Embracing Communion: Unity, Worship, and Generosity

 

Summary

In today's gathering at King's Church, we focused on the profound significance of communion and the inclusive nature of Jesus' table. As we come together from diverse backgrounds and experiences, we are reminded that God knows each of us intimately and desires for us to experience His love and presence. Communion is not merely a ritual but a powerful symbol of remembrance. It calls us to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, which offers us new life. The bread, representing Jesus' sinless body, and the cup, symbolizing His blood, remind us of the grace extended to us despite our imperfections.

Paul's message to the Corinthians serves as a reminder that the table of Jesus is a place of equality and belonging for all, regardless of our social or economic status. This is a call to unity and generosity, reflecting the heart of Jesus, who invites everyone to partake in His grace. As we partake in communion, we proclaim the Lord's death and resurrection, celebrating the new life we have in Him.

We also took time to pray for our children, recognizing the importance of their spiritual journey and the lessons we can learn from their faith. Worship is an expression of our hearts, and we are encouraged to engage in it authentically, whether standing, sitting, or kneeling. The posture of our hearts in worship is what truly matters.

As a community, we are committed to fostering connections through various initiatives like the Belong Course, Alpha, and life groups. These are opportunities to deepen our relationships and grow in faith together. We are also expanding our student ministry, Citizens, to include a wider age range, providing a space for young adults to connect and grow.

Finally, we are reminded of the importance of stewardship and generosity. By bringing our own mugs to church, we can contribute to sustainability and better allocate resources. Our giving supports initiatives like the Hope Hub, which provides food and hospitality to the community, embodying the love of Jesus in practical ways.

Key Takeaways:

1. Communion as a Personal Invitation: Communion is a deeply personal invitation to remember Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection. It is a reminder that His death was not just a blanket statement for humanity but an individual gift for each of us. As we partake, we are called to reflect on the grace and love extended to us, despite our imperfections. [12:55]

2. The Table of Jesus is Inclusive: The table of Jesus is a place where everyone belongs, regardless of their background or status. Paul's message to the Corinthians highlights the importance of unity and generosity, reminding us that we all have equal access to the gift of grace. This is a call to embrace others with the same love and acceptance that Jesus offers. [22:37]

3. Worship as a Heart Posture: Worship is not about the physical posture but the posture of our hearts. Whether we stand, sit, or kneel, what matters is our genuine desire to encounter the living God. We are encouraged to engage in worship authentically, allowing the Spirit to guide us in expressing our love and devotion to God. [27:36]

4. Community and Connection: Being part of a church community means engaging in relationships and growing together in faith. Initiatives like the Belong Course, Alpha, and life groups provide opportunities to connect and support one another. These gatherings are vital for fostering a sense of belonging and practicing the depth of relationships that reflect the family of God. [47:20]

5. Generosity and Stewardship: Our generosity and stewardship have a tangible impact on the community. By making small changes, like bringing our own mugs, we can contribute to sustainability and better resource allocation. Our giving supports initiatives like the Hope Hub, which provides food and hospitality, demonstrating the love of Jesus in practical ways. [52:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [12:55] - The Significance of Communion
- [22:37] - The Inclusive Table of Jesus
- [26:18] - Praying for Our Children
- [27:36] - Worship and Heart Posture
- [42:23] - New Creations in Christ
- [42:53] - Worship Reflection
- [43:51] - Belong Course and Community
- [45:25] - Expanding Student Ministry
- [47:20] - Life Groups and Connection
- [51:07] - Hope Cafe and Community Engagement
- [52:11] - Stewardship and Generosity
- [53:14] - Impact of Giving
- [55:28] - Introduction to the Word

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
- Matthew 19:14
- 2 Corinthians 5:17

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#### Observation Questions

1. What does the bread and cup symbolize in the context of communion, as explained in the sermon? [12:55]
2. How did Paul address the issue of inequality at the table in the Corinthian church? [22:37]
3. What are some ways the church is fostering community and connection, as mentioned in the sermon? [47:20]
4. How does the sermon describe the posture of worship, and what are some examples given? [27:36]

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#### Interpretation Questions

1. How does the concept of communion as a personal invitation challenge or affirm your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice? [12:55]
2. In what ways does the inclusive nature of Jesus' table reflect the values of the early church, and how can it be applied today? [22:37]
3. How might the posture of one's heart in worship influence their experience of God's presence? [27:36]
4. What role does community play in the spiritual growth of individuals, according to the sermon? [47:20]

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#### Application Questions

1. Reflect on your personal experience with communion. How can you make it a more meaningful practice in your spiritual life? [12:55]
2. Consider your own social or economic status. How can you ensure that you are contributing to an inclusive and welcoming environment at church? [22:37]
3. Think about your current posture in worship. Is there a new way you feel led to express your worship to God? [27:36]
4. Are you currently involved in any church community initiatives like life groups or the Belong Course? If not, what steps can you take to get involved? [47:20]
5. How can you practice generosity and stewardship in your daily life, perhaps by making small changes like bringing your own mug to church? [52:11]
6. Reflect on the spiritual journey of the children in your life. How can you support and learn from their faith? [26:18]
7. Identify one area in your life where you can be more intentional about fostering connections and relationships within your church community. [47:20]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

Day 1: Communion as a Personal Invitation
Communion is a deeply personal invitation to remember Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection. It is a reminder that His death was not just a blanket statement for humanity but an individual gift for each of us. As we partake, we are called to reflect on the grace and love extended to us, despite our imperfections. This sacred act is a moment to pause and consider the profound love that God has for each of us, a love that is personal and intimate. In the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup, we are reminded of the new life offered to us through Jesus' resurrection. [12:55]

"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, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a specific area in your life where you need to experience God's grace. How can you invite Jesus into that space today?


Day 2: The Table of Jesus is Inclusive
The table of Jesus is a place where everyone belongs, regardless of their background or status. Paul's message to the Corinthians highlights the importance of unity and generosity, reminding us that we all have equal access to the gift of grace. This is a call to embrace others with the same love and acceptance that Jesus offers. The table is a symbol of equality, where social and economic barriers are broken down, and all are welcomed to partake in the grace of God. [22:37]

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)

Reflection: Identify someone in your community who might feel excluded or marginalized. How can you extend the love and acceptance of Jesus to them this week?


Day 3: Worship as a Heart Posture
Worship is not about the physical posture but the posture of our hearts. Whether we stand, sit, or kneel, what matters is our genuine desire to encounter the living God. We are encouraged to engage in worship authentically, allowing the Spirit to guide us in expressing our love and devotion to God. Worship is an expression of our hearts, and it is in this authenticity that we truly connect with God. [27:36]

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." (John 4:23, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your current approach to worship. What changes can you make to ensure your worship is a true reflection of your heart's posture towards God?


Day 4: Community and Connection
Being part of a church community means engaging in relationships and growing together in faith. Initiatives like the Belong Course, Alpha, and life groups provide opportunities to connect and support one another. These gatherings are vital for fostering a sense of belonging and practicing the depth of relationships that reflect the family of God. As we engage in these communities, we are reminded of the importance of supporting and uplifting one another in our spiritual journeys. [47:20]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your involvement in your church community. What steps can you take to deepen your connections and support others in their faith journey?


Day 5: Generosity and Stewardship
Our generosity and stewardship have a tangible impact on the community. By making small changes, like bringing our own mugs, we can contribute to sustainability and better resource allocation. Our giving supports initiatives like the Hope Hub, which provides food and hospitality, demonstrating the love of Jesus in practical ways. Stewardship is not just about financial giving but also about how we use our resources to serve and bless others. [52:11]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your current habits of generosity and stewardship. What is one practical change you can make this week to better serve your community and reflect the love of Jesus?

Quotes

"Communion is the first Sunday. If you are newer to Church or if you've never been at a church where you eat bread and drink the juice, this is a very important symbol for Christianity. And I'll read the passage in a moment. But essentially, we eat and drink to remember. We eat and drink to remember Jesus, to remember the sacrifice upon the cross and ultimately His resurrection life." [00:12:55]

"You and I walk into this place carrying different sins and parts of our history. And Jesus, it says that he was tempted in every way that we are. You face temptation. You feel like nobody knows what you're going through. Only Jesus. But it says he did it without sin so that when he gave his life on the cross, we could experience the presence of God, even being sinful people." [00:14:23]

"Paul is writing to the church in Corinth because they were a bit greedy. What was happening was that you had really wealthy people eating really nice food and also in the church you had people who didn't have a lot of money and didn't have a lot of food. And the people who had a lot of food weren't sharing with the other people. And Paul is writing to correct them and what he does is in correcting this he brings it back to the table of Jesus." [00:22:37]

"The table of Jesus means that everybody belongs and everyone has equal access to the gift of grace. It doesn't matter how much or how little we have. Jesus says come to me wherever you are today, whatever you're feeling, whatever your background is. Jesus says you belong at the table just as much as anyone else here." [00:22:57]

"When we eat and drink to remember, we remember not only the death of Jesus, but we remember the resurrection life that we have because of Jesus. If you're comfortable with me, can we all just shout, thank you, Jesus, on the count of three, yeah? One, two, three. Thank you, Jesus. All right, one more time, like there's a celebrity in the room. One, two, three. Thank you, Jesus." [00:25:37]

"Worship is about the posture of our hearts. And sometimes there's a physical posture that goes with that. And I just want to invite you, as we sing these next couple songs, if you feel like you need to stand, by all means stand. If you feel like you need to sit, by all means sit. If you feel like you need to kneel or if you need to come to the front of the stage in worship, whatever the posture of your heart is in worship today, do it." [00:27:36]

"Your word tells us that if we are in you, that the old is gone and the new has come. We are new creations in you. Your mercies are new each day. So we praise you, Lord, for your transformative love. Would you continue to be our worship leader today? In every part of this service. It's all for you and because of you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen." [00:42:23]

"This is one of the ways that we keep a growing church feeling smaller. This is one of the ways we practice depth. Like maybe and I'm not saying this in a judgmental way because I've been here. I promise you. Sometimes we come to church and we're like, you know what? I'm just not making any relationships. No one's investing in my life. No one's, you know, whatever. And we kind of have expectations, but we're not willing to press into it." [00:49:17]

"This is a way that if you want the benefit of the family of God, this is a primary way to receive that. There are people who get ill and they're in the hospital and the life groups are like, I'm going to bring you meals and I'm going to be present to you. Walking through seasons of life. We saw that when a Mecca prayed over the life. Last baby dedication that we had. He's like, this baby belongs to our community because there have been so much, you know, so many prayers around this." [00:49:57]

"If you want to save our hospitality's day and not causing them to wash up a bunch of mugs, guess what? Bring your own mug. We are also, yeah, we're going to purchase some, some new mugs that you could take home or like travel cups or whatever. Um, that will be really cheap. If you want to buy a cheap one and make that like your church cup or whatever, you can as well. We'll have some extra on hand for new people." [00:52:11]

"Speaking of budgets, part of the way that we function as a church. Now, I hope this is okay, Jimmy, that I share last year because of the generosity of y 'all and donating, giving into the work of, of the Lord here at the church. We were able to buy like a hundred pounds, a hundred thousand pounds of food for the community. Is that okay? Yeah, that we've given through Hope Hub. Yeah, that's amazing. That's amazing." [00:53:20]

"And I'll just say this. This is like no shade on churches. I've been a part of in the past, but I've never seen, I've never seen a church that has such a practical outworking of, of how the funds are used in the church. Like if you want to see it come into the Hope Hub, that slide that had Ruth on it, we're open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 to 1. If you want to see part of what you're giving towards, come and be a part of that and just see the space that." [00:53:48]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?