Communion: A Journey of Reflection and Invitation

Devotional

Day 1: Self-Examination Before Communion

Theme: Reflecting on our hearts before approaching the Lord's table.

Description:
Before partaking in communion, it is essential to engage in self-examination. Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 highlights the importance of this practice. The Corinthians were treating communion as a feast for the privileged, neglecting the poor and creating divisions within the church. Paul calls for believers to reflect on their inner lives and attitudes, ensuring that they approach the Lord's table with reverence and unity. This self-examination involves considering our actions, attitudes, and relationships, and aligning our hearts with Jesus. By doing so, we avoid the pitfalls of irreverence and division, and we honor the profound significance of communion. [39:08]

Bible Passage:
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection:
Think about your recent interactions and relationships. Is there anyone you need to reconcile with or forgive before you partake in communion? How can you take a step towards unity and reverence today?

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Day 2: The Significance of the Last Supper

Theme: Remembering Jesus' sacrificial love through communion.

Description:
The Last Supper is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrificial love. During this meal, Jesus broke the bread and shared the cup, foreshadowing His body being broken and His blood being poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. This act of remembrance helps us to appreciate the depth of Jesus' love and the cost of our redemption. By reflecting on the Last Supper, we are encouraged to live in gratitude and humility, recognizing the immense sacrifice Jesus made for us. This remembrance is not just a ritual but a profound spiritual practice that draws us closer to Jesus and deepens our understanding of His love. [48:59]

Bible Passage:
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'" (Luke 22:19-20, ESV)

Reflection:
As you prepare for communion, take a moment to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for you. How does remembering His love and sacrifice change the way you live your daily life?

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Day 3: The Palm Down, Palm Up Prayer

Theme: Releasing burdens and receiving from Jesus.

Description:
The Palm Down, Palm Up Prayer is a meditative exercise that helps us to release our burdens and open ourselves to receive from Jesus. By physically and spiritually letting go of our fears, anger, and self-centeredness, we make room for Jesus' love and guidance. This practice involves placing our palms down to symbolize releasing our burdens and then turning our palms up to receive from Jesus. This simple yet profound exercise prepares our hearts for communion and deepens our relationship with Jesus. It is a way to align our hearts with His and to be open to the transformative power of His love. [45:07]

Bible Passage:
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22, ESV)

Reflection:
Take a few moments to practice the Palm Down, Palm Up Prayer. What burdens do you need to release to Jesus today? How can you open yourself to receive His love and guidance?

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Day 4: The Future Banquet in God's Kingdom

Theme: Embracing the inclusivity of God's kingdom.

Description:
The parable of the great banquet in Luke 14:15-24 illustrates the inclusivity of God's kingdom. Jesus invites everyone, especially those marginalized by society, to His table. This future hope encourages us to live with urgency, inviting others to experience the love and grace of Jesus. The parable reminds us that God's kingdom is open to all, and we are called to reflect this inclusivity in our lives. By reaching out to those who are often overlooked and sharing the hope of the future banquet, we give people a glimpse of the future where all wrongs will be righted, and everything evil will be undone. [54:49]

Bible Passage:
"And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'" (Luke 14:23-24, ESV)

Reflection:
Who in your life might feel marginalized or overlooked? How can you extend an invitation to them to experience the love and grace of Jesus today?

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Day 5: Living with Kingdom Urgency

Theme: Inviting others to experience Jesus' love with urgency.

Description:
As followers of Jesus, we are called to live with a sense of urgency, inviting others to experience the love and grace of Jesus. This involves going beyond our comfort zones and reaching out to those who are often overlooked. By sharing the hope of the future banquet in God's kingdom, we give people a glimpse of the future where all wrongs will be righted, and everything evil will be undone. Living with kingdom urgency means that we actively seek opportunities to share Jesus' love and grace, ensuring that our lives reflect the values of God's kingdom. This urgency is not about fear but about love and compassion for those who have yet to experience the transformative power of Jesus. [59:25]

Bible Passage:
"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into." (Matthew 24:42-43, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of someone in your life who has not yet experienced the love and grace of Jesus. How can you reach out to them today and share the hope of the future banquet in God's kingdom?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound significance of communion, also known as the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist, as a form of worship beyond just singing. Communion invites us to look inward, backward, and forward to Jesus. We began by examining how easy it is to go through the motions of communion without truly engaging our hearts and minds. This familiarity can sometimes lead us to overlook the deep spiritual significance of the act.

We delved into 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, where Paul admonishes the church in Corinth for their irreverent and divisive practices during communion. The Corinthians were treating communion as a feast for the privileged, neglecting the poor and creating divisions. Paul calls for self-examination before partaking in communion, urging believers to reflect on their inner lives and attitudes. This self-examination is crucial for aligning our hearts with Jesus and ensuring that we approach the Lord's table with reverence and unity.

We then practiced the Palm Down, Palm Up Prayer, a meditative exercise to release our burdens and open ourselves to receive from Jesus. This practice helps us to look inward and prepare our hearts for communion.

Next, we looked backward to the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted communion as a reminder of His sacrificial love. By breaking the bread and sharing the cup, Jesus foreshadowed His body being broken and His blood being poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. This act of remembrance helps us to appreciate the depth of Jesus' love and the cost of our redemption.

Finally, we looked forward to the future banquet in God's kingdom, as described in the parable of the great banquet in Luke 14:15-24. Jesus invites everyone, especially those marginalized by society, to His table. This future hope encourages us to live with urgency, inviting others to experience the love and grace of Jesus.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Examination Before Communion**: Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians highlights the importance of examining our hearts before partaking in communion. This self-examination involves reflecting on our attitudes, actions, and relationships, ensuring that we approach the Lord's table with reverence and unity. By doing so, we align our hearts with Jesus and avoid the pitfalls of irreverence and division. [39:08]
2. The Significance of the Last Supper: The Last Supper is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrificial love. By breaking the bread and sharing the cup, Jesus foreshadowed His body being broken and His blood being poured out for our forgiveness. This act of remembrance helps us to appreciate the depth of Jesus' love and the cost of our redemption, encouraging us to live in gratitude and humility.

3. The Palm Down, Palm Up Prayer: This meditative exercise helps us to release our burdens and open ourselves to receive from Jesus. By physically and spiritually letting go of our fears, anger, and self-centeredness, we make room for Jesus' love and guidance. This practice prepares our hearts for communion and deepens our relationship with Jesus.

4. The Future Banquet in God's Kingdom: The parable of the great banquet in Luke 14:15-24 illustrates the inclusivity of God's kingdom. Jesus invites everyone, especially those marginalized by society, to His table. This future hope encourages us to live with urgency, inviting others to experience the love and grace of Jesus, and to ensure that our lives reflect the values of God's kingdom.

5. Living with Kingdom Urgency: As followers of Jesus, we are called to live with a sense of urgency, inviting others to experience the love and grace of Jesus. This involves going beyond our comfort zones, reaching out to those who are often overlooked, and sharing the hope of the future banquet in God's kingdom. By doing so, we give people a glimpse of the future where all wrongs will be righted, and everything evil will be undone.

### [39:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:10] - Introduction to Communion
[37:04] - The Familiarity of Communion
[37:53] - Communion: Looking Inward
[39:08] - 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
[40:32] - Historical Context of Corinth
[42:01] - Division in the Corinthian Church
[43:34] - The Importance of Self-Examination
[45:07] - Palm Down, Palm Up Prayer
[47:40] - Communion: Looking Backward
[48:59] - The Last Supper
[53:18] - The Significance of Jesus' Sacrifice
[54:49] - Communion: Looking Forward
[56:24] - The Parable of the Great Banquet
[59:25] - Living with Kingdom Urgency
[61:08] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific issues did Paul address in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 regarding the way the Corinthians were taking communion? [39:08]
How did Jesus use the bread and the cup during the Last Supper to symbolize His sacrifice? [48:59]
In the parable of the great banquet (Luke 14:15-24), who were the initial invitees, and why did they decline the invitation? [56:24]

Interpretation Questions

Why is self-examination important before partaking in communion, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29? How does this practice help in aligning our hearts with Jesus? [39:08]
How does the Palm Down, Palm Up Prayer help in preparing our hearts for communion? What are some burdens you might need to release to receive from Jesus? [45:07]
What does the parable of the great banquet teach us about the inclusivity of God's kingdom? How does this parable challenge our attitudes towards inviting others to experience Jesus? [56:24]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own practice of communion. Have you ever found yourself going through the motions without truly engaging your heart and mind? What steps can you take to make communion a more meaningful experience? [36:10]
Paul emphasizes the importance of self-examination before taking communion. What specific attitudes, actions, or relationships in your life need reflection and alignment with Jesus? [39:08]
The Palm Down, Palm Up Prayer is a practice to release burdens and receive from Jesus. What specific fears, anger, or self-centeredness do you need to let go of? How can you incorporate this prayer into your daily routine? [45:07]
The Last Supper reminds us of Jesus' sacrificial love. How can you live in gratitude and humility, appreciating the depth of Jesus' love and the cost of your redemption? [48:59]
The parable of the great banquet shows Jesus inviting everyone, especially the marginalized, to His table. Who in your life might feel overlooked or marginalized? How can you extend an invitation to them to experience the love and grace of Jesus? [56:24]
Living with kingdom urgency means inviting others to experience Jesus. What specific actions can you take this week to go beyond your comfort zone and share the hope of the future banquet in God's kingdom? [59:25]
Reflect on the future banquet in God's kingdom. How does this future hope influence the way you live your daily life? What changes can you make to ensure your life reflects the values of God's kingdom? [54:49]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I want you to know, in case you didn't pick up on it already, that Jesus is the master of the banquet. He's the one who has prepared a table for you and I, a feast for us to enjoy together. He has a place for you at this table. And at this table is a meal for you. That will satisfy. At this table is a drink that will quench your thirst. At this table is a napkin that will wipe your tears from your eyes of everything the world has done to cause you grief and hardship and pain. At this table is a presence that will lead you to peace." [58:00] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I hope that we will have the same urgency as our king to go into the country, to hit the streets, to invite anyone and everyone to sit at Jesus's table so that they with us can taste of the new wine that he has prepared for us. I hope that we will have the same urgency as our king to he has to offer in his kingdom. When he returns, when he rights all wrongs, when he makes all things crooked straight." [59:25] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I hope that we will daily, not just on Sundays, but daily communion with Jesus. Eat of the feast that he has prepared for us. I hope that we will have the same urgency as our king to go into the country, to hit the streets, to invite anyone and everyone to sit at Jesus's table so that they with us can taste of the new wine that he has prepared for us." [59:25] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus, we love you. We're overwhelmed by your love. We're overwhelmed by your love. We're overwhelmed at how greatly you love us. We're thankful for the cross that is this stake in the ground forever that we are accepted, that we are your children, that no one can pluck us out of God's hands. Thank you, Lord." [01:00:30] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "To examine ourselves simply means to take the mirror to our inner life, to hold it up to ourselves, to take note of what we see, to take note of what's causing us to be angry, what's causing us to be afraid, to take note of ways that we may be acting self-centeredly, to take note of ways that we may be contributing to division or excluding others or disrespecting others like what you see happening in the Corinthian church." [43:34] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Everything that we see outside of us is a reflection of what's going on inside of us. So as we take communion, there's this invitation to pause, to look inward, to examine ourselves, to look in the mirror and take note of what we see." [44:30] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I love this image of Jesus pouring out his blood for you. And for me, to me, it communicates that God was willing to go all the way to show his love for us. God was willing to pour out all of his blood so that you and I would know once and for all, all of our sins are forgiven." [53:18] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Communion invites us to look inward and backward to Jesus. It also invites us to look forward to him. And that's where we see Jesus shift his focus. In verse 29, as we continue in this passage, it says this, I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you and my father's kingdom." [54:49] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I hope that we will have the same urgency as our king to go into the country, to hit the streets, to invite anyone and everyone to sit at Jesus's table so that they with us can taste of the new wine that he has prepared for us. I hope that we will have the same urgency as our king to he has to offer in his kingdom. When he returns, when he rights all wrongs, when he makes all things crooked straight." [59:25] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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