1. Why Are We Still Doing This 2,000 Years Later?
Back to the upper room.
On the night before the cross, Jesus took bread and wine and said,
“Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)
This wasn’t just a sentimental moment. It became central to the early church. In Acts of the Apostles 2:42, we’re told they devoted themselves to:
• The apostles’ teaching
• Fellowship
• The breaking of bread
• Prayer
Communion wasn’t an occasional ritual — it was foundational.
And when Paul the Apostle writes to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 11), he doesn’t introduce it as something new. He says:
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you…”
This means:
• It started with Jesus
• It was practised by the early church
• It has been handed down generation after generation
We are part of an unbroken chain of believers stretching back 2,000 years.
Communion isn’t tradition for tradition’s sake.
It’s obedience.
It’s remembrance.
It’s proclamation.
Paul says:
“Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
Every time we share it, we’re saying:
• The cross still matters
• Grace is still available
• Jesus is still Lord
• He is still coming again
That’s why we still do it.
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2. What Does It Mean for the Believer Today?
Three movements:
a) Look Back – Gratitude
The bread reminds us His body was broken.
The cup reminds us His blood was poured out.
It grounds us again in grace.
Not:
• “Try harder.”
• “Do better.”
• “Earn it.”
But:
• “It is finished.”
Communion resets us at the cross.
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b) Look Within – Surrender
Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 11 that we should examine ourselves.
Not to scare ourselves.
Not to exclude ourselves.
But to come honestly.
Communion is a moment to say:
• Lord, where have I drifted?
• Where do I need forgiveness?
• What am I holding onto?
It’s a gentle invitation back.
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c) Look Forward – Hope
We don’t just remember a death.
We anticipate a return.
Jesus said he would not drink the fruit of the vine again until the kingdom comes.
Communion whispers:
This isn’t the end of the story.
Suffering is not the final word.
Evil does not win.
Death does not get the last say.
Christ will return.
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3. The Challenge: “Take Your Cup”
(Move from symbolism to calling).
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed:
“Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me…”
He accepted the cup of suffering for us.
Now we each have a “cup” to take.
Not a cup of atonement — that’s finished.
But a cup of obedience.
A cup of:
• Faithfulness
• Forgiveness
• Service
• Courage
• Sacrifice
• Witness
Jesus once asked James and John, “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
Communion asks us that same question.
Not:
“Will you believe?”
But:
“Will you follow?”
Not:
“Will you attend?”
But:
“Will you serve?”
This week:
• What is your cup?
• Where is Christ asking you to say yes?
• Who is He asking you to love?
• What step of obedience have you been delaying?
When we hold the cup in our hands today, it’s not just remembrance.
It’s recommissioning.
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Possible Closing Moment
As we receive the bread and the cup today, we remember His sacrifice.
We receive His grace.
And we recommit our lives.
Lord, as you took your cup for me, help me to take mine for you.”
