Understanding the Depth of Communion: A Sacred Invitation
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound significance of communion, a sacrament that holds deep spiritual value for believers. We began with a story about a young couple and a pot roast, illustrating how traditions can be passed down without understanding their origins. This story served as a metaphor for how we sometimes engage in religious practices without fully grasping their meaning. In the church, this can lead to a superficial engagement with sacred rituals like communion.
Communion, also known as the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper, is a Christian rite ordained by Christ. It is a time to remember Jesus' sacrifice, a shared experience that binds us together as believers. The Apostle Paul emphasized its importance, reminding us that it is not just a religious activity but a vital part of our relationship with Jesus. On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus shared a meal with His disciples, using bread and wine as symbols of His body and blood, establishing a new covenant between God and humanity.
This sacrament is a time for consecration, commemoration, and celebration. We consecrate our hearts, examining our motives and ensuring that Christ is truly Lord over our lives. We commemorate the price Jesus paid, remembering His sacrifice on the cross. This act of remembrance is crucial, as it prevents us from taking our salvation for granted. Finally, we celebrate the promise of His return, looking forward to the day when we will be reunited with Him and our loved ones in His eternal kingdom.
Communion is a shared experience that transcends barriers, connecting us with Christ and each other. It is a powerful reminder of His love and sacrifice, calling us to live as full-time followers of Christ. As we partake in communion, we are invited to reflect on our relationship with God, recommit our lives to Him, and anticipate the glorious future He has promised.
Key Takeaways:
1. Tradition vs. Understanding: Many religious practices are inherited without understanding their true significance. It's crucial to examine why we do what we do, especially in spiritual matters, to ensure our actions are rooted in genuine faith and understanding. [06:37]
2. Communion as a Shared Experience: Communion is a powerful shared experience that connects us with Christ and each other. It transcends barriers and unites us in the remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice, fostering a deep spiritual bond among believers. [14:22]
3. Consecration, Commemoration, Celebration: Communion involves consecrating our hearts, commemorating Jesus' sacrifice, and celebrating His promised return. It is a time for self-examination, remembrance, and joyful anticipation of our future with Christ. [17:20]
4. The Power of Remembrance: Just as we remember significant historical events, communion calls us to remember the sacrifice of Jesus. This act of remembrance prevents us from taking our salvation for granted and keeps the reality of the cross fresh in our hearts. [24:07]
5. Invitation to All: Communion is a sacred act for those who have put their trust in Jesus. It is an invitation to examine our hearts, repent, and embrace the grace and mercy offered through Christ's sacrifice. Everyone is invited to partake, provided they have a living relationship with Him. [33:10]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [05:32] - The Pot Roast Tradition
- [06:37] - Inherited Practices in the Church
- [07:12] - Introduction to Sacraments
- [08:04] - Paul's Teaching on Communion
- [09:08] - The Last Supper's Significance
- [10:19] - The Timing of Communion
- [11:56] - The Bread and the Body
- [12:33] - The Cup and the New Covenant
- [13:45] - Communion as Common Union
- [14:22] - Shared Experiences and Bonding
- [17:20] - Consecration, Commemoration, Celebration
- [19:09] - Examining Our Hearts
- [24:07] - The Power of Remembrance
- [28:05] - Anticipating Christ's Return
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Significance of Communion
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
2. Luke 22:19-20 - "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the reason the grandmother originally cut the edges off the pot roast, and how does this relate to inherited practices in the church? [06:37]
2. According to the sermon, what are the three key aspects of communion? [17:20]
3. How does the pastor describe the power of shared experiences, and how does this relate to communion? [14:22]
4. What does the pastor say about the significance of the timing of the Last Supper? [10:19]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the pot roast illustrate the potential disconnect between tradition and understanding in religious practices? [06:37]
2. In what ways does communion serve as a "refresh button" for our spiritual lives, according to the pastor? [27:27]
3. How does the pastor explain the concept of a "common union" in relation to communion? [13:45]
4. What does the pastor mean when he says that communion is part of our Savior's "last will and testament"? [11:23]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own participation in communion. Do you find yourself going through the motions, or do you engage with its deeper significance? How can you deepen your understanding and experience of communion? [06:37]
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of examining our hearts during communion. What specific steps can you take to consecrate your heart before participating in this sacrament? [17:52]
3. How can you incorporate the act of remembrance into your daily life to keep the sacrifice of Jesus fresh in your heart? [24:07]
4. Communion is described as a shared experience that transcends barriers. How can you foster a sense of unity and shared experience within your own church community? [14:22]
5. The pastor spoke about the anticipation of Christ's return. How does this promise impact your daily life and decisions? [28:05]
6. Consider the invitation to all believers to partake in communion. How can you extend this invitation to others in your life who may not yet have a relationship with Christ? [33:10]
7. Reflect on the idea of being a "full-time follower of Christ." What changes might you need to make in your life to align more closely with this calling? [19:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding the Roots of Our Traditions
In many aspects of life, including our spiritual practices, we often follow traditions without fully understanding their origins or significance. This can lead to a superficial engagement with rituals that are meant to be deeply meaningful. In the context of faith, it is crucial to examine why we do what we do, ensuring that our actions are rooted in genuine faith and understanding. By doing so, we can transform inherited practices into intentional acts of worship that reflect our personal relationship with God. [06:37]
"For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers." (Galatians 1:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a religious practice you engage in regularly. Do you understand its significance? How can you deepen your understanding and make it more meaningful in your spiritual journey?
Day 2: Communion as a Unifying Experience
Communion, or the Lord's Supper, is a profound shared experience that connects believers with Christ and with each other. It transcends cultural and social barriers, uniting us in the remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice. This sacred act fosters a deep spiritual bond among believers, reminding us of our shared faith and the love that binds us together. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the unity we have in Christ, which calls us to live in harmony and love with one another. [14:22]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs healing or strengthening. How can the unity experienced in communion inspire you to take steps toward reconciliation or deeper connection with that person?
Day 3: Consecration, Commemoration, and Celebration
Communion is a time for consecration, commemoration, and celebration. It invites us to consecrate our hearts, examining our motives and ensuring that Christ is truly Lord over our lives. We commemorate the price Jesus paid, remembering His sacrifice on the cross, which prevents us from taking our salvation for granted. Finally, we celebrate the promise of His return, looking forward to the day when we will be reunited with Him in His eternal kingdom. This threefold focus helps us to live as full-time followers of Christ, committed to His teachings and His love. [17:20]
"Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29, ESV)
Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what is one area of your life that needs consecration? How can you intentionally remember and celebrate Jesus' sacrifice and His promise of return in your daily life?
Day 4: The Power of Remembrance
Just as we remember significant historical events, communion calls us to remember the sacrifice of Jesus. This act of remembrance is powerful, as it prevents us from taking our salvation for granted and keeps the reality of the cross fresh in our hearts. By regularly reflecting on Jesus' sacrifice, we are reminded of the depth of His love and the cost of our redemption. This remembrance should inspire us to live lives that honor Him and reflect His love to the world. [24:07]
"Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!" (1 Chronicles 16:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: What specific aspect of Jesus' sacrifice do you find most impactful? How can you incorporate this remembrance into your daily routine to keep the reality of the cross fresh in your heart?
Day 5: An Invitation to Examine and Embrace
Communion is a sacred act for those who have put their trust in Jesus. It is an invitation to examine our hearts, repent, and embrace the grace and mercy offered through Christ's sacrifice. Everyone is invited to partake, provided they have a living relationship with Him. This invitation calls us to reflect on our relationship with God, recommit our lives to Him, and anticipate the glorious future He has promised. It is a time to embrace the fullness of His love and the transformative power of His grace. [33:10]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what is one area of your life where you need to embrace God's grace more fully? How can you take a step today to deepen your relationship with Him and live out His love?
Quotes
1) "The night before Jesus would be and eventually crucified he gathered together for a last meal with the 12 men that he had spent the last three years pouring his life into. Jesus chose some men that you and I probably would not have chosen. They were not men that were highly religious. They were not men that were polished around the edges. They were not men that had it all together. Some of them were real pieces of work but he hand selected them on purpose with a purpose and for a purpose and they were grown together in the last three years exponentially. He has loved them through their doubts because they had some. He has loved them through their fears. He has encouraged them through their faults and their frailty and they have grown together like family." [09:08] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "What if you knew that you had an opportunity to have just one last meal with the closest people to you on this earth? What if you knew this was it right before your death or before your departure? This was the last meal that you were ever going to have. This was the last meal that you cared about and the people that you deeply loved. What would you do? What would you say? I'll bet whatever you said. I'll bet whatever you did it would be well thought out and meaningful. I bet it would not be casual or cavalier. Those thoughts and actions would be full of great meaning and great significance and so it was with Christ and so when you think of communion in this way it takes on a really different complexion because it's not just some religious activity." [10:49] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "He took a cup of wine. He held it up and he said this is my blood and through the shedding of it tonight I am making a new covenant with God on your behalf. It is going to be spilled out to pay the penalty for your sins. Jesus is saying there's nothing you're going to be able to do as a sinful human being to be able to rectify what has went wrong between you and God and so I am going to stand vicariously and in proxy for you and my innocent blood will be shed to make a new covenant between you and your heavenly father so that you will be forever reunited with him. I'll do this for you. The old covenant has gone. A new covenant will be instituted on this night." [12:33] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Shared experiences are powerful and they tie us together like nothing else. This is the power of communion, y'all. This is the power of communion. Through this act, we connect with Jesus Christ in a shared experience. We share in his death, we share in his burial, and praise be to God, we share in his resurrection. Paul said it like this, the cup we use in the Lord's Supper, when we drink from it, we are sharing in the blood of Jesus. We are bound to him. We have a common union that he did it for us and we have received that blood and it covers the multitude of our sins and the bread that we break. Whenever we eat it, we are sharing in the body of the Lord Jesus Christ." [16:17] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Communion provides us a time to get honest with ourselves and honest with God, like an x-ray put over our heart where we can look at all the stuff that sometimes we put up and pick up and try to cover what's really going on on the inside. And listen, this happens to all of us, including me. All of us, including me. I read a book years ago that was published by a pastor from Oklahoma called Confessions of a Pastor. He really got raw. He really got transparent and honest. And there was this section of the book that just wrecked me because he was talking about some things in his life that had hindered his ministry, some of the lies that he had told himself about how he was involved early in his life." [19:09] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "This is why communion is so critical and vital for the church of Jesus Christ. This is why communion is so important today, because it is a pilgrimage back to the foot of the cross. And it offers us a moment to remember what he did, to look at the cross again, in all of its unfiltered horror and brutality and agony, and remember that he didn't have to do it, but he did. I've said this to people for years. tried to make the cross something more bearable. We've made the cross something more beautiful. And so what we've done over the years is we've overlaid it in gold, and we fashioned it out of silver, and we paint these beautiful paintings, and we put them on the walls of our homes or businesses." [24:07] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "The real cross would make you throw up the real cross would would you would never ever be able to get it out of your mind the real cross would give you nightmares that was what Jesus went through and and this pilgrimage is important so that we just don't look at this image of what was but we see what he actually did and remember that he did it for me it's been said for years that it wasn't nails that held him to the tree it was love bro it was love because the bible says that at any moment he could have called 12 legions of angels at any moment he could have just said to his father I tried I went as far as I could I'm not able to do this and God would have rescued him and you and I would have just been out but he stayed and he finished the course and he did what he had to do because he loved you so much even in your broken sinful state and that while we were yet sinners Romans 5 he died for us" [25:09] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Communion is an opportunity to hit the refresh button in our spiritual lives but not to look at new information but to be able to look at the old information but in a new way and say I remember Lord I remember where I should be and I remember where I am today and I remember that it's not because of anything I have done but I remember the price you paid for me and today I honor you again we look inward at ourselves we look backward at his death but then we celebrate a risen savior and the day that he promised to return and make all things new" [27:27] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "I know it sounds so unbelievable I know but the Bible says there's going to come a day that the world we live in now that we mourn over and we should that we look and we shake our heads and we pray for and we should that's full of sin and pain and debauchery and horrific things he's going to set it all right he's going to make everything new and it's going to never be that way again he's going to purge it by fire and he's going to set up a new kingdom one that's reigning with righteousness and peace and joy and all of the pain that we've known will pass away I know it's sometimes hard to imagine but again Paul said when we take communion it should serve as a reminder that one day on this side we will take our last communion there will come a day we will take our last communion and what we have known only to remember we will take our last communion and we will take our last communion we will have in the reality of his presence" [30:29] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?