Are You Taking Communion the Right Way? (1 Corinthians: week 22)

In 1 Corinthians 11:17–34, the Apostle Paul confronts the church in Corinth because the way they were gathering together and taking the Lord’s Supper was actually causing division, humiliation, and harm. What was supposed to be a beautiful picture of the unity of believers had become an opportunity for selfishness and division. Paul’s message challenges us to ask an important question: Are we taking communion the right way? The Lord’s Supper is not meant to be something we rush through or do simply because it is part of our church routine. Communion is a time to remember Jesus—His body given for us, His blood shed for us, His sacrifice on the cross, His victory over sin and death, and the hope of His return. But Paul also gives us a serious warning about taking communion “in an unworthy manner.” What does that actually mean? Does it mean you have to be perfect before you take communion? Does it mean the bread and cup have special power? And what does Paul mean when he tells believers to “examine themselves” before taking the Lord’s Supper? In this message, Jason walks through 1 Corinthians 11 and explains what communion means, why the Lord’s Supper matters, and how we should approach it as followers of Jesus. We’ll look at four ways we can approach communion in an unworthy manner: • Treating communion as a routine or empty ritual • Believing the elements themselves have supernatural power • Holding onto anger, bitterness, or unforgiveness toward another believer • Continuing in a pattern of sin without any intention of repentance or change Ultimately, communion is about making the main thing the main thing: Jesus. When we take the Lord’s Supper, we remember what Jesus has done for us, proclaim His death and resurrection, recognize the importance of the body of Christ, examine our own hearts, and look forward to the day He returns. Before you take communion again, take a moment to ask yourself: Am I truly remembering Jesus? Is there someone I need to forgive? Is there sin I need to repent of? Am I treating communion as a routine, or am I worshiping Jesus and remembering the sacrifice He made for me? Whether you are new to Christianity, have questions about communion, or have taken the Lord’s Supper for years, this message will help you understand why communion matters and how Scripture calls us to approach it.