Embracing Communion: Blessing, Brokenness, and New Beginnings

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Intercessory Prayer for Students and Educators

As our children and educators step into a new academic year, it's crucial to cover them in prayer. We asked for God's protection, wisdom, and peace, acknowledging both the exciting opportunities and the inevitable challenges they will face. This act of communal prayer reinforces our belief in the power of intercession and the importance of supporting one another in our spiritual and daily lives. By praying for our students and educators, we are not only seeking God's guidance and protection for them but also affirming our role as a supportive community that stands together in faith.

Intercessory prayer is a powerful tool that allows us to lift others up to God, asking for His intervention and blessings in their lives. When we pray for our students and educators, we are asking God to equip them with the wisdom and strength they need to navigate the academic year successfully. We are also asking for His protection over them, that they may be safe from harm and able to focus on their studies and teaching. This communal act of prayer is a testament to our faith in God's ability to guide and protect those we care about. [21:20]

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

Reflection: Think of a student or educator you know personally. How can you commit to praying for them specifically throughout this academic year?

Day 2: Understanding the Depth of Communion

Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist, is a significant act of remembrance and fellowship with Christ. It's essential to understand why we practice it and the various names it goes by in different Christian traditions. This understanding helps us appreciate the depth and meaning behind this sacred ritual, moving beyond mere tradition to a heartfelt connection with Jesus. By delving into the reasons behind communion, we can deepen our spiritual experience and recognize the profound significance of this act in our faith journey.

Communion is more than just a ritual; it is a moment of intimate fellowship with Christ, where we remember His sacrifice and celebrate our unity with Him and with one another. Different Christian traditions may call it by various names, but the essence remains the same: it is a time to reflect on the body and blood of Jesus, given for our salvation. Understanding the different aspects of communion can enrich our experience and help us approach it with the reverence and gratitude it deserves. [54:54]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: How can you prepare your heart and mind to approach communion with a deeper understanding and appreciation of its significance?

Day 3: The Principle of Blessing and Brokenness

The principle that blessing and brokenness often precede multiplication is a profound lesson for every believer. Just as Jesus blessed and broke the loaves and fish before feeding the thousands, our own experiences of brokenness can lead to growth and multiplication when surrendered to God. This concept encourages us to trust God with our pain and challenges, knowing He can use them for His glory. By embracing our brokenness and allowing God to work through it, we can experience His transformative power in our lives.

Blessing and brokenness are often intertwined in the Christian journey. Jesus demonstrated this during the Last Supper and the miracle of feeding the thousands, where He blessed and broke the bread before it was multiplied. Similarly, our own brokenness can be a precursor to God's blessings and growth in our lives. When we surrender our pain and challenges to God, He can use them to bring about healing, restoration, and multiplication in ways we might never have imagined. This principle reminds us to trust in God's plan and His ability to bring beauty out of brokenness. [01:14:18]

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (ESV): "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced brokenness. How did God use that experience to bring about growth or blessing in your life?

Day 4: Tradition and Conviction in the Frequency of Communion

The frequency of taking communion should be guided by tradition and conviction rather than rigid rules. At Harvest Fellowship, we typically observe communion once a month, but this month, we will partake in it every week. This approach allows us to deepen our understanding and experience of communion, ensuring it remains a meaningful and powerful act of worship. By being open to different practices and frequencies, we can enrich our spiritual lives and maintain a fresh and vibrant connection with this sacred act.

Communion is a deeply personal and communal act of worship that can be observed in various ways. While some traditions may have specific guidelines on how often to partake in communion, it is essential to approach it with a heart of conviction and reverence. At Harvest Fellowship, the decision to observe communion weekly for a month is an opportunity to deepen our understanding and experience of this sacred act. By doing so, we can ensure that communion remains a meaningful and powerful expression of our faith, rather than a mere routine. [01:10:31]

Acts 2:42 (ESV): "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."

Reflection: How can you approach the practice of communion with a fresh perspective, ensuring it remains a meaningful and powerful act of worship in your life?

Day 5: God Uses Our Brokenness for His Glory

God never wastes our brokenness. Whether it's through personal failures, difficult circumstances, or inherent challenges, God can use these experiences to bring about growth and healing. By surrendering our brokenness to Him, we allow Him to work through us, bringing restoration and multiplication in ways we might never have imagined. This principle encourages us to trust in God's ability to use our pain and challenges for His glory, transforming our lives and the lives of those around us.

Our brokenness, when surrendered to God, becomes a powerful tool for His work. Personal failures, difficult circumstances, and inherent challenges are not wasted in God's hands. Instead, He uses these experiences to bring about growth, healing, and multiplication. By trusting God with our brokenness, we open ourselves to His transformative power, allowing Him to work through us in ways that bring glory to His name. This principle reminds us that no pain or challenge is too great for God to use for His purposes. [01:22:39]

Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

Reflection: What is one area of brokenness in your life that you need to surrender to God? How can you trust Him to use it for His glory and your growth?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to pray for our students and educators as they prepare to embark on a new academic year. We asked for God's protection, wisdom, and peace to be upon them, recognizing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We also introduced a new series on communion, exploring its significance and the reasons behind its practice. Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist, is a profound act of remembrance and fellowship with Christ. We delved into why we call it communion and the various names it goes by in different Christian traditions.

We discussed the importance of understanding the purpose behind our rituals, using the humorous story of the roast to illustrate how traditions can sometimes lose their meaning. The focus was on the significance of being blessed and broken, a concept that Jesus exemplified during the Last Supper. We learned that blessing and brokenness often precede multiplication, as seen in the miracle of feeding the thousands with loaves and fish. This principle applies to our lives as well; God uses our brokenness to bring about growth and multiplication.

We also addressed the frequency of taking communion, emphasizing that it should be guided by tradition and conviction rather than rigid rules. At Harvest Fellowship, we typically observe communion once a month, but for the month of August, we will partake in it every week to deepen our understanding and experience of this sacred act.

Finally, we invited everyone to partake in communion, reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus and the significance of His body and blood. We prayed for healing, restoration, and the strength to be vessels for God's work, recognizing that our brokenness can be used for His glory.

###

Key Takeaways

1. MVFUYY78f0&t=1280s'>[21:20]
2. Understanding Communion: Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist, is a significant act of remembrance and fellowship with Christ. It's essential to understand why we practice it and the various names it goes by in different Christian traditions. This understanding helps us appreciate the depth and meaning behind this sacred ritual, moving beyond mere tradition to a heartfelt connection with Jesus.

3. Blessing and Brokenness: The principle that blessing and brokenness often precede multiplication is a profound lesson for every believer. Just as Jesus blessed and broke the loaves and fish before feeding the thousands, our own experiences of brokenness can lead to growth and multiplication when surrendered to God. This concept encourages us to trust God with our pain and challenges, knowing He can use them for His glory.

4. Frequency of Communion: The frequency of taking communion should be guided by tradition and conviction rather than rigid rules. At Harvest Fellowship, we typically observe communion once a month, but this month, we will partake in it every week. This approach allows us to deepen our understanding and experience of communion, ensuring it remains a meaningful and powerful act of worship.

5. God Uses Our Brokenness: God never wastes our brokenness. Whether it's through personal failures, difficult circumstances, or inherent challenges, God can use these experiences to bring about growth and healing. By surrendering our brokenness to Him, we allow Him to work through us, bringing restoration and multiplication in ways we might never have imagined.

### [21:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:00] - Prayer for Students and Educators
[20:52] - Stretching Hands in Prayer
[21:20] - Prayer for Protection and Wisdom
[22:14] - Walking in Peace and Anointing
[23:07] - Dedication of Students and Educators
[50:06] - Introduction of Pastor Oscar
[53:03] - Importance of Relationships in Christian Life
[54:54] - Introduction to Communion Series
[56:20] - Story of the Roast
[57:33] - Understanding Communion
[58:49] - Different Names for Communion
[60:10] - Importance of Understanding Communion
[61:27] - Frequency of Taking Communion
[64:10] - Tradition and Conviction in Communion
[74:18] - Blessing and Brokenness
[82:39] - God Uses Our Brokenness
[88:15] - Invitation to Communion
[94:09] - Prayer and Worship
[97:11] - Significance of the Blood of Christ
[101:06] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the different names for communion mentioned in the sermon, and why do they vary across Christian traditions? [58:49]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus blessing and breaking the bread during the Last Supper? [01:13:00]
How does the story of the roast illustrate the potential loss of meaning in traditions? [57:33]
What reasons did the pastor give for Harvest Fellowship's practice of taking communion once a month, and why will it be observed weekly in August? [01:10:31]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to understand the different names and meanings behind the practice of communion? How does this understanding deepen our connection with Christ? [58:49]
How does the principle of blessing and brokenness preceding multiplication apply to our personal lives and spiritual growth? [01:14:18]
In what ways can the frequency of taking communion impact its significance and our experience of it? [01:02:44]
How can we see God's use of our brokenness for His glory in our own lives, as illustrated by the pastor's personal experiences? [01:25:19]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced brokenness. How did God use that experience to bring about growth or multiplication in your life? [01:14:18]
How can you support students and educators in your community through prayer and other means as they begin a new academic year? [21:20]
What steps can you take to ensure that your practice of communion remains a meaningful and heartfelt connection with Jesus rather than a mere tradition? [01:00:10]
How can you apply the principle of blessing and brokenness in your daily life, especially in challenging situations? [01:14:18]
Think of a specific area in your life where you feel broken or inadequate. How can you surrender this brokenness to God and trust Him to use it for His glory? [01:22:39]
How can you prepare your heart and mind to partake in communion more frequently this month, as Harvest Fellowship observes it weekly in August? [01:10:31]
Identify one tradition or ritual in your life that may have lost its meaning. How can you rediscover its significance and purpose? [57:33]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We are so blessed to have amazing children in this church. Amen? Amen. Amazing young adults. Amazing teachers and coaches and administrators and support staff. Love you all. We are so proud of you. And we want you to have the best year ever." [20:52] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "For the super awesome times, we thank you. For the hard times, we thank you because we know you are going to get us through. And Lord, I pray right now that your hand will be upon each person standing right here in front of this platform right now. God, from the youngest to the oldest, Lord, that you would just have an anointing upon them." [21:20] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God, I believe that in our midst right now, that there's an amazing future for our church, for our community, for our state, for our country, for this world. There are ministries. There are business leaders. All in the makings right here, God. And I know you have an awesome future for each one of these young people." [22:14] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If you have missed one Sunday service this summer, raise your hand. Awesome. I'm not going to keep counting up because I don't want to embarrass anybody. Some of y'all, welcome back. We've missed you. It's been a few months. We know who you are and we still love you." [01:08:03] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We are a congregation willing to be vessels that you can use, willing to be hands and feet extended in this community to help the lost and the hurting and the broken around us, to find the restoration and the strength and the encouragement and the love that only comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ." [01:41:06] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The thing about living the Christian life, it's not just about what you know, theologically. One critical aspect to growing in Christ is who you know in relationship. And so it's about building relationship around shared interests, common interests, you know, and we've got some coming already planned." [53:03] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If we're not careful spiritually, we can wind up doing some stuff without knowing why we're doing it and realize we're just going through some kind of ritual that has no spiritual application whatsoever. So we're going to learn a little bit of this journey about why we take communion and what it all stands for." [57:33] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Blessing and brokenness almost always come before multiplication. Now there's some natural examples of this in Jesus ministry. The most common, the easiest one to go to for the sake of time. And when I tell it is, is when he fed the thousands, right? Two different accounts and different numbers used. But when he filled the thousands, the great throng of people who had come to hear him teach so much so that it pushed him out onto a boat, he could teach them that he's feeding all these people." [01:14:18] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Some people never reach their potential in ministry and service because they refuse to give God their brokenness. Some people never reach their potential ministry and service because they avoid situations where there's a chance that they could be exposed to brokenness." [01:24:03] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We can't avoid those situations. We just got to be open and trust God that no matter what happens, he's got your back and he's going to get you through it. Well, pastor Ronnie, it's easy for you to say you're a pastor you have a great wife you have great kids you have a great house a great job a great life it's easy for you to sit there and tell people they need to trust God yeah but please let me tell you angela and i are not exceptions to the blessed and broken process we've been through some stuff." [01:25:19] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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