1 Corinthians 11:29 For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. I. EXPLICATION. 1. What is meant by eating and drinking? Not the body and blood of Christ, but sacramental bread and wine. 2. What by unworthily? Not according to Christ's institution. 3. What by damnation? Judgment. He sins, and so must expect punishment. II. DOCTRINE. It behoves every one to have a great care he doth not receive unworthily. Who are unworthy receivers? 1. The ignorant receivers. (1) Such as know not the fundamentals of religion, that is (Matthew 28:19) — (a) God the Father (John 17:3). (b) God the Son. Who He was; what He became; what He suffered; what He did; what He is; for whom He undertook these things; what benefit we receive from them. (c) The Holy Ghost. (2) Such as know not the state of their own souls. (3) That know not the nature of the sacrament, even that it is an ordinance instituted by God, wherein, under the outward signs of bread and wine, Christ, with all the benefits of His death and passion, is represented, sealed, and conveyed to the worthy receiver. (4) Examine — (a) How may we know whether we know God? By our love to Him, trust on Him (Psalm 9:10), desire for Him, joy in Him, fear of Him. (b) Ourselves. By our thoughts of ourselves, and our constant endeavour to get ourselves bettered. (c) The sacrament. By our desire of it, and preparation:for it. 2. The impenitent (Acts 2:33). (1) What is repentance? (a) To sorrow for the sins we have committed. (i.) Heartily (Joel 2:13). (ii.) Sincerely. (iii.) Universally. (iv.) Constantly. (b) To turn from the sins for which we sorrowed — (i.) With full purpose of heart. (ii.) In obedience to God. (iii.) From all sin. (iv.) To a right end. (2) How appears it that the impenitent is unworthy? (a) They cannot discern the Lord's body. (b) They mock the ordinance by acting and living contrary to it, and provoke God. 3. Examine — (1) Your heart, thoughts, affections. (2) Your life, words, actions (Jeremiah 9:17, 18). (Bp. Beveridge.) Parallel Verses KJV: For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. |
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