood, we proclaim His death! Not only does the communion remind of His first coming unto salvation, but it reminds of His second coming in glory!
3. There are a number of attitudes about Jesus' return.
1. Some are skeptical about His coming: "Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." 2 Peter 3:3-4.
2. Some are indifferent about His coming: It just doesn't seem to matter one way or the other. But Jesus told us to be alert and to watch and pray.
3. Some are opposed to His coming: One woman was at a prayer meeting. They were praying, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!" She responded afterward, "I don't want Him to come quickly. I have too much to accomplish first."
4. Some are eagerly anticipating His coming: Those who know that it will usher in heaven and eternity with Christ.
4. A little had always been careless in keeping her room tidy and her desk at school was a mess. When she heard that Jesus was coming soon, things changed. Her mother asked her why all of a sudden she was keeping things in order. The little girl said, "My Sunday School teacher told me Jesus was coming back but we don't know when. I wouldn't want Him to find my things messy, so I just keep them neat in case He comes today." That's taking a forward look. We do the same thing each time we gather at His table.
3. TAKE AN HONEST INWARD LOOK: V28:
1. Examine self -- not your neighbor!
2. Look at:
1. Our own sins: take responsibility, confess, forsake sins of which we each have an ample supply!
2. Our own faith: be sure we have obedient, trusting confidence in Jesus Christ.
3. Our own commitment: are we dedicated to His cause?
4. Our own attitudes: do we bear grudges? Are we selfish? Angry? Hostile?
3. I'm not suggesting a morose, morbid, beat-up-on-yourself attitude, just an honest inventory, a forthright assessment, a candid consideration of where you are with Jesus and with others.
4. Paul said to examine ourselves. We might take a clue from the Employment office in Tucson, Arizona. They posted an interesting sign over a full-length mirror. Directed to all job hunters, it reads, "Would you hire this person?" In another office a mirror and sign join forces and pose the question: "Are you ready for a job?" These state officials wanted people to take a good look at themselves before seeking employment. Paul wants us to take a good look at ourselves before we take communion.
4. TAKE AN UNSELFISH OUTWARD LOOK: V29::
1. Let's go back a few verses to gain a possible understanding of this statement: the body to be discerned may well be the body of Christ which is the church: VERSES 20:-22: "When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!" There was no consideration of the church as a body. 
1. There was cliquish division and a spirit of exclusion and aloofness. Small groups clustered and wouldn't admit anyone else.
2. There was selfishness. Each looked out for his or her own interest and satisfaction. It was every member for himself or herself.
3. There was indifference. Nobody seemed to feel they were their brother's keeper.
4. There was no body life! There was a marked division between the "haves" and the "have nots."
2. They needed to hear and heed Paul's words: "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4.
3. But how can we apply that as we come to the table in particular?
1. Instead of segregating ourselves from others at the table, we need to be aware of and appreciate our brothers and sisters in Christ. True, this is a time to focus on the cross and what Jesus did there, but not as though we were in an isolation booth but as if we all come hand in hand to the table.
2. As far as it depends upon you, be at peace, harmony and unity with others who come to the table.
3. We must willingly and freely forgive one another and purge any grudge or animosity from our hearts.
4. We need to have a heart of goodwill and compassion toward one another as we commune together.
4. Julie and Mark came to understand the full meaning of Paul's words. They were married. They were filled with the joys and expectations of married life together. A year into the marriage, Julie was stricken with a paralyzing stroke. She couldn't talk. She couldn't move. She couldn't eat, or dress, or do any of the daily things for herself. Her parents volunteered to take care of her so Mark could just leave and get on about his life. But Mark refused to fail in his covenant with Julie. For the next 25 years he was her hands and feet. He provided trained day care for her and every evening, night and week-end he was by her side in loving attendance upon her needs. Some felt sorry for Mark. But it was his desire to look outward to the needs of his life companion. And he did it with devotion, he did it with gladness, he did it with unselfishness.

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