A Communion Experience
August 27, 2006
Sin= Actions by which humans rebel against God.
Sin is universal
“Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal,” Romans 3:23 (Living)
“The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness." Deut. 6:24-25 (NIV)
The implication is if we don’t follow God’s command we will not be righteous.
Consequences of sin:
1) We become enslaved to it
“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” Romans 6:16 (NIV)
2) It destroys human relationships
“Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? James 4:1-2 (The Message)
3) It separates us from God
“When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.” Psalm 32:3-4 (NASB)
Sin is bitter and horrible in our lives.
Dealing with Sin
1) God dealt with our sin because he loves us.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NIV)
2) Forgiveness of sin is only available through Christ
“Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I’m proof—Public Sinner Number One” 1 Tim. 1:15 (MsgB)
“Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 (NLT)
3) Human Choices about sin
Conviction- Jesus speaking about the Holy Spirit
“And when he comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is unbelief in me.” John 16:8-9 (NLT)
Repentance-
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7 (NIV)
Faith-
“That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn’t see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that." John 3:36 (The Message)
Confession-
“That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)
The Communion
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom." Matthew 26:26-29 (NIV)
Results of a Relationship with God-
1) Life Today-
“The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” John 10:10 (Living)
2) Hope for Tomorrow-
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 (NIV)
3) Restoration with God-
“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me, my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord"--and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:1-5 (NIV)
The communion celebration in the early church was designed to remind them of the sacrifice of Christ in their lives. However, some churches, such as the one in Corinth had begun to celebrate the communion in a manner that more closely resembled the pagan culture around them.
Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-33
We must examine ourselves before we participate in the communion. We must ask ourselves if we recognize the sin of our lives and are willing to allow Christ to take over the authority of our lives.
Now is the time for you to examine your heart and seek out your own spiritual condition before God.
(Pass the Bread and Cup)
Pray for the elements and eat.
