Got Fruit ?

Well today’s Communion Meditation went well minus a case of nervousness, and stumbling over a few words.  Several folks approached me after services ended with words of encouragement and playful (?) innuendo about going to Bible College.    "Slow down Tim, not so fast."  

So here’s the transcript from the Communion Meditation…

 

From 1st Corinthians 11:23-25, Paul the Apostle brings correction to the Church of Corinth concerning it’s handling of the Lord’s Supper:

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."

As I was preparing today’s meditation, the words body and remembrance from 1st Corinthians 11:23-25 stood out, my prayer is that God’s Holy Spirit will use them to guide us all in examining ourselves, before we partake of the bread which is symbolic of the body of Christ and the wine that symbolizes the new covenant in Christ’s blood.

Firstly, from 1st Corinthians 12:12, Paul addresses the problem of division within the church when he says:
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.".

I think it’s important to know that because of Jesus we have this privilege to rejoice in Paul’s statement.

Christ in flesh and bone;

• was tempted by Satan
• rejected by His own people
• plotted against by religious leaders
• betrayed by Judas and disowned by Peter

Christ was:

• spat upon
• mocked
• assaulted
• flogged… and then crucified; for our sake.

Secondly, Jesus tells us in addition to partaking of His body and the cup, to do so “… in remembrance of me”. Reading and hearing those words, I get the impression that The Lord’s intention was not merely for us to intellectually remember Christ the historical figure. Rather to remember and apply likewise to our lives, the complete package that He was and still is.

Remember your Lord and Savior:

• the one who comforted His disciples
• the one who served others
• the one who showed mercy and grace

Remember your Lord and Savior… of Luke 7:11-13, who’s heart went out to a widow who’s son had died

Remember your Lord and Savior… of Mark 1:40-41, who,because of compassion healed a leper

Remember your Lord and Savior… of Matthew 6:9-10 who said: " ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Remember your Lord and Savior… of Matthew 9:9, who said to a tax collector… ”Follow me.”

Remember your Lord.

Paul commands personal reflection, an examination of heart, attitude and gratitude in 1st Corinthians 11:27-28 concerning the Lord’s Supper:

27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

As this communion meditation closes, I pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to our hearts through these final words from Romans 12:1-2.

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

 

Grace and peace be with you.