"Ordinance of the Lord's Supper"
I Corinthians 11:23-34

Some had forgotten the reason for the Lord's Supper.
Some came early and ate and drank what was for the people to partake of during this ordinance.
 

I.    Purpose of the Lord's Supper. (vs. 26)
 

            A.    To Remember the Lord's death.
                        It is a time to remember what He has done for us.
                        Show in the verse means to announce or to proclaim.                  
                     
            B.    To Realign Ourselves.
                        It is a time to get back under His Lordship. We would avoid a lot of things that happen to
                            us if we would realign to our Lord daily. We bring a lot of things upon ourselves
                            (vs. 30) by not being right with Him nor partaking of His ordinances correctly.
                                                                                                             

II.    Partaking of the Lord's Supper. (vs. 27)
                    
        A.    Take when in Conflict. Take in an unworthy manner.
                    Taking it when we are in conflict with others; if we are lost; those that are in Christ but are
                        living in sin; not right with others.
                    Sin in our lives leave us in a sick state.

                     
        B.    Take for Cleansing. (vs. 28)
                    We are to examine ourselves and see if we are worthy to take of the Lord's
                        Supper.
                    You are responsible for yourself and no one else. They are responsible for
                        whether or not they have something to keep them from taking.                         
                            
                                
III.    Punishment of the Ordinance. Punishment is given if it is taking incorrectly.

        A.     Judgment (vs. 29)
                    When you take the Lord's Supper lightly, you eat and drink damnation on self.

        B.     The Judged. (vs. 30)
                    Sleep means those that have died. They partook of the Lord's Supper lightly.
                    We should take to remember joy and what Christ did for us.
                    James 5 speaks of people who are like this. Sick because of not being in right
                        relationships--with God and with others.

IV.    Preparation of the Ordinance.

        A.    Painful Preparation. (vs. 31-32)
                    It certainly is easier to judge others than to judge ourselves.
                    We are always wanting to look at others and not at ourselves.
                    If we will look and judge ourselves and make correction, then God will not have to judge
                        us.
                    God delights when we are back in His Will.

       
        B.    Patient Preparation. (vs. 33)
                    Take time for each other and take time for the Lord. We must wait on each other and we
                        must wait, most importantly, on the Lord.

                    Confess and get your hearts ready for the Lord's Supper.