Members of Hope Reformed Church,
God willing, this Sunday, October 4, 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.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor S. Henry
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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!
