Sunday Morning Notes on Communion
Ask Yourself
What does the bible say is required and not required to take communion?
According to the bible, Christians, partake of Holy Communion in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus that was broken and poured at the cross. ... In John 6:53-54, Jesus tells us that unless one eats his body and drink his blood, we have no life.Abr 9, 2017
In some congregations, the administration of private communion of the sick and "shut-in" (those too feeble to attend services or shut in as we are today) involves a completely separate service, IF SERVICES ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE PLACE AT ALL, of the Eucharist for which the sacramental elements are blessed and the celebration has equal significance.
Today, many churches offer the Eucharist weekly, while others offer it less often. Of course Weddings and funerals sometimes include the celebration of the Eucharist depending on church affiliation.
It is our view that we should all break bread together, inviting outsiders and anyone who hesitates at God’s door to come in and partake of blessings we all have to share. That is why we are here—to share God’s blessings to everyone. Churches spend too much [time] today ignoring the real issues and the real people God sent here for us to comfort, act kindly toward, and invite into God’s Houses. So we begin today to Reach out and serve with a humble spirit to all!
To this end we declare that in this gathering of souls our communion will be open.. That is open to all who is so moved by the holy spirit; without judgement or restrictions.
As our Lord earnestly desired to observe the Passover with the twelve who had been with Him during His earthly ministry, so He desires to meet with His disciples and believers of today. God's people are facing great tests. We earnestly long to meet with our Lord in the communion service and It is a high privilege to participate in it.
Introduction
The Holy Communion is an act of worship we could engage in every Sunday. It is also known as the Lord’s supper as well as the Eucharist. A term with its roots in the Greek ‘eucharisto’ which means simply the‘giving of thanks’.
Though it’s a seemingly simple act where Christians break bread and drink of the cup, communion is an important act. Therefore we should seek to understand why we do it because otherwise, our participation becomes meaningless, displeasing to God and detrimental to us also. So in today’s message, I feel moved to address three important truths that all of us should be aware of.The message, The identification of purpose, and the order….
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-33
1. The Message
A. That a new covenant was established when Jesus shed his blood on the cross of Calvary, (1 Corinthians 11:25)
B. That Christ himself became the sacrifice and the old covenant which relied on animal sacrifices to provide atonement for sin is no longer necessary, (Hebrews 8:13)
C. That God seals his agreement of salvation with those who believe Jesus died to set them free.
2. To What Purpose ?
A. To remember his sufferings and death as it was mandated by Christ himself, (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
B. To proclaim our faith in the efficiency of his death, (1 Corinthians 11:26a) and in his return, (1 Corinthians 11:26b)
C. To fellowship in the body of Christ in the sense of reinforcing fellowship among each other in the church, (1 Corinthians 11:33)
3. The Order
A. Must not take part in a manner unworthy of Christ’s sufferings. Implies sin not repented for and irreverent attitudes, (1 Corinthians 11:27)
B. Each one should put himself to test as to the attitude of his heart, outward conduct, and understanding of the true nature and purpose of the communion, (1 Corinthians 11:28)
C. Because of those who don’t participate in an unworthy manner and are guilty of re-crucifying Christ. They risk illness and even physical death, (1 Corinthians 11:29-30)
D. If we judge ourselves before participating however the Lord shall not judge us eternally with the world but discipline us accordingly..Judgement is for the lord.. (1 Corinthians 11:31-33)
Conclusion
Observing the communion in a manner worthy of Christ’s sufferings is at the core of Paul’s instructions to the church of Corinth which reminds me of Jesus’ conversation with Peter right before the last supper.
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, wash not only my feet but also my hands and my head!” Jesus replied, “The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet” (John 13:9-10)
The following are thoughts regarding this service:
1. It has remembrance value. Jesus said: "This do in remembrance of me." It is both divine and human to desire to be remembered. His words remind us keenly of His death, resurrection, and of His wonderful declaration, "I am alive for evermore." How much those words mean to us! We love to remember them for they assure us of eternal life. And so we keep alive the remembrance of our Lord's death for us by observing this important service. We gather strength and assurance as we remember His words, "This do."
2. It has fellowship value. There may be differences tomorrow when one man goes to his conspicuous place of leadership, and another to his place of humble living, but in this service those differences have no place. We are all sinners redeemed by grace, and we are "one body" in Christ. True humility banishes all differences and gives us unity and fellowship together with our Lord. Let us regard Christian fellowship as a precious thing.
3. It has prophetic value. The words "I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God" and "I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come" teach us to look forward to the grand consummation of all things. Thus our Lord took occasion to say twice in these verses that victory and triumph are ahead for His people. Indeed, His best things are all before us. We are members of a conquering cause, and if we serve and suffer with Him here we shall also reign with Him hereafter.
And so we have the remembrance of the past, fellowship in the present, and prophetic fulfillment in the future. What a wonderful heritage to us is this service! Let us therefore observe it with great "desire" as did our Lord when on earth with His disciples. Let us perpetuate this service faithfully in our humble church, and His character in our daily living. Soon we shall share with Him in the glories of the hereafter.
Jesus said - “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Communion or “The Lord’s Supper” is a way to celebrate our intimate connection and ongoing relationship with Jesus.
I believe, in spite of world circumstances today there is s a simple way to celebrate!
When we gather as followers of Jesus, spend time in quiet meditation, silently considering and confessing your sins, silently ,z we have fulfilled the wishes of God….The responsibility is ours and the rewards are very personal indeed…
When you are ready, I will begin by reading a passage from scripture --
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-24
The Bread
Father, we ask you in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who receive it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of your Son, and witness to you, O God, that they are willing to take upon them the name of your Son, and always remember him, and keep the commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. Pass out bread you have set aside for your group, and eat. Continue the reading --
“In the same way, He took the cup also after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’” 1 Corinthians 11:25
Blessing on the Wine
O God, the eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son which was shed for them, that they may witness unto thee, O God, the eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
Share the juice or wine you have set aside for your group, and drink.
Finish the reading:
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26
Prayer of Offering
O Jesus, receive our poor offering.
Jesus, you have given yourself to us,
We now give ourselves to you:
give you our body that it may be chaste and pure,
We give you our soul that it may be free from sin,
We give you our hearts that it may always love you,
We give you every breath that we shall breathe and especially our last,
I give you myself in life and in death
May we be yours for ever and ever.
When we feel abandoned help us to know that you are there,
When we feel afraid help us to know that you are with us..
When we are confused help us to understand..
Let us feel your presence around us and in us continually…
Help us to be born again as a child and of your holy spirit…
Bless our efforts today and grace us with wisdom to live in accordance with a greater understanding of your word…
We ask all in Jesus name…
Amen.
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