Remembering … Refreshing … Reactivating…

Jesus feeds the 5,000 John 6

Names & Traditions  Breaking of Bread – to have a meal together Acts 2:42  Partaking of the Lord’s Supper – 1 Cor 11:20  Coming to the Lord’s Table – 1 Cor 10:21  Communion – the act of connecting or participating with Christ & each other 1 Cor. 10:16-17  Eucharist – Greek word “thanksgiving” e.g. 1 Cor 11;24  [Mass – (Latin missa,=dismissed) probably derives from the practice of dismissing the catechumens (those not yet initiated into the mystery of the Eucharist) before the offertory, and from the words Ite, missa est - Go, you are dismissed) spoken to the faithful at the end of the Mass. ]

 8. We believe Baptism and the Lord's Supper have been given to the churches by Christ as visible signs of the gospel. Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ and entry into his Church but does not impart spiritual life. The Lord's Supper is a commemoration of Christ's sacrifice offered once for all and involves no change in the bread and wine. All its blessings are received by faith.

Baptism & the Lord’s Supper Sacrament [Latin: = something holy], an outward sign (physical) of something sacred. IIn Christianity, a sacrament is commonly defined as having been instituted by Jesus and consisting of a visible sign of invisible grace.

From Passover meal to the Lord’s supper Luke 22:14-20  A new EXODUS  The NEW COVENANT celebration meal

The real presence of the absent Lord Luke 24:30-35 The Lord’s Table  Christ revealed in the breaking of the bread Not a remembrance of things past but of a person present …

Discerning the Body 1 Corinthians 11:20-30  Communing with Christ and one another  Dealing with conflict and hurt

A regular cleansing … purified devotion  Examine yourself – 1 Corinthians 11:28  Single-minded allegiance to Christ – 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

A daily necessity … as often as you do this A weekly balance  Acts 2:42-42  Daily in their homes  Part of a meal  On the first day of the week  Acts 20:7 – the “resurrection day”

A rich feast … 1. Remembrance  of Christ – his life, death and resurrection, present intercession and future return  of One Another – the “Body of Christ” 2. Participation = communion (1 Cor 10) by eating together  with Christ  with Each Other

A rich feast … 3. Worship giving thanks (eucharist)to God, especially to Christ 4. Proclamation - “you proclaim the Lord’s death” 1 Cor 11:26 (short form of 15:3-5)

 Command of Christ, Luke 22:7-22  Specific occasion to worship Acts 2:42,46; Acts 20:7,11  Work of the Holy Spirit to make Christ real to us John 16:13-15  Requires a genuine “togetherness” communion with Christ & one another 1 Cor. 11:17-34 Communion Service “I’m on my knees again …”

A Biblical summary READ  Luke 22:14-24; Acts 2:42-47; 20:7-12;  1 Cor. 10:14-22 & 1 Cor 11:17-33  Jude 1:12-13 (2 Peter2:13; )

Command of Christ, Luke 22:7-22 Specific occasion to worship Acts 2:42,46; Acts 20:7,11 Work of the Holy Spirit to make Christ real to us John 16:13-15 Requires a genuine “togetherness” communion with Christ & one another 1 Cor. 11:17-34 Communion Service “I’m on my knees again …”

Sacrament [Latin: = something holy], an outward sign of something sacred.  In Christianity, a sacrament is commonly defined as having been instituted by Jesus and consisting of a visible sign of invisible grace.

READ  Luke 22:14-24; Acts 2:42-47; 20:7-12;  1 Cor. 10:14-22 & 1 Cor 11:17-33  Jude 1:12-13 (2 Peter2:13; )

 Communion – the act of connecting with Christ & each other  Eucharist - Greek word thanksgiving e.g. 1 Cor 11;24  Breaking of Bread; -Acts 2:42  Partaking of the Lord’s Supper - 1 Cor 11:20  Coming to the Lord’s Table 1 Cor 10:21  Mass- [Latin missa,=dismissed] probably derives from the practice of dismissing the catechumens—those not yet initiated into the mystery of the Eucharist—before the offertory and from the words Ite, missa est [Go, you are dismissed] spoken to the faithful at the end of the Mass.

 Daily in their homes  Part of a meal  On the first day of the week

1. Rememebrance Of Christ and his life death and resurrection, present intercession and future return Of one another – the “Body of Christ” 2. Particpation=communion (1 Cor 10) by eating together With Christ With Each other

3. Worship -eucharist giving thanks, to God, but especially to Christ 4. Proclamation - “you proclaim the Lord’s death” 1 Cor 11:26 (short form of 15:3-5)

 When? A weekly commitment Open to additional ocaisional celebration  Who? Any beleiver (its the Lord’s Table not LCC’s) Need to be in fellowship with Christ  How?

(a) Style Formal Informal (b) Organisation Structured Open Time (c) Mood a Potential polarity – Wedding & a funeral Grief Joy

Some practical considerations Prepare yourself for communion Be on there before time am for am Be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading Speak or not to speak that is the question Communion Service “I’m on my knees again …”

The Concept of “Open Worship-Service” 1 Cor 14:26 – the concept here seems to be an unstructured (but not chaotic) period during a meeting of believers, when each is allowed to share what is on their heart. 1 Thess. 5:19-22

The essential points are:- Any believer in fellowship with Christ is free to speak. We are each seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit, who both enables and empowers the gifts We exercise control, and wait for each other. Learning both when to start and when to stop. Understanding that at certain times and in certain situations one needs to remain silent. The overall purposes is to “worship together” to blend our differing gifts to build each other up and glorify God in what we do.

The Concept of “Open Worship-Service” When? Prayer times (monthly, small groups) House Groups Prayer in Family Services Sunday Evening services Communion Services General openness for contributions