Members of Hope Reformed Church:
God willing, this Sunday, August 2, 2026, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. In order to prepare our hearts to receive this Holy Supper in a God-glorifying manner and for our spiritual benefit, please take time to read the form below and meditate upon the Scripture references listed, and examine your heart regarding this matter as to whether you truly believe God’s precious promise of forgiveness and righteousness in Jesus Christ.
A true examination of ourselves consists in these three parts:
1. Let everyone consider by himself his sins and accursedness apart from Jesus Christ, so that he may be displeased with himself and humble himself in the presence of God.
2. Let everyone examine his heart as to whether he truly believes this certain promise of God that all his sins are forgiven only for the sake of Jesus Christ.
3. Let everyone search his conscience whether he is determined to show his gratitude to God the Lord all the days of his life by walking uprightly before Him.
Take time to read the following texts: Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor S.
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HEIDELBERG CATECHISM, Q&A 81
Q. Who are to come to the table of the Lord?
A. Those who are displeased with themselves because of their sins, but who nevertheless trust that these are forgiven them and that their remaining weakness is covered by the suffering and death of Christ; and who also desire more and more to strengthen their faith and amend their life. But hypocrites and those who do not repent eat and drink judgment to themselves.
CHRIST'S SACRIFICE IS COMPLETE
The heart of Lord's Day 30 is the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. The Catechism reminds us that forgiveness is found in the one offering of Christ upon the cross, accomplished once for all time. Nothing can be added to His finished work, and nothing needs to be repeated. The Lord's Supper does not offer Christ anew. Rather, it points believers to the perfect sacrifice already completed for their salvation.
WHO IS INVITED?
Because Christ's work is complete, believers may come to the Lord's Table with confidence. Yet the confidence required is not confidence in ourselves. The Catechism does not invite those who imagine they have attained spiritual perfection. It invites those who are displeased with themselves because of their sins, yet who trust that these sins are forgiven for Christ's sake.
LOOKING TO CHRIST
It is not the Catechism that invites us to the Supper, it is the LORD God. Many Christians struggle with self-examination because they focus upon the strength of their faith rather than the object of their faith. The question is not whether our faith is perfect, but whether we are looking to Christ. Do we grieve over our sins? Do we trust that Christ alone is our righteousness? Do we desire to grow in faith and obedience? Then the Lord's Table is given for our comfort and assurance.
OUR COMFORT
The Supper reminds us that our standing before God rests not upon our performance, but upon Christ's finished work. We come because we need Him. We come because He has invited us. We come because His grace is greater than our sin. Our comfort is not in the strength of our faith. Our comfort is in the finished work of Christ.
PRAYER
Merciful Father,
We thank You for the one perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, offered once for all upon the cross for the forgiveness of sins. Keep us from trusting in ourselves, our works, or any human substitute for the salvation that Christ alone has accomplished. Grant us hearts that are truly repentant, faith that rests wholly in Your promises, and a growing desire to walk in thankful obedience before You. As we come to the Lord's Table, assure us anew that our hope is found in Christ alone and in His finished work on our behalf.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen!
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A CHRISTIAN'S SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER
My Father and my God,
I bow before You this morning through the Lord Jesus Christ (my righteousness), and by the Holy Spirit (my Sanctifier).
I thank You, heavenly Father, for the forgiveness of sins that You granted me through the person and work of Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son. Thank You for loving me and a multitude of other unworthy sinners, by sending Your Son, Jesus, to redeem us, justify us, adopt us, sanctify us, and call us your dear children and saints in Jesus Christ.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for giving Your life a ransom for me, one who is utterly deserving of Hell.
I am so worthy of damnation as I have broken all Your commandments.
And as Scripture declares, “the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is everlasting life in Jesus Christ.”
You suffered in my place; thank You for living a perfect life in my place and fulfilling all the demands of God's Law for me and a multitude of other Hell deserving sinners.
Thank You for suffering the wrath of God which lay upon me, and God's wrath was upon me deservedly so!
Thank You for drinking the dregs to the bitter end so that I might receive all the blessings in the heavenly places.
Thank You for being baptized with the baptism of fire in my place, which brought You great distress and anguish of body and soul as the Garden of Gethsemane revealed. The place where you sweat, as it were, great drops of blood.
Thank You for loving me and pouring the love of God into my soul so that I might love God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Forgive me when my love is cold and complacent, which is far too often!
Revive me, Lord Jesus, and stoke up the fire of Your love in my soul.
Forgive me my wretched sins!
Keep my eyes fixed upon You, "the Author and Finisher of my faith!"
O "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).
Cause me to honor You, Lord Jesus, in all my thoughts, words, and actions!
O Holy Spirit, thank You for regenerating my soul, creating true faith in my heart, and causing me to believe the Gospel.
Thank You for causing me to love Your Word, causing me to trust Christ, to walk in truth, and to stand against wickedness.
I realize my weakness, my sinfulness, my stupidity, my disobedience, my brokenness, and at times my faithlessness.
O Holy Spirit, kindle afresh Your sanctifying grace in my soul.
Mold me, shape me, teach me, lead me, guide me, direct me, uphold me for the glory of Christ.
Sanctify me, Holy Spirit; fall afresh on me. Make me more like Jesus, my Lord, Savior, and King!
Don't let me stray from Scripture. Don't let me sin against You.
Don't let me grieve You by my sinful thoughts, words, and actions.
Transform my mind by Your power, presence, and Word.
Cause me to think Christ's thoughts after Him more and more!
Discipline me when I go astray. Keep me humble when I obey.
Cause me to recognize the devices of Satan through the teaching of Scripture so that I am not duped or led astray by Satan's schemes, methods, and devices!
Gird me up in truth so that I have greater discernment to stand against the wiles of the Devil, who comes disguised as an angel of light in order to lead Christ's sheep into poisonous pastures of pleasure, power, prestige, prominence, passion, and pride.
O Heavenly Father, use me for Christ glory.
“Guide me, O Great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty, hold me with Thy powerful hand.”
Make me walk in faithfulness, truth, courage, boldness, love, and joy for Your name’s sake!
Forgive me and cleanse me of my wretchedness for I know I have sinned against You in my thoughts, words, and deeds!
Do all this, my Heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ’s person and work, and for Your glory and praise!
In Jesus’ name!
Amen!
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