Communion 2023 (A)

Let’s pray

Open

Jesus gave us this meal in order that we might remember His sacrifice. This physical meal was given to us by Jesus so that we might remember how He has bound Himself to us, and so that we might remember how we, by faith, are bound to Him. He sat around a fellowship table and ate with the guys that were going to abandon Him later on that night. To them He says, take this, all of you and eat and drink, this is my body and blood that will be given for you. Internalize this reality. He says the same to us today. To those of us who so often abandon Him, we says, “Take, Eat and Drink…this is my offering for to you and offering for you.

Once these elements are internalized and digested they become an inseparable part of who we now are. We are nourished by the vitamins and minerals, the sugars, fibers and proteins. They become part of us. This is what Jesus is offering. He comes to “dwell in our hearts through faith” according to the Apostle Paul (Eph. 3:17). In this meal that symbolizes His death for us, He binds Himself to us, never to be separated. And when we eat and internalize this meal, we are binding ourselves to Him and His sacrifice, declaring His death for us sinners, by eating what He commanded to us to eat.

Paul says when we do this we proclaim the Lords’ death until He comes again! This is the communion of Jesus Christ the heavenly bridegroom with His earthly bride the church and we will one day again eat of this meal again at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb! This time should be filled with reverence and great, great, exceedingly great joy!

Invitation:

Here at Faith Community Church we have an open communion table. All those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior are so very welcome to participate with us with the two simple elements of the bread and the cup. The bread representing the body of Christ that was broken for us. The cup which represents the shed blood of Christ in full payment of all of our sin.

If you have children with you today, please make sure that they understand the gospel and have made a profession of faith in Jesus. It doesn't make sense for them to participate in something they don't even understand or believe in. It would be much better for them to wait till a future time when they can take part in it in a meaningful way.

Admonition:

The apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians issues this admonition to all who consider doing what we are about to do.

1 Corinthians 11:27–29 ESV

27 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. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

What does Paul mean by eating and drinking in an unworthy manner? What does that mean?

Well perhaps you have put your faith and trust in Christ as your Savior in the past but now you're currently living in “outright sinful rebellion” against Him. If this is the case, Paul encourages you to examine your heart before God before participating in something that you are holding with contempt with how you're living right now.

If you're not willing to make things right with Him in this moment, if you're not willing to repent, I encourage you to let the elements pass by. As they pass may they be a witness to you of what is being offered, but that which you are unworthy to engage in until such time as you've made things right with God in your heart.

That time can be right now. Right now, make things right with God. In the quietness of these moments and in the quietness of your heart, through confession and repentance make a renewed commitment to follow Him and then freely join us in this meal of remembrance.

The other possibility is maybe you've never put your faith and trust in Christ. Perhaps you've never given your life to him. If this is the case, I would encourage you to let the elements pass before you as a witness to you. It is being offered to you, but if you haven't given your life to Christ, we don't want to ask you to participate in something that you don't even believe in.

But once again, better yet, right now, turn away from the direction you've been going in your life and turn to faith in Christ even right now faith in Him for your salvation. Receive Him as your Lord and Savior. Invite Him into your life right now. Don't wait any longer. And then, we invite you to join us in this remembrance.

So at this time I'd like to invite the elders to come forward to serve and as they come please take this time of preparation to be in prayer examining your own heart before God seeking His forgiveness and deliverance.

So as the elements are passed, please note that both elements are contained in two cups that are stacked together. One on top of the other…so make sure you get both cups as we prepare to engage in this meal of remembrance together.

Please hold both elements as you are served. We will then thank the Lord first for His body, then eat together and then we will thank Him for His blood, and then drink together.

So at this time, as we sing and distribute the elements, renew your commitments to Him and remember His sacrifice with thanksgiving. The Lamb of God has paid for all of your sins, once and for all.

Song: Before the Throne of God Above

Piano: Keeps playing quietly in background…

- As Paul has written to the church at Corinth: I Corinthians 11:23-26

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,

24 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."

Please take and eat.

- 25 In the same way also he 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."

Please take and drink.

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

And all God’s people said… AMEN!

- Would you please stand as we close our service with a song…