Understanding the Depth of Communion: A Sacred Reminder
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound significance of communion, a central sacrament in our Christian faith. We explored Luke 22, where Jesus, during the Passover meal, established the new covenant through His body and blood. This act was not just a ritual but a profound moment that set the foundation for our relationship with God. Communion is more than a monthly tradition; it is a vital practice that reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice and the promises of God.
We reflected on the importance of not just going through the motions but truly understanding the gravity of what communion represents. Jesus' sacrifice was a pivotal moment that guaranteed God's promises to us, despite the suffering He endured. The term "Eucharist," meaning to give thanks, encapsulates the essence of communion. It is a time to remember Jesus' body broken for us and His blood shed for our sins, nourishing us spiritually as we partake in these emblems.
Communion also serves as a reminder of the long journey of faith we are on. It is a time to renew our trust in Jesus, reflect on His promises, and understand that His presence is with us always. We are reminded that Jesus promises to forgive our sins, nourish and satisfy us, be present with us, and strengthen us in our walk with Him.
As we partake in communion, we look back in remembrance, look inward with repentance, look around at our relationships, and look forward with reliance on God's promises. This practice helps us see Jesus more clearly and understand the depth of His love and sacrifice for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Communion as Remembrance: Communion allows us to look back and remember Jesus' sacrifice. It is a moment to reflect on His body broken and His blood shed for our sins. This act of remembrance helps us appreciate the gravity of Jesus' sacrificial death and the immense love He has for us. [46:43]
2. Inward Reflection and Repentance: Communion is an opportunity to look inward and repent. It reminds us that Jesus' death was necessary for the forgiveness of our sins. By examining ourselves and confessing our sins, we can receive God's forgiveness and renew our relationship with Him. [51:50]
3. Building Relationships: Communion is not just a private moment but a communal one. It reminds us that we are part of the body of Christ, unified by Jesus. This unity brings strength and encouragement, helping us support one another in our faith journey. [55:31]
4. Future Reliance: Communion helps us look forward with reliance on God's promises. It reminds us of the future meal we will share with Jesus in His kingdom. This hope and expectancy encourage us to persevere in our faith, knowing that Jesus is alive and His promises are sure. [59:24]
5. Spiritual Nourishment: Partaking in communion is a reminder that Jesus is our spiritual sustenance. Just as we need food and drink to nourish our bodies, we need Jesus to nourish our souls. Communion is a tangible way to receive and remember the promises of God, strengthening us in our walk with Him. [01:03:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:45] - Introduction and Acknowledgements
[2:30] - Opening Prayer
[3:15] - Introduction to Luke 22
[5:00] - The Significance of Communion
[7:30] - Jesus Establishes the New Covenant
[10:00] - The Importance of Remembrance
[12:00] - Communion as More Than a Ritual
[14:30] - Reflecting on Jesus' Sacrifice
[17:00] - Communion and Spiritual Nourishment
[19:00] - Looking Inward with Repentance
[21:00] - Building Relationships Through Communion
[23:00] - Future Reliance on God's Promises
[25:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
[28:00] - Final Announcements and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Luke 22:14-20: "When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, 'I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.' Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, 'Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.' He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.' After supper he took another cup of wine and said, 'This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What specific actions did Jesus take during the Passover meal in Luke 22:14-20?
2. According to the sermon, what does the term "Eucharist" mean, and how does it relate to communion? [51:50]
3. How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus' sacrifice in relation to the new covenant? [46:43]
4. What are the four perspectives we should consider when partaking in communion, as mentioned in the sermon? [59:24]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to remember Jesus' sacrifice during communion, and how does this act deepen our faith? [49:52]
2. How does inward reflection and repentance during communion help us in our spiritual journey? [51:50]
3. In what ways does communion strengthen our relationships within the body of Christ? [55:31]
4. How does the promise of a future meal with Jesus in His kingdom provide hope and encouragement for believers? [59:24]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you participated in communion. Did you fully grasp its significance, or did it feel like a routine? How can you ensure that future communions are more meaningful? [49:52]
2. During communion, we are encouraged to look inward and repent. Is there a specific sin or area in your life that you need to bring before God? How can you take steps towards repentance this week? [51:50]
3. Communion is a communal act that strengthens our relationships within the church. How can you foster unity and support within your small group or church community? [55:31]
4. The sermon mentioned that communion helps us look forward with reliance on God's promises. What specific promise of God are you holding onto right now, and how does it give you hope? [59:24]
5. Jesus promises to nourish and satisfy us spiritually. In what ways can you seek spiritual nourishment in your daily life? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to grow closer to Jesus? [53:48]
6. Reflect on the idea that communion is a time to give thanks. What are you particularly thankful for in your relationship with Jesus? How can you express this gratitude in your daily life? [51:50]
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of not just going through the motions during communion. How can you prepare your heart and mind before participating in communion to ensure it is a meaningful experience? [49:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Remembering Jesus' Sacrifice
Communion as Remembrance: Reflecting on Jesus' body broken and blood shed for our sins.
Communion is a sacred act that allows us to look back and remember the profound sacrifice Jesus made for us. It is a moment to reflect on His body broken and His blood shed for our sins. This act of remembrance helps us appreciate the gravity of Jesus' sacrificial death and the immense love He has for us. By partaking in communion, we are reminded of the cost of our salvation and the depth of God's love.
As we engage in this practice, it is essential to move beyond mere ritual and truly understand the significance of what we are commemorating. Jesus' sacrifice was a pivotal moment in history that guaranteed God's promises to us, despite the suffering He endured. This remembrance is not just a historical reflection but a personal acknowledgment of the love and grace we receive through Jesus Christ. [46:43]
Luke 22:19 (ESV): "And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'"
Reflection: Think about a specific moment in your life when you felt the weight of Jesus' sacrifice. How does this memory impact your faith today?
Day 2: Inward Reflection and Repentance
Communion as an opportunity to look inward and repent.
Communion is not only a time to remember Jesus' sacrifice but also an opportunity to look inward and repent. It reminds us that Jesus' death was necessary for the forgiveness of our sins. By examining ourselves and confessing our sins, we can receive God's forgiveness and renew our relationship with Him. This inward reflection is crucial for spiritual growth and maintaining a close relationship with God.
During communion, we are called to examine our hearts and acknowledge the areas where we have fallen short. This act of repentance is not about guilt but about seeking God's grace and mercy. It is a time to be honest with ourselves and with God, allowing His forgiveness to cleanse us and restore our relationship with Him. [51:50]
1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: Identify a specific sin or area of struggle in your life. How can you bring this before God in repentance and seek His forgiveness today?
Day 3: Building Relationships Through Communion
Communion as a reminder of our unity in the body of Christ.
Communion is not just a private moment but a communal one. It reminds us that we are part of the body of Christ, unified by Jesus. This unity brings strength and encouragement, helping us support one another in our faith journey. As we partake in communion together, we are reminded of our shared faith and the importance of building and maintaining relationships within the church.
This communal aspect of communion encourages us to look around at our relationships and consider how we can support and uplift one another. It is a time to strengthen our bonds and recognize that we are not alone in our walk with Christ. By fostering these relationships, we can grow together in faith and be a source of encouragement and support for each other. [55:31]
1 Corinthians 10:17 (ESV): "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: Think of someone in your church community who may need encouragement or support. How can you reach out to them and strengthen your relationship this week?
Day 4: Future Reliance on God's Promises
Communion as a reminder of the future meal with Jesus in His kingdom.
Communion helps us look forward with reliance on God's promises. It reminds us of the future meal we will share with Jesus in His kingdom. This hope and expectancy encourage us to persevere in our faith, knowing that Jesus is alive and His promises are sure. As we partake in communion, we are reminded that our journey of faith is ongoing and that we have a glorious future to look forward to.
This future reliance is a source of hope and encouragement, especially during challenging times. It reminds us that our present struggles are temporary and that we have an eternal promise to hold onto. By focusing on God's promises, we can find the strength to continue our walk with Him, trusting that He is faithful and His word is true. [59:24]
Revelation 19:9 (ESV): "And the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he said to me, 'These are the true words of God.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a promise of God that you are holding onto. How does this promise give you hope and strength in your current circumstances?
Day 5: Spiritual Nourishment Through Communion
Communion as a reminder that Jesus is our spiritual sustenance.
Partaking in communion is a reminder that Jesus is our spiritual sustenance. Just as we need food and drink to nourish our bodies, we need Jesus to nourish our souls. Communion is a tangible way to receive and remember the promises of God, strengthening us in our walk with Him. This spiritual nourishment is essential for our growth and perseverance in faith.
As we partake in the bread and the cup, we are reminded that Jesus is the source of our strength and sustenance. He provides for our spiritual needs and empowers us to live out our faith. By regularly engaging in communion, we can draw closer to Jesus and experience His presence in a profound way. [01:03:21]
John 6:35 (ESV): "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'"
Reflection: Consider how you can make Jesus your source of spiritual nourishment daily. What practical steps can you take to draw closer to Him and rely on His strength?
Quotes
1. "If you're not careful, if I'm not careful as a believer of Jesus, we can go through the motions of our faith. And as I said in our Y series, we know the what, but we often miss the importance and the why." [44:52] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Communion is not just this little emblem that is in your seat pocket right now, or if you're up at snows or online, whatever you grab out of your fridge in a moment. But this, it's far more than a partaking of just some ritual. But as we're going to understand, it is the very lifeblood of the Savior we follow." [48:27] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We can read a passage like this and we can say this is cool and we can partake in the emblems. We can say we're followers of Jesus and once a month come around communion, but fail to realize that this is far more than an emblem. But the father of heaven sent his one and only son and Jesus risked it all and cost his life for your and my salvation and relationship." [49:52] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we partake of communion, it's an opportunity for you and me to renew our trust in Jesus and reflect on the promises he's already given. It's both a reminder that it's not just something we do physically, but as we partake of this physically, I would say it is a reminder that it's something Jesus has done for us." [55:31] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus himself promises to forgive our sins. As we read in Luke 22 verse 20, after he took supper, he took another cup of wine. He says, this cup is the new covenant between God and his people, an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. We can't earn it, but Jesus freely gave it." [57:21] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Communion allows us to look back in remembrance. We take communion, as Jesus put it, to remember him. As we read in verse 19 of Luke 22, take this what in remembrance of me. It's my body that was broken for you. More specifically, Jesus is trying to make the point that I'm about to be crucified, guys, and I want you to understand that I'm not really a baby anymore." [59:24] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Communion is an opportunity for you and I to look inward with repentance. So not just looking back in remembrance, but now we have an opportunity to look inward with repentance. What do I mean by that? I believe communion has the opportunity for you and I to remind us that Jesus's death was actually necessary for sin to be overcome. And not just for sin, but for your sin, my sin." [01:01:14] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Communion gives us a chance not just to look back, not just to look inward, but to now look around at relationship. Eating the bread, the wafer, drinking the wine, the juice, it can feel intimate and a private moment between you and God. And to some extent, that's actually what it should do. However, communion is not just that. It's actually far more than that." [01:05:10] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Communion gives us a chance not just to look back, not just to look inward, but to now look around at relationship. Eating the bread, the wafer, drinking the wine, the juice, it can feel intimate and a private moment between you and God. And to some extent, that's actually what it should do. However, communion is not just that. It's actually far more than that." [01:05:10] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Communion is an opportunity for you and I to look inward with repentance. So not just looking back in remembrance, but now we have an opportunity to look inward with repentance. What do I mean by that? I believe communion has the opportunity for you and I to remind us that Jesus's death was actually necessary for sin to be overcome. And not just for sin, but for your sin, my sin." [01:01:14] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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