Today I led my church family in Communion. Here’s the entire transcript of it – minus ad libs. (Words in bold were stressed.)
At this time let’s continue our worship to our Glorious God with our first Sunday of the month tradition here at Living Waters of remembering the Lord’s Supper.
You know the world around us will mock us and ridicule us for publicly believing and freely following our Lord Almighty – our King of Glory. They label us. They call us names. They try to silence us or confine us. They condemn us. They hate us. In some parts of the world they try to destroy us. You can see this every day on the TV News.
But remember this from John Chapter 15. Red letters. Christ’s own words. He said, “If the world hates you – remember that it hated Me first. The world would love you as one of its own – if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. (Verses 18-19)
God chose you … God chose all of us – to come out of the world. We are no longer slaves of the world.
The Good News is this:
… Even if you suffer for doing what is right – God will reward you for it. So don’t be afraid – and don’t worry. Instead … worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope – always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against you they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember it is better to suffer for doing good … than to suffer for doing wrong ! (1 Peter 3:14-17)
That’s some Good News right there (from First Peter). In every opportunity we must testify to the world on how Christ has blessed us with a fantastic journey to live. We must proclaim our praise and worship for our everlasting loving God. We must preach the Truth. And in all of this we must remember – For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk. It is living by God’s power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)
The Truth continues:
Christ suffered when He died for our sins – once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:18)
He that knew no sin suffered in the place of those that knew no righteousness.
Let’s observe. Let’s rejoice. Let’s celebrate – this believer’s Communion – this agreement – of God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit as One God. It’s open for my church family who hears me, and believes that all of our sins were poured upon Christ at the cross, and that we no longer need to pay the price for our sins – now and forever. It is finished. Paid in full.
If you believe that the finished work of Christ on the cross results in your redemption forever – then I invite you to accept this bread and this juice. I will come to you to serve you these elements. As you receive them please stand – and remain standing – as we prepare to accept them together as a church family.
[Distribute elements.]
And as the Bible says (1 Corinthians 11:23-26):
For this is what the Lord Himself said, and I pass it on to you just as I received it. On the night when He was betrayed the Lord Jesus took some bread, and gave thanks to God for it. Then He broke it in pieces and said, “This is My body – which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way He took the cup of wine after supper saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and His people – an agreement confirmed with My blood. Do this in remembrance of Me as often as you drink it.”
For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are announcing the Lord’s death – until He comes again.
Let us bow our heads. Let us pray. Thank You Jesus for that ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Thank You God for choosing us – and blessing us here at Living Waters with Your grace and Your mercy. Thank You Lord for Your awesome presence in our lives – and Your intentional purpose for our lives. May all of Your blessings and miracles constantly strengthen our faith in You, increase our love towards others, and unify our hearts and our souls. We honor You God as the Creator of all Creations, and together we say in agreement – AMEN.
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