Steps to Celebrating Communion
Selected Passages
July 29, 2001
Morning Worship
Introduction
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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 remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The words of the Apostle Paul still ring true today. We are continuing to pass on the service of Communion to commemorate the death of Jesus and celebrate the new covenant that he bought for us through His blood. This morning as we prepare our hearts for this celebration of Communion; I want to examine three crucial steps that we all must take before we can truly celebrate Communion.
Three Steps to Celebrating Communion
I. Spiritual Reflection
A. Reflect on Christ’s sacrifice
1. The reality of His sacrifice
a.) There is no possible way for you to participate in Communion and be able to ignore the sacrifice of Christ
b.) Think of all that Christ gave up to come to earth
1.) Power within Heaven
2.) Position within Heaven
3.) His personal presence in Heaven
c.) Think of all that caused Christ to suffer
1.) Personal rejection
2.) Personal abandonment
3.) Physically brutal death
2. The reason for His sacrifice
a.) Why did Christ do all of this?
b.) Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”
c.) Christ suffered and died, so that, you could have life and relationship with the Father in Heaven
B. Reflect on your personal life
1. How has Christ transformed your life?
a.) Think for just a moment about the ways Christ has changed your life. Think about how far you have already come in your relationship with God
b.) Think about what your life would be like without Jesus
2. How does Christ need to continue to transform your life?
a.) How is your relationship with Christ?
1.) Some have allowed their spiritual life to lapse
2.) Some have yet to begin a real relationship with Christ
b.) We all have areas of our lives that need some adjustment from Christ. Think about your personal life for just a moment and choose one or two areas where you could use some more of Christ’s transforming power.
II. Spiritual Release
A. Your personal need for release
1. Every person carries spiritual baggage
a.) Everyone has some issue or area in their life that weighs them down
b.) Some real examples
1.) Some who cannot escape the pain of the past
2.) Some who cannot fully recover from the burden of past guilt
3.) Some who cannot break habitual sins
4.) Some who cannot live up to unrealistic spiritual expectations
2. The barriers to personal spiritual growth
a.) Lack of Demand – No expectations to grow
b.) Lack of Desire – No reason to grow
c.) Lack of Discipline – No time to grow
d.) Lack of Determination – No ability to grow
B. Christ offers you release
1. Christ has already paid the price
a.) John 8:36 - So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed
b.) Jesus’ death and resurrection sets you free from everything that binds you and holds you back in life
c.) You have been given pardon from the things of the past and now is the time to walk in freedom
2. Christ allows you to live abundantly
a.) Christ did not die to set you free to allow you to live below your level of blessings. He has more for us in life but we settle for so much less
b.) John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Jesus wants the very best for your life
III. Spiritual Renewal
A. The desire of Christ to transform your life
1. 2 Peter 1:3-4 - His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2. Christ is calling us to a life of righteousness
a.) You need to acknowledge the call of righteousness
b.) You need to answer the call of righteousness
c.) You need to act on the call of righteousness
B. The choice is yours
1. You are the only one who can choose for yourself
a.) This is a completely personal decision
b.) Will you obey the call of Christ or will you stray?
2. The results and the rewards
a.) The results of straying
1.) The cost could be your soul
2.) The personal separation from a relationship with God
3.) The pain and misery that accompanies sinful behavior
4.) The emptiness that haunts the fabric of your being
b.) The rewards of serving
1.) Eternity in heaven
2.) Spiritual blessings of fellowship with God
3.) The power, presence and provision of Christ in our lives on a daily basis
4.) The sacred privilege to called a child of God Almighty
Final Reflections
As we come to Christ’s table this morning answer three questions:
A. Have you adequately reflected on the death of Christ and His gift of grace in your life?
B. Have you experienced the spiritual release and freedom in Christ that you need?
C. Do you have a need for spiritual renewal this morning?
You must be ready to come to the table
A. Calm your spirit
B. Confess your sins
C. Commit your life
