2014-04-13 Communion Overview for Parents
Notes
Transcript
COMMUNION AND CHILDREN
(I Cor 11:17-34)
Want to discuss communion and children. Different churches and traditions
handle this in different ways. Our goal is to forget tradition and be as biblical as
possible.
Approach from this perspective. What is Communion? Who Should Partake? What
Happens to Those Who Partake Unworthily? Can Children Partake? What is the role
of parents?
Read I Cor 11:17-34. Listen very closely to this.
I.
What is Communion?
A. Instituted by Jesus Himself based on the Passover story. Thus it is a
NT ordinance that replaces the remembrance of the Passover feast
B. It is a reminder salvation past – This is the primary emphasis. It
demonstrates our belief and commitment to the fact that He
fulfilled in His person the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
Heb 10:4, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and
goats to take away sins.” OT sacrifices were symbolic, not
effectual. No animal could substitute for human sin in fact,
only symbolically. So –
Heb 10:12: “But when Christ had offered for all time a single
sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.”
Rom 6:10, “ For the death he died he died to sin, once for all,
but the life he lives he lives to God.”
II Cor 5:21: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no
sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of
God.”
I Cor 11:24, 25 – “Do this in remembrance of me.”
This is the objective basis for salvation. Makes it available to
anyone who will believe.
C. It is a reminder of salvation present: -- Two parts
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1. First – I am indicating my personal repentance of sin and
acceptance of Christ as Savior and Lord. (Rom 10:9-10; John 1:1112). I’ve made it personal
2. It’s the “Lord’s Supper” (v. 20). V. 33, “So then, my brothers, when
you come together to eat, wait for one another” – Picture is the
Lord is hosting us at the table. It is public. Rightfully it should
picture the oneness and unity of the whole church. Not keen on
private communion. Takes some of the meaning out. It’s not
just about me. It’s about me in relation to God and in relation
to others: It reflect the Lord’s command to love God with all our
heart, soul, mind and strength – and to love others as ourselves.
D. It’s a reminder of salvation future – V. 26, “For as often as you eat
this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he
comes.” Luke 22:17-18, “And he took a cup, and when he had given
thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell
you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the
kingdom of God comes.”
II.
Who Should Partake
A. True believers. Those who understand their sinfulness; those who
believe Jesus died as a substitute. Those who have accepted Him by
faith as Savior and Lord.
It would be blasphemy for someone to partake who is not trusting
in Christ alone. Many who think they will get in by their own good
works, Communion being one of them, are blaspheming. If we
could get in by anything we could do, God would have been
unbelievable cruel to send Christ to the cross. By partaking we are
declaring that He is the one and only way to salvation. Any rejection
of that makes a mockery of the ordinance.
B. Believers who are in right standing with God.
Having examined their lives
Having confessed any known sins
Having made any necessary restitution – Matt 5:23, “So
if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember
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that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your
gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your
brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
C. Examples of partaking unworthily in Corinth – They did it in
factions, selfishly, drunkenly, probably without being true believers
in some cases (use of the word “died” in v. 30 indicates this as it is
never used of believers after the resurrection of Christ).
III.
What Happens to Those Who Partake Unworthily?
God disciplines them. And when you remember that He looks on the
heart, this is a serious issue. In Corinth, Paul warns that some were sick,
and some even had died because they blasphemed Christ by partaking
of the Lord’s Supper unworthily (29-30).
IV.
Can Children Partake
A. First question – Since believers whose hearts are right are eligible,
children would be if they can be believers. So, first question, Can
children be believers? Mt 18:3: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn
and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of
heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven.”
Mt 19:13-14: “13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay
his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder
them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
B. What must children understand?
The must be able to know right from wrong and realize that
they sin and are a sinner. Do they get that?
They must believe that all sin must be punished.
They must believe that Jesus died to pay for their sin.
They must, as best they know how, repent of their sin and
invite Jesus to be Lord, boss, controller of their life.
Do they get all of that? I suggest that they should have
memorized verses that teach this. Minimum – John 3:16;
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Rom 3:23; Rom 6:23; John 1:12; Rom 10:9. Good also to know
Eph 2:8-9. This will give them something to fall back on. It
will also remind you as parents how to answer questions
that come up.
C. Second Question – Does the child regularly confess sin to God. Do
they currently hold any grudge against anyone or any rebellion
against parents that would make them unworthy?
Here I suggest that they be taught to examine their heart carefully
before partaking, confessing sin and preparing to make any amends
that they need to make.
D. Is there an age requirement? Many churches suggest holding off
until children have been thru confirmation or membership class.
This may be good idea if there is any doubt at all. Usually this
comes around age 12-15.
However, our understand is that if a child is a true believer, and with
sin confessed, Communion need not be withheld. We suggest
parents consider holding off until at least age 8 to be as sure as
possible, tho some children may be true believers earlier.
V.
What is the Role of Parents?
A. Primary Responsibility. As in all things kids (Deut 6; Prov; Eph 6:1-4).
You know your children best and must accept responsibility for
their salvation. If you do not know how to lead them to Christ, the
time to learn is now. You do not want your child to partake
unworthily – nor yourself as guardian.
B. Explain in detail what it is all about. Insure their understanding.
C. Church’s role – Help you train. Talk to children as well. Best done
individually. We do not require it, but are available to talk to
children. Will give you our honest appraisal. Together we can make
sure it’s not a game to them.
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