"POTLUCK: When it’s Thanksgiving, I expect turkey.” - 5-30-21

"POTLUCK: When it’s Thanksgiving, I expect turkey.” - 5-30-21

INTRODUCTION

I like to eat everything.  On special occasions I do look forward to the special meal.  On thanksgiving, I want turkey, cranberry sauce, dressing, gravy, and the whole works.

I. WE GATHER TOGETHER ON PURPOSE

 

"I am building a church," said a small boy, playing on the floor with a set of building blocks, "and we must be very quiet." His father, eager to encourage this unexpected reverence, asked, "And why are we quiet in the church?" "Because the people are asleep!" was the immediate response. We don’t gather to snooze.  There is a reason we gather. 

A.  Churches gather together

“The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.”

‭‭ Acts‬ ‭5:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

B.  Churches gather regularly 

“In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it.”

‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

   

II.  WE GATHER TOGETHER TO TAKE THE LORD’S SUPPER

‬‬

Jesus said, “This is the blood of the covenant which is poured out for you.” People use a lot of big words when they speak of Communion.  Words like sacrament and Eucharist.  Professors speak of transubstantiation and consubstantiation. But the most important words ever said about Communion are short words, two words of three letters, “for you.” Though we were not in the Upper Room, we are sure that they were meant for us as well as for the Twelve. Communion is for you-and you-and you. It is not just for some-the wealthy, the powerful, the learned, the ones who think themselves perfect. It is for us who are imperfect and poor and powerless and who have so much to learn. Whenever you come to Communion, remember those two little words, “for you.”

Bob Shannon 

A.  Example

“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.”

‭‭ Acts‬ ‭20:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 

B.  Components

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

‭‭   Matthew‬ ‭26:26-28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

C.  Participation

“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”

‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

D.  Remembrance

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 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.” 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.””

‭‭  1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:23-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

E.  Examination

“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.”

‭‭  1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

III.  WE GATHER TO PROCLAIM THE LORD’S DEATH UNTIL HE RETURNS

“In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter! 

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 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.” 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.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 

So then, 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. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 

Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.”

‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:17-34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A.  Our proclamation

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

‭‭  1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

B.  We proclaim. (It’s about the body)

“So then, 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. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.”

‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:27-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CONCLUSION

We gather on purpose to take the Lord’s Supper and proclaim his death until he returns.

It is a memorial of Christ's life and death.

It is a symbol of Christ's work.

It represents the union of all God's people; at the table of the Lord all human souls are on a level.

It represents the soul's constant dependence upon Christ for strength. Christ is the daily bread of life to the soul.

It represents the mystic union of Christ and his people; he lives in them and they in him.

The Lord's Supper is a special communion with Christ when, in a particular manner, he reveals himself to the believing heart.—Dr. Smith Baker

CHALLENGE

 

Invite others to gather with us.  Ask other believers to celebrate the Lord’s Supper with you.  Proclaim the Lord’s death for the whole world to hear.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.