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An Open Book Exam


1 Corinthians 11:27-28 – “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

            All of us have taken exams as students.  Sometimes we were allowed to use our books or notebooks for the examination.  The book we will use for this open book exam in the Bible.  The letter to Corinth was written by the Apostle Paul to address the problems they were experiencing in their fellowship.  There are a number of problems he addresses to bring correction.
            Corinth was a city known for immorality, prostitution, and idolatry.  Many of these problems had crept into the church.  The Greeks of Paul’s day were known for their divisive philosophies, litigation, and the rejection of a bodily resurrection.  Like Corinth, many of the problems of our culture have filtered into the church.
            In the eleventh chapter of this Epistle the Apostle Paul deals with the problems that had surfaced during the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.  Communion is a sacred expression of worship.  In I Corinthians 11:23-25 the Apostle explains the spiritual meaning of Communion.  Communion is not just a Christian ritual, but an act of worship remembering the vicarious sacrifice of our Savior.
            In 1 Corinthians 11:29 we learn, “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” 
            When we approach the Lord’s table to participate in communion we must first examine ourselves.  We must ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts.  Communion is a time of introspection.  We need to sincerely ask the Lord to reveal anything large or small that has crept into our lives.  Is there anything in my life that will hinder my walk with God?  Is there anything in my life that will impede my spiritual growth?  Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
            We learn in 1 Corinthians 11:30 what happens when we partake of communion in an unworthy manner, “ For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” We must examine ourselves and commit ourselves completely to the Lord Jesus Christ.

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