"Big Fat Churchy Words: Communion"
Dean AngellApril 23/24, 2005
This morning folks we celebrate communion and people these are precious moments in the church . . . because when the church comes willingly . . . and when the church comes humbly to the Lord’s table – there is great blessing and great peace and I will tell you this. I’ve been thinking about this all week. God is smiling on us this day and He is more than excited about meeting with each of you in the moments ahead.
On the night before Jesus was crucified He gathered His disciples together for a meal. History calls it the Last Supper (I’m sure you’ve seen the painting). So the bible says that Jesus and His 12 disciples His closest followers were reclining at a table and this is what happened.
I Corinthians 11:23 – 26
On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup of wine saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it." For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again.
There are always dozens of questions that people have about communion and there is a bit of fog around the spiritual power that we receive during the Lord’s supper. (and that creates even more questions) so we thought we would try to answer a few of those questions for you. And then as I already said We’ll let you fully experience Jesus in just a few moments – (Question and Answer – not preaching). So here goes the 1 st question. What is it? And why do we do it?
Very simply communion is a tradition in the church that we take part in regularly that allows us to remember the death of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said “do this in remembrance of me,” when you take the
Cup and drink, remember that my blood was shed for you for the forgiveness of sins and when you eat the bread – remember my body was broken so that you could find wholeness. And then He said, as often as you do this – you are remembering me.
Verse 26 says “every time you eat this bread and drink this cup – you are announcing the Lord’s death until He comes again.”
Folks, by taking communion each of us is making a statement of remembrance that Christ died for our sins and that His blood was shed for our souls restoration and that that is our hope spiritually. So what is communion? It’s a time in the church where we remember Christ’s death and in so doing we make a habit of forgiveness and connection with Jesus in our lives. And I think that’s the why of communion. Simply to set aside a regular time as individuals, and as a church to reflect on how we’re living our lives – and then to have a regular opportunity for forgiveness and a regular opportunity to connect our heart to Gods.
(More on this in a moment)
Some other practical questions.
Who gets to be here? Who can partake in this? (Let me answer these) Well from what I can see in scripture – this is called the Lord’s table (not Lakeview Church’s or Dean’s) So anyone that wants to meet with the Lord is welcome here and really (there are no other rules.) (repeat)
That means there are no specific levels of knowledge needed or any specific amount of time spent in the church needed or even any secret handshakes needed (to take communion). Everyone is welcome at the Lord’s table. But let me also read a small warning.
I Corinthians 11:26 – 28 The Apostle Paul says,
For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again. So if anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily, that person is guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. (That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup . ) (repeat)
Before you and I take communion – the only perquisite I can see is that we must examine our lives in connection with how Christ has called us to live because its his table we’re going to go to, to commune with Him. So personal inner reflection is necessary to line up our lives with Jesus nd for me that usually includes some confession, some forgiveness, and a desire for change inside me moving forward into the future.
So folks – you’re welcome (all of you) and if you are still seeking a relationship with Christ and have not yet committed your life to following Him (as 100’s of you will be this weekend). Then come to this alter seeking to meet Jesus, you can come to this table and find Christ today.
In fact, nearly every time we as a church make time for communion there are people who make decisions to follow Christ. There is spiritual power available to us during these moments. So if that’s you and you’re been trying to figure out what to do with Jesus, this is a great day to move towards Him.
I often get asked other questions like who can serve communion? And the answer is simple – we have no rules around that. Or parents will ask how old does my child have to be to take communion? And again - we have no rules – but my advice is that you should be able to explain it to your children in a way they can understand it so some level of maturity is required – but again no rules - you know you’re kids.
Here’s the thing. If you want to connect with Jesus – this is a great opportunity to examine your soul and to examine your life, and then connect. If that’s not what you want to do – then don’t take part after that there aren’t’ any rules.
I’m jumping around a bit but let me also tell you that there is always a bit of spiritual mystery around communion. This is pretty cool.
Communion is a Holy sacrament - it’s a means of grace. That means that when you take part in communion – so does God, (think about that). Communion is a means, a conduit of God’s grace and power flowing into our lives.
So, when we come to this alter in a few moments – so does God. Now I know He’s always with us but the mystery around the Lord’s table is that when you and I take the cup and eat the bread – we are putting ourselves in a position to have the Holy Spirit of God work inside of us and cleanse us and empower us and change us (in a moment). It really is remarkable and it becomes almost tangible – touchable at times – as God will put His finger on an area of sin we need to deal with, or an area of healing that we need, or a relationship that needs adjusting, or a future direction for our lives.
All that can happen in a moment of communion with Christ and that is why preparation and self-reflection and introspection are so vital before we take communion – we need to be aware of our lives, before we go to meet with Jesus. Because we an expect that in these moments He will be present and He will want to connect with us as well in a supernatural way and that folks is nothing to take lightly it’s a really big deal.
I thought about trying to further describe how to approach communion but I thought I’d make it a little more personal and let you just walk through it with me. Here’s what I do when I take communion. This is usually the pattern for me:
- Silence – before service - quiet spirit – invite Christ to speak to me
- Long look back – thanks (forgiveness and faithfulness)
- Past month Introspection – self - awareness
- Forgiveness for unconfessed sin
- Acknowledgment of sin
- Relationship Check - (deal with those as best you can before you take communion)
- Any unattended relationships that need action from me
- Images
- Christ’s suffering
- His body broken on the cross
for my sins
- His blood shed
- Thanksgiving
- Future
Now – that’s what I do and it may not be what you need to do to prepare
to meet with Jesus but that works for me.
One of the best parts of communion is that it’s been around for
nearly 2000 years so there is a lot of tradition and ancient experience we can draw from in order to more fully participate.
The Free Methodist Church has put together some of these ancient traditions and prayers in a sequence to help us prepare ourselves I’d like to walk you through it.
The Invitation
You who truly and earnestly repent of your sins, who live in love and peace with your neighbours, and who intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God and walking in his holy ways, draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament for your comfort; and humbly kneeling make your honest confession to Almighty God.
The General Confession
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Maker of all things, Judge of all people, . . . who with great mercy has promised forgiveness and deliverance to all who turn to you with hearty repentance and true faith, we confess that we have sinned against you and are hopeless without your grace. Have mercy upon us, O merciful Father, pardon and deliver us from all our sins: from blindness of heart and lack of love; from the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil; from false doctrine and neglect of our Word; from anxiety and lack of trust. O God, our Saviour, keep us this day without sin. Give us strength to serve and please you in newness of life, and to honour and praise your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.The Lord’s Prayer (together)
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thin is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever. Amen
The Collect (together)
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are opened, all desire known, and from whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts our hearts, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your hold name, though Christ our Lord. Amen.
