A general outline of my message preparing us the Lord’s Supper this past Sunday. In the lead up to this service I was deeply challenged to make the observance of Communion a significant event in the life of our church. I offer these words not from a sense that these words are worthy of emulation but instead I offer them to “spur us onto good work” in the ministry. Thankfully the service went very well and was wonderfully appreciated by our church. (In part I fear, because we were so overdue in our observance.)
****
Text -- 1 Corinthians 11.17-32
As we come to the Table we allow it to teach us.
This practice is not acquired tradition but the very instructions of Jesus Himself.
The meaning of this experience is found in Jesus’ complete giving of Himself.
The purpose of the table is the powerful proclamation of truth.
However, it is possible for a church to get this wrong.
This does not require a perfect approach to the table, for that misses the entire point of the table. But it does mean we cannot be openly broken in our relationship with those around us or with God.
We also come to the Table to be drawn in.
The touch, feel and taste of the bread and the cup is designed through the use of these symbols to move us across time so that the story of redemption is not a distant experience, but an ongoing reality. Do this in remembrance of me.
Finally, we come to the table to find common ground.
Missing in most of our worship experiences is the act of sitting around the table, looking at the faces across from us. At is around the table that we are reminded of the shared journey, shared Salvation and shared responsibility of the family that is the body of Christ.
Text -- 1 Corinthians 11.17-32
As we come to the Table we allow it to teach us.
This practice is not acquired tradition but the very instructions of Jesus Himself.
The meaning of this experience is found in Jesus’ complete giving of Himself.
The purpose of the table is the powerful proclamation of truth.
However, it is possible for a church to get this wrong.
This does not require a perfect approach to the table, for that misses the entire point of the table. But it does mean we cannot be openly broken in our relationship with those around us or with God.
We also come to the Table to be drawn in.
The touch, feel and taste of the bread and the cup is designed through the use of these symbols to move us across time so that the story of redemption is not a distant experience, but an ongoing reality. Do this in remembrance of me.
Finally, we come to the table to find common ground.
Missing in most of our worship experiences is the act of sitting around the table, looking at the faces across from us. At is around the table that we are reminded of the shared journey, shared Salvation and shared responsibility of the family that is the body of Christ.
***
May God bless your next observance of the Table.
Tim
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment