The Discipline of Communion
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Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, 1 John 2:7-14
There are a lot of different things that divide us. They could be things as insignificant as the sports teams we cheer for to as polarizing as Politics.
We are coming up on an election year again and as our political views or the candidates that we support often cause conflict and division within our families and churches I am left wondering…
Of all the things to be divided over, does the church offer an answer that is sufficient to bring unity to the division?
That is what I hope to examine through the Scripture for tonight.
We are looking at what it means to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and then we are joining together for Fellowship Around the Lord’s Table.
1 John 2:7–14 (NIV)
7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. 12 I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 14 I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
1 John 2:7- It’s not a new commandment…to love one another.
Followers of the Lord have always been called to love one another. It’s not a new command. John states that it’s been around since the beginning, but what does he mean?
Leviticus 19:18
“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
God’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves is as old as the law itself.
And we know this.
It’s not a new message. Many of us have heard sermon after sermon about how we are called to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
And that is because I truly believe that there are times when we intellectually understand the command to love one another. We have the head knowledge that we are called to love. We may be even able to recite 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 from memory.
RECITE FROM MEMORY
We can recite about love, we can talk about it’s importance and emphasize that it is our calling as followers of Christ but at the same time, we can not be walking in that love that we profess to know.
It’s like a loaf of bread that has gone stale, or a carton of milk that has turned, or that bag of chips that looks so tempting. From the outside it looks ok. But inside, it has grown old. The light of love has dimmed.
I believe that our understanding of love can also grow old, and we have a hard time letting the knowledge of love work down into our heart so we can express what we profess.
We know we are called to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. We know we are called to love God with all our heart, mind, strength and soul, but are we actually loving,
are we being
patient and kind
or are we being
envious and boastful prideful or rude? self seeking or easily angered? keeping a record of wrongs? delighting in evil rejoicing with the truth giving up losing faith always hopeful enduring through every circumstance.
Because love never fails.
Has your love for your neighbor gone stale? Or is it old?
Because John went on to say…
1 John 2:8- But it is new. Jesus lived it out perfectly.
Jesus brought a freshness to this old command, BOTH IN HIS LIFE AND HIS TEACHINGS.
Jesus taught…
John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus says it again in John 15:12, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Love is important to Jesus. It’s one of the main lessons He came to manifest about God’s character.
Because love is about pursuit. If you love something or someone, you will pursue them. Chase them down. Go after them…
And God demonstrates his love in this very pursuit.
Paul says in Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his love towards us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God reveals His love in a deeper and fuller context through Jesus. God’s love is no longer up there, but rather came down in pursuit of us. God’s love took on concrete form and action through Jesus life and more importantly death on the cross.
Love one another is new in it’s fullness, expression, and its experience.
John 14:15-18
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
One of the things God does through His Spirit is revive what has been dead. The Spirit causes us to be born again. The Spirit also makes old truths fresh and new in our lives. I’ve experienced this many times. I’ve studied, comprehended, even preached a topic but felt that it was still distant or cold. Then through prayer, or being in community, or joining God in mission the Spirit takes that truth and brings it to vibrant experiential life. God wants to do this constantly in our life. He wants to do this with love. You might know what love ought to be or look like, will you open up to God and allow Him to make it a new and lifegiving experience?
Jesus promised the Spirit of God to be at work within us, and the very first fruit of the spirit that Paul talks about in Galatians 5 is the fruit of love.
9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
- Practical lesson in living out love.
Here John is emphasizing the truth about whether or not we are actually living out the love that we have received from the Father.
How do you know if people are genuinely Christians?
Because Jesus said we would be known by our love for one another. By this distinguishing characteristic…love…all people will know that you are my disciples.
Do they genuinely love and care about other believers?
You hear and see it a lot. People claim to be believers or followers of Christ but yet show no signs of love towards others.
I find it troubling when someone claims to be a follower of Christ yet can’t stand to gather together with them.
Part of loving someone is being near them, having relationship with them. I love that group of people but oh no I don’t want to actually hang out with them.
It is impossible to separate your love for God and your love for His church.
Jesus didn’t give us that option. The church is his bride. And if you are bad mouthing my wife, that’s not going to be a good situation, so how do you think Jesus feels when we bash his bride?
See but the crazy thing is that God has made a way for us all to gather together even when we have differences of opinion. He has made a way for us to experience a bond of peace.
And this is for everyone…
1 John 2:12-14- This if for the mature and the young in the faith.
As I was preparing for this weeks service, knowing that it was a communion Sunday, i have wanted to do this for quite some time.
God has made a way for us all to experience his love and to demonstate his love…when we gather around his table.
The way we typically serve communion can lead us to believe that it is all about us again. That the whole experience is about my personal intimacy with Jesus and we can miss out on the unifying aspect of the larger vision that God has for our Christian community.
Let me show you through the Word of God what I am talking about.
1 Corinthians Paul is writing to one of the most divided churches. They were struggling with favoritism, they were struggling with following certain leaders and pride as well as a whole host of sexual issues and abuses in their worship.
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
1 Corithians 10:14-18 reads….
14 So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. 15 You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true. 16 When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? 17 And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body. 18 Think about the people of Israel. Weren’t they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?
We are the body of Christ and we are coming together….and though we are many we are all eating from one loaf, showing that we are one body.
Paul goes on to bring correction to the way they were doing communion in the next Chapter…
17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
1 Corinthians 11:23-27- We Remember
When we partake in the elements of communion there are two things that we remember.
11:23-24- the bread. His body. This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
When we take the bread, we remind ourselves that Jesus gave his body for us. His body paid the penalty of death.
400 years before Christ was beaten and crucified the prophet Isaiah proclaimed,
4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Matthew boldly proclaimed that Jesus fulfilled this prophesy.
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
In Communion we remember our healing was purchased for us by Jesus. So when we come together and partake of the bread, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice and we believe in faith that He is still our healer.
11:25- the cup- his blood. The New Covenant “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
When we take the cup, we remind ourselves of the innocent one’s blood who was shed for us. The perfect spotless lamb who was slain so that we could be forgiven.
Isaiah wrote about the blood,
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
His blood purchased forgiveness for us on the cross. It paid the penalty for our sin as God only accepts a blood OFFERING to pay for sin.
When we drink the cup we remember we are forgiven because the perfect spotless lamb shed his blood for our debt. He paid the price for our freedom.
This is why we come together and remember the body and the blood.
But the Lord is challenging some of you today…before we take communion as a family let us go back to
28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. 33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.
Some of you may be partaking in an unworthy manner.
Did you ever think that the reason some of you may be sick and weak is because the Lord is trying to discipline you?
He is allowing the sickness into your life to get you to realize that you must deal with the sin before you can come to the table?
The Word says that “when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being discipline so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:32 He is trying to get your attention. Maybe the issue as to why you’re sick all the time is because you have some sin that needs confessed. Because this is a table of healing, when you treat it with contempt your reward is the opposite of healing…sickness. Maybe the reason you’re weak in your faith is because you have been treating this table as a free meal or just something we do to look good. To look like we are good with God, and play the part. So you come up without realizing you’re eating and drinking the Lord’s judgement on our souls. So get right with God! Examine your heart and get right with God.
It’s a simple process.
Jesus said if we confess our sins he is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 JOHN 1:9
Confess areas of sin before you come to the table. Ask the Lord to search your heart and see if there is any offensive way in you. And then come to the table. He wants you to experience his Healing, his forgiveness, his presence. He longs to fill you with His Spirit.
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God! They will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.
According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast which he has prepared.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, eternal God, our creator. You have given us life and second birth in your Spirit. Once we were no people, but now we are your people. You claimed Israel as your chosen nation and raised up the church as a witness to the resurrection, breathing into it your life and power. From worlds apart, you gathered us together. When we go astray, you welcome us home. Always, your love has been steadfast.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with the choirs of heaven and with all the faithful of every time and place who forever sing to the glory of your name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. In love with you and in compassion for all, Jesus healed and taught, challenged and comforted, welcomed and saved. He formed a community, promising to be with his disciples wherever two or three were gathered, and sending them on his mission of hope and healing in the world. Jesus trusted his life to you, and went freely to his death, so the world might be set free from suffering and sin. You raised him from death and raise us also to live a new life with him. In the power of the Holy Spirit, you send us out to make disciples as he commanded. Remembering all your mighty and merciful acts, we take this bread and this wine from the gifts you have given us and celebrate with joy the redemption won for us in Jesus Christ. Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as a living and holy offering of ourselves, that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen.
Great is the mystery of faith.
Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.
Prayer
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. By your Spirit unite us with the living Christ and with all who are baptized in his name, that we may be one in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.
O God, today you have called us together to be the church. Unite us now at your table, and in one loaf and a common cup, make us one in Christ Jesus. Let your Spirit empower the life we share and ignite our witness in the world. With all who have gone before us, keep us faithful to the gospel teachings and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Give us strength to serve you until the promised day of the resurrection, when with the redeemed of all the ages we will feast with you at your table in glory. Through Christ, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, with the Holy Spirit in the holy church, now and forever. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As Christ our Savior taught us, we are bold to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory, forever.
Amen.
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread, and after giving thanks to God, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me. Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the saving death of the risen Lord, until he comes.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Gracious God, may we who have received this sacrament live in the unity of your Holy Spirit, that we may show forth your gifts to all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYER