The Power and Significance of the Covenant Meal
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of the covenant meal, often referred to as communion, the Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper. This meal is not merely a symbolic act but a powerful engagement with the substance of heaven. It is a celebration of the finished works of Jesus Christ, His death, and resurrection, which have granted us a new identity as sons and daughters of God. The early church understood this deeply, celebrating communion daily as a central part of their community life, recognizing it as a source of spiritual nourishment and empowerment.
The covenant meal is a reminder of the new covenant established through Jesus' sacrifice. Unlike the old covenant, which required repeated sacrifices, Jesus' one perfect sacrifice has made us holy and complete for all time. This meal is not about us or our sins; it is about Jesus and what He has accomplished. It is a proclamation of His death, which brought us life and access to a new reality in the Holy Spirit.
We also discussed the importance of discerning the Lord's body when partaking in communion. The Corinthian church faced issues because they did not recognize the significance of the meal, leading to a lack of divine protection and healing. Communion is a power meal, a happy meal, because it imparts the realities of the new covenant into our lives. By faith, we engage with the substance of heaven, allowing the life of God to flow into our circumstances.
As we partake in this meal, we are reminded of our covenant relationship with God, a relationship not based on our worthiness but on the finished work of Christ. This covenant is between the Father and the Son, for us, granting us an inheritance as God's children. By regularly engaging in communion, we align ourselves with the promises and power of God, experiencing His life, healing, and wholeness in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The covenant meal is a celebration of the finished works of Jesus Christ, reminding us of our new identity as sons and daughters of God. It is not about us or our sins but about Jesus and His sacrifice. [01:01:19]
- Communion is a powerful engagement with the substance of heaven, imparting the realities of the new covenant into our lives. By faith, we access the life and promises of God. [01:14:34]
- The early church celebrated communion daily, recognizing it as a source of spiritual nourishment and empowerment. It was central to their community life, fostering unity and faith. [01:17:04]
- Discerning the Lord's body in communion is crucial. The Corinthian church faced issues because they did not recognize the meal's significance, leading to a lack of divine protection and healing. [01:28:45]
- Our covenant relationship with God is based on the finished work of Christ, not our worthiness. This relationship grants us an inheritance as God's children, allowing us to experience His life, healing, and wholeness. [01:31:22]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:01:19] - Introduction to the Covenant Meal
[01:13:34] - The Significance of Jesus' Tomb
[01:14:34] - Understanding Communion Beyond Symbols
[01:17:04] - Faith as the Substance of Heaven
[01:19:11] - The New Covenant Meal
[01:20:37] - The Power of Daily Communion
[01:21:48] - Our Inheritance in Christ
[01:23:16] - The Importance of Regular Communion
[01:24:54] - Proclaiming Jesus' Death and Life
[01:26:39] - Communion as a Source of Life and Healing
[01:28:45] - Lessons from the Corinthian Church
[01:30:23] - Engaging with the Substance of Heaven
[01:31:22] - The Covenant Relationship with God
[01:32:43] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[01:33:51] - Prayer and Commitment
[01:35:58] - Celebrating the Covenant Meal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 2:46 - "Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another's homes to celebrate communion and they shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility."
2. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."
3. Hebrews 10:11-14 - "And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."
Observation Questions:
1. According to Acts 2:46, how often did the early church partake in communion, and what was their attitude during these gatherings?
2. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, what are the two elements of communion mentioned, and what do they symbolize?
3. How does Hebrews 10:11-14 contrast the old covenant sacrifices with the sacrifice of Jesus?
4. What issues did the Corinthian church face regarding communion, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:28:45]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to "proclaim the Lord's death" through communion, and why is this significant for believers today? [01:24:54]
2. How does the concept of the "new covenant" in Jesus' blood differ from the old covenant, and what implications does this have for our identity as believers? [01:19:11]
3. Why is it important to discern the Lord's body during communion, and what consequences did the Corinthian church face for failing to do so? [01:28:45]
4. How does the practice of daily communion, as seen in the early church, reflect their understanding of community and spiritual nourishment? [01:17:04]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current practice of communion. How often do you partake, and how might increasing the frequency impact your spiritual life? [01:23:16]
2. In what ways can you better discern the Lord's body during communion to ensure you are engaging with its full significance? [01:28:45]
3. How can you incorporate the principles of the new covenant into your daily life, particularly in understanding your identity as a child of God? [01:19:11]
4. Consider the role of community in your spiritual journey. How can you foster a deeper sense of community and fellowship in your small group or church? [01:17:04]
5. What steps can you take to ensure that communion remains a powerful and meaningful practice, rather than a mere ritual, in your faith journey? [01:14:34]
6. How can you use the truths of the new covenant to speak life and healing into your personal circumstances or those of others around you? [01:24:54]
7. Reflect on the idea of communion as a "power meal." How can you actively engage with the substance of heaven in your daily life and challenges? [01:20:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ
The covenant meal, often referred to as communion, is a profound celebration of the finished works of Jesus Christ. It is a reminder of our new identity as sons and daughters of God, not based on our own merits or sins, but on the sacrifice of Jesus. This meal is a powerful engagement with the substance of heaven, allowing us to partake in the divine nature and the new reality brought forth by Jesus' death and resurrection. As we partake in communion, we are reminded that we are no longer defined by our past or our failures, but by the love and grace of God, which has made us holy and complete for all time. [01:01:19]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding your identity as a child of God change the way you view yourself and your daily interactions with others?
Day 2: Accessing the Substance of Heaven
Communion is more than a symbolic act; it is a powerful engagement with the substance of heaven. By faith, we access the life and promises of God, allowing the realities of the new covenant to be imparted into our lives. This meal is a proclamation of Jesus' death, which brought us life and access to a new reality in the Holy Spirit. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the spiritual nourishment and empowerment that comes from aligning ourselves with the promises and power of God. [01:14:34]
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively engage with the substance of heaven in your daily life, beyond the act of communion?
Day 3: The Power of Daily Communion
The early church understood the significance of communion, celebrating it daily as a central part of their community life. They recognized it as a source of spiritual nourishment and empowerment, fostering unity and faith among believers. By regularly engaging in communion, they aligned themselves with the promises and power of God, experiencing His life, healing, and wholeness in their lives. This practice serves as a reminder of the importance of making communion a regular part of our spiritual journey, allowing us to draw strength and encouragement from the finished work of Christ. [01:17:04]
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the practice of communion into your daily or weekly routine to foster a deeper connection with God and your community?
Day 4: Discerning the Lord's Body
Discerning the Lord's body when partaking in communion is crucial. The Corinthian church faced issues because they did not recognize the significance of the meal, leading to a lack of divine protection and healing. Communion is a power meal, a happy meal, because it imparts the realities of the new covenant into our lives. By faith, we engage with the substance of heaven, allowing the life of God to flow into our circumstances. It is essential to approach communion with reverence and understanding, recognizing the profound spiritual implications of this sacred act. [01:28:45]
"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 11:27, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that you are discerning the Lord's body and approaching communion with the reverence and understanding it deserves?
Day 5: Living in the Covenant Relationship
Our covenant relationship with God is based on the finished work of Christ, not our worthiness. This relationship grants us an inheritance as God's children, allowing us to experience His life, healing, and wholeness. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of this covenant, a relationship not based on our efforts but on the grace and love of God. By regularly engaging in communion, we align ourselves with the promises and power of God, experiencing His life, healing, and wholeness in our lives. [01:31:22]
"For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant." (Hebrews 9:15, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding your covenant relationship with God influence the way you live your life and interact with others?
Quotes
1. "Today we're going to talk about our covenant meal. We're going to talk about a covenant meal. It's one of the most favorite subjects for me to talk on. It changed my life forever. Six years ago when we went to Israel and I would love to, it's so wonderful coming out of this grace series and out of understanding what the grace of God, the new covenant, what Jesus has done for us on the cross, the finished works of Jesus Christ is so incredibly powerful. The inheritance that we have as sons and daughters of God, our adopted children, our children, our identity has been changed forever. It's just so beautiful." ([01:02:09] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "The early church did this every day. Now the church early church loved together around meals now many of us also love together around meals right but they love together around meals and they centered around two things one was community and the other one was communion so community was the relational and together as a community as a fellowship doing life together and then communion of course with was with the father and the holy spirit and jesus christ celebrating the finished work of jesus christ and they would have worship and teaching and prayer and ministry but the center of every meal was this meal communion in this way." ([01:10:29] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "This meal celebrates Jesus this meal is all available to you in the same manner as you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the lord's death until he comes may the lord bless his word that's what he says here do this in remembrance of me this is not in remembrance of you it is not about you it's for you it's not about you it's not about your problems it's not about your confessions it's not about your sins it's not about your examination of yourself it is about jesus that's what he just said it's all about jesus." ([01:18:33] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Because this side makes absolutely no sense. I understand thanking Jesus. I get that. But it has no power. Then the meal has got no power. It's just a memorial service. Now, that one goes too far, obviously. But somewhere in the middle, where I'm standing, is the truth, in my view. It is the substance of the finished work. It is the substance of God. The substance of this meal. See, we celebrate substance, substance of the body of Christ. But the Bible says that faith is substance. Very important. Faith is substance. It's a reality. It is not just bread. Now, it is bread. It's not just bread." ([01:16:15] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "And so by faith, his substance comes into our lives. That's very important. That's very important to understand. By the power of the Holy Spirit through faith, right? And so we need to understand the finished works of Christ, which we've been teaching for the last two months now. And the early church really understood this. They understood that the life from Jesus flows from his body, flows from his finished works of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit through faith into our lives. That's how we get the inheritance. That's why we walk into the inheritance of God. Into the empowerment of God." ([01:17:49] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "Holy Communion is not about some historical remembrance with no power. It is a power meal. It's a happy meal. Because God's power is revealed in this. And this is how you access the things of the Holy Spirit. The access of the things of God. The kingdom of God in your lives. And that's why I'm so passionate about this." ([01:20:56] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "Because we need to be daily reminded of what is available in Him. What is available in the cross. What is available in our inheritance. When we take communion, we partner with the substance of heaven. Through new covenant relationship. I'll say it again. When taking communion, we partner with the substance of heaven. Through covenant relationship." ([01:21:09] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "And because of that, we become sons and daughters. And we have a birthright. There's an inheritance. We're sons. We're really sons and daughters, right? There's stuff. Inheritance. A real inheritance that we have. Wow. It's a powerful exchange. I'll tell you in a minute. Verse 26. For as often, everybody say often." ([01:22:10] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "See, Jesus always wants to give us life. Your life. John 10, 10. Very famous. The thief's purpose is to steal and to kill and destroy. But my purpose is to give them rich, a rich and satisfying life. Our translation says a full life. See, when Jesus spoke, every time he spoke, it was life and spirit. Spirit and life. Always spirit and life. Always together. Because the spirit always brings life. It is the spirit that gives life. The flesh can't achieve nothing. The words that I have spoken, Jesus says to you, our spirit and our life." ([01:26:27] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "The heart of God in our church is to build this loving community that love people into life. That love people into wholeness. My life is to love people into wholeness. Into life. Into the reality of God. And this comes for this beautiful meal. It brings life and hope and healing in our lives." ([01:28:17] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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