A COMMUNION

CELEBRATION
Sept. 1, 2010 Alan Splawn

“Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord's
Supper and why it is so centrally important. I received my
instructions from the Master himself and passed them on to you.
The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread. Having
given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, broken for you.
Do this to remember me. After supper, he did the same thing with
the cup: This cup is my blood, my new covenant with you. Each
time you drink this cup, remember me. What you must solemnly
realize is that every time you eat this bread and every time you
drink this cup, you reenact in your words and actions the death of
the Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again
until the Master returns. You must never let familiarity breed
contempt. Anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the
Master irreverently is like part of the crowd that jeered and spit on
him at his death. Is that the kind of "remembrance" you want to be
part of? Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in
holy awe. If you give no thought (or worse, don't care) about the
broken body of the Master when you eat and drink, you're running
the risk of serious consequences. That's why so many of you even
now are listless and sick, and others have gone to an early grave. If
we get this straight now, we won't have to be straightened out later
on. Better to be confronted by the Master now than to face a fiery
confrontation later. So, my friends, when you come together to the
Lord's Table, be reverent and courteous with one another. If you're
so hungry that you can't wait to be served, go home and get a
sandwich. But by no means risk turning this Meal into an eating
and drinking binge or a family squabble. It is a spiritual meal—a
love feast.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 (MSG)

1. COMMUNION IS A TIME OF CONFESSION

“Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in
holy awe.” Vs. 28
 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive
us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
(NIV)

“What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What
joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have
confessed their sins and God has cleared their record. There
was a time when I wouldn't admit what a sinner I was. But my
dishonesty made me miserable and filled my days with
frustration. All day and all night your hand was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day until I finally
admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I
said to myself, ‘I will confess them to the Lord.’ And you
forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” Psalms 32:1-5 (TLB)

2. COMMUNION IS A TIME OF
CONSECRATION
“The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread.
Having given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body,
broken for you. Do this to remember me. After supper, he did
the same thing with the cup: This cup is my blood, my new
covenant with you. Each time you drink this cup, remember
me. What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat
this bread and every time you drink this cup, you reenact in
your words and actions the death of the Master.”
(Vs. 23-26)

“And so, dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to
God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy--the kind he can
accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this
too much to ask?” Rom.
12:1 (TLB)

“Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for

tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." Josh.
3:5 (NIV)
3. COMMUNION IS A TIME OF CELEBRATION
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you
proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” 1 Cor. 11: 26 (NIV)

“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." Matt. 26:29 (NIV)
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than man's
strength.”
1 Cor. 1:25 (NIV)