Finding Joy and Communion in Christ's Presence
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound joy and fulfillment that comes from directing our focus and devotion towards Jesus Christ, as exemplified by John the Baptist's reaction to Jesus' growing ministry. John the Baptist's joy was complete when people turned to Jesus, highlighting the ultimate goal of our faith: to become less so that Christ can become more in our lives. This is the essence of our journey together, to create spaces where the presence of Christ is the central attraction, not the personalities leading the service.
We delved into the concept of intimacy at the table, particularly through the act of communion. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 10:16, we reflected on the deep participation in the body and blood of Christ that communion represents. This participation, or koinonia, is not a mere ritual but a profound fellowship with Christ, where His presence intermingles with ours. This is God's desire for us—not just individual communion but a collective experience as His church, united in purpose and spirit.
We also examined the story of the woman with the issue of blood from Luke 8, who, in her desperation, reached out to touch Jesus and was healed. This story challenges us to consider our own desperation and desire for communion with Christ. Are we merely part of the crowd, or are we reaching out in faith, longing for His touch?
The sermon also touched on the importance of letting go of control and allowing God to work in His way. We cannot force others to experience God, but we can create an environment where His presence is welcomed and desired. This requires a heart of faith and expectation, believing that God desires to meet with us as we gather in His name.
Finally, we were reminded of the sacredness of communion and the need to approach it with reverence and self-examination. This is a time to recognize the body of Christ, both in the elements and in the community of believers, and to seek unity and reconciliation with one another.
Key Takeaways:
- John the Baptist's joy was complete when people turned to Jesus, reminding us that our ultimate goal is to make Christ the center of our lives and communities. Our joy should be found in His increasing presence, not in our own prominence. [00:45]
- Communion is a profound act of participation in the body and blood of Christ, symbolizing a deep fellowship with Him. This is not a mere ritual but an intimate mingling of our lives with His, reflecting God's desire for collective communion with His church. [05:18]
- The story of the woman with the issue of blood challenges us to examine our own desperation for Christ. Are we reaching out in faith, longing for His touch, or are we merely part of the crowd? Our level of desire can determine our experience of His presence. [13:13]
- Letting go of control and allowing God to work in His way is crucial. We cannot force others to experience God, but we can create an environment where His presence is welcomed and desired. This requires faith and expectation, believing that God desires to meet with us. [12:59]
- Communion is a sacred time that requires reverence and self-examination. We must recognize the body of Christ in the elements and in the community of believers, seeking unity and reconciliation with one another. This is a time to approach with expectation and a desire for deep communion with God. [29:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to John 3
- [00:45] - Joy in Jesus' Increase
- [01:14] - Dream of Christ-Centered Communities
- [02:15] - Intimacy at the Table
- [02:49] - Participation in Christ's Body and Blood
- [03:38] - God's Desire for Communion
- [05:18] - Fellowship Through Communion
- [08:05] - Letting Go of Control
- [09:33] - Desperation for Christ
- [12:59] - Seeking God with All Our Hearts
- [16:44] - Missing Out on Christ's Words
- [20:29] - Experiencing God's Presence
- [29:06] - Reverence and Self-Examination
- [36:00] - Blessing the Bread and Cup
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 3:26-30
2. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
3. Luke 8:43-48
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Observation Questions:
1. How did John the Baptist react when his disciples told him that people were going to Jesus instead of him? What does this reveal about his understanding of his role? [00:26]
2. In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, what does Paul say about the cup and the bread? How does this relate to the concept of participation in the body and blood of Christ? [02:30]
3. Describe the situation of the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8. What was her approach to Jesus, and what was the result? [10:09]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of creating an environment where God's presence is welcomed? [08:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might John the Baptist have found joy in Jesus' increasing ministry, and how does this reflect the ultimate goal of our faith? [00:45]
2. How does the concept of koinonia, or fellowship, deepen our understanding of communion as more than just a ritual? [05:34]
3. What does the story of the woman with the issue of blood teach us about the nature of faith and desperation in seeking Jesus? [13:13]
4. How can letting go of control and allowing God to work in His way impact our personal and communal worship experiences? [08:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on John the Baptist's joy in Jesus' increase. In what areas of your life can you strive to become less so that Christ can become more? [00:45]
2. Communion is described as a profound act of participation. How can you approach communion with a deeper sense of fellowship and intimacy with Christ? [05:18]
3. Consider the desperation of the woman with the issue of blood. On a scale of 1 to 10, how desperate are you for communion with Christ? What steps can you take to increase your longing for His presence? [14:12]
4. The sermon emphasizes creating an environment where God's presence is welcomed. What practical changes can you make in your home or small group to foster such an environment? [08:19]
5. Self-examination is crucial before taking communion. What areas of your life require reconciliation or forgiveness to approach communion with a pure heart? [29:06]
6. How can you let go of control in your spiritual life and allow God to work in His way? What might be holding you back from fully trusting His plan? [08:19]
7. Reflect on the sacredness of communion. How can you prepare your heart and mind to approach this time with reverence and expectation? [29:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy in Christ's Increase
When John the Baptist saw Jesus' ministry growing, he found complete joy in the fact that people were turning to Jesus. This reflects the ultimate goal of our faith: to make Christ the center of our lives and communities. Our joy should not be in our own prominence but in the increasing presence of Christ. As we journey together, we are called to create spaces where Christ is the central attraction, not the personalities leading the service. This shift in focus allows us to experience the profound joy that comes from seeing Christ magnified in our lives and the lives of others. [00:45]
John 3:30 (ESV): "He must increase, but I must decrease."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking personal recognition over Christ's presence? How can you intentionally shift your focus to magnify Christ today?
Day 2: Communion as Deep Fellowship
Communion is more than a ritual; it is a profound act of participation in the body and blood of Christ, symbolizing a deep fellowship with Him. This participation, or koinonia, is an intimate mingling of our lives with His, reflecting God's desire for collective communion with His church. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the sacredness of this act and the unity it brings to the body of believers. It is a time to approach with reverence and self-examination, recognizing the body of Christ in the elements and in the community of believers. [05:18]
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 deepen your understanding and experience of communion as a fellowship with Christ and His church this week?
Day 3: Desperation for Christ's Touch
The story of the woman with the issue of blood challenges us to examine our own desperation for Christ. In her desperation, she reached out to touch Jesus and was healed. This story invites us to consider whether we are merely part of the crowd or if we are reaching out in faith, longing for His touch. Our level of desire can determine our experience of His presence. Are we willing to push through the crowd and reach out to Him in faith, believing that He can meet our deepest needs? [13:13]
Luke 8:43-44 (ESV): "And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to reach out to Jesus in faith today? How can you actively seek His touch in that area?
Day 4: Letting Go of Control
Letting go of control and allowing God to work in His way is crucial. We cannot force others to experience God, but we can create an environment where His presence is welcomed and desired. This requires a heart of faith and expectation, believing that God desires to meet with us as we gather in His name. By surrendering our need for control, we open ourselves to the transformative work of God in our lives and the lives of those around us. [12:59]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Reverence and Self-Examination in Communion
Communion is a sacred time that requires reverence and self-examination. We must recognize the body of Christ in the elements and in the community of believers, seeking unity and reconciliation with one another. This is a time to approach with expectation and a desire for deep communion with God. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the sacredness of this act and the unity it brings to the body of believers. [29:06]
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 (ESV): "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."
Reflection: Before your next communion, take time to examine your heart. Is there someone you need to reconcile with or forgive? How can you approach communion with a heart of unity and reverence?
Quotes
"John the Baptist was baptizing people and some of his disciples are like hey, hey, uh, that Jesus is baptizing and people are going to him rather than you and almost like expecting John to be bothered by that and John's like no this actually makes my joy complete. He says this is what I wanted." [00:24:08]
"I have a dream that one day people will be excited thrilled not because of whose teaching or who's leading worship like this would make my joy complete is if there were homes all around our area where people were flooding there going I want to be there because Jesus is going to be there and there's a special presence of Christ." [01:05:04]
"This cup that we bless this is this is this is such a fascinating truth um I just want to share with you and I hope it's not old to you but this morning god in heaven once okay wants he desires god sitting on his own almighty god who spoke the earth into existence I hope this is still great news to you he wants to commune with us." [03:51:99]
"Through communion we participate okay that's not just a a cup that's out there and we're over here somehow we participate in the blood of Christ and I was looking at that word participate that word participate is actually the word koinonia where we get fellowship so participate almost feels a little bit stiff because the word koinonia listen to this the word koinonia can actually be translated intercourse." [05:16:47]
"I want to make you desire God okay some of you guys came in here a little groggy you know just kind of passively whatever and I want to fix that I want to change it I'm like no I'm going to make you desire him you know and so every time I teach I'm trying to control the room and and make you want God." [08:11:99]
"Most of the time in scripture it's about they will seek me and find me when they search for me with all of their hearts so there were a bunch of people pressing into Jesus but there was one person that was so desperate and said I've got to get to him and Jesus knew it and that's where I have to just let go of my control freak attitude." [12:57:20]
"On a scale of one to ten how desperately did you come today wanting communion with Jesus think about the story about that woman sounds like she was a 10. and I don't know where everyone else was but I want you to think in your heart as you walked into this room this morning how desperate were you to have communion with God." [13:55:19]
"How much expectation did you have coming in here today were you fascinated thinking this is it this is better than me being alone in a room with the Lord this is that opportunity at the presence of Christ with brothers and sisters that are like striving after him together and and it's not just us wanting it it is God himself wanting this." [14:42:56]
"Let a man examine himself before he eats the bread or drinks a cup make sure you recognize the body of the Lord make sure you look around this room and recognize this is the body of the Lord we don't want to go in there with division you know make sure you've confessed God anyone you know I just even this week I'm going God is there anything like that in me." [30:08:48]
"This is a special time a real special time a real intimate time where his bride comes together and unites with the groom who is the head of this body and somehow we participate in the blood of Christ and in his body and so again I don't want to rush into this this intimate time I want us to come with expectation anticipation fascination desperation." [31:01:67]
"We want to participate we want to fellowship we want to have a union with your blood and your flesh and that's why we come to become one and there's an excitement about that what's that song we sing we welcome you with praise it's this idea of welcoming God himself." [24:48:40]
"We came to participate in the blood and body of Jesus we came here to form a temple of living stones with the hope that his spirit would inhabit us and that we would have this intimate deep time in the presence of Christ how badly do you want it right now because I've been looking forward to this time." [27:20:64]
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