COMMUNION SERVICE
The Divine Banquet: Embracing Salvation's Feast
We gather today to honour and celebrate the goodness of our Almighty God, as proclaimed in Isaiah 25:1: "O Lord, I will honour and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them."
In this verse, we find a profound declaration of God's faithfulness and His divine plan for salvation, fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
Let us delve into the transformative truths embedded in this passage, drawing us closer to our Heavenly Father.
The Sovereignty of God's Plan:
Isaiah 25:1 reminds us of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. His plans are not random but meticulously crafted according to His divine wisdom.
Proverbs 19:21 reinforces this, stating “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”
In every circumstance or situation we encounter in our lives, we can trust in God's sovereignty and acknowledge that His divine plan supersedes our understanding and efforts.
The Assurance of Salvation:
Isaiah 25:9 In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in Him, and He saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation He brings!”
Isaiah 25:9 was prophetically written to speak of the day when people would proclaim God's salvation.
This verse emphasises the intimate relationship between trust in God and experiencing His deliverance.
When we repent from our sin and place our trust in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we are forgiven and eternally saved because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
Psalm 37:39-40 The Lord rescues the godly; He is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in Him.
Psalm 37:39-40 reassures us of God's faithfulness in rescuing the righteous. Let us rejoice in the assurance of our salvation, trusting in God's protective care.
The Celebration of God's Goodness:
Isaiah 25:6-8 In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.
Isaiah 25:6-8 paints a picture of a joyous feast, symbolizing the spiritual blessings believers experience in God's presence.
When we come to the Communion Table, we will not have well-aged wine or choice meat.
We have bread and juice, the symbols that remind us of our Lord’s body broken for us, His blood shed in payment for our sins.
Communion is not a time of gloom; it is a time for celebration.
One day all of us will experience the physical death of our mortal bodies, but we do not need to fear the shadow of death that approaches all of us.
If we are in Christ, if we know Jesus as Lord and Saviour, when we die we will enter into the presence of our God and be with Him forever.
Revelation 19:9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”
Revelation 19:9 foreshadows the ultimate union between Christ and His Church at the wedding feast of the Lamb.
The invitation is open to all who know Jesus as Lord and Saviour, we can eagerly anticipate the eternal celebration of God's goodness.
In summary, the passages we have explored so far, affirm God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and salvation.
Let us honour and praise His name, trusting in His sovereign will, rejoicing in the assurance of our salvation, and eagerly anticipating the eternal celebration of His goodness.
May this knowledge transform our lives, filling us with gratitude, hope, and joy as we walk in faith and obedience to our Heavenly Father.
Remember, we do not walk alone, Jesus makes Everlasting Intercession to our Heavenly Father on our behalf.
Everlasting Intercession:
Hebrews 7:25 reveals Christ's perpetual intercession for His people.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
Hebrews 7:25 declares Christ's ability to save and intercede for His people and affirms His ability to save those who come to God through Him.
Let us find assurance in the eternal nature of Christ's saving work.
John 3:16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Christ's sacrificial death secures salvation for believers, offering assurance of eternal life.
Romans 8:34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honour at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Romans 8:34 emphasizes Christ's ongoing advocacy, assuring believers of His relentless love and commitment.
Let us trust in Christ's intercessory ministry, knowing that He hears our prayers and advocates on our behalf.
Let us be transformed by the assurance of Christ's saving grace and the power of His intercession.
Let us be filled with gratitude for His unmerited gift of salvation and walk in the confidence of His promises.
May we live transformed by the truth of Christ and boldly proclaim His love, mercy and grace to the world.
COMMUNION
As recipients of Christ's saving grace, we are called to respond in faith and obedience.
As Hebrews 4:16 encourages us, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Let us boldly approach God's throne and experience His mercy and grace.
Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, surrendering our lives to Christ's care.
We are called to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us,
Luke 22:19-20 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then He broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
After supper He took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and His people — an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.”
Jesus saves and intercedes for His people eternally.
Perhaps I can ask a couple of people to pray and reflect on the assurance of Christ's saving grace, His continuous intercession, and perfect sacrifice.
We approach the throne of grace with confidence, seeking mercy and grace.
SERVE BREAD / JUICE
Call to Action:
May we embrace the reality of Christ's everlasting intercession and live as vessels of His love and grace.
May we share the transformative power of Christ's love and salvation with others.
