Sermon Notes
Pastor Jeff Stanfill

Communion Service
October 1st, 2006 - AM Service

COMMUNION SERVICE
OCTOBER 1, 2006

Worship - Scott Green

INTRO:
Two sacred acts have been given to us by Jesus. The first is water baptism. Water baptism is a sign of beginning a new life with Jesus as Savior AND Lord. The other act is the Lord's Supper or Communion. While water baptism is done once, Communion is repeated through a Christian's life. It is a sign of continuing fellowship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus began this sacred act Himself. Matt 26:26-29. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

Before Jesus did this, there are instances of God's people eating and drinking in the presence of God. One of those instances was the elders of Israel on Mt. Sinai. Ex 24:9-11. Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up 10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. 11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.

Every year the people of God were to tithe all their harvest. This 10% was to be used in worshipping God at an annual feast. Deut 14:23. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always.

Deut 14:26. Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice.

And before any of this, while in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve ate all their meals in the presence of the Lord. Everything of the Garden was given to them except on tree. Their daily nourishment was ingested in unbroken fellowship with God until they ate one meal in disobedience.

Today, we eat with this as a background for what we do. And the foreground of this is that one day we will eat in the presence of God in perfect unbroken fellowship with God as did Adam and Eve before our sins. That day we will eat with "even greater joy, because those who eat in God's presence will be forgiven sinners now confirmed in righteousness, never able to sin again. That future time of great rejoicing and eating in the presence of God is hinted at by Jesus when he says, "I tell you I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until the day when I eat and drink it anew with you in my Father's Kingdom." (Grudem, Systematic Theology, pg. 989)

This is a time to be spiritually refreshed as food refreshes a tired body. It is a time to be spiritually strengthened as food strengthens our bodies. It is a time to be spiritually empowered as food helps our physical bodies to have the power to maintain health.

We cannot make Communion more than it already is, but we can take possession of more of what it is. We come this morning anticipating that here in the presence of God, we individually and as a church will be refreshed, strengthened, and empowered in Jesus Christ.

READ 1 COR. 11:27-32.
I. EXAMINATION OF OUR SELF'S.
1. Self-examination is a key to good health and good grades in school. We have a divine tool to examine ourselves spiritually today; it is the Word of God. Who wants to buy gasoline at $2 per gallon without first agreeing what quantity is a gallon? The Word of God calibrates for us what it is we are to be.

2. God's Word gives us the Ten Commandments. Before we would proceed this morning, let us take up the Ten Commandments and examine ourselves.
· Ex 20:3. You shall have no other gods before me.
Am I exclusive in my relationship with God?
Do I see Him alone as my Creator, sustainer, hope?

· 4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand [ generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments.
If someone looked at my daily activities could they tell that I serve only God?
How have I reduced God down to something smaller than He truly is?

· 7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Is my vocabulary wholesome or coarse?
Have I claimed it was God when it really was something I wanted?
To what have I attached God's name to that does not show His true character?

· 8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Am I rested?
Do I define who I am by what I do and how much I do?
Am I staying busy to avoid God?
Do I trust God to provide?
Do I enjoy criticizing others that work less than I do?
· 12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Am I quick and cheerful to obey?
Does my lifestyle or any habits embarrass my parents?
Am I attentive to my aging parents?

· 13 "You shall not murder.
Is there someone that I hold ill-will against?
Have my words stabbed anyone this week?
Have I truly forgiven my enemy?

· 14 "You shall not commit adultery.
Are my thoughts continually lustful?
Have I looked at or read anything pornographic this week?

· 15 "You shall not steal.
Did I work while I was on the job?
Am I current on every bill I owe?
Have I shoplifted anything?
Have I taken answers from another's test or homework?

· 16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Am I truthful or do I exaggerate?
Am I living in such a way that my neighbors are blessed because of living next to me?
Have I passed along rumors this week?
What gossip have I spoken?

· 17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Have I rejoiced in other's blessings?
Am I envious of other's blessings?
Do I wish my spouse or kids or friends were like someone else's spouse or kids or friends?
Have I been content with what God has provided?

PRAYER - TLJ

II. EXAMINATION OF CHRIST'S GRACE.
1. After examining ourselves, it is clear that no one is worthy of eternal life. It is obvious that we need help. The help we need and have is the grace of Christ. As we have examined our lives, let's examine Christ's grace offered to us.

2. First, as we failed the examination, we deserve the punishment of death. But we have Christ's grace in that He has died and rose again. This morning we will eat broken pieces of bread reminding us that Christ's body was broken for us. We will drink the cup symbolizing the pouring out of His blood for us. We see grace where wrath was due.

3. Second, as we further examine His death and reach out to take the bread and the cup, so Christ's grace is available to us to reach out and receive from Him. We share in the benefits of His death. ILLU: If I die today, Mary Ann and our sons will receive what is called a death benefit. They will receive a sum that only my death can provide for them. By grace and in faith, we have received a benefit of Christ's death. The benefits of everlasting life, of fellowship with God, and of spiritual renewal today are available only because Christ has died. Ingesting this bread and cup today does not give us everlasting life, it does not provide fellowship with God, and it does not renew our souls but the death of Christ does. This morning the Holy Spirit is present to apply to our account Christ's death benefit. In faith, receive it this morning!

4. Third, examining Christ's grace I see God's love for me at both the cross and the tomb. At the cross He loved us enough to die for us. At the tomb He loved us enough to give us hope. Jesus invites us to come to Him. His love is affirmed to us in His living to intercede for us. This bread and cup are lovingly prepared for us. Specifically for us to fellowship with God through Jesus Christ.

INSTRUMENTAL SONG WHILE RECEIVING THE BREAD AND CUP

VERSES 2 AND 3 OF "CHRIST ALONE"

Eat and drink.

VERSES 1 AND 4 OF "CHRIST ALONE"

WORSHIP

WORSHIP/OFFERING

CLOSE: Today we affirm our faith in Jesus Christ. We today signify that after examination of our lives and repentance before God, we continue on in our walk with God in Jesus Christ.

We are not only free from sin's guilt but sin's power! Sin no longer is our master for we are liberated by Jesus Christ to live in His holiness!