HCC Sunday Service
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INTRODUCTION
Let’s turn together
in our Bibles
to 1 Corinthians 11.
& we’re gonna read
verses 23-32.
1 Corinthians 11:23-32.
& when you
find that in your Bible
pls stand for the reading
of God’s Word.
The title of
today’s teaching is:
Communion is...
Crucial for Christians.
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
1 Corinthians 11:23–32 (CSB)
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread,
and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “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 the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
So, then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord.
Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup.
For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.
This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep.
If we were properly judging ourselves, we would not be judged,
but when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
You may be seated.
Why is Communion
Crucial for Christians?
Maybe you’ve never
thought abt
that question.
Maybe you think
Communion is not
that big of a deal.
It’s a nice thing
to have
but you wldn’t call it...
crucial for Christians.
Well
In today’s passage
Paul shows us four reasons
Communion
is Crucial
for Christians.
PRAYER
Let’s Pray.
Lord, we thank You
for Your Word.
As we study
the subject of Communion
Show us the truth
& give us grace
To blv
& live out that truth.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
[Transition: The 1st reason…
Communion is Crucial...
For Christians is…]
1. In Communion we CELEBRATE Christ. (11:24)
One of the other names
for Communion is
“The Eucharist.”
The word Eucharist
comes frm a Greek word
that means
“to give thanks.”
& we find that
in every account
in the Bible
where Communion
is mentioned
Giving thanks
is also mentioned.
For example…
in 1 Corinthians 11:23-24.
Paul says
1 Corinthians 11:23–24 (CSB)
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread,
and when he had given thanks, broke it...
The 1st thing...
Jesus did w/ the bread
of the communion meal
is give thanks.
& he did
the same thing
w/ the cup of wine.
Communion is a time...
to give thanks!
Now
the meal where
Jesus instituted Communion
was a very special meal
to the Lord’s ppl
under the Old Covenant.
It was
the Passover meal.
The Passover was
A time to give thanks
to the Lord
& celebrate
What He did for His ppl
to deliver them
& free them
frm bondage in Egypt.
Under the New Covenant
Communion
is the new Passover.
In Communion
we give thanks
to the Lord
& celebrate all He did
for us
To deliver us
& free us
frm bondage to
Sin & Satan
& bondage to
demons & Death.
& how did the Lord
Deliver us
& free us
frm bondage?
He did it
thruChrist.
Thru Christ’s
Incarnation
Life
Suffering
death
& resurrection
We’re now freed
frm our bondage
Free to walk
in newness
of life.
So, Communion shld be
a time to give
joyful thanks to God
& celebrate Christ
for what He’s done.
Someone has rightly said
Communion is a Fiesta
not a Funeral.
But we too often
treat Communion
like a funeral.
We think abt
the death of Jes
w/ somber looks
on our faces
& sad memories
of what he suffered
for us.
We shld
take Communion
seriously.
But we shld NEVER
be sad
when we take Communion.
Why?
Bcs yes
Jesus suffered
for our sins.
Yes
Jesus died
for our sins.
Yes
Jesus was buried.
But His suffering
death
& burial
were only
the beginning.
of what Jesus
wld accomplish
for us
when He rose
frm the grave!
Jesus
is not dead.
any longer!
The tomb
is empty!
Jesus is alive!
He’s enthroned in heaven
at the right hand
of the Father!
The Son of God
has trampled dwn death
by His death.
Thru the cross...
He’s destroyed...
the Devil’s works.
The Lamb of God
has taken away
the sin
of the World
& the King of Kings
has conquered
the grave thru
His Resurrection.
& that’s a reason
to celebrate.
So, when we
take Communion
we shld be giving
joyful thanks
& celebrating
Christ for all
He’s done for us
thru His suffering
death
& resurrection.
We shld be:
Thanking
& celebrating Christ
for our liberation...
frm sin
Satan
demons & death.
Thanking
& celebrating King Jesus
for transferring us
frm the kingdom
of darkness
into the kingdom
of light.
& thanking
& celebrating King Jesus
Bcs He will soon
come again
in glory.
That’s the 1st reason
Communion is Crucial
for Christians.
In Communion...
we CELEBRATE Christ.
[Transition: The 2nd reason…
Communion is Crucial...
for Christians is...]
2. In Communion we REMEMBER Christ. (11:24b, 25b)
> In the 2nd part...
of both 1 Corinthians 11:24
& 25
Paul tells us Jesus said
1 Corinthians 11:24 (CSB)
“Do this in remembrance of me.”
There are a lot of things
We cld remember
when we
take Communion.
But I want us
to focus in on
two of
the most important
reminders
Communion gives us.
First…
a. We remember Christ’s CROSS.
In Communion
we remember
the price
of our redemption.
The price Christ
chose to pay
to be the author
of eternal life
for those
who obey Him.
We remember
it’s our sins
that caused
the sinless Son of God
to be slain.
We remember
We owe our lives
to the Risen Christ.
Jesus shed His blood
on the cross
to free us frm
all our enemies.
> When we hold
the bread & wine
of Communion
in our hands
we shld remember:
The body
that was broken
for us.
& the blood
that was shed...
for us
to free us
frm
We shld remember
the cross.
[Transition: The 2nd thing
we remember
as we remember Christ
in Communion is...]
b. We remember Christ’s COVENANT.
In 1 Corinthians 11:25
Paul tells us
Jesus said this
abt the Cup of Communion
1 Corinthians 11:25
1 Corinthians 11:25 (CSB)
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
When we:
Turn frm our sins
Trust in Christ
& are united w/ Christ
in baptism
we enter into
a covenant
w/ Christ.
Our covenant w/ Christ
is a relationship
where He voluntarily
binds Himself to us
& we voluntarily
bind ourselves
to Him.
In this relationship
the Lord obligates Himself
to do
certain things.
& we obligate ourselves..
to do
certain things.
There are some
exceedingly great
& precious promises
made in
this covenant.
& also conditions
that must be met
to receive those promises.
& it’s the blood of Christ
that gives us access
to the many promises
of the New Covenant.
We’ve already seen
the blood of the covenant
gives us access to
forgiveness & freedom
frm our sins.
Christ’s blood
also give us access
to peace
w/ God.
In Colossians 1:19-20
Paul says this
abt Jesus
Colossians 1:19–20 (CSB)
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
We’re reconciled
or brought back
into a right relationship
w/ God
thru the blood
of Christ.
& we have peace
not only w/ God
but also
w/ one another
Thru the blood
of the covenant.
Christ’s blood
also gives us access
to citizenship
among God’s ppl.
As Paul says in
Ephesians 2:12–13 (CSB)
At [one] time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
We who were not
a ppl
now have citizenship
among God’s ppl.
We’ve been
brought near
to God & His ppl
thru the blood
of Christ.
The shed blood of Christ
gives us access
to these
& many other
Precious Promises
as a part of
the New Covenant.
& whenever
we take Communion
We’re reminded
of the blood
that was shed for us
to establish
the New Covenant.
& we’re reminded
that Christ
will be faithful
to fulfill every promise
of that Covenant.
But...
when we take Communion:
we shld also remember:
if we want the promises
of the covenant
we’ve gotta do
what Christ expects
frm us?
What does
Christ expect
frm us?
I’ll sum it up for you
in one sentence.
Christ expects us to:
Continually love Him
w/ all our heart
mind
soul
& strength.
& to show our love
for Him
by obeying
His commandments.
Now
there’s NO question
Christ will remain faithful
to the Covenant.
The question is:
Will we
remain faithful
to the covenant?
Will we continue
to love Christ
& show our love
for Him by obeying
everything
He commands?
Communion is crucial
for Christians bcs
it helps us
remain faithful.
to the covenant.
Bcs every time
we take Communion…
we’re reminding ourselves
of our obligation
to love Christ
& live for Christ
By obeying
Christ’s commandments.
& whenever
we take Communion
We shld be
asking Christ
to strengthen us
to do that.
Communion is Crucial
For Christians
Bcs in communion
we remember
the cross
& covenant of Christ.
[Transition: The 3rd reason…
Communion is Crucial...
For Christians is…]
3. In Communion we RECEIVE Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 10:16.
Paul says
1 Corinthians 10:16 (MEV)
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
This verse is the bases
for our calling
the Lord’s Supper
“Communion.”
The bread
& cup are
the Communion
of the body
& blood of Christ.
But what does...
this word
communion mean?
The Greek word
behind this word means:
A sharing in
or participating in something.
The CSB
brings out this meaning
in 1 Cor. 10:16
1 Corinthians 10:16 (CSB)
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?
Paul teaches us:
By partaking of
the elements
of Communion—
By drinking
the wine
& eating the bread
of Communion—
We share in
the blood & body
of Christ.
This means
Christ is truly present
in these elements
in a way allows us
to truly share
in His blood & body
when we
take Communion.
& this is what
Jesus was talking abt
in John 6:51-57.
When he said...
John 6:51–57 (MEV)
I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. The bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh.”
The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.
Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life. And I will raise him up on the last day.
For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.
Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him.
As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on Me also will live because of Me.
When He said:
John 6:51–57 (CSB)
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever.
The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
52 At that, the Jews argued among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, unless you eat the fleshof the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in yourselves.
54 The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day,
55 because my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.
56 The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.
57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.
Jesus gave His body...
& blood for the life...
of the world.
& he says only those who...
eat His flesh…
& drinkHis blood...
have life in them.
Only those who...
eat His flesh…
& drinkHis blood...
live forever.
Only those who...
Eat His flesh...
& drinkHis blood...
Remain in Him...
& He in them.
Only those who...
Continue to...
Feed on Him...
will live bcs of Him.
> So, since...
all those things are true:
The most important question...
We cld ever ask...
Is the same question...
the Jews asked:
“How can this man
“give us
“His flesh to eat?”
What’s the answer
to that question?
The answer is:
Communion.
The answer is:
The cup of blessing
which we bles
Is a sharing
in the blood
of Christ.
& the bread we break
is a sharing
in the body
of Christ.
Jesus gives us
His flesh to eat
& His blood to drink
in the bread & wine
of Communion.
This means
in the elements
of Communion
Christ is really present
in some unexplainable
& mysterious way
Communicating
Himself to us.
So, in Communion
We receive
The life-giving benefits
of the body & blood
of Christ
Bcs in Communion...
we receive Christ.
How that works
How Jesus is
really present
in the bread & wine
I cannot even pretend
to know.
But I don’t need
to know how
it works
or how
God does it.
I don’t know how
God does
a lot of things.
I don’t know how
God hangs the earth
frm nothing?
I don’t know how
God is present
everywhere
all the time?
I don’t know how
God knows the end
frm the beginning?
Or how God
hears all
our thoughts
at once?
& I don’t know how
God’s Divine Son
United Himself w/ humanity
By becoming a baby
in a Virgin’s Womb?
I don’t know how.
God does any
of those
miraculous things?
& that’s the point.
Those things
are miraculous.
They’re beyond
our human
ability to explain
or understand.
But I accept
that God does
all those things.
Not bcs I have some
airtight explanation
that appeases
my rational mind.
I accept that God does
Those things bcs that’s
what God’s word Says
abt those things.
& I believe
God’s Word
is true.
& in the same way:
I don’t know how
Bread & wine are
Christ’s body
& blood.
Or exactly how Christ
is present
in these elements
I just accept
what Jesus
& His Apostles said
abt these elements.
Jesus said
of the bread
this is
my body.
& of the wine
this is
my blood.
& Paul said
the bread & cup
are the body
& blood
of the Lord.
& the bread we break…
is a sharing...
in the body of Christ.
& the cup we bless…
is a sharing...
in the blood of Christ.
That’s a truth
we’ve gotta accept
by faith
not something
we can explain.
If Jesus...
& His apostles...
said these elements...
are the body & blood
of Christ
We cannot go wrong
if we say
the same thing.
If Jesus & His Apostles say...
It’s thru continually...
feeding on Christ’s flesh...
& drinking Christ’s blood...
in Communion…
that we share in...
the life-giving benefits…
of His body & blood...
& it’s thru continually...
feeding on Christ...
in Communion…
That He remains in us…
& we remain in Him.
We can’t go wrong...
if we say...
the same thing.
> Now...
I used to say...
That the bread & wine...
of Communion...
Represent Christ’s...
Body & blood...
& that these elements...
were merely symbols.
Why did I say that?
Bcs that’s what...
I was taught to say.
That’s how I was taught...
to interpret...
John 6...
& the other Scriptures...
we’ve read today.
But I will no longer...
Use those words...
to describe Communion.
Bcs when we say...
The bread & wine represent...
The body & blood of Jesus...
We say more than...
the Scriptures say.
When we say Communion...
is merely symbolic...
We say more...
than the Scriptures say.
We’re adding...
human tradition...
& interpretation...
to God’s Word...
& that interpretation...
invalidates...
God’s Word.
The fact is...
If we only go by...
What the Scriptures say...
none of
the Scriptural evidence
leads us to conclude...
that these elements
represent...
Christ’s body
& blood...
or are merely symbols.
The Scriptural evidence.
leads us to conclude…
that Christ is truly present…
in the elements...
of bread & wine.
These elements are...
Christ’s body...
& blood.
Listen again
To what Paul says
abt Communion
in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29.
He says
1 Corinthians 11:27–28 (CSB)
So, then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord.
Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup.
Notice Paul calls
the bread & the cup
of Communion
the body & blood
of the Lord.
That’s exactly
what Jesus said:
This is my body.
This is my blood.
& also notice
Paul says:
Those who
eat the bread
& drink the cup
of the Lord
in an unworthy manner
are guilty of sin
against the body
& blood
of the Lord.
So, we shld examine ourselves
when we take Communion
To be sure
We don’t take Communion
in an unworthy manner.
But what does it mean
To eat & drink Communion...
in an unworthy manner?
I know we talk abt
Examining ourselves
to see if we have sin
in our lives bfr
we take Communion.
& that’s not
a bad thing.
But that’s not
the examination
Paul has in mind.
Paul explains what
he means in
1 Corinthians 11:29 (CSB)
For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.
Paul says
Examine yourselves
to make sure
you recognize
what Communion
really is.
Recognize
what he just told us
that the bread is the
body of the Lord
& the cup is
the blood of the Lord.
Examine yourself
To see if you’re
Treating these elements
as what they are.
Bcs to treat
The bread & cup
of Communion
as if they were
something less than
the body & blood
of the Lord—
To treat them as
Common things—
is to eat & drink them
in an unworthy manner
& sin against
the Lord’s
Body & blood.
& if we do that
Paul says
we bring judgment
on ourselves.
& notice
the judgment
this brought on
the Corinthians.
In 1 Corinthians 11:30
1 Corinthians 11:30 (CSB)
This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep.
Many among the Corinthians
Were sick & ill
& some had even died.
Why?
Bcs as Paul just said
in 1 Corinthians 11:29
1 Corinthians 11:29 (CSB)
...whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.
The Corinthians were...
Sick, ill, & dying...
Bcs they were being...
Judged by God...
for not recognizing…
the body of the Lord
in the bread
& cup
of Communion.
They were eating
& drinking sickness
Illness & death
on themselves
bcs they were sinning
against the body
& blood of the Lord.
So, again
Paul says
examine yourselves
when you
take Communion.
Make sure you recognize
those elements
are holy.
Make sure
You recognize
those elements...
are Christ’s body
& blood.
Bcs to eat & drink
the bread & wine
of Communion
as if they were
something less than
the body & blood of the Lord
Is to eat & drink them
in an unworthy manner.
& if you do that
you bring judgment
on yourselves.
APPLICATION
& like the Corinthians
We all need to
examine ourselves
when we take
Communion.
We need to make sure
we recognize
the bread & cup
of Communion
for what they are.
The Scriptures say
These elements
are the body
& blood of the Lord.
So, we need to
recognize them
as what they are
So we don’t
eat & drink Judgment
on ourselves.
We want to
eat the bread
& drink the cup
of Communion
in a worthy manner.
Bcs when we do
they communicate
the
& life-giving benefits
of Christ’s body
& blood to those
who receive the elements
in a worthy manner?
Those who recognize...
“Hey, this is Christ’s body...
“& blood...
“& when I take Communion...
“I receive Christ into me.”
Is it too much to blv...
God can heal us spiritually...
& physically...
thru Communion.
> That’s what God does:
When we take Communion...
God communicates...
His grace to us...
thru bread & wine.
Christ is present
In the bread & cup
to strengthen us
spiritually
& physically.
Christ is present
in the bread & cup
to heal us spiritually
& physically.
Christ is present
In the bread & wine
imparting His life
to us.
Christ is present
In the bread & cup
So we can share
in the life
of Christ.
Thru the bread...
of Communion…
we share in Christ’s body.
& thru the cup
of Communion
we share in
Christ’s blood.
& this...
shld not be too hard...
for any of us...
to accept.
Bcs we blv God does...
something similar…
in water baptism.
We blv...
God communicates...
Christ’s death...burial...
& resurrection to us…
thru water baptism.
We blv God’s Spirit is present...
in the waters of baptism...
Giving those waters...
Regenerating...
& life-giving power.
We blv...
we’re born again...
thru water...
& the Spirit.
We blv...
We’re united...
w/ Christ in baptism.
Our hearts...
are circumcised...
in baptism.
We blv...
God miraculously imparts...
Christ’s death...burial...
& resurrection to us…
in the waters...
of baptism.
> Now, if God...
can do that in baptism:
Is it too much to accept…
That God can...
miraculously impart...
Christ’s body & blood...
to us in Communion?
The truth is:
Both baptism & communion
are ways God has chosen
& it’s important...
you hear me say that:
God has chosen...
Both baptism & communion…
to give the benefits…
of Christ’s death...
& resurrection....
& Christ’s life-giving...
body & blood…
to those who receivethem.
So that’s the
3rd reason
Communion is crucial
for Christians.
In Communion
we receive Christ.
[Transition: & that brings us to the 4th & final reason…
Communion is Crucial…
for Christians.]
4. In Communion we PROCLAIM Christ. (11:26)
In 1 Corinthians 11:26
Paul says
1 Corinthians 11:26 (CSB)
...as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Every time
we take Communion
We proclaim
The good news
abt the death of Christ
& what that means
for us.
Whenever we take
Communion
we proclaim
the forgiveness of sins.
We proclaim
freedom frm captivity.
We proclaim
reconcilation
w/ God thru Christ.
Whenever we take
Communion
We proclaim
the grace of God.
the salvation of God.
& the hope that’s found
in Christ alone.
Bcs not only
do we proclaim
Christ’s death
when we take Communion
We also proclaim
Christ’s RETURN.
We proclaim his death
“Until he comes.”
Part of the covenant
we talked abt earlier is
Christ’s promise
to come again
in glory
to make our lowly bodies
Like His glorious body
& renew
the whole creation.
Every time we take Communion
We’re proclaim
The Lord’s death
Resurrection
& Return
& the ultimate
redemption
of humanity
& all creation.
So, when we
take Communion
we shld be anticipating
the glorious day
when in the twinkling
of an eye
our great God Savior
Jesus Christ
Will come again
& we’ll be changed
We’ll be like Him
& we’ll see Him
as He is.
Hearing that message
Shld fill us w/
great hope.
So, Communion is crucial
For Christians
Bcs in Communion
We proclaim Christ.
CONCLUSION
Now, as we close:
Let me ask you again.
Why is Communion
Crucial for Christians?
Communion is crucial
for Christians bcs
In Communion we...
CELEBRATE Christ.
We rejoice
& are thankful
for all He’s done
for us.
Communion is crucial
for Christians bcs
In Communion
we REMEMBER Christ.
We remember
Christ’s Cross
& His Covenant
& ask for God’s grace
To stay faithful
to the Covenant.
Communion is crucial
for Christians bcs
In Communion we
RECEIVE Christ.
As we receive
The bread & cup
of Communion
we receive Christ
& the life-giving
& healing benefits
of Christ’s
body & blood.
& finally
Communion is crucial
for Christians bcs
In Communion
we PROCLAIM Christ.
We proclaim the Lord’s
Death
Resurrection
& Return.
Taking Communion
shld fill us w/ hope
as we look fwd
to the glorious day
of His appearing.
That’s
Why Communion
Is Crucial for Christians.
& why Communion
shld be the center
of our worship.
The highlight
of our week.
& the focus
of our lives.
PRAYER
Let’s all stand for prayer.
Lord, we thank You
for the grace we find
in Communion.
Help us to
recognize Communion
for what it truly is.
A sharing
in the body
& the blood
of the Lord.
Help us always
Take Communion...
In a worthy manner...
As we Celebrate...
Remember...
Receive...
& Proclaim Christ
Until he comes again.
In Jesus name......
Amen.
INVITATION
> Bfr I speak...
the Lord’s blessing....
If you’re not...
a part of God’s ppl...
& you want to know more abt...
how to become...
a part of God’s ppl:
I want to invite you...
to come fwd...
after I speak the blessing.
If you wld like us...
to pray for you.
If you your sick...
& want to be anointed w/ oil;
Or you have any other need.
Come fwd...
after I speak...
the Lord’s blessing...
& the leaders of the Church...
Will be available...
to minister to your needs.