SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(1 Corinthians11:23-26) (23) "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:" (24) "And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me." (25) "After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me" (26) "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."
(1 Corinthians11:27-30) (27) "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord." (28) "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." (29) "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." (30) "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."
(1 Corinthians11:18-20) (18) "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it." (19) "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." (20) "When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper."
(1 Corinthians11:21-22) (21) "For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken." (22) "What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not."
(Jude 1:12-13) (12) "These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;" (13) "Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever."
PREFACE SUMMARY
The Lord's Supper is a spiritual service of worship that holds immense significance for Christians. It is a symbolic worship service that commemorates Jesus Christ's sacrifice and his message of love and forgiveness.
Dear readers, throughout this message, you will discover the true essence of the Lord's Supper by gleaning from it. You will discover that this powerful service of worship offers an opportunity to connect with the God of the bible and find spiritual nourishment for your soul as you experience the transformative power of this sacred service and discover the deeper meaning behind the bread and wine.
Dear reader, did you not know that the bread and wine, which are blessed during the ceremony, represent Christ's body and blood, and by partaking in this sacred ritual, we honor his memory and recommit ourselves to his teachings?
Beloved, the Lord's Supper is more than just a commemoration of Christ's sacrifice. It is a powerful way to connect with the blessing of God and experience a profound sense of peace and fulfillment during your worship. Through a deeper understanding of Holy Communion and its spiritual significance, we can unlock the hidden wisdom of this sacred service and gain a new perspective on life.
This sacred service causes us to experience a sense of unity with all of humanity.
Dear readers, did you know that in the early days of Christianity, it was customary for the followers of Jesus to hold a love feast connected to the Lord's Supper.
The love feast was a gathering of the Christian community, where they shared a communal meal in remembrance of the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for His Church. The feast was held in conjunction with celebrating the broken bread, which symbolizes the broken body of our Lord.
This practice has its roots in the early Christian Church, where it was a way for the members to come together and show their love and unity. This sacred service continues to this day in many Christian denominations, where the love feast is still held as a symbol of the love and sacrifice of Jesus for His Church.
During this feast, the early Christians would gather to share food and fellowship and remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. One of the unique aspects of the love feast was that it included people from all walks of life, including those from low-income backgrounds.
The purpose of this inclusivity was to promote a sense of community and to show that everyone was equal in the eyes of God. In this timely message, we will explore the importance of communion and the consequences of abusing this holy sacrament service.
Throughout this message, we will discuss how the love feast symbolized unity, love, and fellowship and how it served as a precursor to modern-day communion services. Additionally, we will examine the significance of the Lord's Supper and how it represents the body and blood of Christ.
Understanding the proper way to partake in these sacred sacraments and the repercussions of misusing them is crucial. We aim to provide a deeper understanding of these spiritual practices and encourage people to approach them reverently.
Dear readers, when I think of Holy Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper, I am reminded of the memorial stones mentioned in the book of Joshua. The Jordan River was divided to allow the people of God to carry the heavy rocks smoothed out of the river by the water currents. Similarly, stones from the other side were carried into the river.
I have preached several times about this event, referring to the stones carried from the other side and placed in the river. This reminds me that when I feel down in spirit, I can take a trip down memory lane and reflect on how my life changed when Christ entered my life.
As I am being recharged in my spirit, I take a look at the smooth stones that were carried out of the river and placed as a memorial of how God rolled back the river when the priests carrying the ark stopped at its entrance, which allowed the men to carry the heavy stones out to the other side.
As I reflect on the many churches, ministries, and organizations that God used me to establish, I can't help but smile inside, knowing He had a plan for me even before I met Him in that river.
This realization is similar to the importance of partaking in the Lord's supper and honoring Him through celebrating it. This is because, as we look back at His supreme sacrifice, we can see how our lives have been transformed and rejoice in how He has used us to bless others. We can also celebrate the day when we will be with Him in glory forever.
However, I must begin this message concerning the celebration of partaking in holy communion with excitement and sorrow for the way some leaders present this excellent holy sacrament to the body of Christ.
Dear readers, the city of Corinth in ancient Greece was known for its immoral lifestyle, and the Corinthian church was not immune to this cultural influence. Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians, addressing the brethren's need for unity and harmony and encouraging them to celebrate the Lord’s Supper in Holy Communion. The sacred service was a time of remembrance, reflection on Christ's sacrifice, and a time to come together in love and fellowship.
Beloved, fast forward to modern times; some pastors try to instill fear in their congregation by warning them not to partake in the holy service unworthily. They claim that doing so could cause sickness and even death to come upon them. However, this message does not align with the gospel of love and grace that God wants us to receive.
The Bible teaches that the Lord's Supper symbolizes Christ's love and sacrifice and is meant to be revered and grateful. It is not something to be feared but rather a sacred celebration of our unity in Christ.
We should not run away from this sacred service, fearing that a powerful being in heaven is watching us and waiting to punish us every time we make a mistake. Instead, it is something that we should embrace with reverence and honor. Through this service, we remember God's supreme sacrifice of bearing the weight of sin for us, which allows us to be redeemed and become children of the Lord our God.
Dear readers, Holy Communion is a powerful reminder of the love and grace of God, and it helps us to renew our commitment to Him. As we partake of the bread and wine, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and the forgiveness He offers us.
Beloved, the power of God in our lives is not something we should take for granted. It is the source of our strength and hope and helps us face our future confidently. We can be sure that the one who initiated the work of grace within us will also complete it until the day of the Lord Jesus. Therefore, we should continue to trust Him and seek His guidance in all we do.
IS FOOD ALLOWED IN CHURCH?
What is going on in this church that is upsetting the Lord?
In the early days of Christianity, the believers gathered for a communal meal along with the Lord's Supper. This meal was known as a love feast, where they would unite for fellowship, collaborate with other regional churches, and raise funds for the welfare of orphans and widows. However, Paul was disturbed by the fact that the affluent members of the community would selfishly consume most of the food, leaving very little for the poorer and more deserving people at the feast.
(1 Corinthians11:21-22) (21) "For in eating everyone taketh before other his supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken." (22) "What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise the church of God and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not."
Dear readers, in his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul addressed the issue of the love feast. This was an early Christian tradition in which believers would gather to share a meal and celebrate their faith. However, some Corinthians had been using the love feast as an opportunity to indulge in excess and ignore the needs of their fellow believers. In response, Paul advised the people that if they were not going to honor the purpose of the love feast, it would be better for them to eat and drink at home. He urged them to examine their hearts and motives and to consider the needs of others before their desires.
Moving on to the topic of food offerings in the church, it is not uncommon for some people to use scriptures, particularly those from the Old Testament, to argue against food and drink being brought into the sanctuary during tithe celebrations. However, it is essential to note that in the early days of the Church, food offerings were a common practice. Believers would bring offerings such as crops and grain to the priests, who would then store them in a storehouse built within the church. These offerings supported the community's needs, including feeding the poor and caring for the sick.
Have you ever encountered pastors who prohibit singing groups from displaying their items and music CDs in the church foyer or entrance, citing scriptural references such as (Corinthians 11:22), to justify their actions? These pastors are of the belief that displaying items in the church foyer or entrance can lead to worldly distractions and can ultimately tarnish the sanctity of the church.
However, it is important to note that such pastors may be selectively using these scriptures as commands to keep sin out of their church. In reality, there may be more hidden sins in their lives and how they treat their fellow ministers than the ones they are trying to keep out of their church.
It is crucial to understand that the church is a place of healing and restoration where people come together to worship and pray. Keeping the church doors open for all is what Christianity is all about.
Instead of being judgmental, pastors should strive to create a safe and welcoming environment where all individuals can come together and worship without any barriers or restrictions, and as we journey through life, may we seek the guidance and support of the Holy Spirit to help us lead a life without sin.
Let us strive to be more compassionate towards each other and create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive to everyone in our community, and by doing so, we can work together to build stronger relationships, foster unity, and promote a sense of belonging. Let us embrace the power of the Holy Spirit and work together towards creating a more peaceful and harmonious world—a compassionate environment for everyone in our community.
THE LOVE FEASTS
Beloved, would we be right in saying that Hollywood has come to church?
First Corinthians, chapter eleven, verse twenty-nine warns that dishonoring the Lord's supper can bring swift judgment upon those who abuse it. This verse emphasizes the seriousness of the holy sacrament and the importance of treating it with reverence and respect.
The sin of dishonoring the Lord's supper is committed by those who participate in the sacrament without recognizing and receiving one another as brothers and sisters in Christ during the service. This means that we must approach the Lord's supper with a spirit of unity and love towards one another. We should be mindful of the significance of the sacrament and the grace that it represents.
Additionally, we must approach the Lord's supper with a clear conscience and a heart that is free from any unconfessed sin. This is because partaking in the sacrament in an unworthy manner can lead to serious consequences, as Paul warns in verse thirty.
Therefore, it is crucial that we approach the Lord's supper with reverence, humility, and a heart that is focused on Christ and his sacrifice for us. By doing so, we honor the Lord's supper and receive the blessings and benefits that it offers.
Discerning the Lord's body and honoring the church's unity while participating in this sacred ritual is essential, therefore the the question to those partaking of this Holy Supper would be, how have you treated other members of the body of Christ, and how have you treated members from other churches and church organizations?
In the church's early days, people gathered for love feasts before Holy Communion. These love feasts were meant to be a time of fellowship and sharing, where all community members could unite and break bread. However, as time passed, the wealthier members of the community started arriving early and consuming all the food before the poorer members could arrive. This caused a lot of disharmony and disunity within the community, as the love feasts were meant to symbolize equality and brotherhood.
Apostle Paul wrote to the people of Corinth to address this issue, reminding them that they had their own houses to eat and drink in. He urged them not to let their gatherings become a show of wealth and status but rather to come together as equals and share in the love and fellowship of the community. This was an essential reminder to the early church that their gatherings were not meant to display wealth or power but rather a celebration of the love and grace of God.
(Jude 1:12-13) (12) "These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;" (13) "Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever."
In the book of Jude, the author sheds light on the love feasts and exposes the various forms of corruption that plagued these feasts. The love feasts were gatherings where early Christians shared food and fellowship, but over time, ungodly men had infiltrated these gatherings and corrupted them. These men were characterized by their pride, greed, rebellion, and iniquities, which had a negative impact on the spiritual nourishment of those who attended.
Jude referred to these corrupt leaders as teachers who had nothing to offer their students. They were seen as unstable and fruitless, lacking any spiritual roots, and were compared to shooting stars that appeared for a limited time and then disappeared without a trace. These leaders were selfish and had no interest in providing spiritual guidance or nurturing the faith of their followers.
Dear readers, the book of Jude provides a detailed and insightful account of the problems that plagued the early Christian love feasts and serves as a warning against the dangers of corruption and spiritual decay.
As we navigate through the closing days of the Day of Grace, it is essential to take a moment to reflect on the time we are living in. We must realize the significance of our actions and behavior, ensuring that our relationship with God and our fellow human beings is right. It is crucial to understand that we represent the image of Christ to the world, which is lost and hurting.
The book of Ephesians provides us with valuable insights into the nature of the Church. We learn that God has given everything to Christ, making Him the head of the Church, which is His body. This means that the Church is the embodiment of Christ, and He fills everything in every way. In the third chapter of Ephesians, we see Paul praying for the church in Ephesus, addressing God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He mentions that all families in heaven and on earth are named after Him, which implies that even our departed loved ones are still remembered in heaven.
Dear reader, even though we may attend different churches, we shall never disconnect from the body of Christ. It is crucial to honor the price the Lord paid for our salvation. We can do this by celebrating and partaking in His Holy Sacrament Service with reverence and godly fear. Let us bear the cost of His great sacrifice, which He made for our sake, and look for his soon coming to bring us home to be with him forever.
CELEBRATING THE LORD'S GOODNESS!
Dear reader, this sacred service is a celebration of the goodness and supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ for His Church. It is through His ultimate sacrifice that fallen man is restored to fellowship with a holy God. Jesus' death on the cross was the greatest act of love in history, and through His resurrection, He gave us the hope of eternal life.
However, despite these blessings, it is disheartening to see some church leaders living in luxury while the culture around their church suffers. The extravagant lifestyles of some church leaders are in stark contrast with the humble and selfless example set by Jesus Christ.
As Christians, we are called to be servants of others and to follow the example of Jesus, who gave up everything for the sake of others. The church should be a beacon of hope and a force for good in the world, and it is our responsibility to ensure that it lives up to this calling.
Have you ever considered how homeless individuals might perceive an advertisement for a church celebrating the Lord's Supper? They may have different expectations for what such a celebration might entail. For example, they might imagine it as an extraordinary feast that could offer them some relief from their daily struggles. However, when they arrive at the church, they might only be offered a small wafer and a sip of juice, which may leave them feeling rejected and unwelcome.
This situation could also lead them to believe that the Lord has abandoned them, just like the rest of the world. It is essential to understand that many homeless individuals have had difficult life experiences that have made them vulnerable to feelings of rejection and abandonment. Therefore, providing them with a more welcoming and inclusive environment is necessary, especially regarding religious services.
By doing so, we can help ensure that these individuals feel valued and supported, even in difficult circumstances. This can ultimately help them to overcome feelings of hopelessness and despair and to find a renewed sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.
Dear readers, we need to consider the needs of the hurting world around us. Instead of being isolated, we should actively reach out to those in need and show them the love of Jesus through our actions. When we come together to celebrate the Lord's Supper in Holy Communion, we can be assured that we have rightly discerned the body of Christ by demonstrating our love for others.
This means going out of our way to help those struggling, whether through acts of kindness, volunteering our time and resources, or simply listening to someone who needs a sympathetic ear. By doing so, we can make a difference in the lives of those around us and help them feel Christ's love.
When we partake of the Lord's Supper, we can do so with the knowledge that we have genuinely discerned the body of Christ by reaching out to those in need. This act of communion is a powerful reminder of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and it serves as a call to action for us to follow His example and love others as He loved us.
As we partake in this supper, we reflect on the great sacrifice Jesus made for us and realize that he is with us now through his Spirit. We remember his unselfish act of becoming our sin substitute and dying in our place. This act of selflessness fulfilled the holy scriptures mentioned in (2 Corinthians 5:21), "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
Beloved, during this holy service, we also ask ourselves important questions:
1. Are we striving for holiness?
2. Are we committed to our Christian walk?
3. Do we recognize our brothers and sisters in the Lord and have fellowship with them?
4. Are we eagerly looking forward to his coming with joy or are we looking in fear?
I want to share with you the importance of reflecting on our readiness for the afterlife. It's crucial to remember that even some of the world's most experienced and respected elders have passed away feeling scared and worried about what lies ahead.
Beloved, despite their extensive travels and the large ministries they founded, they have come to their deathbeds crying and making statements of fear and uncertainty. This should lead us to ask ourselves some critical questions.
Are we genuinely looking forward to the day when we will be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven and sit at the table of the Lord? Will we be filled with joy and gratitude as we witness our Lord humbly gird himself with a towel and come forth to serve his faithful followers? Or will we face that day with fear and uncertainty, unsure of our future?
MY CONCLUSION
The Passover Supper was created to commemorate how God freed His people from the slavery and harsh treatment they experienced in Egypt. As we near the end of the period known as the day of grace, which marks the close of the dispensation for His church on earth, let us take a moment to reflect on ourselves and acknowledge this Holy sacrament service with gratitude and remembrance for the day when God's Son, Jesus, gave His life.
In a sacrament service, the elder officiating the service instructs us to take the cup and drink. This symbolizes the blood of Jesus that was poured out for us, making new life available to all who believe. It is a reminder of God's love for us and the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. Through His blood, we are cleansed from our sins and made new.
Similarly, when we are instructed to eat the bread or substitute served to us, we celebrate the atoning work of Jesus. The bread represents His body, which was broken for us on the cross. This act fulfilled the law and paid the ransom debt for sin. It made way for us to be redeemed and reconciled to God.
As we partake in the sacrament, we reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and express gratitude for His love and mercy. It is a time of remembrance, repentance, and renewal. We are reminded of the great price that was paid for our salvation and the depth of God's love for us. Through the sacrament, we are strengthened in our faith and encouraged to live a life pleasing to God.
As we gather to celebrate this service, it is essential to remember the significance of this occasion. This celebration should serve as a time of joy and gratitude and a reminder of our Lord's imminent return as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We should look forward with gladness to the day He will gather His Saints and complete His redeeming work to restore His incredible creation from the fall of Satan’s rebellion and reign with Him forever.
Dear beloved, let us take a moment to reflect on the great sacrifice of Jesus, which restored the fellowship with God that was lost through Adam. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, we have been given hope for the future and the promise of eternal life. As we celebrate this occasion, let us do so with joy and gratitude, knowing that our Lord will soon return to fulfill His promise and complete His redeeming work.
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
