April 23rd, 2000, Easter Sunday Evening

"Communion with a Clear Conscience"
The prerequisites and proper method of practicing

OPENING: 1 Corinthians 5:7-9, KJV

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• 1 Corinthians 11:26-28: By observing Communion, you are a public testament to the Lord's death until His return. However, you must "examine" yourself before performing Communion. Performing it incorrectly will bring repercussions.
  
  
• Believe the Bible at face value but do not read it in a literal interpretation. The wine component of Communion doesn't necessarily mean alcohol. Back then, wine meant unfermented grape juice. Unfermented means its a type of leavening which symbolizes sin.
  
  
• Ephesians 4:1: We should "look like" Christ in our life. The more and more we walk in His footsteps, we can say we look more like Him, as well.
  
  
• Galatians 5:25: If we live to please God we must do the things He would do ("also walk in the Spirit").
  
  
• Galatians 1:10: You cannot please both man and God at the same time. This verse clearly states you please either one or the other.
  
  
• 1 Corinthians 11:24-26: THE ORIGIN OF COMMUNION AND WHY WE PERFORM IT.
  
  
• What about unworthy communion? Doing it incorrectly?
  
  
  • 1 Corinthians 11:28: How does a man examine himself beforehand? Read the definition for examine. Since we don't like others to look and judge us, we must judge ourselves.
    
    
  • The Lord's Supper is for the SAVED--not for the LOST.
    
    
  • 1 Corinthians 11:29-30: If you are not saved and perform this, you will not die and go to hell. This punishment speaks of illness. You may become sick, weak, or ill and it may require much sleep to recover. However, back in the bible, many Corinthian saints died while performing this because they were lost.
  
  
• We are saved to serve. Not everyone can be a pastor but everyone can serve in one form or another.
  
  
• 1 Corinthians 5:7-8: Why do we perform communion with unleavened bread, anyway? Read this passage first. Leavened bread means an extra ingredient is added to make the bread rise. This ingredient is sin. Unleavened bread is food without sin for our body--just what Jesus was, is, and ever shall be.
  
  
• Luke 12:1: Proof that leavened bread represents sin.
  
  
• 1 John 3:4: The bible's definition of sin: "transgression of the law."
  
  
• James 4:17: Omission is sin, also. To NOT go to church, to shirk the responsibility of praying for each other and to learn to be a witness and preach the gospel is sin also!! This is a footstomper! Read this verse!
  
  
• 1 John 1:6: A reminder to put your faith where your mouth is. We may fool others by saying we walk with God but God knows everything we do.
  
  CLOSER

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• Psalm 51:1-10: Read this passage. We should constantly wish this upon ourselves.
  
  
• We, the saved, are guilty of not sharing Jesus with the crowds of the unbelieving. That is an omission and sin on us. We do not force our religion on anyone-- but we do try and share the Word with someone at least once.