Communion Service
Communion Service
Through communion we keep central in our church and in our life the work of Christ upon the cross…
Theme: Tonight, I would like to examine the history and symbolism of this Ordinance and to see how it relates to us as believers.
I. Introduction
A. Communion means “In Common”
1. Also known as The Eucharist – “To Give Thanks”
2. It is a continuing ceremony of the entire body
1. Consists of Two Elements
a. Bread & the fruit of the vine
B. Its Meanings
1. Our sharing of the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ
· Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:4
2. A memorial of his suffering and death.
· For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Cor. 11:26
II. History
A. When Jesus instituted what we call communion he noted that it was part of the celebration of the Passover.
· When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. [15] And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. Luke 22:14-15
1. History of Passover
a. Israel was in slavery in Egypt – God brought about the 10 plagues on Egypt
b. Pharaoh wouldn’t listen….last plague; the death of all the first born males in Egypt.
c. Moses put the blood on the door posts – to keep the death angel away.
d. That night they were to have this feast in celebration of their deliverance.
· Exodus 12:17 - "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. (an ongoing celebration of deliverance)
1. It’still the biggest celebration of the year to the Jewish people.
a. So the historical setting of communion is one of remembering the deliverance.
2. In a way, we celebrate the Passover (a new & improved Passover – made by Jesus)
a. A feast to REMEMBER deliverance from slavery. (eternal slavery - from death / sin)
· For the Jews - To remember something was to go back in one’s mind and recapture as much of the reality of the event as possible
· The Christian relives the birth, life, agony, suffering, death, of Jesus.
III. The Symbolism
A. The Bread
1. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, "The House of Bread"
a. Bread is one of life’s most common things…
1. God wanted his Son to be "common"….available to all mankind.
· In John 6:35 Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry.”
2. The bread is a symbol of Christ’s body that he gave so that we could have life.
3. It further symbolized our connectedness…
a. 1 Corinthians 12 - all believers belong to one body, the body of Christ
B. The Wine (The Fruit of the Vine)
1. Illustrates that Christ is the source of life and victory over death.
a. Jesus said in John 15, “I am the True Vine”
b. Consider HOW you get the wine from the grape…it must be CRUSHED!
- Jesus was literally crushed….beaten to a pulp…unrecognizable
- His flesh torn open
- His hair pulled out
- And his blood was shed
IV. Communion’s Purpose: What it Does for Me?
A. It reminds me of the new covenant God made with us at Calvary
B. It reminds me that I am part of a body of believers.
1. A BODY that transcends any boundary
C. It keeps me focused on the work of the cross.
Conclusion: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
“23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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.’ 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”