The Communion Experience
🗣️ Speaker: Pastor Tom Van Kempen
This heartfelt sermon is about the true essence of communion and it urges us to see it as a meaningful experience rather than a routine. Pastor Tom reminds us that communion is not just about eating dry bread and drinking juice; it's about celebrating and experiencing fellowship with Jesus and each other. He uses the example of Jesus inviting his disciples to a table of friendship and family, highlighting how important it is for us to connect deeply with one another and with God. The core message is that communion is a true feast for the soul, a time to remember the sacrifice of Jesus while embracing the joy and community it fosters.
Additional Info
The info below was generated by an AI from the audio recording of the sermon.
The Importance of Communion
Communion, often referred to as the Lord's Supper, holds immense significance in Christian worship and practice. Its roots run deep, with various layers of meaning that transcend mere ritual. As believers, recognizing the essence and purpose of communion can transform this sacred experience into a profound encounter with God.
Communion as a Celebratory Experience
Historically, communion was far more than a symbolic act; it was a vibrant celebration akin to a family feast. The early Christians engaged in communion as a communal meal, integrating joy, love, and gratitude in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice. Today, while in many places it may seem a hurried ritual, there is an invitation to restore the richness and joy inherent in this practice, allowing it to serve as a reminder of God’s covenant with humanity.
The Power of Symbols in Faith
Symbols carry tremendous weight in the life of believers. Just as children see happiness in the iconic golden arches of McDonald's, communion emblems—the bread and the cup—ought to evoke deep spiritual significance. They remind us of the joy and sacrifice of Christ, becoming a conduit for experiencing faith on a personal level.
The Fellowship Table
Communion is not merely about individual reflection; it is about koinonia—community and fellowship. By gathering together around the communion table, believers experience a bond that transcends differences. This table serves as a unifying force, illustrating that all believers, regardless of background, social status, or personal struggles, partake in the grace of God equally.
Communion as a Transformation Experience
Every observance of communion offers an opportunity for spiritual renewal. Each participant is invited to experience God’s healing, forgiveness, and provision. The act of eating the bread and drinking the cup provides a tangible connection to Jesus, fostering an intimate encounter that can lead to profound life changes.
Cultural Relevance of Communion Today
In modern society, many family meals are consumed alone or in haste, yet the practice of sharing meals has shown significant benefits to emotional and social well-being. Recently, studies have highlighted the correlation between regular family meals and better emotional health, suggesting that gatherings around the dinner table yield connections that are desperately needed in our fast-paced lives. This cultural phenomenon reinforces the importance of gathering for communion as it invites individuals to engage and share life together.
The Call to Remember
The act of communion is inherently an act of remembrance. Jesus instructed His followers to do this in remembrance of Him, indicating that it is through this reflection that believers can grasp the depth of His sacrifice. Each time communion is partaken, it becomes an avenue to remember, reflect, and rejoice in the resurrection and the hope it represents.
An Invitation to Return
For many, the act of communion may not feel accessible due to guilt or shame. However, it should serve as an open invitation to return to the Father’s embrace, much like the prodigal son. The table is prepared for every believer, reflecting the unconditional love that God has for His children.
Conclusion: Engaging with the Sacred
As believers partake in communion, they are engaging in a sacred practice that invites them into a deeper relationship with Christ and with one another. It is a reminder of the community of faith, the acknowledgment of divine grace, and a celebration of hope in the midst of life’s challenges. Through this act, Christians can not only remember what Jesus has done but also anticipate the transformative experiences that await as they draw near to Him each time they gather at the table.
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Use the questions listed below as a launching point to discuss the sermon points together as a family. These are great for dinner table discussions and small groups.
Communion Discussion Guide
Reflect on Traditions: Share your earliest memory of communion. How was it significant to you then, and has its meaning changed for you over time?
Symbols and Their Meaning: Why are symbols like the bread and wine in communion powerful for our faith? What do they represent in your personal journey?
Community Element: How does sharing communion with others enhance your sense of connection within the church family?
Community Impact: Think of a time when communion felt particularly transformative. What circumstances in your life made it impactful?
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Scripture Focus: Luke 22:14-20
Cultural Setting: In Jesus’ time, sharing meals held significant social and cultural importance. Meals were often a way to bond, discuss important matters, and celebrate religious traditions. The "Last Supper" occurred during Passover, a pivotal Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt.
Political Climate: The time was marked by Roman occupation in Judea. Jews, including Jesus and His disciples, lived under Roman rule, which created socio-political tensions. The act of gathering for Passover was not only a religious event but also a subtle reminder of their longing for freedom.
Religious Environment: Jesus’ reinterpretation of Passover emphasized a new covenant. For Jews, this was built on centuries of ritualistic sacrifice and detailed law adherence, making Jesus’ statements about bread and wine radical, as He shifted the focus from law to grace.
Geographical Influence: Jerusalem, where the Last Supper took place, was the cultural and religious heart of Judaism, especially during Passover. The gathering in the "Upper Room" symbolized a safe haven amidst religious and political chaos.
Understanding these elements enriches the spiritual depth of communion, revealing it as a profound blend of tradition, social connection, and theological change ushered in by Jesus.
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Title: The Special Table with Jesus
Objective:
To help children understand the importance of communion and what it means to share a meal with Jesus and our friends.
Introduction:
Hey kids! Today, we are talking about a special meal that Jesus shared with His friends. This meal is called communion. It’s not just like any meal; it’s a time when we remember how much Jesus loves us!
Activity 1: The Symbol of the Meal
Discussion:
Ask the children if they've ever been to a special restaurant where they had a special meal.
Explain that just like the golden arches of McDonald's remind us of fun and joy, the communion meal reminds us of how Jesus loves us and what He did for us.
Illustration:
Show a picture of the Last Supper (when Jesus had dinner with His friends) and explain how they sat around a special table.
Share that this was a special dinner that means so much more than just food. It’s about friendship and love and being together!
Activity 2: Friendship Craft
Supplies Needed: Paper plates, markers, crayons, stickers.
Each child will create their own "Friendship Plate". On the plate, they will draw pictures of their friends or family.
Explain that just like we share meals with friends and family, Jesus wants to share meals with us!
Encourage them to think of happy times they have shared food with loved ones.
Bible Verse:
Verse: "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'" - Luke 22:19
Conclusion:
Reflection:
Ask the kids how they can remember Jesus in their everyday lives, especially when they share meals with their family and friends.
Remind them that during communion, we remember that Jesus loves us and wants us to love each other too!
Closing Prayer:
Let’s pray together!
"Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us. Thank you for sharing meals with us and for being our friend. Help us to remember your love every day! Amen."
Takeaway:
Give each child a small piece of bread (or a cracker) and some juice to reinforce the idea that we share this special meal with Jesus and each other, showing love and friendship.
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As we get started, I just want to welcome you to what I'm calling a communion experience.
I love communion. Okay. And I think one of the mistakes that we've made as Protestants is we've devalued this particular ordinance of God, and we celebrated water baptism two weeks ago. And I think we. We did it appropriately.
And today we're gonna celebrate communion, but a little bit more emphasis is on what actually took place. So as we get started, I want you to pay particular attention to the screens up here. I have an image from the city of St. Louis, and that is called the what? The arch.
Right. So there was a family driving through St. Louis on vacation, and their little four year old in the backseat saw the arch and he yelled out, McDonald's.
And the reason I tell you that story is because there's power in those golden arches. When a little kid just sees the symbol itself, the child thinks, happiness, joy, because he gets to eat a happy Meal. She gets to play with that toy. There's probably gonna be a playground at that particular McDonald's, and they are going to just have the time of their lives. Parents also see something when they see those golden arches.
They see affordability. Right. They see convenience. We don't have to cook tonight. We can take the kids to McDonald's.
Symbols are powerful, but I've noticed in the church that this little cup has kind of lost its zip. I don't know if you're with me or not, but this just doesn't get me excited. This, on the other hand. Wow. I mean, my wife got out the fine china.
When's the last time you used fine china? Okay, that's only for special celebrations. This. I understand why we do it. I know why we do it.
Covid five years ago, changed the world. But I'm here to tell you, I'm still of the ilk. I'm still of the persuasion that I'd rather take a couple of germs and some really good bread than cleanness with a dry, stale cracker. Because, my God, my savior is not dry and he's not stale. All right, this is why Robin and I came here yesterday and set this table up.
We wanted you to understand that it's called the Lord's table because every time we do this, Jesus is here who can say amen. So I see Jesus sitting there right now. I want you to think back to Luke chapter 22 and just begin to imagine a little bit in that. That upper room where Peter and John went and found that room and prepared the meal and all of that stuff. You know, they were sitting around this table with Jesus.
And listen, it wasn't a long table like we have in the cafe. You guys like long tables? I don't like long tables. I'm just telling you. I took my staff to a fancy restaurant this week.
We went to the Dairy Queen.
And while we were there, there was no room. So we had to put some tables together. And we were along the booth line over there. And I was at the very end seated like right here. But the table went on for three more tables and there were at least 12 of us.
And there were people at the other end that I couldn't talk to. I like round tables. The Last Supper, Jesus. Last supper was around a Roman triclinium. Who knows what a triclinium is?
Let me see your hands. One, two, three. Three people. Robin is four. Cause she's heard me preach on this before.
All right. A triclinium is simply a U shaped table. Sometimes they're actually built into the wall of an upper room like Jesus is at. Or sometimes they're made of wood and pillows and blankets and stuff are put all around them. But it's U shaped so that some of the people are sitting over here and they can see everybody on this side and in front of them.
These people are sitting here. They can see the people to their right and to their left. And these people are sitting over here and they can see everybody. It adds to conversation, it adds to communication. And I think it's really, really important.
I like round tables because I can see everybody who can say Amen. Boy, oh boy. Psalm, chapter 78, verses 1 through 3. This is what it says. O my people, listen to my instructions.
Open your ears to what I am saying. For I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you. This is really interesting here. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past, stories we have heard and known.
In other words, just because you've heard the story before doesn't mean there's nothing we can learn. Now, when it comes to communion, sometimes we breeze by it so quickly we think we've done that, we know what it means. Let me Tell you we're gonna be learning about communion in eternity someday. We will never say never. We will never fully grasp the magnitude of the sacrifice God and Jesus made.
Who can say amen? And that's why we need to be reminded and remember again and again and again. Let's just look at the Luke chapter 22 story. It says that this was happening during the day of unleavened bread, during the Passover. During the Passover.
This is like Thanksgiving. This is a special holiday. There's energy in the air. The atmosphere is charged with excitement. They are celebrating what it is that God had done for them.
Sometimes when we're doing communion, it's, oh, give me the cracker, drink the juice. I'm done. I did my obligatory communion. Oh, I'm so glad we got to do it Sunday. I hadn't done it in three or four months, so at least I got that out of the way.
This isn't an out of the way experience. This is an experience with God himself. This is an experience with the body of Christ. Second communion was a part of a feast. Not, like I said, sour juice and stale crackers.
It was more like Thanksgiving. It was faith, family, and food all rolled up into one. It was a big celebration. The first communion was literally in someone's home, which made it very, very personable. But as the communion moved from people's homes to the auditorium like this, the people became observers rather than participants.
I want you to think about this. Early on, communion was described as the love feast. Everyone would get together, everyone would eat, everyone would celebrate, everyone would drink, and they would remember and celebrate what it is Jesus had done. We need to reinstitute some of those things. Who can say amen?
But we're not going to be observers today. We're going to experience communion, not some boring religious observance. Today, we're going to feast on Jesus. Today we're going to taste and see that the Lord is good. And this is what it says in Luke chapter 22, beginning in verse 14.
When the time came. Oh, yeah, when the time came. Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. And Jesus said, I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. Now, as we get started here, I want to make something clear.
I'm using the new living translation today. And as you know, I typically use the King James version. And the reason I didn't use the King James Version is because the word table is not found in the kgv. Okay. It says that they sat down, but if you understand this word in the Greek language, it typically means to sit down at a table.
And I really wanted you to grasp and understand the table element of this, because in other gospels and in other places, we know that they were sitting down at a table, or at least they were reclining at a table. Maybe not the same way you and I do, but they were reclining at this table. And so that's why I'm using that word, because we call this the Lord's, the Lord's Supper and the Lord's Table. That's what it's called, the Eucharist. The Catholics call it the Mass.
We call it communion. All of these different names, but it means the same thing. And what I want you to grasp today is that God has invited you to experience fellowship with one another. He's invited you to communion to experience fellowship. Koinonia, the Greek word that is translated fellowship in most places.
But in first Corinthians, it's translated communion. This celebration is actually koinonia in the Greek language. It's also eucharista in the Greek language. Different words meaning the same thing. When I look at this scripture here, when the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together.
That's koinonia. He wanted to do this together. He wanted to eat the Passover meal with all of his disciples. It was koinonia taking place. It was a table of friendship.
Say friendship. Friendship. Did you guys know Jesus loved to eat? Have you ever even thought about it? Sometimes we see Jesus as this holy, deified character, which is all true, but he was also a man.
He's described in the book of Mark as the son of man. He is human in every way. Jesus actually sometimes was in such a hurry, he ate with dirty hands. So the scripture tells us when everyone else was fasting during Jewish religious days, there were times that that he ate on fast days and the Pharisees would get upset with him. Jesus often ate with the wrong people.
He invited himself over to people's houses, just like your pastor does today. I'd love to eat at your house sometime this week. Just so you know, Jesus did it. He invited himself into Zacchaeus house, into Matthew's house, into two different Pharisees homes. Food is a reference point even when Jesus isn't eating.
We sang about it. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled. John, chapter 4, verse 32. I have food to eat that you know nothing about. Did you know two thirds of all the parables have a food element to them?
That's Amazing when you think about it. But it's not because Jesus just loved the food. He created communion as a social sacrament, a social ordinance for us to come together, because he realized there is a special dynamic available when people sit down to eat, especially at those round tables like I was talking about. It facilitates emotional health. Did you know they've scientifically proved that if you eat dinner with your family on a regular basis for an extended period of time, you're going to be emotionally healthier?
Now it's kind of sad because 60 years ago, the average family spent 90 minutes a day around the dinner table. Today they spend an average of 12 minutes a day around the dinner table. What's happening? We are not even socializing with our own family any longer. We think Facebook and Twitter and all of these social media accounts are going to give us the.
The social interaction we need. And it's failing us miserably. The suicide rate, the depression rate are skyrocketing. You know why? Because we're not eating together any longer.
We're not. I'm just telling you 46% of all meals are eaten alone today. Does that stagger your imagination? That means one out of two times the average person has. Has no company when they're eating, has no one to sit down and eat that meal.
The number one factor for parents raising kids who are drug free, healthy, kind, understand the English language, have future academic success, have less eating disorders, less depression, less suicide, is eating dinner with their children five times a week. I mean, we can guarantee healthy children. And I'm not even talking about the Lord's table yet. If that's true of the earthly table of a family, how much more is it true of this table? Who can say amen?
I mean, the health that can be generated, the healings that can take place, the salvations that should be taking place on a regular basis, all because of what Jesus did. I can really celebrate that in Jesus name it heals the loneliness epidemic that we have in this country. The Italians have a saying, chibeve solo si strossa. The one who eats alone chokes. Ouch.
That's harsh. But the Italians do you know they have a slow eating movement going on over there. They're trying to slow their people down. And of course the Italians and the French, they're known for enjoying their meals. We're known for being on the run.
You know what we're known for? In n out. Who's ever eaten at an in n out? Okay, so in n out is in Texas and over to the West Coast. They will ask you, are you going to eat that in the car?
They ask you this now. It's a part of the sales pitch. And if you say yes, they give you a little dinner box that you can put in your lap as you're driving down the freeway, eating a double or a triple, putting the fries in your mouth, drinking your soda or coffee as you're in the car alone. That's not how God created us. Genesis 2:18.
It is not good for the man to be alone. This is why just church itself is such an unbelievable experience. You get to rub shoulders with other human beings. You get to get hugs, you get to get recognized. You get to get a pat on the back, because I.
And we all need pats on the back on a regular basis. And the scripture says so. God made him a helper. God made him a companion, some of the translations say. And I like the English word companion because it comes from two Latin words, compane, which means with bread.
Eve didn't come by herself. She brought some bread. I think she knew how to cook there. And I think Adam enjoyed that, appreciated it. But you know what's funny?
Companion is known as the one who brings the bread. Jesus doesn't just bring the bread at Communion. Jesus is the bread. You get to feast literally on Jesus Christ himself. And when you're eating that little piece of cracker today, or if you're brave enough to come up here and get a piece of bread off this sourdough.
Oh, it's so good, by the way. I had some last night. I'm just telling you, it came early. You can buy some from the Golden Loaf. Some great people in our church.
It's just. It's so tasty. Anyway, good fun. Friendship involves good food and good fun. I think I said it earlier.
Most people don't see Jesus as a laughing Jesus. It's one of the reasons why I enjoy the Chosen. You know, it's not 100% accurate, but again, Jesus humanity is pictured in this series. You see Jesus cracking jokes. You see Jesus often smiling and snickering at his disciples when they do something silly or something funny.
And I can see Jesus doing the same thing when I look through the Gospels. Jesus first miracle was at a wedding celebration. Even though he wasn't really, you know, maybe wanting to do it, his mom kind of pushed him into it, the scripture tells us. But he was at this party celebrating the merging of a man and a woman. His favorite image of the kingdom of God was always a banquet.
The religious establishment was scandalized by Jesus party attitude. They called him a glutton. They called him a drunkard. They called him a friend of tax collectors and sinners. And Jesus didn't care because he used those encounters to connect with real life human beings.
He used those encounters to grow the fellowship that he was trying to establish, an authentic, real fellowship of human beings interacting and rubbing shoulders with each other. Jesus strategically created a social sacrament where you could enjoy food and just hang out. You know why? Because Jesus loved people. Look at this.
Very eager to eat this Passover meal with you. Now, you might say, oh, that's no big deal, Pastor, but in the King James translation, it says that he desired to desire to eat this Passover meal with you. The idea is that they couldn't come up with a word that expressed how much Jesus wanted to spend his last night on earth with his disciples. He no longer called them servants, if you remember. He now started calling them friends.
And because he called them friends, he knew he was going to the cross. He knew he was gonna suffer. He knew he was going to die. He wanted to spend one last evening of celebration with his friends, with the people he loved, with the people he cared about. He wanted them to experience the unity and the harmony that can occur when people become a part of the family of God and then agree on where they're going and what they're doing on behalf of Jesus Christ.
So this is more than a table of friendship. It is literally the family table. It is a place where even though we bring in our various dysfunctional functions into this house, around the table, we're all the same. Who can say amen? Around the table, there's no personal opinions, petty rivalries, political parties, personal preferences, cultural differences, economic inequality.
The Bible says, whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. You can bring all your junk and around this table, we're all equal. Around this table, there's no Jew, there's no Greek. Around this table, there's no male, there's no female. Around this table, there's no rich and there's no poor.
There's no bond, there's no free. Now, when we walk out the door, there's still going to be a little dysfunction every now and then. That's just reality. That's just humanity. I heard about this.
This man, he called his father, and it was a week before Thanksgiving, and he said, I just want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving, Dad. We're not going to be able to make it. He hangs up the phone and his wife says, well, how'd the call go? And how did he take it that we're not going home for Thanksgiving? And he said, well, he took it, okay?
He said that we can go to their house for Thanksgiving or we can get cut out of the will. The choice is ours.
Sometimes pastoring a church, I feel those kinds of idiosyncrasies that take place, and we have to say it's okay. We're gonna be different. We're gonna have disagreements, all of those things, but we still love each other in Jesus name. You understand that? Jesus literally changed the definition of the family.
Many of us celebrate the fact that. That I've got a bunch of brothers, a bunch of cousins, and all of this kind of stuff. And there's nothing wrong with that, okay? But Jesus, this is what he said. Somebody asked him, said, hey, hey, your mom and your brothers are out here looking for you, Jesus.
And Jesus said this. Who's my mother? Who are my brothers? And he stretched out his hand towards his disciples and said, here's my mother and here's my brothers. You see what he's doing?
He's elevating the church above blood relationships. So if you elevate blood above the church, you do not understand this revelation at all. Jesus literally forsook traditional leadership by not getting married. Think about this. Priests, leaders, rabbis, had to marry back then.
Jesus said no, because family is not about biology. Family is about the blood of Jesus Christ. Who can say amen? This is the blood that should stick closer than a brother. No other kind.
Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28. Jesus says, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I who will give you rest. He said, come to his disciples. He said, come to the rich young ruler. He said, come to tax collectors and sinners.
He said to the little children, come. He kept saying it over and over and over again. Why? Because the table is a place of intimacy. It's a place where you can really get to know Jesus a little bit better.
The same thing happens with you and I on a regular basis, does it not? I mean, first dates, second dates are almost always around a table. That's where the intimacy begins. Business deals are usually around a table of some kind. Back in the Old Testament, they would sign treaties and they'd have these covenant meals at the end where enemies would come together and enemies would become friends.
Anybody remember the Lakers, Celtic rivalries in the 1980s? A couple of guys by the name of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. See those guys up there? I mean, this is so fascinating because I really love these rivalries. I loved basketball, but this is what Larry Bird said many years after these basketball games.
He said, it was at the table that I discovered I never liked Magic Johnson very much, but Irvin I like a lot. And Irvin didn't come out until I met him at my mom's table. And that was when they were doing those McDonald's commercials back then, if you remember, in French Lick, Indiana, warring factions became friends around the table. The table's a place of identity. To come to the table is to discover who you are and who you can become.
Around the table. I discovered that my grandfathers both on my mom's side and my dad's side, they both worked on the railroad during the Great Depression. They worked on the railroad. It was around that table that I started learning that my dad loved me basketball and loved sports. And he became a.
He was a big football fan and a basketball referee. And I modeled some of my behaviors after those behaviors because I learned it at the table. At the table. I found out that my mom was a home shopping network fanatic and my dad had to work double shifts to keep her in her habits. There Robin I learned that traces her family back.
This is after her mom and dad came home from France after a trip to Europe. And we discovered that Robin's great great, great great great grandfather and I don't know how many greats are in there. They found his tombstone in the country of France and on the tombstone it says killed for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Is that amazing? For 250 years there has always been a pastor in Robin's family who can say Amen to that.
I mean, that's amazing. And I found that out at the dinner table. At the dinner table you can find out that God is your provider, that God is your creator, that Jesus is your savior, that Jesus is your redeemer. At the communion table today, I want you to know that Jesus is healer who can say Amen? Jesus is healer and he wants you healed today in Jesus name.
Second. And we only have two points today, so we're halfway done. God has invited you to literally experience him at his table. How many of you have been to Las Vegas? Let me see hands.
Been to Las Vegas. So back in the early 2000s, there was something called the Star Trek Experience. Anybody go to that? Okay, a couple of you went to the Star Trek experience. Anybody over here?
Anybody over here? Go to the Star Trek Experience? And if you're a Trekkie, it would have freaked you out. Okay? Because I Remember taking some of my kids there one time and I'm talking 20 some years ago and you walk in and the moment I walked in, a Klingon arrested me and put me in jail.
And I'm like, this is real. You know, I mean, I was so excited. I saw Quark's restaurant over and if you're a Deep Space Nine fan, you know, Quark was this little guy who had these big ears and everything, and his restaurant was there. We saw phasers, we saw all kinds of cool stuff. It was as if we were really there.
Communion is supposed to so take you back to what Jesus went through, that it's as if you were really, really there. You're supposed to use your imagination, you're supposed to think, you're supposed to ponder, you're supposed to embrace. And that's why he purposely left a physical sacrament so that we would have to touch the bread, we'd have to touch the cup, we'd have to drink it and eat it and smell it. I mean, I love the smell of homemade bread. Anybody with me?
I mean, it's just absolutely delicious, isn't it? But what do we do? We serve a stale cracker.
I just think we're doing a disservice to ourselves. We're not communicating what was communicated that first night, that there was this family type situation, celebration where everyone was in this together and they were feasting on lamb and herbs and spices and having fresh bread and all kinds of stuff to eat and drink. It was just a total and complete Thanksgiving like celebration. And God wants us to have that same connection today. He wants us to interact with Jesus, to eat Jesus in or to bring him into our, our lives as we eat and drink this again.
And he even wants us to indulge just a little bit. See, I've eaten enough buffets in Las Vegas to know that I've probably sinned the sin of gluttony a couple times. And it's because some of those buffets are just over the moon. They're delicious. And so you eat and you eat a little bit more and you eat a little bit more and then you want your money's worth on top of it.
You know, you put pay 50 bucks for a buffet now and so you get your money's worth and you don't eat for three days afterwards. Well, listen, if you indulge in a buffet, you're going to pay the price, right? But if you indulge on Jesus, he's already paid the price. I'm just telling you this is such an unbelievable, awesome opportunity for you to reconnect with your Savior because of eating a little bread and drinking a little cup. It's a physical experience.
It's a mental experience. That's why we need to understand more and more of what's actually taking place when we do communion. Let's see if I can find another verse here. Yeah. Now, the festival of unleavened bread arrived when the Passover lamb.
Oh, I didn't even know how I got to that one. See if I can go back.
Nope, I don't even know where I am. So I'm going to forget the screen for the rest of the day. This is what it says in verse 16. For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled. So every time you participate in communion, there can be a new revelation, there can be a deeper understanding, there can be a fuller understanding of what it is that Jesus did, because the full depth will not be revealed until we get to heaven someday.
That's why we're to remember what it is Jesus did. We're to remember his dying on the cross. We're to remember that thing that went the spear into his side, or to remember that while he was on that cross that both blood and water came out. And physicians nowadays tell us that that's proof that he actually died. Because some people say, oh, he wasn't really dead, and that's why he rose again.
No, he was dead for three days. He was buried for three days and he rose again. Who can say Amen? That's what we're celebrating here today. We can remember that he suffered and died, but we can also remember that he rose again from the dead.
We do this in remembrance of him until he comes. That's the exciting news. Now you might say, pastor, I'm just not in the mood today. If you knew what I was going through, if you knew the battles that were raging, if you knew how difficult this was. That's why you need to go back to Psalm 23:5, because Psalm 23:5 says this, that God prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies.
What a perfect time for communion, when the bottom has fallen out, when all hope is lost. God is still there right beside you. And he's like, hey, hey, I've got a little meal for you in the midst of all this. And it's not just a sustenance meal. It's.
It is a victory meal. You're going to win the victory in Jesus name. You're going to be victorious in Jesus name. It's an emotional experience. You notice I get a little excited.
That's because verse seven says it was a festival. Communion's not supposed to be boring. It's not supposed to be only somber. There's always a level of that in a communion message when you're remembering what Jesus did for us. But as soon as you get over that, to the, to the resurrection, the atmosphere changes, the excitement rises, the celebration, the Thanksgiving, the hallelujahs, the time of hope.
And then finally, and probably most importantly, it should be a transformational experience. Every communion has the potential to change your life. Every communion, you can experience God's forgiveness anew. Every communion, you have an opportunity to be healed in your sick body. Now listen, listen.
I'm not saying you're going to be healed today. What I'm saying is of all the services I've participated in in the last 55 years, the manifested presence of God for healing is more real at communion than any other service I've ever been a part of. When, when, when a church has communion and focuses on the broken body of Jesus Christ. For some reason, people get healed during those services who can say amen. And so I'm gonna invite the prayer partners and the pastors after the service to come up here and we're gonna pray for you guys.
Anybody who wants healing, we're gonna do that. This is a deliverance service. You should be delivered from all bad habits, all, all addictions, all depression. You should get direction during a service like this. God will provide for you.
He will bring wholeness to your body, your soul and your spirit. In Jesus name, who can say Amen?
So the Amish have a tradition called rumspringa, and it's known as the running around. And there are some weird television programs on those obscure channels where they show the Amish life. And they take these 18 year olds, these 19 year olds, and they go to San Francisco or New York and they just go crazy. They go to clubs and they party and, you know, they do all kinds of weird, crazy things. And it's supposed to be entertaining.
But what they don't tell you is that 95% of Amish children remain Amish.
Think with me, if 95% of assembly of God children remained Christian, how big would our churches be?
Maybe it's because they've not experienced communion the way Jesus wants them to experience it. Because in the Amish tradition, as long as those children are outside of the family, outside of the protection of the nuclear institution, there they always say always. They always leave a place setting for their child. Because that boy or girl are always allowed to come back under any circumstances. And I believe God is communicating the same thing to some people here today.
That maybe you've been running, maybe you've been far from God. And the devil tells you you're too dirty. You don't even deserve to take it. I remember growing up, there were times I wouldn't even take communion because I felt I was going to get struck with lightning sitting there in the seat. Listen, that's not going to happen.
Because when you come to this table, before you do anything, you say, God, just forgive me for my sins, forgive me for my wanderings, forgive me for not paying attention. You make things right, okay? And he just embraces you like that Father with the prodigal son. He's sitting there watching. He's sitting there looking.
He's sitting there hoping. And as soon as your heart makes any motion towards him, he's running towards you. He's running towards you. And he's got a robe, he's got a ring, he's got sandals. And he brings you right back into the family of God as if you were never gone, not even for a moment.
Who can say Amen? Let's give the Lord a round of applause.
So if you grab your communion, if anyone wants to come up here, you can come join me. I'm not going to use my cracker today. I'm appreciative for these. Just so you know, I'm thankful for these. Robin, would you come join me, please?
Robin's gonna break me off some bread so I can keep talking. If anyone needs communion, would you just raise your hand? Yeah, look, we've got people all around. Lot of people. Ushers.
We need some more ushers here. We've got a lot of people who don't have it. That's all right. She said she forgot the. But no, no, you're not done, ma'am.
You're not done. Come on back.
Would you break off a couple more pieces and put it on this plate? Anybody want to sit with me? Come on. Anybody? Come on, have a seat right here.
Would you give him some bread? Do you have your cup? Yeah. You got some juice? Good.
Come on, you can come join me. Have a seat here.
Come sit over here with me.
Wow. Isn't this cool? Yeah, I think it's cool. This was not planned. You can come over here.
Right here. This is completely spontaneous. I hope that's all right. I'm not Mr. Spontaneous, but today, I guess I am.
Uh. Oh, you guys got your bread? Little piece. I would make it little because it. Everybody got your bread?
It's right there. Right in front of you. Right there. You see it? All right, here comes some more people.
Give them some bread. Have a seat with us.
No, no, no. She. She said she's late to the party. And I said, no, you cannot be late to the party. I mean, only after Jesus has come back.
All right? And so there's no lateness to the party. Come on up, join us. Yeah, we got more room. We got more room.
Next communion, I'm going to get a bigger table, just so you know. Okay. I'm going to get a bigger table than this. Oh, man, I feel like King Arthur in the round table, you know? We're going to get a bunch of people around it.
Here comes some more. Isn't this fun? It is.
Would you take the cracker or the bread in your hand, please? And I'm going to pray over it right now. Heavenly Father, we come to you in the precious name of Jesus Christ, the name that's above every other name. And, Lord, this is special.
You're doing something in our midst right now. You are knitting our hearts together. You are growing our love for one another. And I pray, Father God, that we would understand that this is the team that you've given us. This is the group that we're going to transform Oxford, Wildwood, the villages, and this entire community for Jesus Christ.
But before we can do that, Father God, we need you to transform us. And so we're going to eat this bread and drink this cup, believing that as we do this, that those who need to ask for forgiveness are going to repent of their sins and allow you to wash them white as snow, Whether they're just coming back to you or whether this is the first time ever there may be some here that are becoming Christians for the very first time. You are whosoever. And whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, the scripture says. And that's why on the night that Jesus was betrayed, he blessed the bread.
He broke it. He gave it to his disciples. And he said, do this in remembrance of me. Let's all eat the bread together, shall we?
Would you peel back the top of your wine container, please? You need another one? We need more up here, Robin. Here comes some. We're gonna wait.
Oh, we need. We need more, Robin.
Everybody got one? Okay. There you go. Oh, we still need one more. We still need one more.
Oh, we've Got it. One extra. No, you're good. Good. You're good.
This is. This probably happened at the Lord's Supper. Someone was out going to the bathroom when the wine cup went around. And it was Peter, I know it was Peter. And he comes back in and goes, what just happened?
And they're all saying, well, we just did something brand new and you weren't a part of it. But then he probably let him back in. No. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we just say thank you.
Thank you for the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Because of this beautiful, loving act that Jesus performed on the cross, every single one of us can walk out of this facility as white as snow. All of the baggage, all of the mistakes, all of the sins, all of the transgressions completely wiped away in the name of Jesus Christ. I pray, Father God, that all of us would have the heart of David and that with that heart, we would be quick to repent every single day. But I recognize, Lord, that there are times like today that maybe we haven't in a few days, maybe even a few weeks.
But in this moment, each of us opens up our heart to you. We're laid bare before you. And we allow you to climb, to cleanse, to purge, to heal in the name of Jesus Christ. And on the night Jesus was betrayed, he took the cup. He told the disciples that this cup represented a brand new covenant, a promise between God and humanity.
And he blessed the cup. He gave it to his disciples. And he said, drink this in remembrance of me. Let's drink the cup together.
Pastor Jeff is going to lead in a song. And as he does the prayer, partners, if you'd come down and Pastors come down and just make yourself available to pray for healing for anyone who needs healing, would you guys sing, please?
