Fellowship and Service: The True Meaning of Communion

The cup of blessing which we bless 1 Corinthians 10:16 it's not the blood of Christ let me make it clear there are some people who take this cup and call it the blood of Christ or they pray for it I've even heard people say praying that this will become the blood of Christ it can never become the blood of Christ nothing can replace that precious blood which is worth more than all the silver and gold in the world which is drained out of Jesus body on the cross of Calvary that blood is not on the earth today this cup is a sharing verse 16 or somewhere translation see of fellowship it's let me read it this cup of blessing is not the blood of Christ it is a fellowship in the blood of Christ. [00:13:47]

This bread is not the body of Christ it's a fellowship in the body of Christ make it very clear because there are people who teach that this bread becomes the body of Christ that's nonsense it's a false teaching oh this cup becomes that's against verse 16 it's a fellowship which I'm testifying to my fellowship in the body and blood of Jesus Christ in other words that I also am crucified with Christ see when Jesus broke the bread he was saying this is my body which is broken and now when you break it and eat it you're saying I also want to be broken like that I want to be crucified with Christ I want to live the crucified life. [00:14:32]

And secondly it is also a testimony that I'm one fellowship with other people here who want to be in fellowship with me because it says in verse 17 there is one bread and we who are many are one body you see you're taking part in a bread which is being shared with other people also here that's the point you know you're not just eating yourself you're sharing the bread and the bread goes around to other people who are sharing it and because of the numbers we can't have one huge loaf here but the principle is the same that we are sharing together in one bread and thereby testifying that we are one body. [00:15:39]

I want to ask you is your heart open and clear in your conscience towards everybody sitting here don't worry their heart is not open that's not your business they have to judge themselves you don't have to judge any other person sitting here you know sometimes we said that guy is not interested in fellowship with me should I tell you something that is none of your business you mind your own business do you want to have fellowship with everybody sitting here just yes or no. [00:16:20]

If you have a grudge against anybody my sincere advice to you is don't break bread there's nothing wrong in passing the plate to somebody else get rid of that grudge or at least tell the Lord as soon as I get opportunity I'm gonna settle matters right with that person I hurt that person you know remember Jesus said when you come to the table and you remember when you come to offering and do you remember somebody has got something against you not because you stand for the Lord I mean the world is full of people who of course something against me because I stand for the Lord I'm not bothered they're against Jesus too but if somebody's got something against me because I hurt them with my words or my actions then I must leave the offering there leave the bread there leave the cup there go and set it right first then come and take part in the breaking bread maybe next month quite okay God will see that that you want to honor him. [00:17:07]

Furthermore, the spirit of communion extends beyond the ritual, calling us to a life of service and humility. Jesus exemplified this by washing the disciples' feet, urging us to serve others in the most humble ways, reflecting a commitment to selfless service. In our church, this spirit is reflected in the commitment to serve without seeking personal gain, as seen in the practice of not taking salaries or offerings for personal benefit. Instead, the focus is on giving to the poor and serving the community selflessly. [00:20:42]

Paul did receive gifts and if somebody gives you a gift is perfectly all right to take it sometimes people give me a gift I take it but I always check is this man poorer than me is he living at a lower standard than me which is the case with many many people in India in our churches then I will not use that money for myself I will receive it so that I don't insult him and if he's living at a lower standard than me when he's not looking I put it in the offering box or give it away I cannot touch it if I touch it I'll destroy myself because Jesus never took money from people who were poorer than him never he gave so that is the principle on which we work that we don't try to get benefit from the church for ourselves. [00:24:35]

The principle of giving over receiving is emphasized, echoing Jesus' words that it is more blessed to give than to receive. This includes giving time, counsel, and support to others, not just financial resources, embodying the spirit of true Christian fellowship. As we break bread, we are reminded of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice and are called to offer ourselves to God and the church, living a life of purity and service. This involves giving our bodies and minds to God, free from sinful thoughts and actions. [00:27:00]

Jesus gave himself on the cross for others now I am taking part in the breaking of bread to show that I want to give myself for the church and for others that's why in this church we don't emphasize giving money even though money is needed those who are burned enough and are happy to give give joyfully without our asking anybody but we say we had to give ourselves to the church and to the Lord that's what God wants God's not a beggar and he's not poor two things he's not a beggar and he's not poor so he's not asking for money he's asking for ourselves I tell you what God wants your body and your mind which has been polluted with dirty sexual thoughts and bitter thoughts and critical thoughts and judgmental thoughts he wants that mind when you give it to him he wants your body which has been used for so many sinful purposes that tongue that is used to shout in anger and speak evil God says give me that tongue I don't want your money I've got plenty of money God says give me your tongue very few people in the world give their tongue to Jesus. [00:29:16]

Jesus gave himself he kept himself pure for thirty-three years when he hung on the cross he never spoke one word of accusation or criticism he rebuked people and that is okay that is a holy thing to do but he never was not a backbiter and a gossip bird and so when you come to the Lord and take part the Lord's table say Lord I want to give myself to you just like you gave yourself for me on the cross that's the best way to break bread and not only to you I want to give myself to this church you say but everybody here is not committed okay Judas Iscariot was not committed that's okay do you know that Jesus washed the feet of Judas Iscariot also isn't that amazing it's okay so we are happy to serve the crooks we are happy to serve those who cheat us fine we leave their judgment with God. [00:30:45]

Think of the two arms of the cross my vertical relationship with Jesus Christ my horizontal relationship with everybody here think of those two as we break bread today and say Lord I wanted to be right between you and me I want it from my side to be right with everybody here even if they won't smile at me I don't look at me that's not my business God's never going to ask you why did so-and-so have a wrong attitude towards you never he'll only ask you why did you have a wrong attitude towards that person so think of judging yourself and don't waste your time judging other people let's come to the breaking of bread in a new way in 2018 that it'll be a beginning of a new type of walk with God we're breaking a bread reminds us once a month about our walk with God. [00:31:23]