Approaching Christ's Table

Grace Bible Church of Conway's Podcast

Jeffrey Johnson's sermon "Approaching Christ's Table" delves into the importance of self-examination before partaking in communion, based on 1 Corinthians 11:27-34. Paul emphasizes that eating and drinking in an unworthy manner brings judgment upon oneself, leading to severe consequences such as illness and even death, as witnessed among the Corinthians. Self-examination means discerning one's relationship with Christ, acknowledging personal sins, and understanding the significance of the bread and cup as symbols of Christ’s body and blood. Johnson asserts that believers should approach the Lord’s Table with the same reverence as they would approach Christ or the gospel, recognizing Christ’s sacrifice, repenting of sins, believing in the gospel, and maintaining love and unity within the church.
Johnson outlines a fourfold exhortation for communion: examine oneself, believe the gospel, repent, and love the church. He warns against treating the Lord’s Table as a common meal, which shows disrespect and can make one guilty of disrespecting Christ’s sacrifice. The Corinthians had turned the Lord’s Table into a common fellowship meal, leading to division and irreverence. Johnson advocates for regular observance of communion to continually remember the gospel and maintain a sincere relationship with Christ. He suggests weekly communion to keep the gospel central in believers' lives, while cautioning against letting the ceremony become mundane. Regular practices like prayer, preaching, and singing retain their significance despite their frequency, and the same should apply to communion.
Practical applications include ensuring that only believers in right standing with Christ and the church partake in communion, using it as a teaching moment for non-believing children and visitors. Johnson notes that church practices vary, with some holding open communion (for all), some closed communion (for church members only), and some close communion (for believers in fellowship). Self-examination involves recognizing sin, believing in Christ's worthiness, and confessing sins for forgiveness and right standing with God. The Lord's Table signifies communion with Christ and unity among believers. Johnson encourages addressing personal grievances, seeking reconciliation, and loving the saints, reflecting Christ's love for the church. In conclusion, believers should approach the Lord’s Table with reverence, self-examination, faith, repentance, and love. Regular communion helps believers stay grounded in the gospel and maintain a joyful, celebratory remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.