Sermon Tone Analysis

Unworthily

The Context

The Corinthian church had departed from the simplicity of the faith and the harmony of the church

The Lord’s Supper began to be patterned after the idolatrous feasts - occasions for feasting and selfish enjoyment

It became customary to unite in a social meal before partaking of the Lord’s Supper

A distinction was made between those who had much and those who had very little

Paul rebuked the congregation for this behavior

Paul teaches how to partake in the Lord’s Supper

[Profound simplicity...]

(Unworthily) - That is, without due reverence for the Lord, whose suffering and sacrifice are being commemorated.

The unworthiness may be said to consist either in unbecoming conduct (see v. 21) or in a lack of vital, active faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ (6SDABC).

(Guilty) - One who fails to appreciate the incalculable debt he owes to the Saviour, and who treats with indifference the ordinance appointed to keep fresh in the minds of believers the death of Christ, is guilty of disrespect toward Him.

Such an attitude is akin to that of those who condemned and crucified the Lord.

One who displays such an attitude at the Lord’s Supper might well be considered as rejecting his Lord, and therefore sharing in the guilt of those who put Him to death (6SDABC).

(Examine himself) - Before taking part in the Lord’s Supper the believer should prayerfully and carefully review his experience as a Christian, and make certain that he is ready to receive the blessings that participation in this ordinance provides for all who are in right relationship with God.

He may well ask himself whether day by day he has an experience of death to sin and new birth to the Lord, whether he is gaining in the battle against besetting sins, and whether his attitude toward other men is right.

Words, thoughts, and deeds should be inspected, as well as habits of personal devotion;

indeed, everything that has a bearing on progress toward the attainment of a character that reflects the image of Jesus, the Lord’s Supper represents a special occasion for public declaration of new resolves (6SDABC).

...self-examination and the putting away of everything that is contrary to the mind of God is an exercise in which the Christian must engage every day (6SSDABC).

After having made a careful scrutiny of his life in relationship to the Lord, let the believer approach the table of the Lord with joyful thankfulness for all that the crucified Saviour means to him (6SDABC).

Review

Unworthily - Without due reverence for the Lord

Guilty - Disrespecting Christ by failing to appreciate the incalculable debt we owe to the Savior and treating the ordinance with indifference

Examine Self

Prayerfully and carefully review our experience as a Christian

Ask self whether we are daily experiencing death to sin and the new birth in the Lord

Ask self is gaining the battle against besetting sins

Ask whether my attitude toward others is right

Publicly declare our renewed resolve to live for God