A person should examine himself first, and in this way let him eat the bread and drink of the cup. (1 Corinhians 11:28)
This week is traditionally celebrated as Holy Week. The week leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Good Friday, we will be remembering the events of the last supper through to the crucifixion together. We will be taking communion together for the first time since we stopped physical gatherings.
It is important that we take the time to prepare ourselves to take communion together. Paul urges us to take communion, "- in this way." That is, having examined our own hearts beforehand and put right anything that might be amiss. When in good conscience, we can come before the Lord with a clean heart, we are ready to take communion together.
Self-examination is not designed to bring us into condemnation. Rather, it is the outworking of our salvation. We are to live daily in the light of Christ's sacrifice and forgiveness for our sins and those others. So, when we gather together for communion and our hearts are right before God and each other, it is truly a celebration of loving grace and freedom, not a heavy guilt trip.
Examine yourself by following the Lord's Prayer;
"Forgive us our sins,"
Ask the Lord to reveal what you need to confess and repent of.
Do this until nothing more comes to mind
"As we forgive those that have sinned against us."
Ask the Lord, who you need to forgive.
Do you need to put right any wrong with them?
Do this until there is no-one left to forgive.
At the end of this you should be feeling full of joy and expectation that God will touch you in a deep and personal way through our Good Friday Communion.
Online Meetings This Week
Good Friday: 7-8 pm.
Easter Sunday: 9:30 for fellowship. Service, 10-11:30 am.
This Week's Prayer Points:
