10/3/2009 #850
STAYING IN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
1 Corinthians 11:23-32
INTRODUCTION: The Lord’s Table is a reminder of the cost Christ Jesus paid for our salvation. The observance of the Lord’s Supper reminds us of the reason why we love Him. It calls us to examine our lives so we can stay in fellowship with Him. As we partake of the Lord’s Supper, it should strengthen our love and devotion to Jesus Christ. We should desire to live holy and separated lives for His glory. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act that calls to mind the death, resurrection and promised return of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we take the bread and the cup, we are remembering the day when Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross, was buried, and rose again from the dead. The first thing we must do before approaching the Lord’s Table is to specificallyconfess our sins.
I. CONFESSION
A. ASSESSING OUR LIVES. (v. 28)
Confession begins by assessing our lives. We must name and claim our sins and ask God to forgive us. We need to know the spiritual condition of our hearts. We may know of certain sins that need to be confessed. Other sins we may not know because of the deceitfulness of our hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jer. 17:9) We can only know of sins as the Holy Spirit convicts and reveals those sins. If we are serious about having fellowship with God, we should pray: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-23)
The Bible states: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) A person who says he has no sin is lost and is blinded by Satan.
B. AGREEING WITH GOD.
Confession means to “agree” or “say the same thing.” If we honestly want to be in fellowship with God, we will agree with God when He convicts us of our sins. A Christian can agree with God concerning his sin but continue on in sin if he is unwilling to repent. This is contempt toward God. How can we as God’s children continue on in sin that God hates? In the light of the fact that Christ died for our sin, to go on sinning is unspeakable. Repentance follows genuine confession.The old saying “confession is good for the soul”is correct;however, it is not enough. We must turn from our sins.
II. CLEANSING
A. PROVISION FOR OUR CLEANSING.
The blood of Jesus Christ “cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) In Revelation 1:5, the Bible states: “Unto Him that loveth us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” In Ephesians 1:7, the Bible declares: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
B. PROMISE FOR OUR CLEANSING. (1 John 1:9)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
C. PROOF OF OUR CLEANSING
1. Faithfulness and justice of God to cleanse. (1 John 1: 9)
2. Peace that follows cleansing.
III. CELEBRATING
A. CELEBRATE OUR FORGIVENESS FROM GOD.
The word “Celebrate” means “to mark a special occasion or day by ceremonies or festivities.” It comes from a Latin word that means “To attend a feast.” We are celebrating all that Jesus has done for us. We should be thankful and be joyful in Christ.Divine forgiveness is costly. God is love, but God is holy. God must punish sin. It cost God a terrible price so we can be forgiven. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross in our place. God’s love was His motive in sending Jesus to earth so we can be forgiven. Christ’s death made forgiveness possible.
A couple married for 15 years began having more than usual disagreements. They wanted to make their marriage work and agreed on an idea the wife had. For one month they planned to drop a slip in a "Fault" box. The boxes would provide a place to let the other know about daily irritations. The wife was diligent in her efforts and approach: "leaving the jelly top off the jar," "wet towels on the shower floor," "dirty socks not in hamper," on and on until the end of the month. After dinner, at the end of the month, they exchanged boxes. The husband reflected on what he had done wrong. Then the wife opened her box and began reading. They were all the same, the message on each slip was, "I love you!"God loves His children. He hates every sin that separates us from Him. He chastises and convicts us of sin because He loves us. We were all guilty criminals before God and sentenced to die, but we were pardoned by the blood of Jesus.
As evangelist John Wesley was returning home from a service one night, he was robbed. The thief, however, found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature. As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, "Stop! I have something more to give you." The surprised robber paused. "My friend," said Wesley, "you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here's something to remember: 'The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!'" The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit.
Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. What a surprise to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ as a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before! "I owe it all to you," said the transformed man. "Oh no, my friend," Wesley exclaimed, "not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!"
B. CELEBRATE OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.
We have a fellowship unknown by the world. We have fellowship with God. The Greek word for fellowship comes from a root meaning “common or shared.” We have fellowship with God because He has given us His life, His love, and His light. This is something we can celebrate as a child of God. We have the promise in verse 26 that Jesus will return for us. We will spend eternity with Him in heaven. Until then, we can enjoy fellowship with each other in the Body of Christ. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth: “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9) Some glorious day, we will gather around His table in Heaven. We will enjoy unending fellowship with Jesus and with each other. Amen!
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. We trample the blood of the Son of God if we think we are forgiven because we are sorry for our sins. Forgiveness is granted to those who confess and repent.
2. Our walk with God in fellowship should be our greatest desire and pleasure.
3. The person who is not in fellowship with the Father and the Son is not a Christian. We must be born again before we can know this special fellowship with God. Have you repented of your sins and trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?