How can we prepare our hearts for Communion as instructed in 1 Corinthians 11:26? The Call of 1 Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” Each observance of the Lord’s Supper is a living sermon: we openly declare Christ’s atoning sacrifice and His imminent return. Such a weighty proclamation calls for hearts that are sober, clean, and full of faith. Remember the Finished Work • Fix your mind on Golgotha—Christ’s body given and blood poured out (Luke 22:19–20). • Meditate on His words, “It is finished” (John 19:30), allowing gratitude to well up. • Acknowledge the sufficiency of His sacrifice; no human effort can improve upon it (Hebrews 10:14). Examine Yourself Thoroughly • Scripture commands, “Let a person examine himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28). • Invite the Spirit to search the hidden places of the heart (Psalm 139:23–24). • Identify attitudes, habits, or relationships that contradict the gospel you are about to proclaim. Confess and Forsake Sin • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9). • Turn from every known sin—private, relational, or public. • Rest in the cleansing promised through Christ’s blood (Hebrews 9:14). Pursue Reconciliation • Scripture links worship with relational integrity: “First be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:23–24). • Make peace where offense has occurred (Romans 12:18). • Unforgiveness nullifies the very message Communion proclaims. Embrace Unity in the Body • The cup is “a participation in the blood of Christ” and the bread “a participation in the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:16–17). • Recognize fellow believers as members of the same body; divisiveness dishonors the table. • Celebrate diverse members united under one Head—Christ (Ephesians 4:1–3). Nurture Expectant Hope • Communion looks forward: “until He comes.” • Cultivate longing for His appearing (Titus 2:13). • Allow future glory to shape present holiness (1 John 3:2–3). Approach with Reverent Joy • Hold together awe and celebration—both are fitting responses to grace (Psalm 2:11). • Sing, testify, and give thanks with a glad heart (Colossians 3:16). • Let joy confirm that the gospel you declare has truly taken root within. Practical Steps Before the Service • Set aside quiet time the night before or morning of Communion for Scripture reading and self-examination. • Write down specific sins, confess them, then destroy the list as a tangible reminder of forgiveness. • Reach out promptly to anyone you’ve wronged. • Arrive early, minimizing distractions, so the heart is calm and attentive. • Engage in the hymns and readings, letting truth sink deeply before receiving the elements. Lifelong Pattern, Not Mere Ritual Regular preparation shapes a lifestyle of repentance, faith, and hope. Each table visit trains the soul to live daily in light of the cross and the coming kingdom, so that our proclamation rings true not only in the sanctuary but in every sphere of life. |
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