WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.359 Thanks very much, Sean. Good morning, everyone. It's lovely to have you with us, whether you're in the building, watching the live stream, or listening to the audio recording. 00:00:08.359 --> 00:00:20.679 We're in a series where we're thinking about why church? Why do we do the things that we do as a church? And the question, as you may have guessed today, is why communion? 00:00:21.939 --> 00:00:29.399 I think I need to start by talking a little bit about terminology, because I don't want you going away saying, well, I didn't really understand what he meant when he said that. 00:00:29.399 --> 00:00:42.259 So there are quite a number of ways in which communion is commonly described. We might talk about the Lord's Supper, the breaking of bread, communion or Holy Communion, remembering the Lord, the Eucharist. 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:51.439 These are all different ways of describing the same thing. I hope we'll see as we go on how they bring out different aspects of what we do. 00:00:51.439 --> 00:01:01.659 Well, all of them describe when the church comes together and remembers the Lord Jesus in his death by taking bread and wine together. 00:01:01.920 --> 00:01:07.379 And in a sense, I will say bread and wine. I realise it may be crackers or grape juice, but I'll just refer to bread and wine. 00:01:07.780 --> 00:01:13.099 And we also refer to the elements, and that is just the bread and the wine taken together. 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:15.900 So hopefully that will avoid some confusion. 00:01:15.900 --> 00:01:25.020 Now, about 50 years ago, a Baptist called Donald Bridge and an Anglican called David Piper wrote a book about baptism. 00:01:25.640 --> 00:01:28.420 They called it The Water That Divides. 00:01:29.260 --> 00:01:38.580 And it was an examination of the biblical basis for and the historical development of different practices and beliefs on baptism. 00:01:39.300 --> 00:01:43.000 That's the first edition which I have. It's still available today. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:48.140 Encouraged by that, they went on and wrote another book about communion. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:51.099 And they called it The Meal That Unites. 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:54.420 The Water Divides, The Meal That Unites. 00:01:54.519 --> 00:01:59.140 So you might think, well, communion, therefore, is not as controversial as baptism. 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:01.960 But that's until you notice the question mark. 00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:06.780 Because what they're saying, the meal that unites is a meal that you should unite, 00:02:06.780 --> 00:02:11.620 and indeed does, as we'll see later on as we take it together as a church. 00:02:11.620 --> 00:02:20.060 But down the centuries, it has been at least as divisive as baptism in terms of people's views of it in the church. 00:02:20.939 --> 00:02:27.759 The three great theologians of the Reformation, Martin Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin, 00:02:28.259 --> 00:02:31.259 had very different views on the Lord's Supper. 00:02:31.259 --> 00:02:39.500 Particularly on whether Christ is present in the elements, the bread and the wine, physically or spiritually, 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:44.919 or is present simply in the hearts of those who come and take communion together. 00:02:44.979 --> 00:02:48.780 And that issue has divided the Protestant church since it started. 00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:52.439 And there are lots of other things that divide us. 00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:55.280 Who is able to take communion? 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:59.140 Is it only members of a particular church or denomination? 00:02:59.520 --> 00:03:01.420 Is it only people who have been baptised? 00:03:01.759 --> 00:03:04.560 Is it only people whose faith is in Jesus? 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:06.900 Who can lead communion? 00:03:07.599 --> 00:03:11.900 Do you need a priest to administer it individually to everyone who is there? 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:15.699 Should it be led by an ordained minister or a church elder? 00:03:16.460 --> 00:03:20.080 Does it need to be led at all by a human being? 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:22.460 And how often should we do it? 00:03:22.900 --> 00:03:26.060 Is it daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly? 00:03:26.220 --> 00:03:30.060 You find all these practices very common in the church today. 00:03:30.620 --> 00:03:34.800 It really is an issue that has divided the church. 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:40.700 Now, I think as we go along, my views on many of these things will become very clear to you. 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:46.960 But I want today to focus not on what divides us, but hopefully on what unites us. 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:57.140 And from the two passages that Sean read, I want to think about five reasons for why communion is important to us. 00:03:58.020 --> 00:03:59.420 So let's get into them. 00:04:00.100 --> 00:04:06.400 And the first reason I want to think about is that it's an act of obedience to the Lord Jesus. 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:08.159 Sometimes we call it an ordinance. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:10.879 That just means an act of obedience. 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:19.459 The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, said, do this, took the bread, do this, and took the wine. 00:04:19.540 --> 00:04:25.079 Now, we'll think about what he says alongside that in a minute and the significance of it. 00:04:25.620 --> 00:04:29.839 But for the moment, let's just focus on the command and the background. 00:04:29.839 --> 00:04:42.699 You may well know that the background to the first time that the Lord Jesus took communion and instructed his disciples to take it was on the night before he died. 00:04:42.759 --> 00:04:46.519 It was the night that he was betrayed, as Paul said. 00:04:47.299 --> 00:04:50.419 We now know what they did then as the Last Supper. 00:04:51.099 --> 00:04:56.000 But it was actually the Passover meal that the Jews celebrated every year. 00:04:56.000 --> 00:05:04.459 When they remembered the exodus from Egypt and how God had redeemed his people from slavery and made them his own. 00:05:05.160 --> 00:05:07.779 So Jesus went with his disciples to the upper room. 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:12.040 He went through the normal Passover rituals. 00:05:12.560 --> 00:05:17.660 They would have talked about and discussed the exodus from Egypt and all that that meant to them. 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:26.420 And then as part of the meal, as was normal, he took bread, he broke it, and he gave thanks for it. 00:05:26.500 --> 00:05:29.580 All that would have been normal in a Passover meal. 00:05:30.100 --> 00:05:32.500 What wasn't normal is what Jesus then said. 00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:34.640 He said, as Paul records it, 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:37.040 This is my body, which is for you. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:40.500 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:43.900 The group then ate the Passover meal together. 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:46.000 The bread was the start of the meal. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:47.740 They ate the meal together. 00:05:48.459 --> 00:05:53.060 And then at the end, there was a grace said, and there was a cup passed round. 00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:56.579 This was the third of four cups from the Passover. 00:05:57.100 --> 00:06:03.220 And there was one then they particularly remembered that God had redeemed his people from Egypt. 00:06:04.220 --> 00:06:06.759 And Jesus says something different again. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:07.300 He says, 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:11.000 This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:16.180 Do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me. 00:06:16.460 --> 00:06:19.600 Now, as I say, we'll come back to the meaning of Jesus' words. 00:06:19.960 --> 00:06:21.420 But let's focus on the command. 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:22.120 Do this. 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:23.319 Do what? 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:29.900 Well, there's not a lot of detail in the instructions that Jesus gives to us. 00:06:29.899 --> 00:06:35.479 Beyond saying that we are to take the bread and drink the cup and remember him, 00:06:35.959 --> 00:06:43.099 the only real instruction he gives is that we are to remember him as often as we drink from the cup. 00:06:43.199 --> 00:06:48.339 Now, again, the frequency isn't specified just as often as you do it. 00:06:49.179 --> 00:06:53.659 But he doesn't say how you should do it, where you should do it, who should do it. 00:06:53.660 --> 00:06:58.080 That is not in this passage, at least on the surface. 00:06:58.620 --> 00:07:05.220 It seems that in Corinth, at least, the Christians continued to practice that Jesus had the Passover, 00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:08.300 not a Passover meal, but they had a meal together. 00:07:08.780 --> 00:07:15.060 And as part of that meal, they broke bread, they remembered the Lord Jesus and thought on his death. 00:07:15.900 --> 00:07:21.220 It also looks as if in Corinth, at least, the service, if we can call it that, was quite unstructured. 00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:26.400 There were opportunities for all sorts of people spontaneously to contribute to it. 00:07:27.820 --> 00:07:36.540 Ultimately, though, the key thing I think we should take from this is that the important thing is obeying Jesus' command. 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:41.480 And that, in many ways, is more important than how we do it. 00:07:41.820 --> 00:07:43.940 Some churches have very structured services. 00:07:44.540 --> 00:07:47.620 And perhaps that reflects the structured nature of the Passover meal, 00:07:47.620 --> 00:07:51.300 that it was very much a set way of doing things. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:55.840 Other churches is much more spontaneous and informal, 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:59.420 which may reflect what the Corinthian church did. 00:08:00.139 --> 00:08:07.500 And for many of us, maybe there's an element of finding what most aids us in our worship of the Lord Jesus, 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:12.040 rather than saying that one way or another of doing it is better. 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:17.020 The only thing I say, though, normally these days there's not a full meal involved, 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:23.640 usually the communion is taken, just the bread and the wine, as we remember Jesus together. 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:26.400 And also normally not separated as they were at the Last Supper. 00:08:26.660 --> 00:08:29.259 We normally do it one after the other. 00:08:29.620 --> 00:08:32.100 But it is an act of obedience. 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:38.480 Second reason for why communion, it's an act of remembrance. 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:44.500 The words that Jesus, that we've already read, explain that. 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:48.139 This is a memorial of Jesus' sacrifice. 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:49.980 He takes the bread and says, 00:08:50.180 --> 00:08:51.860 This is my body which is for you. 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:55.340 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:59.060 Now, with Jesus sitting there bodily with them, 00:08:59.560 --> 00:09:04.379 I'm sure the disciples didn't in any way think that the bread that he was passing around 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:06.860 became the body of Jesus. 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:08.500 That would be ridiculous. 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:11.980 It was a symbol rather than the reality. 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:15.700 But the significance of it is really important. 00:09:16.680 --> 00:09:20.419 Jesus' body would be nailed to the cross at Calvary. 00:09:21.680 --> 00:09:24.840 All our sins would be placed on him. 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:26.820 And Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5, 00:09:26.820 --> 00:09:31.660 God made him who had no sin, that's Jesus, to be sin for us, 00:09:32.220 --> 00:09:37.320 so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:09:37.980 --> 00:09:40.820 As our substitute, he took the punishment, 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:43.400 which should have been ours for rejecting God's way, 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:46.220 so that by faith in him we can be forgiven 00:09:46.220 --> 00:09:50.080 and come into a loving relationship with God. 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:54.060 We remember together the body he gave for us 00:09:54.060 --> 00:09:57.360 as we take the bread of the Lord's Supper. 00:09:58.540 --> 00:10:00.680 Then after the meal, Jesus took the cup and said, 00:10:00.900 --> 00:10:02.900 This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:07.759 Do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me. 00:10:08.300 --> 00:10:13.139 So the central thought here is the covenant that's sealed by Jesus' blood 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:16.779 and the contrast with what went before. 00:10:17.559 --> 00:10:21.299 As you read through the Bible, there are many different covenants. 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:25.240 When God promised blessings to his people 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:30.679 and told them what was required of them to receive those blessings. 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:34.399 In the Passover, the one that was particularly remembered 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:36.860 is the covenant with Moses. 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:40.860 After God redeemed, rescued his people from Egypt, 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:45.800 they went to Mount Sinai and God gave Moses the commandments. 00:10:45.940 --> 00:10:49.279 Ten commandments you think of is a bit wider than that. 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:53.539 On the tablets of stone, God said, 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:55.800 Here is what I require from you 00:10:55.800 --> 00:11:00.620 if you are to receive my blessing and to have me with you. 00:11:02.800 --> 00:11:08.320 So the old covenant had two elements to it. 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:11.460 One was that there were laws. 00:11:12.280 --> 00:11:13.200 That God said, 00:11:13.440 --> 00:11:17.460 This is what you have to do and you need to do it 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:20.100 if you want to have me with you. 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:23.040 But then there's a second element that recognised 00:11:23.040 --> 00:11:27.260 that actually the people weren't always going to keep God's laws. 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:30.820 And so there was a system of animal sacrifices 00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:32.980 that had to be repeated time and time again 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:35.379 as the people recognised their sin 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:38.539 and came to God for forgiveness. 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:44.039 Jesus says, as he introduces the Lord's Supper, 00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:46.379 Things are different now. 00:11:47.100 --> 00:11:48.259 There's a new covenant, 00:11:48.800 --> 00:11:50.840 a covenant in my blood. 00:11:51.420 --> 00:11:55.300 As I am going to shed my blood on the cross. 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:59.000 That means that the relationship God has with his people 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:00.820 will be different. 00:12:00.820 --> 00:12:04.220 The sacrifice of Jesus was once for all. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:06.760 It wasn't like animal sacrifices had to be completed 00:12:06.760 --> 00:12:08.820 time and time again. 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:12.200 The sacrifice that Jesus made when he shed his blood 00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:14.720 was enough to cover all our sins 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:16.560 as we confess them 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:19.760 and as we seek his forgiveness. 00:12:20.760 --> 00:12:23.200 And instead of being bound by a written down law 00:12:23.200 --> 00:12:24.460 on tablets of stone, 00:12:25.060 --> 00:12:27.980 Paul tells us that the law now is written on our heart. 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:29.480 That doesn't mean we should ignore the Bible 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:30.860 and all the instructions in it. 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:34.060 But fundamentally, God through his Holy Spirit 00:12:34.060 --> 00:12:36.180 has changed those who know Jesus 00:12:36.180 --> 00:12:40.820 and they're not bound to the fine detail of the law 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:46.039 as the Israelites were in the time before Jesus. 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:48.700 And so as we celebrate the Lord's Supper, 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:50.700 we remember, as Peter says, 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:53.200 that we are redeemed from an empty way of life, 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:57.160 not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 00:12:57.580 --> 00:13:00.000 but with the precious blood of Christ, 00:13:00.540 --> 00:13:03.520 a lamb without blemish or defect. 00:13:04.020 --> 00:13:05.640 And that precious blood of Christ 00:13:05.640 --> 00:13:09.680 is symbolized in the wine that we drink. 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.640 Now you might think, 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:14.200 do we really need these symbols 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:16.640 to remember Jesus' death? 00:13:17.140 --> 00:13:19.320 Would we ever as Christians forget 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:21.759 that Jesus died for us? 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:24.679 Well, in one sense, no, I'm sure we wouldn't. 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:27.700 But it's so easy for us to lose focus 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:31.299 on the center of our faith, 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:34.120 to lose focus on the fact that the cross of Christ 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:36.299 is the only basis for our salvation 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:39.179 and almost to take it for granted. 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:42.620 The bread and wine bring us back to the cross. 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:45.919 They recenter our thoughts on the Lord Jesus 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:48.580 and what he's done for us. 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:50.420 And that brings us, I think, 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:52.720 to the third answer I'd give to the question, 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:53.860 why communion? 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:58.020 And that, that it's an act of thanksgiving. 00:13:58.700 --> 00:13:59.780 You might have noticed that 00:13:59.780 --> 00:14:02.259 in both the passages that Sean read. 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:04.740 In chapter 11 of 1 Corinthians, 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:07.620 Paul tells us that Jesus gave thanks 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:09.420 before breaking the bread. 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:11.240 And in chapter 10, 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:13.280 he refers to the cup of thanksgiving 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:15.839 for which we give thanks. 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:18.159 If I can be a little technical for a minute, 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:19.799 the two Greek words used here 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:21.120 are actually different. 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:23.039 In chapter 11, 00:14:23.459 --> 00:14:26.039 the word is the one from which we get Eucharist, 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:28.240 which is the way some people refer 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:29.579 to the Lord's Supper. 00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:32.899 And it means expressing thankfulness. 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:35.459 So when people talk about the Eucharist, 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:37.779 it's about coming to give thanks to God 00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:41.939 as together they take the bread and the wine. 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:43.579 In chapter 10, 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:44.819 the word that's used is the one 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:47.279 from which we get our English word eulogy. 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:50.279 It's got more of a sense of speaking well 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:52.779 or of blessing something. 00:14:53.819 --> 00:14:54.779 Both of them, though, 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:57.620 represent what our response should be 00:14:57.620 --> 00:15:00.779 as we come together to take the Lord's Supper. 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:03.279 We should thank and praise God 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:06.939 for the realities that these symbols represent. 00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:11.179 I suggest that that is our primary purpose 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:13.319 in coming to the Lord's Supper. 00:15:13.959 --> 00:15:15.259 To remember Jesus 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:18.639 and to bring our worship and thanksgiving 00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:21.679 as we reflect on his death for us. 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:24.579 We come with a love for our saviour 00:15:24.579 --> 00:15:26.319 that we want to express, 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:29.039 an enormous gratitude for what we've done. 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:31.220 And God delights in his son 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:34.500 and therefore delights in his people's appreciation 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:36.279 of the Lord Jesus. 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.700 Now that's not to say 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:42.480 that we don't get blessing as we come together. 00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:44.740 The primary purpose, I believe, 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:47.340 is to present our worship to God. 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:51.540 But we also are blessed through being there. 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:55.360 As we remember and reflect on Jesus' death, 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:57.320 our faith will be strengthened, 00:15:58.019 --> 00:16:00.540 our relationship with God will be deepened, 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:03.579 our love for Jesus will grow. 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:06.719 He's not physically present with us, 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:09.500 but through the Holy Spirit he's among us 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:11.360 and we are fed spiritually 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:14.419 as we take the physical elements. 00:16:14.599 --> 00:16:16.959 Not that the bread and wine are anything special, 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:19.439 but we have the real, present, 00:16:19.839 --> 00:16:22.639 spiritual interaction with the living Christ 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:25.039 through his Holy Spirit. 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:28.159 That, I think, brings us to the fourth reason 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:29.199 why communion, 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:33.199 and that it's an act of fellowship. 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:36.599 In 1 Corinthians 10, verses 15 and 16, 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:39.000 Paul talks about a participation 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:42.819 in the blood and body of Christ. 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:45.639 Older versions, like the King James, 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:47.679 talk about it as a communion 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:49.539 in the blood and body of Christ, 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:51.879 hence why what we do is sometimes known 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:53.220 as communion. 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:55.679 The word that's used, though, 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:57.759 is actually very common in the New Testament 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:59.740 translated as fellowship. 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:01.799 It's the word that's used in Acts 2 00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:04.079 when it talks about the priorities of the church. 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:05.460 We'll come back to that a bit later. 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:07.220 The priorities of the church, 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:08.660 the apostles' doctrine, 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:09.500 fellowship, 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:10.619 the breaking of bread, 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:11.660 and prayer. 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.019 The word there that's used 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:14.380 as translated fellowship 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:15.740 in most translations 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:17.660 is the word that's translated 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.660 participation 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:21.400 in 1 Corinthians 10. 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:23.740 So there's an idea in it 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.460 of sharing, 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:27.000 of having something in common. 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:29.019 So what's our participation 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:30.299 or our fellowship 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:32.140 when it comes to the blood 00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:33.960 and body of Jesus? 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.200 Now this is something 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:37.059 people write doctoral theses on, 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:38.120 and there's a lot of disagreement. 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:40.339 Let me just make a brief suggestion. 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.460 In Philippians 3, 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:44.259 Paul talks about participating, 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:44.859 same word, 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:48.579 participating in the sufferings of Christ. 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.480 In Galatians 2, 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.140 he says, 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:54.480 I have been crucified with Christ. 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.220 In Romans 6, 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:57.879 he says that we have been baptized 00:17:57.879 --> 00:18:00.859 into the death of Christ. 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:02.519 And it seems to me 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:04.059 that what Paul is saying 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:05.700 in 1 Corinthians 10 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:08.220 is very similar to these. 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:11.279 We haven't been physically crucified 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:13.259 or died with Christ 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:15.599 or suffered as he did. 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:17.359 And yet in baptism, 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:18.720 in communion, 00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:20.700 in our daily lives, 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:23.220 we share in the spiritual effects 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.920 of his death and resurrection. 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:28.740 And we enjoy fellowship with him. 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:31.039 And we're particularly aware of that 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:32.500 fellowship with the Lord 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:34.279 as we take the bread 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:35.500 and the wine 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:37.640 in memory of his body 00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:39.160 and his blood. 00:18:40.600 --> 00:18:42.060 But if there's one aspect 00:18:42.060 --> 00:18:42.660 of fellowship 00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:43.700 with the Lord Jesus 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:45.280 in communion, 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:47.100 there also is very strongly 00:18:47.100 --> 00:18:48.060 an aspect 00:18:48.060 --> 00:18:49.100 of fellowship 00:18:49.100 --> 00:18:50.520 with each other, 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:52.560 with those who have come together 00:18:52.560 --> 00:18:53.180 as believers 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:54.180 in the Lord Jesus 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:56.780 to remember him. 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:58.160 Paul says, 00:18:58.540 --> 00:18:59.560 we who are many 00:18:59.560 --> 00:19:00.980 are one body 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:02.640 for we all share 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:04.060 the one loaf. 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:05.659 Now let's note first 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:06.799 that the Lord's Supper 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.440 is for those 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:09.679 who already trust in Christ, 00:19:09.679 --> 00:19:12.000 who are part of his body. 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.359 It's not the means 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:16.359 by which we achieve salvation. 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.519 But Paul says, 00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:19.740 the Lord's Supper, 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.240 taking it together, 00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:23.679 has a unifying effect on us 00:19:23.679 --> 00:19:24.980 as a church. 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.679 And how can it not? 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.899 When we remember together 00:19:28.899 --> 00:19:30.399 everything that the Lord 00:19:30.399 --> 00:19:31.980 has done for us, 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:34.099 it should reinforce to us 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:35.299 what we have in common 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.519 and especially 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:38.000 what we share together 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.660 as his body, 00:19:40.120 --> 00:19:40.940 the church. 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:42.680 But sadly, 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.799 that's not how 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:45.559 it's always been. 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:47.460 Both chapters 10 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.400 and chapter 11 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.299 of 1 Corinthians 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.160 were written 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.099 not so that Paul 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.099 could give an expedition 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:53.640 on the Lord's Supper, 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:55.720 but to correct mistakes, 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:57.480 errors in the church 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.440 in Corinth. 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:00.240 They were being 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:02.240 inconsistent in the way 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.900 they lived 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:04.200 with what they were 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:06.420 declaring in the Lord's Supper. 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:08.279 In chapter 10, 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.000 the issue is that 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.799 some people were coming 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.900 to their service 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:11.640 on a Sunday, 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.759 they were taking 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.579 the Lord's Supper 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.980 with everyone else, 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:16.579 and then during the week 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:17.960 they were going to meals 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:19.000 which involved 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:20.940 sacrifices to idols. 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.400 Perhaps they were part 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.359 of a trade guild 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:25.279 and their participation 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.959 that would come 00:20:26.959 --> 00:20:28.359 with an obligation 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.519 to take part 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:31.579 in these pagan feasts. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.819 And they didn't seem 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:34.119 to see that there was 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:36.059 any inconsistency there. 00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.859 Paul says you can't 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.419 have a part 00:20:38.419 --> 00:20:39.759 in both the Lord's Table 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:41.279 and the Table 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.639 of Demons. 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.459 I hope no one here 00:20:44.459 --> 00:20:45.639 is likely to be involved 00:20:45.639 --> 00:20:46.759 in demon worship, 00:20:47.439 --> 00:20:48.659 but the lesson for us 00:20:48.659 --> 00:20:49.879 is that our actions 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:50.839 during the week 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:52.559 need to be consistent 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.740 with the fact 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.519 that we've taken 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.799 the communion 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:57.740 on a Sunday, 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:58.779 or indeed 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.299 that we've been 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:00.299 to a service 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.220 and joined together 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.439 to worship 00:21:02.439 --> 00:21:03.579 on Sundays. 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.220 We mustn't try 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.980 to excuse 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:07.359 or to ignore 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:08.019 practices 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:09.159 that really 00:21:09.159 --> 00:21:10.179 we know are wrong 00:21:10.179 --> 00:21:11.579 and are inconsistent 00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:12.459 with being 00:21:12.459 --> 00:21:13.480 someone who has 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.039 a faith 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:15.099 in Jesus. 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:17.259 We'll never be perfect. 00:21:17.679 --> 00:21:18.359 We're not going 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.079 to fully put 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.679 the sins 00:21:19.679 --> 00:21:20.679 of this life 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.539 behind us, 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:23.019 but our participation 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.240 in the Lord's Supper 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:24.940 and communion 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:26.400 must affect 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:27.100 how we act 00:21:27.100 --> 00:21:27.880 during the week 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:29.539 as we understand 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.620 how much Jesus 00:21:30.620 --> 00:21:31.180 suffered 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:32.440 for our salvation, 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:33.140 how terrible 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.220 our sins were 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:35.519 in the cost 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.480 that he bore 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.160 for us, 00:21:37.340 --> 00:21:38.360 and we should try 00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:39.580 to be more 00:21:39.580 --> 00:21:40.620 like him. 00:21:41.820 --> 00:21:42.220 Second issue 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.660 in Corinth 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.840 was that 00:21:43.840 --> 00:21:44.600 when they came 00:21:44.600 --> 00:21:45.820 together for communion, 00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:47.279 they displayed 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.259 disunity 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.379 prosperity, 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:49.839 even in the meal 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.619 that should have 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.740 united them. 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:53.059 Now it looks 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:53.440 as if there was 00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:53.980 a group of 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:54.319 fairly, 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.099 probably fairly 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:55.980 wealthy people 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:57.099 in the church 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:57.640 at Corinth 00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:58.779 and they would 00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.720 come and they 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.099 would bring 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.879 a lovely meal 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:01.440 with them 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:02.440 and they would 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.019 share it 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.819 with their 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.379 friends. 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:05.660 They would even 00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.460 get drunk 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:08.660 during the Lord's 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.079 Supper. 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:10.379 Meanwhile, 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.140 there were others 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:11.559 and perhaps 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.200 they were largely 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:13.599 slaves who were 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.680 excluded from this. 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:16.299 They came along 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:17.140 needing food 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:18.120 and they 00:22:18.120 --> 00:22:19.240 weren't given 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:20.100 any. 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.240 How could a church 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:23.720 declare its unity 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:25.299 together when it 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.240 displayed such 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.060 discrimination 00:22:27.060 --> 00:22:28.680 in practice? 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.279 Paul said 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.380 this is unacceptable 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:32.840 and he details 00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:33.500 how God has 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.840 judged the church 00:22:34.840 --> 00:22:35.860 for it. 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.680 Very important 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.259 lesson for us 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.940 here, I think, 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.560 too. 00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:41.460 The unity 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.460 of communion 00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:43.220 of our worship 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:44.079 more generally 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:45.700 must be reflected 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:46.700 in our 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:47.539 personal 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.680 relationships. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.680 We need 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.140 to be 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:51.819 kind, 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.180 considerate, 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.259 supportive, 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.500 generous 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.900 in our dealings 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.519 with our 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.299 fellow Christians. 00:22:59.180 --> 00:22:59.860 We need 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:00.400 to deal 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.339 well when 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:01.960 we disagree 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:03.319 on different 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:03.900 matters. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.059 And above 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:05.480 all, 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:06.620 in the church 00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:07.059 we need 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.539 to avoid 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.240 snobbery 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.620 and elitism, 00:23:09.860 --> 00:23:10.279 saying that 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:10.880 some people 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:11.559 are better 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.680 or are more 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.039 highly 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.619 regarded 00:23:13.619 --> 00:23:14.659 than others. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.279 All of us 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:15.859 are sinners 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.799 saved by 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.240 the grace 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:17.799 of God 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.659 and we 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.200 should never 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.440 forget that. 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.039 Why communion? 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:22.779 It's an act 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.399 of fellowship 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:24.639 and if that one 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.579 speaks largely 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.019 to our 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.639 internal 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.460 relationships, 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.440 let me end 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:28.839 with one 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.240 that maybe 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:29.799 is more 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:30.700 externally 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.700 focused. 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.159 Why communion? 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.659 It's an act 00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:36.319 of proclamation. 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:36.940 In chapter 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.319 11, 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.259 verse 26, 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:38.980 Paul says, 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:39.920 whenever you 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:40.619 eat of this 00:23:40.619 --> 00:23:41.680 bread and 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.299 drink this 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:42.680 cup, 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:44.039 you proclaim 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.980 the Lord's 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:45.400 death 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:47.060 until he 00:23:47.060 --> 00:23:47.640 comes. 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:48.900 It's a 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:50.080 visible sermon 00:23:50.080 --> 00:23:50.860 when we 00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:51.360 take the 00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:52.440 bread and 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.000 the wine 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.820 together. 00:23:54.560 --> 00:23:55.259 We're telling 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:55.779 each other, 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:56.279 but perhaps 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.019 particularly we're 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.600 telling anyone 00:23:57.600 --> 00:23:58.340 there who's not 00:23:58.340 --> 00:23:59.140 yet a 00:23:59.140 --> 00:23:59.500 Christian, 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:00.640 that the 00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.320 Lord's death 00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:02.160 is the core 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:03.140 of our 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.560 faith and 00:24:04.560 --> 00:24:05.080 our only 00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:06.220 hope of 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.100 salvation. 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:07.219 salvation. 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.279 Our 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:08.959 responsibility 00:24:08.959 --> 00:24:09.959 as disciples 00:24:09.959 --> 00:24:10.619 of Jesus 00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:11.799 is to 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.480 proclaim 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.399 our faith 00:24:13.399 --> 00:24:13.859 in him 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:14.740 and his 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.359 sacrifice 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:16.379 so that 00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:16.819 those who 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:17.259 are lost 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:17.959 may realise 00:24:17.959 --> 00:24:18.939 the importance 00:24:18.939 --> 00:24:20.139 of trusting 00:24:20.139 --> 00:24:20.719 in him 00:24:20.719 --> 00:24:21.859 and may 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:22.679 come to 00:24:22.679 --> 00:24:23.279 put their 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:23.799 faith in 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.039 him. 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.059 And there's 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:25.500 no more 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.299 powerful way 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:26.639 I think 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:27.039 to do 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.419 that 00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:28.039 than 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.259 through 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.500 the 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.019 symbols 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.959 of the 00:24:29.959 --> 00:24:30.339 Lord's 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:30.619 Supper. 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:31.959 Now as I 00:24:31.959 --> 00:24:32.319 say that 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:32.799 I'm aware 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.399 that even 00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:33.919 this morning 00:24:33.919 --> 00:24:34.279 there may 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:34.599 be some 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.299 people here 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.079 who haven't 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:36.539 yet put 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.119 your faith 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.960 in the 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.460 Lord Jesus. 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:38.740 And I 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.019 hope I've 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.299 been able 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:39.919 to explain 00:24:39.919 --> 00:24:40.659 the significance 00:24:40.659 --> 00:24:41.779 of his 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.359 death as 00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:42.740 the only 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.440 way to 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.000 be forgiven 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.480 for the 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:44.879 wrong in 00:24:44.879 --> 00:24:45.480 our lives 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.119 and to 00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:46.559 move from 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.180 being judged 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:47.819 by God 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:48.460 to being 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:48.919 part of 00:24:48.919 --> 00:24:49.500 his family. 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.299 If you 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:50.500 haven't 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:50.759 already 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.220 done so 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.579 I urge 00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.299 you to 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:52.700 consider 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.159 that 00:24:53.159 --> 00:24:54.119 carefully. 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.180 But one 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.619 more thought 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.180 on the 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:57.019 proclamation. 00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:58.839 Paul also 00:24:58.839 --> 00:24:59.759 reminds us 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.720 that remembering 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.399 the Lord 00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:02.419 is something 00:25:02.419 --> 00:25:03.279 we only 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:03.799 do 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.619 until 00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:05.500 he 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.559 returns. 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:07.939 One day 00:25:07.939 --> 00:25:09.279 faith will 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:09.839 give way 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.819 to sight 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.719 and we 00:25:11.719 --> 00:25:12.119 won't need 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:12.759 to remember 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.659 or to 00:25:13.659 --> 00:25:14.179 proclaim 00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:15.119 the Lord's 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:15.519 death 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.339 because 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.379 we'll be 00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:18.099 with Jesus 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:19.039 forever 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:19.819 if our 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.279 trust is 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.699 in him. 00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:21.979 The Lord's 00:25:21.979 --> 00:25:22.539 Supper is a 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.339 vital part 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:23.939 of our 00:25:23.939 --> 00:25:24.939 life as 00:25:24.939 --> 00:25:25.479 Christians 00:25:25.479 --> 00:25:26.759 but it's 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.519 only temporary. 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:28.779 It's only 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.399 until there's 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:30.219 something much 00:25:30.219 --> 00:25:31.019 much better 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.519 and when 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.019 we come 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.619 to share 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.339 in the 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:34.619 marriage 00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:34.960 supper 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.339 of the 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:35.619 Lamb 00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:36.039 when we're 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:36.299 with 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:36.660 Jesus 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.879 and with 00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:38.180 him 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:39.139 forever. 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:40.859 The one 00:25:40.859 --> 00:25:41.180 thing that 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:41.619 means I 00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:41.940 think 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.680 is that 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.220 the Lord's 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.420 Supper 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:43.980 may well 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.319 be 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:44.920 solemn 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.940 as we 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.400 reflect 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:46.779 on our 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.119 sin 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:47.839 and on 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.000 the 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.240 death 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:48.440 of 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:48.779 Jesus 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.839 but it 00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.240 shouldn't 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:50.779 be 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.480 sombre. 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:52.759 We're 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.039 not 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.619 remembering 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:54.000 someone 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:54.299 who's 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:54.740 died 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.559 and who 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:55.799 is 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.359 still 00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:56.819 dead. 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:57.879 Yes 00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:58.099 we're 00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:58.539 remembering 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:59.059 Christ's 00:25:59.059 --> 00:25:59.480 sufferings 00:25:59.480 --> 00:25:59.740 we're 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.019 aware 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.180 of 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.420 our 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:00.839 sins 00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:01.720 but we 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:01.980 know 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.379 that he 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:02.659 rose 00:26:02.659 --> 00:26:03.480 triumphantly 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:04.279 on the 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:04.579 third 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:04.940 day 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.960 that he's 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.539 with us 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.240 through his 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:07.680 spirit 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.779 that he's 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.279 returning 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.039 one day 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:11.039 perhaps 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:11.920 very 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:12.839 soon. 00:26:13.899 --> 00:26:14.180 We must 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:14.619 never lose 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.599 sight of 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.039 Christ's 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.399 suffering 00:26:16.399 --> 00:26:17.460 for us 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.539 but as 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.099 the Passover 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.559 was a 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.059 celebration 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:20.559 of God 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.099 redeeming 00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:21.659 his people 00:26:21.659 --> 00:26:22.819 from Egypt 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.940 so the 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.339 Lord's 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:24.599 Supper 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.379 is a 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:25.759 celebration 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.619 of Christ 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.539 redeeming 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:27.879 us 00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:28.800 from our 00:26:28.800 --> 00:26:29.600 sins. 00:26:30.100 --> 00:26:30.480 I think 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:30.880 it's good 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:31.240 when we 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:32.140 end a 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:32.500 service 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:32.980 when we've 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.360 remembered 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:33.800 the Lord 00:26:33.800 --> 00:26:34.340 by singing 00:26:34.340 --> 00:26:34.880 about the 00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:35.600 risen Christ 00:26:35.600 --> 00:26:36.380 and perhaps 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:37.000 particularly 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.940 by singing 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:38.400 something 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:38.900 that looks 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.340 forward 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:40.380 to his 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:41.340 return. 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:42.720 So why 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.080 communion? 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.360 It's an 00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:44.720 act of 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.160 obedience 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:46.280 it's an 00:26:46.280 --> 00:26:46.640 act of 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:47.160 remembrance 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:48.440 it's an 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:48.840 act of 00:26:48.840 --> 00:26:49.500 thanksgiving 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.600 it's an 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:51.080 act of 00:26:51.080 --> 00:26:51.560 fellowship 00:26:51.560 --> 00:26:52.780 it's an 00:26:52.780 --> 00:26:53.360 act of 00:26:53.360 --> 00:26:54.340 proclamation. 00:26:55.360 --> 00:26:55.740 Let me 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.140 finish with 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:56.700 something to 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.200 take away 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.440 and think 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:58.860 about. 00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:00.620 In Luke 00:27:00.620 --> 00:27:01.200 chapter 2 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:03.360 Luke says 00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:05.279 that the 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:05.519 first 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.200 Christians 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:08.000 devoted 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.580 themselves 00:27:08.580 --> 00:27:09.259 to the 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.120 apostles 00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:10.799 teaching 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.360 to 00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:11.880 fellowship 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:12.799 to the 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.120 breaking 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:13.720 of bread 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.640 and to 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.319 prayer. 00:27:15.860 --> 00:27:16.120 Four 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:16.900 priorities 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.740 of the 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.000 early 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.500 church. 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:19.620 And the 00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:20.100 question is 00:27:20.100 --> 00:27:20.539 how can 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.360 we ensure 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.160 that we 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:22.480 give 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.120 appropriate 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:23.700 priority 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.720 to each 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.779 of these? 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.600 I guess 00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:26.799 in the 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.380 context of 00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:27.779 today 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.880 how can 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:29.799 we ensure 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.220 that we 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:30.900 give the 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.200 right 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:31.759 priority 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.519 to 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.299 communion? 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:33.640 I think 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:34.340 also prayer 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:34.940 is in 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:35.380 danger of 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.539 being 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.380 undervalued 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.019 these 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:37.480 days. 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.740 I think 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.059 it's fair 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:40.519 to say 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.400 that liturgical 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:41.920 churches 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.460 those that 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.019 use prayer 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.539 books and 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.240 set service 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:44.960 wordings 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.799 tend to 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.580 give priority 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.100 to the 00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:47.660 Eucharist 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.240 remembering 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.700 Jesus 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.500 often 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.160 celebrating 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.480 it 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.039 several 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.580 times 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.399 a week. 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.220 Evangelical 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:54.579 and 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.039 Reformed 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.619 churches 00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:56.419 tend to 00:27:56.419 --> 00:27:56.619 give 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:57.159 priority 00:27:57.159 --> 00:27:57.960 to the 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.319 word, 00:27:58.439 --> 00:27:58.639 what's 00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:58.819 called 00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:58.980 the 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.339 Apostles 00:27:59.339 --> 00:27:59.899 Doctrine 00:27:59.899 --> 00:28:01.579 in Acts 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:01.960 2. 00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:03.119 The 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:03.599 sermon 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:04.079 is the 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:04.819 centrepiece 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.259 of most 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:05.819 services 00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:07.299 and communion 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.319 is frequently 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:08.859 monthly 00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:09.899 or even 00:28:09.899 --> 00:28:10.759 quarterly. 00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:12.539 Churches 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:12.980 like ours 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.460 coming from 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:13.859 the Brethren 00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:14.279 movement 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.699 are actually 00:28:14.699 --> 00:28:15.079 slightly 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.679 unusual 00:28:15.679 --> 00:28:16.659 in the 00:28:16.659 --> 00:28:17.019 evangelical 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.599 condition 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.480 of having 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.179 a weekly 00:28:19.179 --> 00:28:20.019 breaking of 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.339 bread 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:21.220 service. 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.240 Frequency 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.779 certainly 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.299 isn't 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:23.939 everything 00:28:23.939 --> 00:28:24.879 in this 00:28:24.879 --> 00:28:25.379 but some 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:25.819 of us 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.539 find it 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:26.779 really 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.199 helpful 00:28:27.199 --> 00:28:28.099 to start 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:28.619 the week 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.460 remembering 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:29.939 the Lord 00:28:29.939 --> 00:28:30.240 Jesus 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:30.779 together 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:32.039 and going 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.639 out hopefully 00:28:32.639 --> 00:28:33.500 then with 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.359 a renewed 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:34.980 desire 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.879 to serve 00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:36.119 him. 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:36.720 Others 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.480 believe 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:38.119 that monthly 00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:39.460 is a 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.199 very appropriate 00:28:40.199 --> 00:28:40.859 frequency. 00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.299 But whatever 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:43.000 the frequency 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:44.439 what really 00:28:44.439 --> 00:28:44.859 matters 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.839 is how 00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:46.439 we come 00:28:46.439 --> 00:28:47.119 to the 00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:47.559 Lord's 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.039 table. 00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:49.480 If we 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.059 come often 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:50.579 weekly or 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.000 even more 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.399 often 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:52.240 there's a 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:52.580 danger 00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:52.900 that we 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.300 take it 00:28:53.300 --> 00:28:53.900 for granted 00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:55.180 and our 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:55.700 worship for 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.080 the Lord 00:28:56.080 --> 00:28:56.580 becomes 00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:57.160 routine 00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:57.820 and 00:28:57.820 --> 00:28:58.400 potentially 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:58.920 lacks 00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.960 sincerity. 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.400 When we 00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:01.940 take communion 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.500 at the end 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.259 of a service 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.920 there's a 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.400 danger we 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:04.740 see it 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.380 almost as 00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:05.840 an added 00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:06.320 extra 00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:07.320 something we 00:29:07.320 --> 00:29:08.180 do after 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:08.720 the main 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.860 part of 00:29:09.860 --> 00:29:10.660 the service. 00:29:11.540 --> 00:29:12.160 Whenever 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:13.040 and however 00:29:13.040 --> 00:29:14.200 we celebrate 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:14.800 the Lord's 00:29:14.800 --> 00:29:14.980 Supper 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.480 together 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.600 we need to 00:29:16.600 --> 00:29:17.080 recognize 00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:17.620 a core 00:29:17.620 --> 00:29:18.400 activity of 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:18.980 the church 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.780 and be 00:29:19.780 --> 00:29:20.480 wholehearted 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.480 in our 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.040 remembrance 00:29:22.040 --> 00:29:23.540 and worship. 00:29:24.860 --> 00:29:25.259 And perhaps 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:25.740 for many 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.040 of us 00:29:26.040 --> 00:29:26.600 that means 00:29:26.600 --> 00:29:27.240 that we 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:27.700 need to 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:28.600 spend time 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:29.400 preparing 00:29:29.400 --> 00:29:30.400 to come 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.080 to the 00:29:31.080 --> 00:29:31.420 Lord's 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:31.720 Supper. 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.140 Churches that 00:29:33.140 --> 00:29:33.580 celebrate 00:29:33.580 --> 00:29:34.160 communion 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:35.080 infrequently 00:29:35.080 --> 00:29:36.200 often those 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:37.120 in reformed 00:29:37.120 --> 00:29:37.600 denomination 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:38.000 for instance 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.340 the Free 00:29:38.340 --> 00:29:38.720 Church of 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.120 Scotland 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:39.960 tend to 00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:40.440 put a lot 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.019 of emphasis 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:42.680 on preparation. 00:29:43.340 --> 00:29:43.560 To have 00:29:43.560 --> 00:29:44.160 meetings in 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.720 advance for 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.839 self-examination 00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:47.140 and prayer 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:47.860 and then 00:29:47.860 --> 00:29:48.559 after that 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.180 to come 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.660 together 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.660 to remember 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.120 Jesus. 00:29:52.059 --> 00:29:52.519 That's not 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.259 our practice 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.380 but it's 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:55.019 good that we 00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:56.059 examine ourselves 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:57.079 and confess 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:57.920 our sins 00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:59.019 before we 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.360 come. 00:30:00.120 --> 00:30:00.680 Rather than 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.240 just turning 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.720 up perhaps 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.079 not even 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.680 realising 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.200 it's communion 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:03.880 this week 00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:04.660 and just 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.339 taking part 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:06.120 almost without 00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:06.700 thinking 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.740 in the 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.460 Lord's 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:08.839 Supper. 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:09.839 We should 00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:10.799 examine ourselves 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.559 says Paul 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:12.559 and part of 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:12.960 that we should 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.559 examine our 00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.180 relationships 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:15.180 and we 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.920 should confess 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:17.019 any sins 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.980 before God 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.279 and then 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.620 we can 00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:19.720 come and 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.080 give our 00:30:20.080 --> 00:30:21.120 thanks for 00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:21.779 our forgiveness. 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:23.940 So the 00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:24.420 Lord's Supper 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.799 communion is 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.240 a duty 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:27.220 and a 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:27.660 privilege. 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.019 It allows 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.400 us to 00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:30.039 bring our 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:30.880 worship to 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.420 God for 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:32.039 his son 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.580 to recommit 00:30:33.580 --> 00:30:34.000 us to 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.600 living like 00:30:34.600 --> 00:30:35.120 Christ 00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:36.440 to enjoy 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.160 the blessings 00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:37.660 that come 00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:38.120 from 00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:38.860 obedience. 00:30:40.080 --> 00:30:40.480 We have 00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:41.180 that opportunity 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:42.000 every Sunday 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.259 at the 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:42.660 Breaking of 00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:43.299 Bread service 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:43.759 upstairs 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.180 at 10 00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:44.539 o'clock 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:45.059 everyone's 00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:45.799 very welcome 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:46.359 to that 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:47.359 and also 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:47.619 on the 00:30:47.619 --> 00:30:48.160 first Sunday 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:48.480 of each 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:48.859 month 00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:49.799 at the 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.180 end of 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:50.400 this 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:50.879 service 00:30:50.879 --> 00:30:51.779 we take 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.240 communion 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:52.720 together 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.079 so that 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:53.420 will be 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:53.960 in two 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:54.220 weeks 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.599 time. 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.019 Let's 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.460 make sure 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:56.900 that when 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.460 we do 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.559 we come 00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.079 prepared 00:30:59.079 --> 00:31:00.279 we've 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:00.700 examined 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.400 ourselves 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.460 and we 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:02.900 bring our 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:03.299 worship 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:04.059 in a way 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:05.059 that glorifies 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:05.500 Jesus 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.859 and so 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.759 is pleasing 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.980 to God. 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.000 And most 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.680 important let's 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.019 make sure 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:11.500 our faith 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.180 is in 00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:12.460 Jesus 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:13.079 that we've 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.700 been forgiven 00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:14.759 because of 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.279 his body 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:15.859 given for 00:31:15.859 --> 00:31:16.160 us 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:17.119 and his 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:17.799 blood shed 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.420 to usher 00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:19.200 in the 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:19.599 new 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.339 covenant. 00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:21.880 May God 00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:22.339 bless us 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:22.759 as we 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.900 regularly take 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.200 communion 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:24.680 together 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:25.500 and may it 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.240 be worthy 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:26.740 of his 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.839 son as we 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.640 worship him 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:30.059 unitedly. 00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:30.940 Let's pray 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:31.319 together. 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:35.159 Our 00:31:35.159 --> 00:31:35.579 Father we 00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:35.980 thank you 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:36.419 for this 00:31:36.419 --> 00:31:37.099 wonderful 00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:38.019 object 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.599 lesson that 00:31:38.599 --> 00:31:38.980 the Lord 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.599 Jesus has 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.259 given us 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:41.879 bread and 00:31:41.879 --> 00:31:42.319 wine 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:43.619 helping us 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.319 to remember 00:31:44.319 --> 00:31:45.139 his body 00:31:45.139 --> 00:31:46.079 given for 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:47.200 us and 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:47.839 his blood 00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:48.779 shed for 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.119 us. 00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:50.819 We thank 00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.179 you that 00:31:51.179 --> 00:31:52.039 that gives 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:52.519 us the 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.419 chance to 00:31:53.419 --> 00:31:54.159 bring our 00:31:54.159 --> 00:31:55.399 worship to 00:31:55.399 --> 00:31:56.299 you for 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:57.899 him and 00:31:57.899 --> 00:31:58.659 it recenters 00:31:58.659 --> 00:31:59.359 our thinking 00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:00.079 on his 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:01.099 cross on 00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:01.639 what really 00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:02.679 matters in 00:32:02.679 --> 00:32:03.279 our faith 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:04.419 the sacrifice 00:32:04.419 --> 00:32:05.099 of Jesus 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:06.079 for us. 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:06.719 Help us to 00:32:06.719 --> 00:32:07.079 do it 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:07.719 worthily 00:32:07.719 --> 00:32:09.019 that we 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.500 may be 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.439 united as 00:32:10.439 --> 00:32:11.000 a church 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:12.139 that we 00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:12.679 may be 00:32:12.679 --> 00:32:13.359 prepared 00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:14.039 when we 00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:14.480 come to 00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:14.879 communion 00:32:14.879 --> 00:32:16.359 and that 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:16.779 we may 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.379 glorify 00:32:17.379 --> 00:32:17.799 Jesus 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.779 in all 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.079 that we 00:32:19.079 --> 00:32:19.359 do. 00:32:20.139 --> 00:32:20.500 We thank 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:20.719 you for 00:32:20.719 --> 00:32:21.199 your presence 00:32:21.199 --> 00:32:21.599 with us 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:22.079 this morning. 00:32:22.199 --> 00:32:22.480 We thank 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:22.699 you for 00:32:22.699 --> 00:32:23.240 the privilege 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:24.019 of worshipping 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.480 together. 00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:25.539 We thank 00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:25.740 you for 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:26.019 what we 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:26.279 learned 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:26.559 about 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.099 Foodbank 00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:27.439 Plus 00:32:27.439 --> 00:32:27.719 and we 00:32:27.719 --> 00:32:28.039 pray for 00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:28.199 your 00:32:28.199 --> 00:32:28.639 continued 00:32:28.639 --> 00:32:29.039 blessing 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:29.659 on that. 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.639 Pray for 00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:31.120 the children 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:31.340 and for 00:32:31.340 --> 00:32:31.680 what they 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:31.800 have 00:32:31.800 --> 00:32:32.040 learned 00:32:32.040 --> 00:32:32.259 too 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.640 that they 00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:33.240 in early 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:33.700 life may 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.080 come to 00:32:34.080 --> 00:32:34.400 put their 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:35.320 faith in 00:32:35.320 --> 00:32:35.640 Jesus. 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:36.560 We commit 00:32:36.560 --> 00:32:37.160 ourselves to 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:37.620 you now 00:32:37.620 --> 00:32:38.540 and ask for 00:32:38.540 --> 00:32:38.980 your blessing 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:39.480 on us. 00:32:39.820 --> 00:32:40.320 In Jesus' 00:32:40.560 --> 00:32:40.740 name. 00:32:41.520 --> 00:32:41.860 Amen.