WHAT WE ‘REMEMBER’ IN COMMUNION
“DO THIS TO REMEMBER ME!” - JESUS
Steve Gallimore | pastorsteve@tvcc.us
November 18th, 2018
COMMUNION REMINDS US TO CHECK OUR HEARTS
“If anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, that person is guilty of sinning against the Body and the Blood of the Lord. This is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without recognizing (committing to) the Body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died! BUT IF we examine and judge ourselves, we will not be judged by God.” 1 Cor. 11:27-31
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23-24(ESV)
COMMUNION REMINDS US OF 5 TRANSFORMING TRUTHS
1 . No one
“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.’” 1 Cor. 11:23-25 (NIV)
Q: When (time, day, or situation) am I most likely to forget how much my Heavenly Father loves me?
Q: What sin(s) do I habitually fall for when I forget God’s love for me?
2 . We
“I hear that there are divisions among you when you MEET AS A CHURCH! (so)…When you COME TOGETHER, it is NOT the Lord’s Supper you eat, for as you eat it, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else! One member goes hungry among you while another gets drunk!”1 Cor. 11:18,20-21
Q: What issue (or issues) have I made more important than being in harmony and unity with my brothers & sisters in God’s Family?
Q: Would God be pleased with where my first loyalty has been?
“So, dear brothers and sisters, when you gather for the Lord’s Supper wait for each other.” 1 Cor. 11:33 (NLT)
Q: Can I give any example of where I’ve put the needs of my brothers & sisters in my church family ahead of my own needs?
Q: Do I know anyone in our church in need?
3 . The Spirit of Jesus lives
Jesus: “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in me, and I LIVE IN THEM. The Living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father. So, whoever eats me will live because of me.” John 6:56-57 (NCV)
Q: What happens when I forget this fact?
4 . This life is not the end of the
Jesus: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. BUT those who eat my flesh and drink my blood HAVE eternal life, and I will raise them at the last day.”
John 6:53-54 (NLT)
Q: Am I using my time and money as if all that matters is this life? Am I investing anything in the next life where I will spend eternity? What would change if I kept reminding myself to ask, “How long will this last?”
5 . Jesus is coming back one day to
“For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again!” 1 Cor. 11:26 (NLT)