2006-08-13 Communion Dedication – Baldwin Christian Church

1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

At the Lord’s Table, there is only one person without sin – Jesus Christ.  When I recognize that my sins have scarred Him, repentance should bring me here to honor and respect what He did for all of us.

1 John 1:5-10 

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

If I refuse to confess, or even consider opening my eyes to see how I have hurt Him, then I do not honor His sacrifice, and I do not belong at His Table. For me to sit down at this table in a state of indifference, is to bring disrespect to the Words He spoke to us, and darkness to His family gathered here.

Psalm 32:5 

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

If I am able to recognize my sins, but not willing to acknowledge them, then I am not disciplining myself.  If I make excuses for my sins, or put-off turning away from them, then I become a mocker at His cross, and surely His rod of correction will visit me.

Romans 5:8 

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Nothing in our power can make us worthy of eating this bread, or drinking this cup. True giving is borne of unfeigned love.  If a gift can truly be called a gift, then no compensation can be made to the giver.

Romans 6:23 

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus has already done His part to save you and me.  It is finished.  There is no great struggle to find a seat at His Table.  Forgiveness, comfort and rest He promises to you, if you will only open your heart to Him.  That’s what this Table is for.