Exam Time

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This is a sermon that was used for a communion service and is based on the text found in 1 Cor. 11:28.

Introduction:

Some of you are still in school and know what it is like to hear the words, “Take out a piece of paper and put your name at the top; we’re going to have a quiz.” Or, you know the anxiety associated with mid-term exams or semester exams or even final exams at the end of a course. To many others here, these descriptions are just memories from years gone by.

Exam time is not usually a favorite time for most people.

I found this humorous “parable” written somewhat like King James English about taking a semester exam.

And it came to pass,
Early in the morning toward the last day of the semester
There arose a great multitude smiting the books and wailing,
And there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth
For the day of judgment was at hand.
And they were sore afraid for they had left undone
Those things which they ought to have done.
And they had done those things which they ought not to have done
And there was no help for it.
And there were many abiding in the dorm
Who had kept watch over their books by night,
But it availed them naught.
But there were some who rose peacefully,
For they had prepared themselves the way
And made straight paths of knowledge.
And these were known as wise burners of the midnight oil.
And to others they were known as "curve-raisers."
And the multitude arose and ate a hearty breakfast.
And they came unto the appointed place
And their hearts were heavy within them.
And they had come to pass, but some to pass out.
And some of them repented of their riotous living
And bemoaned their fate.
But they had not a prayer.
And at the last hour there came among them
One known as the instructor;
And they feared exceedingly.
He passed papers among them and went his way.
And many and varied were the answers that were given,
For some of his teachings had fallen among fertile minds,
While other had fallen flat.
And some they were who wrote for one hour,
Others for two;
But some turned away sorrowfully, and many of these
Offered up a little [baloney] in hope of pacifying the instructor.

(Source Unknown.) 

Our Scripture text, found in 1 Corinthians 11, is talking about a specific kind of exam – a self-exam. The Apostle Paul urges his readers to examine themselves to see whether they are misusing the Lord’s Supper by eating and drinking in an unworthy manner.

I want to take just a few moments to look at these words of the Apostle and see what lessons there are for us to learn.

“Examine” – (Thayer) 1. “to test, examine, prove, scrutinize” (to see whether a thing be genuine or not), as metals: other things: and men…. 2. “to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy…

So, the Apostle is telling these Christians that they need to test themselves, scrutinize themselves, or prove themselves to make sure that they are not eating and drinking the emblems of the Lord’s Supper unworthily.

“Unworthily” – this word does not pertain to the idea of making sure that we are worthy enough to eat and drink or deserve to partake. It is not talking about making sure that we are good enough or perfect enough to join in the communion ceremony.

What does it mean?

Many of the recent translations of the Bible use this reading, “…in an unworthy manner.” So, what does that mean? I referenced several different scholars to get opinions and thoughts about this question. There were two or three basic answers offered to this question.

To eat and drink unworthily means:

1. To behave in such a way during the actual ritual so as to bring disgrace to the Lord, and shame to the body of Christ.

This is based on the context leading up to this verse where the Apostle has just condemned their behavior when they gather to eat the Lord’s Supper. (Which in those days usually included an actual common or shared meal. One writer stated that this practice was discontinued around 150 AD.) This behavior would demonstrate a lack of properly “discerning” the Lord’s body (either his physical suffering; or His body-the church, where there was supposed to be unity.)

2. To participate in the ritual and partake of the emblems while knowingly engaging in disunity with fellow Christian believers.

This point seems to be based on the larger context of the parts in the letter where the Apostle was reprimanding them for their factions and conflicts. See chapter 10:17.

3. The writer, Matthew Henry, adds the component of “keeping up one’s covenant with sin and death at the same time that they are professedly renewing their covenant with God.”

He is not talking about living a perfect life that is good enough to deserve the ritual. He’s talking about not coming to the Lord’s table to renew our covenant of faith while having no intention of separating myself from the sinful conduct that implies a covenant with the devil. You cannot be living this double life without dishonoring the sacrifice of Christ.

Conclusion:

The purpose of self-examination is not to pile on the feelings of guilt or to cause you to give up in despair and discouragement. The purpose is to help each of us to be diligent Christians. If you discover deficiencies in your behavior and motives, give thanks to the Lord for the faithfulness of His Spirit and go to prayer. Jesus is always waiting to forgive and to provide His grace and strength to live pleasing to Him.

Before we share the elements of the Lord’s Supper, let us sing two verses of the hymn named in your bulletin, What a Wonderful Savior (vv. 1 & 2)  p. 345