Topics: God, communion
I. Look Up In Remembrance
- For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which 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" (1 Corinthians 11:23, 24).
- In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me? (1 Corinthians 11:25).
II. Look Ahead in Proclamation
- For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).
- We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me (Colossians 1:28, 29).
III. Look Within For Examination
- Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly (1 Cor. 11:27, 29).
- For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world (1 Cor. 11:30, 32).
IV. Look Around in Consideration
- So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment. The remaining matters I will arrange when I come (1 Corinthians 11:33, 34).
- Is anyone among you suffering? He must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him (James 5:13, 15).
Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, April 6th, 2025
Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions
Worship God In Holy Communion
An important Guideline of Life Groups: It is appropriate to celebrate Communion in your Life Groups. The early Church met day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house? (Acts 2:46). From this verse we learn that we need both "Corporate Worship" as a Church family and "Small Group" fellowship as Life Groups.
Getting Started:
- What are some things you do to prepare your heart and mind to worship God in Holy Communion? How has celebrating the bread and cup caused spiritual growth in you?
- How would you explain the significance and meaning of the Lord's Supper to someone who hasn't been taught about it?
Discussing Truths:
- Why is it imperative that we look up to Jesus when we partake of Holy Communion (Colossians 3:1-4)?
- How often are we to eat the bread and drink the cup (1 Corinthians 11:26)? What are we proclaiming when we celebrate Communion?
- Have you ever taken the bread and cup as a religious ritual without genuine reverence and honor? Did you feel the judgment (or discipline) of the Lord (1 Cor 11:29)?
- Why did Jesus tell us to celebrate the bread and the cup in remembrance of Me?
- What was the result of the Corinthians partaking of the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner (1 Cor 11:20-22, 30)?
- How does Isaiah 53:4-12 predict the breaking of Christ's body and the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross? Does that passage inspire holy reverence and awe in you?
Now What? Application:
- Please commit to "coming together as a church family" (1 Corinthians 11:18) faithfully, regularly, humbly and with a teachable attitude! Make Sunday Worship a top priority!
- Shower yourself in God's grace daily so you can walk in a manner worthy of our Lord pray Colossians 1:9-12 over your heart and mind
