THE HOLY COMMUNION

1 Corinthians 11: 23-34

AIM:
That we may know that if the table of Christ were only for the perfect people, none might ever approach it.

INTRODUCTION:
In the early Church, the Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper was celebrated as a feast or fellowship meals, followed by the celebration of communion. Unlike the mistake of the Corinthians, believers should put in mind Christ's death for our sins, His love for us, and the unity and love that should be among Christians. Before, during and after the communion, we should take time to search our hearts before God, gratefully recalling Christ's loving sacrifice for us. We should let the reality that our sins are forgiven motivate us to love and serve Him better.

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JESUS BROKE THE BREAD ... "THIS IS MY BODY" (1 Corinthians 11:24).

• The meaning of the Bread (body of Christ) and the Wine (blood of Christ) Some believe the bread and the wine were actual flesh and blood of Jesus. Others believe the bread and wine are just symbols.

• When the bread and the wine were served to the disciples, Jesus was alive in the body. It is therefore not possible to eat His body and drink His blood while He was still alive.

• The lesson for us is to be reminded of His love, death and the future glory that awaits believers.

JESUS GAVE THE WINE... "THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD" (1 Corinthians 11:25).

• "...In my blood." The new covenant cost Him His blood!

• A covenant is a relationship entered into by two parties or people.

• The Old Covenant was between God and Israel: That covenant was conditional.
  Man could not reach God directly but through the priest.

• The Israelites must keep the law of God (Exodus 24:1—8).
  Nobody has ever been found perfect in keeping of the law.

• A New Covenant relationship was opened by Jesus. This is not based on keeping the Law of Moses, but on God's love, grace and mercy.

• The scarlet wine of the sacrament stands for the very life (the blood) of Jesus.

• Partakers need to talk to Him in prayer before taking part in eating and drinking at the Lord's Table.

WHY WE SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE HOLY COMMUNION

• Christ invites us to the table, which is an honour. It offers us the opportunity to confess our sins and rededicate our lives to Christ.

• If a governor invites us to' dinner, most of us will proudly honour the invitation. Here, Somebody greater than the greatest has invited us.

• While participating in the Holy Communion, we focus on what Christ did for us and show our appreciation for His love.

• The Holy Communion provides us an opportunity to fellowship with others in our Church.

• Jesus commanded us to do it often, in remembrance of Him, until He returns to take us home.

• The door to the Holy Communion is never closed to a penitent sinner. To the man who loves God and fellow men, the door is ever open and his sins, though many, will be forgiven.

TAKING PART UNWORTHLY IN THE HOLY COMMUNION

(l Corinthians 11:29)

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• The Bible commands that we conduct self—examination before we take the sacrament. Have you truly given your life to Christ? Are you living to please Him?

• The Corinthian Christians ate and drank at the Holy Communion table without self—examination. For that reason, many of them became weak, sickly and some even died (vs. 29, 30).
  Paul went on to say that the misfortune which befell the church at Corinth might also be because they came to the sacrament divided and hating one another.

• The misfortune that befell them was not meant to destroy them, but to discipline them and bring them to repentance. Christians are to do self—examination and partake, rather than run away from the Holy Communion.