Embracing Unity and Service in the Lord's Supper
Summary
In our gathering today, we focused on the profound significance of the Lord's Supper, drawing inspiration from the early church's devotion to this sacred practice. As we come together in a new setting, it's easy to get caught up in the unfamiliarity and logistics, but our true purpose is to honor God and love one another. Reflecting on John 13, where Jesus washed the disciples' feet, we are reminded of the humility and service that should characterize our interactions. Jesus, our Creator, set an example by serving others, and He calls us to do the same. This act of service is not just about physical actions but about the heart posture we bring into our gatherings.
We are challenged to examine our motives as we come together. Are we here to have a great experience, or are we here to honor God by loving and serving each other? The Lord's Supper is a time to remember Christ's sacrifice and to unite as one body, setting aside divisions and focusing on the presence of Christ among us. In a world filled with distractions and divisions, we are called to be a family devoted to the teachings of the apostles, fellowship, prayer, and the breaking of bread.
Communion is not just a ritual; it's a profound encounter with the presence of Christ. The early church understood this mystery and devoted themselves to it. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the real presence of Christ, a presence that transcends our understanding and unites us in His love. This is a time to let go of distractions, divisions, and self-centeredness, and to embrace the unity and love that Christ offers.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Call to Serve: Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet is a powerful example of humility and service. We are called to emulate this by serving one another, not just in physical acts but in our heart posture. This service is a reflection of our love for God and each other. [02:14]
2. Unity in Diversity: The Lord's Supper is meant to unite us as one body, transcending our differences and traditions. Despite diverse backgrounds and practices, we are called to focus on the unity that Christ's sacrifice brings. [16:25]
3. Presence Over Miracles: While miracles are awe-inspiring, the true gift is the presence of God with us. We should seek intimacy with Him above all else, cherishing the moments of communion as a profound encounter with His presence. [32:21]
4. Devotion to the Apostles' Teachings: The early church was devoted to the apostles' teachings, fellowship, prayer, and the breaking of bread. This devotion is a model for us, emphasizing the importance of community and shared faith. [21:17]
5. Mystery of Communion: Communion is a mysterious and sacred practice that involves the real presence of Christ. While we may not fully understand how it works, we are invited to approach it with reverence and faith, trusting in God's power and presence. [41:19]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Gathering for Communion
[01:27] - Loving Others in Worship
[02:32] - Jesus' Example of Service
[04:54] - Honoring God Through Service
[06:20] - Attitude of Love and Service
[08:18] - Serving in Modern Context
[10:00] - Letting Go of Distractions
[13:56] - Time of Prayer and Ministry
[15:22] - Communion and Unity
[18:07] - Early Church Devotion
[20:45] - Centrality of Communion
[23:38] - Mystery of the Elements
[28:39] - Abiding in Love
[32:21] - Presence Over Miracles
[41:19] - Prayer for the Elements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 13:12-17
2. Acts 2:42
3. Luke 24:13-35
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 13:12-17, what specific action does Jesus take to demonstrate humility and service to His disciples? How does He explain the significance of this action? [01:43]
2. According to Acts 2:42, what were the four key practices the early church devoted themselves to? How does this reflect their priorities? [21:01]
3. In the story from Luke 24:13-35, what event led to the disciples recognizing Jesus? What does this suggest about the significance of this action? [38:14]
4. During the sermon, what was emphasized as the primary purpose of gathering for communion? How does this relate to the early church's practices? [04:54]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus washing the disciples' feet in John 13 challenge our understanding of leadership and service within the church? What implications does this have for our interactions with others? [02:14]
2. Acts 2:42 highlights the early church's devotion to specific practices. How might these practices contribute to a sense of unity and community among believers? [21:17]
3. The disciples on the road to Emmaus recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. What does this reveal about the role of communion in experiencing the presence of Christ? [38:14]
4. The sermon mentioned the potential for division during communion. How can understanding the early church's approach to communion help us address divisions within our own church communities? [16:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent church gathering you attended. Did you enter with a mindset of serving others, as Jesus exemplified in John 13? How can you intentionally adopt this mindset in future gatherings? [06:37]
2. Acts 2:42 describes the early church's devotion to fellowship and breaking of bread. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of community and shared faith in your small group or church? [21:17]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of focusing on the presence of Christ over seeking miracles. How can you prioritize intimacy with God in your daily life, even when you don't witness miraculous events? [32:21]
4. Consider the divisions that can arise during communion, as mentioned in the sermon. What steps can you take to promote unity and understanding among believers with different backgrounds and traditions? [16:25]
5. The early church was devoted to the apostles' teachings. How can you incorporate regular study and reflection on Scripture into your routine to strengthen your faith and understanding? [21:17]
6. Reflect on a time when you were distracted by personal concerns during a church service or communion. How can you refocus your attention on Christ's presence and the unity of the body during these times? [10:00]
7. The sermon highlighted the mystery of communion and the real presence of Christ. How can you approach communion with a sense of reverence and faith, even when you don't fully understand its mystery? [41:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Humility Through Service
In John 13, Jesus exemplifies humility by washing His disciples' feet, a task typically reserved for servants. This act of service is a profound demonstration of love and humility, challenging us to serve others selflessly. Serving others is not merely about performing physical acts but about adopting a heart posture of humility and love. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His example, serving one another with genuine love and humility. This service reflects our love for God and each other, transcending mere actions to become a way of life. [02:14]
John 13:14-15 (ESV): "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you."
Reflection: Who in your life can you serve today in a way that reflects Christ's humility and love? How can you adopt a heart posture of service in your daily interactions?
Day 2: Unity Through the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper is a sacred practice that unites believers as one body, transcending differences and traditions. It is a time to remember Christ's sacrifice and to focus on the unity that His sacrifice brings. In a world filled with divisions, the Lord's Supper calls us to set aside our differences and come together in love and unity. This practice reminds us that despite our diverse backgrounds, we are all part of the same body, united by Christ's love and sacrifice. [16:25]
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: What divisions or differences do you need to set aside to embrace unity with others in your community? How can participating in the Lord's Supper help you focus on this unity?
Day 3: Seeking God's Presence Over Miracles
While miracles are awe-inspiring, the true gift is the presence of God with us. The early church understood the profound mystery of communion as an encounter with the real presence of Christ. In our gatherings, we are invited to seek intimacy with God above all else, cherishing the moments of communion as a profound encounter with His presence. This focus on God's presence over miracles encourages us to prioritize our relationship with Him, finding joy and fulfillment in His presence. [32:21]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: How can you prioritize seeking God's presence in your daily life over seeking miraculous signs? What practices can help you cultivate a deeper intimacy with Him?
Day 4: Devotion to Community and Shared Faith
The early church was devoted to the apostles' teachings, fellowship, prayer, and the breaking of bread. This devotion serves as a model for us, emphasizing the importance of community and shared faith. In a world filled with distractions, we are called to be a family devoted to these practices, fostering a sense of belonging and unity. By committing to these practices, we strengthen our faith and build a supportive community that reflects the love and teachings of Christ. [21:17]
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 deepen your devotion to community and shared faith in your daily life? What steps can you take to foster a sense of belonging and unity within your community?
Day 5: Embracing the Mystery of Communion
Communion is a mysterious and sacred practice that involves the real presence of Christ. While we may not fully understand how it works, we are invited to approach it with reverence and faith, trusting in God's power and presence. This mystery calls us to embrace the unknown, finding comfort in the assurance of Christ's presence with us. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the profound love and unity that Christ offers, transcending our understanding and uniting us in His love. [41:19]
Colossians 1:26-27 (ESV): "The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Reflection: How can you approach the mystery of communion with reverence and faith? What does it mean for you to trust in God's presence and power, even when you don't fully understand it?
Quotes
"i was praying about this yesterday and it's so easy to get distracted with details when you go to a new place and you try something different, i mean one thing the elders were together on was we need to get serious about devoting ourselves to the lord's supper, this is something we see in scripture, it's something we see in that early church and we want to just have a real reverent time coming before the body and blood of jesus." [00:19:40]
"i want you to imagine for a second, i mean what if this was like a setting where christ himself in the flesh christ in the flesh, try to imagine right now jesus washing your feet, okay in fact right now just just close your eyes for a second and could you imagine your creator the son of god coming down in the flesh taking your shoes off and him washing your feet." [00:02:26]
"so i'm praying about this going god okay we did not come here so that you could have a great experience, we not come here so that i could have a great experience we came here saying god we want to honor you, right that's why we gather say god we want you to be honored and so i'm reading the scriptures going god what would honor you most as your children come together." [00:04:45]
"and i know we live in a different culture now where the washing of the feet doesn't mean the same thing, it's not something we do here, but there's other ways that we can serve each other, it's maybe looking somewhere in the eyes and actually caring when you say how are you doing and maybe when you find out what the struggle is that you would actually be one that fixes the situation with your resources and time or with your prayers." [00:08:06]
"and god was just showing me, you can be that way with my presence too, yeah i'll distribute gifts as i choose, but don't get lost in those, enjoy my presence with you, and that is my prayer today, is that all of you would just have the most intimate time with him, whether he heals you or not, whether he gives you a supernatural gift or not, the greatest gift is his presence with us." [00:33:37]
"and communion is one of those things where we can lose our fascination and maybe you've never even had it, but i encourage you study it yourself, don't take my word for it study it yourself, what did those early believers believe about the bread and the cup, they all believed that there was some sort of mysterious presence of god, that there was something special when the believers gathered together in unity." [00:22:11]
"and i was sitting down just going god, how can i even pray a prayer that won't be divisive, how can i even lead this in a way that unites the body because you we read in first corinthians 11 paul says when you gather together, it's not for the better but it's for the worst, he goes because when you gather for the breaking of bread he goes i hear there are divisions among you." [00:23:36]
"and i was thinking lord what do i even break because i i've been studying and some of the elders we've been studying together like, you know we our church was all about this book right, where where we go when i read this book and what this book says about the church it is very different from what i experienced, right, we wrestled with that working gosh i read this in this book when did it become a service that you just attend for an hour sing for 30 minutes listen to a sermon for 40 minutes and then go home when did that transition happen." [00:18:07]
"and i want to pray for you, because i know some of you have been stuck, stuck in your own head, some of you have been obsessed with thinking about things this week that have nothing to do with the cross, see this is what the communion table was all about was like whatever you've been thinking about this is bigger than that, i promise you it's bigger than that, whatever you're obsessed with right now this is bigger." [00:10:00]
"and then jesus's words were, okay now that i've done that to you, i want you to do that to one another, he goes this was an example he goes like the verse says, he goes do you understand what i have done to you you call me teacher and lord and you are right for so i am if i then your lord and teacher have washed your feet you also ought to wash one another's feet." [00:04:10]
"and so i want you to think like when you came here this morning did the thought of loving others even enter your mind, did you walk in the room going who can i bless, who can i serve, god use me to love on people today, is that the attitude you came in with, because sometimes i know some of us just get stuck we don't even know it, like i get caught up in myself in my own mind like sometimes i don't realize how self-centered i am." [00:06:36]
"and i was praying about this yesterday, i was thinking about how there's so many things that can divide us today right, and what's crazy to me is that communion itself, which was meant to bring the body together, it's the very thing that divides a lot of believers from each other, like oh gosh how satanic is that, that the death of christ that was supposed to make us perfectly one and coming to the table with one bread one piece of bread was supposed to signify his body being one." [00:15:22]
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