Examine Yourself

I’d like to kick off with a humorous little story. There was once a man who had a very high opinion of himself. One day, he saw his reflection in a pool of water and was so impressed that he fell in. While splashing about, he realized that he was not as great a swimmer as he thought. As he clambered out, soaking wet, he had to admit that his self-perception had been a little inflated!

This brings us to the theme of today's sermon, "Examine Yourself." Our guiding scripture comes from 2 Corinthians 13:5: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?"

Paul encourages us to self-evaluate, to take a close look at ourselves to ensure we're living in accordance with the faith we profess. Why is this important?

Self-Examination Leads to Repentance: In Psalm 139:23-24, David invites God to search his heart, to reveal any offensive way in him. He knew that self-examination could lead to repentance and realignment with God's will.

Self-Examination Promotes Spiritual Growth: When we examine ourselves, we can identify areas of weakness that need strengthening and areas of sin that need repentance. This contributes to our spiritual growth and maturity (Hebrews 5:14).

Self-Examination Brings Us Closer to God: James 4:8 advises, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." The process of self-examination, repentance, and purification brings us closer to God.

Self-Examination Prepares Us for Communion: In 1 Corinthians 11:28, Paul urges us to examine ourselves before partaking of the Lord's Supper. This ensures we approach God's table with reverence and humility.

Self-Examination Ensures We Are Christ-like: Galatians 5:22-23 outlines the fruits of the Spirit. Regular self-examination helps us to check if these fruits are evident in our lives, confirming our Christ-likeness.

The great philosopher Socrates said, "An unexamined life is not worth living." As Christians, an unexamined faith life could lead us astray. Regular self-evaluation helps to keep us on the narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7:14).

Let us pray, "Dear Lord, as we commit to examining ourselves, give us the courage to confront the truths that we may discover. May we find grace to make the necessary adjustments, that we may be more like You each day. In Jesus' name, Amen."

So, dear brothers and sisters, this week, take some time to "Examine Yourself." As the Word encourages us, let's ensure that we are living out the faith we profess.

God bless you, and may your self-examination lead to deeper faith, growth, and a closer walk with God!