Communion

How serious and important is communion (The Lord’s Supper)? Can we ignore or avoid it?

C.H. Spurgeon … Do we not find ourselves forgetful of Jesus? … Some creature steals away our heart, and we are unmindful of Him upon whom our affection ought to be set. Some earthly business engrosses your attention when you should fix your eye steadily upon the cross. It is the incessant turmoil of the world, the constant attraction of earthly things which takes away the soul from Christ. While memory too well preserves a poisonous weed, it suffereth the rose of Sharon to wither. Let us charge ourselves to bind a heavenly forget-me-not about our hearts for Jesus our Beloved, and, whatever else we let slip, let us hold fast to Him…

Are there any preparations or restrictions regarding participating in communion?

"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup" 1 Corinthians. 11:27

1Corinthians 10:16-17	The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
	For we [being] many are one bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

1Corinthians 11:23-34	For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread:
	And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
	After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.
	For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
	*Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.*
	But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.
	For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
	For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
	For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
	But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
	Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
	And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. …

If I were going to attend a meal somewhere, how would I prepare myself? Does the answer depend on where I am going? If I were heading to BigBurger, would I care particularly what I am wearing?. Then again, what if I am heading out to a posh restaurant for a special birthday or anniversary meal? My cleanest dirty jeans (with permanent grass or oil stains perhaps) probably would be inappropriate. I should dress respectfully according to the occasion. Now Jesus would probably not be concerned about how well we prpare and dress our bodies. Wouldn’t Jesus be more interested in our heart condition at such a fellowship meal with Him?

As we gather for the sacred fellowship with Christ, remembering what He did for us, what is our heart condition? Do we harbor sin? Isn’t that what Christ Jesus died to help us choose to get rid of? Can we look into the spiritual mirror and know if we are about to appear to be anything but cleansed from all iniquity for the sacred occasion. Here are holy body and blood of Christ, and before we attempt to remember Him with reverence and thankfulness in this fellowship we are required to appropriate His blood, which cleanses white as snow. Are we dirty and grimy with guilt, smelly with sin? . If we have not had the opportunity before now to avail ourselves of the forgiveness of God, of His grace, mercy, love, and kindness, then we have the opportunity now, before making the eternal mistake of coming to this altar unworthy of God’s grace.

Now do not believe that the Lord will turn you or I away. No, when we ask He is faithful to forgive our sin. He will make us ready for this sacred fellowship event. When we repent, asking His forgiveness, He removes our sin and casts it into the sea of forgetfulness. Is there something God cannot do or something He refuses to do that we can do? He forgives us and then will not remember our sin. Unfortunately we sometimes still choose to remember what He chooses not to. Not pleasing to God. So purpose to stop remembering what He forgets. That is His will for you and I, so ask for His help and it will happen.

Dwelling on past but forgiven sin steals and kills our present and if there is no divine intervention will destroy our future.

The past is something the accuser of the brethren (satan) tries to use against us to rob us, to kill us, to destroy us. The Truth is He can’t do so unless we choose to allow him to do so. Put your past sins under the blood. Purpose in prayer to God to never act as if Christ’s victory over evil is of no effect in your life.

He takes all our sin and puts it on himself. That’s what Christ Jesus did for us at the cross. There He gives us his spotless life as a free gift if we will believe and receive it. Is that the decision point in “time” when he takes our sin-stained life on himself? Christ Jesus gives His body and sheds His blood so that we now stand right with God simply by faith in him. According to the Word of God, take and eat the Body of Christ, who is the Word of God made flesh to dwell among us. Take and drink the blood of Christ the blood He shed for us for that is His commandment to us, “this do in remembrance of me”

1 John 1 -

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Sin is any matter that is done against God which was committed willfully and with knowledge of its seriousness. Sin includes, but is not limited to, murder, receiving or participating in an abortion, homosexual acts, having sexual intercourse outside of marriage or in an invalid marriage, and deliberately engaging in impure thoughts. Matthew 5:28, Corinthians 6:9

2Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Luke 22:15
And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide [it] among yourselves:
For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. The Holy Scripture is the Word of God. The Word of God is Christ Jesus who is the Son of God, made flesh to dwell among us. When we eat the Word so as to nourish our soul, heart and spirit, then that Word becomes an integral part of us -- we begin to truly live as never before, by the Holy Spirit revealing the truth and leading us into paths of righteousness. Matthew 4:4 Man shall not live by bread alone ... Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 1 Cor. 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 1 Cor. 11:25 After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me. Bonus helper: Here is a thought and prayer stimulator, sort of food for thought: Who paid for the pearl of great price mentioned in the Bible parable by the same name? Is a pearl kosher (Jewish)? What does the pearl of great price represent? I believe the answer to these questions comes only from the Holy Spirit. Such truths are hidden from non-believers and of course any one that does not prayerfully read the Word of God seeking the Father in spirit and truth. Why do I believe this? It is interesting to note that there is a time in the life of Jesus when He began speaking only in parables. It began happening when He spoke in public (which was generally filled with non-believers, some of whom were filled with demonic spirits).