I Corinthians 11:18

In our last chapter we studied the responsibility of each individual participant at the Lord's Supper. Each one is to "examine himself." Most of us are quick to see this truth! The individual is to acknowledge his sins unto God and ask for forgiveness and this is his responsibility and his alone! Each must stand before God!! There is, however, another truth that is not so readily grasped and it would be well to meditate upon it!

God not only holds each individual responsible for his actions but He also holds the individual church responsible for its actions as a church. It is not only true that each individual must "examine himself " but also that each church must examine itself !! There are "church sins" that need to be judged. These are sins of which the church, as a church, is guilty!! Paul says, "I hear that there be divisions among you." Again he writes, ". . . there must be also heresies among you . . ." These were church sins and God was holding the church responsible!!

God calls upon each individual to judge himself (I Corinthians 11:31) and confess before God in order to receive forgiveness and blessing and to avoid chastisement. Each is responsible for obeying God. So it is with the, individual church. Each individual church is responsible before God of maintaining a high Christian standard and each has the authority of judgment and discipline. "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God." I Peter 4:17. The authority to judge and correct sin was placed in the church by Christ Himself. (Matthew 18:17.) We find this discipline carried out in the New Testament (II Thess. 3:6, Titus 3:10 and I Corinthians 5:9-13),

Each church, as a church, is to examine itself before participation at the Lord's Supper.

TO BRING GLORY TO GOD

"Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." Ephesians 3:21. The main purpose of each church should be to bring glory unto God. Too often we glorify man, organizations, plans, etc. Every activity of the church should be so conducted that God would be glorified.

Christ established the church to go forth preaching the gospel and winning lost souls, Let each church examine itself! Has your church lost its purpose? Has it changed its course? Every church should be preaching the old gospel and seeing souls saved. Not to do so is sin, grievous sin, which needs to be judged and repented!

Christ said for each church to go into all the world with the gospel. We need to check our missionary programs! Are they alive and growing? Are we sending out missionaries who are flaming evangelists for Christ?

Each church is responsible before God for maintaining a pure doctrine; there is no room for heresy!! Away with compromise and the condoning of error and false doctrines! Let each church march under the banner of truth untainted by heresy. God grant that each church would assume its God-given duty of teaching God's Holy Word, plus nothing and minus nothing!!

God expects each church to maintain a standard of clean, Christian living among its members! For a church to tolerate sin among any of its members is to involve the entire church!! It's examination time!!

AN ASSEMBLY OF LOVE AND FELLOWSHIP

A church is to provide an assembly of love and fellowship for each member. There is no room for bickering, fighting and divisions. Fighting and feuding in a church is akin to blasphemy!!

Nothing will provide an anchor for the church like a proper observance of the Lord's Supper. It holds the church true to its purpose, maintains unity and love and glorifies God.