Holy Communion

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Let’s talk about two difficulties in daily life:

Feeling close with God

He is intangible in so many ways

It can be difficult to hear Him, feel His love, receive His peace

Feeling close and connected to one another

Life is busy - things are pulling us in different directions

Frankly it’s hard to get along with most people - we’re happy when we can get along with even a few people

We can be separated by offense and grievances

We can be disillusioned with people as a whole and become cynical

More often we may just not feel like we have things in common

The Solution in Communion

In the act of Communion, God has provided a help for these two difficulties

There is more going on in Communion than what you think

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 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? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, since all of us share the one bread.

Communion unites us with Christ

In a mysterious yet very real way, Christ presents Himself to us in the bread and cup

We receive His healing, mercy, and life as we “feast on Him” (John 6:54-55)

Communion unites us with each other

Our common ground is Christ, rather than our similarities to one another

He is the head of us, the body - we receive life and purpose together from the same source (Romans 12:4-5)

How this Solution Works

The instructive example of the Corinthian Church

1 Corinthians 11:17–34 CSB

17 Now in giving this instruction I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For to begin with, I hear that when you come together as a church there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 Indeed, it is necessary that there be factions among you, so that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 When you come together, then, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For at the meal, each one eats his own supper. So one person is hungry while another gets drunk! 22 Don’t you have homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I do not praise you in this matter! 23 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, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 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.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 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. 28 Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31 If we were properly judging ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, welcome one another. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you gather together you will not come under judgment. I will give instructions about the other matters whenever I come.

Two Steps emerge from this rebuke and instruction:

Examine yourself (11:27-28,31)

Getting real with yourself, and inviting the work of the Holy Spirit

What is the state of your heart and your conduct towards God and others?

Let your revealed sin and shortcomings drive you to the table - they should never keep you from it (Hebrews 4:15-16)

This step is important because it pushes aside ego, arrogance, and defensiveness - which are barriers to closeness with Christ and others

Recognize the Body of Christ (11:29, 33)

This step is where we “feel it” - the closeness with Christ and one another

Paul is speaking in two dimensions:

Recognizing the body of Christ in the bread and cup

Come to the elements expecting to receive Him and experience Him

Treat communion as if you are touching Christ - let the communion elements make Jesus tangible to you

Recognizing the body of Christ as being the people in the room (1 Cor 12:12,27)

Open your heart to others in the church and forgive offenses

Lay criticism aside and embrace love and mercy

Pursue equal opportunity and mutual care

Where we go from here

Let’s really embrace the power and mystery of Communion

We don’t have to understand how Jesus is present through bread and juice

We just have to take Him at His word and receive the offer

Let’s look forward to Communion with anticipation

Expecting to encounter Christ together - eager to unite with one another and Him

A final encouragement:

What we need in 2024 and every year is Christ - not programs, seminars, self-help books, more practical sermons, etc.

We need to recognize Him for Who He Is

If we could just be with Him, wouldn’t all our many concerns and problems melt away - wouldn’t solutions present themselves?

That is exactly what we are being offered in Communion - let’s receive it as such

Close by taking Holy Communion together