Communion (Page 2)

Today I want to break from tradition by letting the Lord’s Supper speak for itself and by giving us extra time to reflect on what the Holy Spirit might be saying to you through the supper. So I’m going to read the word’s of institution, I’ll clarify who can partake, and then we will receive it. But when myself and the servers are in the back of the room, we’re going to pause for about 60 seconds to really let…

When Jesus came to Jerusalem the final week before his crucifixion, he came to celebrate the Passover meal. Although this isn’t always the case, this year Jewish people celebrated Passover the same week we celebrated Easter, just last week. God originally instituted the Passover meal as a reminder of how he brought the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. The Israelites were enslaved for 400 years before God delivered them the night of passover. God delivered them by supernaturally striking…

In the Lord’s Supper, we do two things. We eat bread, which reminds us of the body of Christ broken for us, and we drink the cup, which reminds us of the blood of Christ spilled for us. We find this in Scripture. 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it,…

When it comes to communion, the Gospel of John is different than Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In each of those Gospels, Jesus clearly institutes the Lord’s Supper. Matthew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” (NIV®) Mark 14:23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they…

Today I’m starting our communion by reciting the Words of Institution. They are the words the Apostle Paul uses to explain the Lord’s Supper, which we continue to use today. 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in…

Last Sunday evening 59 people were murdered in Las Vegas. A gunman opened fire on a crowd of innocent concert goers who were each valuable and precious human beings. At times like this we ask why. Why God? Why would you allow something like this to happen? God doesn’t tell us why, but he does remind us that he cares. At times like this, God reminds us that he too is a Father who knows what it’s like to have…

Today we’re commissioning our youth missions team to France. One of the events our team will help host in France is a Non-Musical Night of Worship. Last Sunday evening, they hosted one for us here at Cornerstone. Instead of singing, we walked from station to station at our own pace, reflecting and praying. At one of my favorite stations they placed a jug of water, France-colored rice-crispy treats, and several verses, including this one. John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I…

We’ve recently studied the book of Exodus as a church. In Exodus, God gives the people of Israel his law. Moses presents these laws to the people as a Covenant (an agreement with God) they must obey. Exodus 24:7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.” After the people agree to these terms, God invites Moses and the leaders of…