(Col 2:8-14) Communion - Christ Nailed our Debt to the Cross

Many times we live with a sense of guilt.

A guilt for past sins.

A guilt for not being all that we can be.

I would like to call us to remember how Christs

We live with guilt because we are not perfect disciples, but imperfect disciples.

But we have no need for guilt-

However, Christ canceled - Paying the entire debt that we owe to God for sin.

Paying the entire debt that we owe to God.

Satan can’t change that.

Our imperfection can’t change.

Colossians 2:8–14 ESV

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

I want to remind us - when faced with guilt, weakness, and imperfection -

Christ nailed our entire debt to the cross.

Christ nailed our entire debt to the cross.

Communion is chiefly a memorial ceremony in which we remember his blood sacrifice paid for our sins, nailing our guilt to the cross.

Communion is chiefly a memorial ceremony in which we remember his blood sacrifice paid for our sins, nailing our guilt to the cross.

It is a time of meditation on this great truth and of praise for Christ;

because he accomplished what none of us could accomplish ourselves. Purification from the penalty of sin and our sin nature.

Warning

Before we begin communion, I want us to take time to examine our hearts.

(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.

Take time to remember the Crucifixion of our Lord and examine our hearts before God.

Take time to remember the Crucifixion of our Lord and examine our hearts before God.

Ceremony

It is important that we honor the Lord’s death by keeping communion Holy. Based on Paul’s teachings we practice close communion.

That is, we ask that only baptized members of our church or a like-minded church partake in communion.

If you are not a Baptized member of like-minded church, we ask that you let the cup pass.

This insures that only gospel believers are partaking in our communion.

This insures that only gospel believers are partaking in our communion.

Also, member or not, if there is a sin, known or unknown, that you need to make right. We ask that you would allow communion to pass until you have had a chance to deal with that sin.

Both of these are intended to honor the Lord by keeping His communion and our communion fellowship holy before Go.

Both of these are intended to honor the Lord by keeping His communion and our communion fellowship holy before Go.

If the appointed men would come forward for Communion.

If the appointed men would come forward for Communion.

Bread

At this time we shall take up the bread. The bread represents the flesh of Jesus that was crucified on the cross.

Pray

· Hand trays. Pause and Wait. (Small Tray)

In Remembrance of Christs bodily death for sins you may eat the bread.

Blood

At this time, We shall take up the cups of juice. The juice represents the blood of Jesus spilled upon Calvary as a sign of the New Covenant.

Pray

· Hand Trays, Pause, Wait. (Large Tray)

In Remembrance of Christs spilled blood you may drink the cup of juice.

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