Embracing Our Union with Christ Through Communion

Summary

Today’s focus is on the profound mystery and beauty of our union with Christ, especially as it is expressed in communion. This union is not just a theological concept but a lived reality, rooted in the very nature of God as Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—existing in perfect, loving unity. From the beginning, God’s intention was for us to share in this divine fellowship, to be drawn into the “dance” of the Trinity, not as distant observers but as beloved participants.

David, living under the Old Covenant, somehow glimpsed this reality ahead of his time. He declared, “The Lord is my…”—my light, my salvation, my shepherd, my shield. David’s relationship with God was raw and honest; he didn’t deny his struggles, but he always turned his focus back to God’s sufficiency. This is not about ignoring our problems or pretending they don’t exist, but about allowing our circumstances to become opportunities for God to reveal Himself as all we need. In the same way, we are invited to bring our real selves—our weaknesses, our failures, our needs—into the presence of God, and to declare by faith, “The Lord is my…”

Jesus, the visible image of the invisible God, came to show us what true humanity looks like: living in seamless union with the Father, drawing life from Him, and inviting us to do the same. The mystery of communion—eating His flesh and drinking His blood—is not something to be fully explained or understood with the mind, but to be received by faith. It is a celebration of our union with Christ, a participation in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Communion is not just a remembrance of the cross, but a remembrance of Him—His person, His presence, His victory, and His ongoing life in us.

We are called to rest in this mystery, to believe what He has accomplished, and to stand firm in the truth that Christ lives in us. This transforms how we see ourselves—not as orphans or outsiders, but as beloved children, holy and blameless, invited to the table of fellowship. As we partake of communion, we do so not out of religious obligation, but as an act of faith, gratitude, and celebration of our oneness with Him.

Key Takeaways

- Praise in the Valley: True worship is not reserved for the mountaintop moments but is most powerful when offered in the midst of trials and testing. When we recount God’s faithfulness and declare His greatness over our circumstances, we shift our focus from the problem to the Provider, allowing His presence to redefine our reality. This is not about faking strength, but about “faithing” it—choosing to trust and praise even when we don’t feel it. [42:18]

- The Mystery of Union: The union we have with Christ is a profound mystery, mirrored in the perfect unity of the Trinity. Just as the Father, Son, and Spirit exist in seamless, loving relationship, we are invited into that same fellowship. Embracing this mystery means accepting that we may not fully understand it, but we can rest in the truth that we are included, loved, and made one with God through Christ. [53:39]

- The Power of Declaration: Like David, we are called to be honest about our struggles, yet to always turn our narrative toward God’s sufficiency. Declaring “The Lord is my…” in the face of weakness or adversity is not denial, but faith in action. Our problems become opportunities for God to reveal Himself as our strength, shield, and provider, transforming our perspective and drawing us deeper into trust. [01:00:25]

- Living from Christ Within: The reality of Christ living in us is foundational to our identity and spiritual growth. We are not striving to become holy or blameless; we are declared so because of what Christ has accomplished. The challenge is to continue believing and standing firm in this truth, allowing it to transform our minds and free us from orphan thinking, shame, and self-effort. [01:18:00]

- Communion as Participation, Not Just Remembrance: When we partake of communion, we are not merely recalling a past event or focusing on our failures. We are participating in the ongoing life of Christ—His death, resurrection, and ascension—receiving His life into ours. This act is both a mystery and a celebration, nourishing us spiritually and physically, and anchoring us in the reality of our union with Him. [01:31:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[42:18] - Praising God in the Valley
[43:42] - Blessing and Worship Reflections
[44:24] - Celebrating Our Students
[45:48] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[48:06] - Communion: Embracing the Mystery
[50:21] - Jesus Covers Our Shame
[51:20] - The Celebration of Communion
[53:39] - The Mystery of Union with Christ
[56:28] - David’s Revelation: “The Lord is My…”
[59:57] - Turning Problems into Opportunities
[01:05:36] - The Trinity and Creation
[01:10:26] - The Mirror of Jesus: Our True Humanity
[01:16:14] - Christ in Us: The Hope of Glory
[01:22:32] - The Holy Spirit: Our Advocate and Guide
[01:26:23] - Communion: Union and Mystery
[01:31:44] - Remembering Him in Communion
[01:36:13] - A Testimony of Daily Communion
[01:37:59] - The Divine Dance and Our Redemption
[01:41:19] - Blessing the Elements and Preparing Our Hearts
[01:42:25] - Worship and Communion Together

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Mystery and Beauty of Our Union with Christ

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### Bible Reading

1. John 6:55-57
“My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.”

2. Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

3. Colossians 1:21-23, 27
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel... To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

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### Observation Questions

1. In John 6:55-57, what does Jesus say about the relationship between eating his flesh, drinking his blood, and remaining in him?
2. According to Psalm 27:1, what are some of the ways David describes his relationship with God?
3. In Colossians 1:21-23, what does Paul say has changed about our relationship with God because of Christ?
4. The sermon mentioned that David often declared, “The Lord is my…” in the midst of his struggles. What are some specific examples given of what David called God? ([57:44])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus used such strong and mysterious language about eating his flesh and drinking his blood in John 6? What might he have been trying to communicate about union with him? ([53:56])
2. The sermon says David was “raw and honest” with God, not denying his struggles but always turning his focus back to God’s sufficiency. What does this teach us about how we can approach God in our own difficulties? ([59:12])
3. In Colossians 1, Paul says we are “holy and blameless” because of what Christ has done, but also tells us to “continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it.” Why is it sometimes hard to keep believing this, and what happens when we forget? ([01:18:00])
4. The sermon describes communion as more than just remembering the cross, but as participating in the ongoing life of Christ. How does this change the way we think about taking communion? ([01:31:44])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about “praising in the valley”—offering worship to God not just in good times, but especially in hard times. Is there a current struggle or “valley” in your life where you find it hard to praise God? What would it look like to “faith it” instead of “fake it” this week? ([42:18])
2. David often declared, “The Lord is my…” in the face of adversity. If you were to fill in that blank for your current season, what would you say? (For example: “The Lord is my peace,” “The Lord is my provider,” etc.) How can you make this declaration part of your daily routine? ([58:55])
3. The sermon emphasized that our union with Christ is a mystery to be received by faith, not fully explained. Are there areas of your faith where you feel you need to have everything figured out before you can trust God? How can you practice “resting in the mystery” this week? ([52:20])
4. Paul says we are “holy and blameless” because of Christ, but many of us still struggle with shame or “orphan thinking.” Is there a specific area where you find it hard to believe you are fully accepted and loved by God? What is one step you can take to remind yourself of your true identity in Christ? ([01:18:00])
5. The sermon described communion as participation in Christ’s life, not just a remembrance of his death. How might this understanding change the way you approach communion next time? Is there a way you can prepare your heart differently? ([01:31:44])
6. The “divine dance” of the Trinity was described as a picture of perfect unity and love. Are there relationships in your life (family, church, friends) where you long to see more unity? What is one practical thing you can do this week to move toward greater unity or reconciliation? ([01:13:20])
7. The sermon shared a testimony of someone who took communion daily as a way to remember her union with Christ. Is there a spiritual practice—like communion, prayer, or journaling—that you want to make a more regular part of your life to help you stay connected to Jesus? ([01:36:13])

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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person rest in the mystery and beauty of their union with Christ, and to live out of that reality this week.

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Mystery of Union with Christ
The union we have with Christ is a profound mystery—one that goes beyond our understanding and invites us to rest in faith rather than striving for explanation. Just as Jesus lived in constant awareness of His oneness with the Father, we are called to abide in Him, drawing our life and identity from this seamless connection. In communion, we are not merely remembering a past event, but participating in the ongoing reality of Christ in us, the hope of glory. This union is not something we achieve by our own effort, but a gift to be received, believed, and celebrated, even when we cannot fully comprehend it. [56:28]

John 6:55-57 (ESV)
“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you find it hardest to rest in the mystery of Christ’s presence within you, and how might you choose to trust Him in that area today?


Day 2: The Lord Is My—Declaring God’s Nearness in Every Circumstance
David’s life teaches us the power of declaring, “The Lord is my…” even in the midst of trouble, weakness, or uncertainty. Rather than denying our struggles or being consumed by them, we are invited to turn our focus to God’s sufficiency and faithfulness. This declaration is not about ignoring reality, but about shifting our perspective to see God as our shield, our strength, our provider, and our hope—right in the middle of our circumstances. Our problems become opportunities for God to reveal Himself as all that we need. [58:55]

Psalm 3:3 (ESV)
“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”

Reflection: What is one specific challenge you are facing today, and how can you declare “The Lord is my…” over that situation, inviting Him to be your strength and shield?


Day 3: The Dance of the Trinity—Invited into Divine Relationship
From the very beginning, God existed in perfect, loving union—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit moving together in harmony. This divine dance is not marked by competition or conflict, but by mutual indwelling and love. Amazingly, we are invited into this relationship, to experience the same unity and intimacy with God that Jesus shares with the Father. Our faith journey is not about striving alone, but about joining the ongoing, life-giving relationship of the Trinity, learning to move in step with God’s Spirit. [01:13:20]

Genesis 1:26 (ESV)
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”

Reflection: How might your day look different if you approached it as someone invited into the loving, joyful relationship of the Trinity, rather than as someone striving alone?


Day 4: Christ in You—Living from Your New Identity
Through Christ’s finished work, you have been reconciled, made holy, and brought into God’s presence—not by your own merit, but by His grace. The mystery of “Christ in you” means you are no longer defined by your past, your failures, or your striving. Instead, you are called to stand firm in the truth of your new identity, believing what God says about you and allowing Him to transform your mind and heart. When you stumble, you are invited to quickly return to this truth, refusing to live as an orphan but as a beloved child of God. [01:18:00]

Colossians 1:21-23 (ESV)
“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

Reflection: What is one old belief or “big butt” (excuse or doubt) that keeps you from living in your true identity in Christ, and how can you choose to stand firmly in God’s truth today?


Day 5: Remembering Him—Communion as Celebration and Connection
Communion is not just a somber remembrance of the cross, but a celebration of the whole person of Jesus—His life, death, resurrection, and ongoing presence. When we “do this in remembrance of Me,” we are invited to focus on who He is, not just what He has done. In this act, we receive His life, are nourished in body and spirit, and are reminded of our union with Him. Communion is a time to rest in the mystery, to celebrate our connection, and to remember that He is the prize and the reward. [01:29:34]

Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)
“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.’”

Reflection: As you take communion this week, how can you intentionally shift your focus from your own shortcomings to the fullness of who Jesus is, celebrating your union with Him?

Quotes