Communion (Page 2)

Communion (Page 2)

Simple Communion

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…

The Passover Lamb and the Lord’s Supper

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…

Drink My Blood

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,…

Communion in John 6:53-54

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…

Taking the Lord’s Supper in an Unworthy Manner

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…

The Lord’s Supper: The Innocent One

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…

The Lord’s Supper: Hunger & Thirst

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…

The Lord’s Supper: Body & Blood

As we approach communion today I want us to focus on the body and the blood of Jesus Christ, and how he sacrificed those for us. You’ve heard about his sacrifice. It’s something we talk about every time we celebrate communion, but have you really thought about what it means for Jesus to sacrifice his body and blood for you? Take one of your hands, and feel your skin. Touch your arm, pinch it, rub it. Do you feel your…

The Lord’s Supper: A Covenant Meal

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…

The Tabernacle and The Lord’s Supper

When Adam and Eve sin against God in the garden of Eden by eating the forbidden fruit, they are driven out of the garden to the East (Gen 3:24, 4:16). In this moment, all of humanity experiences a break in relationship with God and is symbolically banished to the East. But God has a plan to restore the relationship. He chooses a special people, the Israelites, and tells them to build a tabernacle (a tent) so he can live among…