Micah J. Sturm

“Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Many have messed with the Master’s Meal, His Messengers, and His Meeting Place to their own demise.

Ritual robs us of the reality by making the sacred routine.

Hypocrisy is a hog—a glory-hog.

All suffering is not a result of sin; but, all sin will bring suffering.

(1) Holy Communion is not a snack—it is sacred time in His Presence.

Our weakness, illness, and death may be the result of hypocrisy—claiming a relationship with God that we really do not know (1 Corinthians 11:28-30).

(2) Church is more than a place—it is a people. 

How we treat believers matters to the Master.

Mistreatment of one of His children merits a millstone necklace and a one-way ticket to the bottom of the sea (Matthew 18:3-6).

(3) God protects preachers. 

We are foolish to oppose messengers of the Lord. 

Family, friends, neighbors, enemies, and strangers will do well to listen when one called to preach speaks, “This is what the Lord says!”

Remember, God still has bears—2 Kings 2:23-24.

How we handle the holy matters!