Christmastime, like any other year was pretty hectic this last year. I had to stop and take stock one day, as I found myself with my mouth full and overflowing with sugar cookies with globby green icing, short tempered, and resenting the box of decorations sitting on my living room floor in front of the naked Blue Spruce. As I stood in the middle of the kitchen, it was as if the Lord whispered in a southern accent, “Honey, you are more worked up than a mule running the Kentucky Derby. I didn’t even ask you for a birthday party!” “You didn’t?” I said out loud.
It was true! I suddenly realized that the Lord didn’t command us to celebrate His birth. It is a wonderful meaningful time, but nowhere in scripture did Christ ask for a birthday party every year (as much as I love to give Him one anyway!)
Then my mind immediately went to all the things that He did ask His followers to do — one, namely, was to remember His death. Or participate in our version of that memorial service — Communion. Did I spend near enough time preparing my heart for Communion the way I did for Christmas? Not even close. So I determined that this year I would start with that one thing. I would pay attention to and prepare my heart for remembering His death and the supernatural power that it has to set me free.
So, this Sunday is Communion Sunday. I put together a cheat sheet for properly preparing my heart to come to the Lord’s Table. Feel free to use it to prepare yourself for this important ordinance! You’ll be amazed at the depth that the Holy Spirit will bring to the service for you.
Who should and should not take communion:
Anyone who has a personal relationship with Christ should come. No one needs to stay away from communion or “the Lord’s Table” because they have sin in their life – we all have sin in our life. No one needs to stay away from communion because they have doubts – Jesus included doubting Thomas at the table along with the rest of the disciples. No one needs to stay away from communion because they are struggling spiritually – Jesus invited the weary and heavy laden to come to him and find rest. If you do not yet have a personal relationship with Him there is no reason to remember His death, and you might actually be doing more harm than good.
Why the way we take communion matters (Why bother to prepare?)
There are a couple of things that scriptures instruct us to do prior to taking communion, or coming to “the Lord’s Table” .
A) The first is that we don’t take communion in an “unworthy” manner. Because “whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.” 1 Cor 11:27 Ack! I know I don’t want to be guilty of that!
B) Nor do I want to bring weakness, illness, or even death upon myself (I don’t know if he was referring to physical or emotional/spiritual, but I don’t want either of those – physical or spiritual weakness, sickness, sleepiness, or death! 1 Cor 11:30)
PREPARING YOUR HEART AND MIND FOR COMMUNION…before you get to church — ideally throughout the weekend…
(1) Examine your heart for ongoing sin and choose to turn from it. You are already forgiven, but should speak your sin to the Lord in agreement with His view of it, and then change your behavior/thought processes/attitudes.
I Cor 11:28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
(2) Take care of any business you have outstanding with other believers
Matt 5:23-24 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 1Cor11:31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
(3) Take time to remember/muse/meditate on why He died
Matt 26:26-28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
1Cor 11:29-30 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
(4) Take time to “proclaim the Lord’s death” — tell someone!
Just wanted to bounce that past you so we can all come before the Lord in a worthy manner on Sunday!
Fragile Pottery 
February 3, 2007 at 7:54 pm |
Thank you for this very encouraging and instructive post.
February 6, 2007 at 12:43 pm |
Wish I’d read this before I went for it yesterday myself!! I’m always trying so hard to have a right attitude in preparation, yet continually find myself struggling during the service to do so – mind wanders, stomach rumbles, pain increases, cough starts and I end up so distracted I barely notice what’s going on until it’s my turn and then its over before I know it and THEN I start trying to have the right attitude :). I struggle a lot with the formality of our Communion services (mine’s Methodist), as I think it’s so far removed from that original Passover ‘fellowship’ supper, and I keep yearning for someone to someday suggest we do a proper meal type communion but never going to happen. I appreciate there’s a required reverence for the meaning, but yet, still, something just ends up irritating me about that to the point that I can’t focus which is bad. So your points are timely – a definite help in establishing a right attitude for me for the next time. Blessings.
April 9, 2007 at 10:41 am |
I don’t feel worthy to accept communion this Easter, although I will go to my parents house and have a simple dinner with them in celebration of Easter and all it means biblically. My heart is hardened against someone who used to be a close friend. This person is a Christian, but took advantage of me and I cannot forgive her for it. I have tried talking to her to make her see what she’s done, but either she is not intelligent enough to understand it, or deliberately refuses to aknowledge what she’s done, and continues to do! Basically, she stole my ideas and is making money at them, leaving me out in the cold when I paid half the insurance for what was supposed to be a business “partnership”. I went and got my own insurance and started again, and now she’s acting like I wronged her! I have already decided that this “friendship” is over, along with the partnership. She took advantage of my generous sharing of ideas and money, then ran away with them. She also stole ideas from others. I’ve taken revenge against her by letting them know she is now their competitor and they are giving her ideas that threaten their livelihoods. Since I am angry and feeling and acting vindictive and can’t seem to move past it right now, I feel taking communion, however much I won’t to, would not be an honor to Jesus Christ right now. What are other people’s thoughts about this?
April 9, 2007 at 10:44 am |
Whoops! My second line, . . . I feel taking communion, however much I won’t to, . . . SHOULD READ . . . I feel taking communion, however much I want to . . .
May 29, 2011 at 11:21 am |
lewisdlou:
Thanks for great insights. Writing a one of your gifts…encouraging is another.
scoutabout:
Forgive her and let it go. For your own sake or you’ll make your own life miserable. When you forgive, you are doing as God does. Remember, you blessed her life with ideas to make money, once. You are filled with MANY MORE SWEET AND USEFUL IDEAS, Sweet and Useful Friend.
Take care of yourself. In Christ, Scotty
December 27, 2011 at 11:37 am |
I haven’t taken communion in two months, because I am struggling to have a difficult conversation with a neighbor who I have offended. 😦
December 27, 2011 at 1:45 pm |
titus2woman — Oh I have been there! I would recommend that you ask the Lord for help (He is anxious to help you!) and do it as soon as possible…don’t sacrifice relationship with the One who loves you and wants to show Himself real to you through this. These things are so difficult because they require humility that hurts. Know that humbled position is EXACTLY what the Lord loves — if you humble yourself under His loving hand, he will raise you up in due time, and maybe even restore the relationship with your neighbor. But even if your neighbor does not respond favorably, it is ok. Results are up to Him. You will have a deep peace knowing you have pleased your God. I will be praying!! Do it before THIS Sunday! Your joy the next time you are able to take communion will be deep and beautiful…! Keep me posted ok? 🙂 Donna
January 1, 2012 at 8:26 am |
*THANK YOU, DONNA!* I am just seeing your comment and am encouraged!!!!! I have plans to share with her this coming week.
January 23, 2013 at 4:04 pm |
You should only take communion if your got babtizid and that you are son or a daughter of Jesus.and that u confessed and repented from all your sins
July 25, 2013 at 7:04 pm |
Do any of you realize that you are hurting yourself & relationship with God? Stop these offenses!!! vengence belongs to God he will repay those who touch the anointed. GOD is with you where ever you go. Do you think God would go around being mad and talking bad about your fellow christian? The scripture also says not to forsake fellowship. The Devil does not want anyone to partake of the supper. It drives me bonkers when people take offense with each other. Then use the poor excuse that oh I can’t partake communion because of my sinful heart! Booie..FORGIVE & move on. What a waste. Do what God tells you to do & stop wasting time!!! Do you want to go to Heaven or Hell? That is one of the reason the world is in poor condition. FORGIVE people!!!!
February 5, 2018 at 6:05 am |
There are some fascinating closing dates in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There may be some validity however I’ll take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like more! Added to FeedBurner as well
December 22, 2018 at 6:30 am |
greath content!
April 12, 2022 at 6:10 am |
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