COMMUNION...

Communion
Message written and presented by 

Lynda Kinnard

at the Twain Harte Retreat. 2015

I think one key element to a truly blessed communion is in our gathering together.

*Come – Union. We come together and exchange our burdens for the blessing of remembering the pain and suffering in the most glorious sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Our sharing these symbols of the body and blood of Christ; this sacrament calls for us to praise beyond our individual gifts and talents.  We share this simple, miraculous meal in remembrance of the greatest gift we will ever receive.  Our unearned salvation and the miraculous promise of eternity in heaven with the Lord, because we have chosen to accept His sacrifice.

Psalm 128-1-2 says, “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.  You will eat the fruit of your labor, blessing and prosperity will be yours.”

*Our individual walks brought each of us here.  Some of us took a longer route, circling a mountain many, many times.  But our testimony comes from the number of times we have recognized and acknowledged the things in us that needed our repentance and received God’s grace.  How we have been changed by the Lord’s forgiveness and mercy.  Salvation in itself is the gift we receive when we simply accept the Lord into our hearts.  Our labor is in the task of surrendering of self to God’s will – every day.

*This communion is a way for us to give thanks for our individual salvation and our corporate transformation into the body that will one day be the Bride of Christ.  The fact that we have been drawn together is miraculous.  Our widespread places of birth, early life circumstances, choices and natural demographics say that we have little reason to connect.  And yet, here we are, sharing communion and acknowledging that we have chosen to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer.

*This ceremony today, while casual, is sacred.  We eat and drink together in remembrance of the simple meal that was shared by a small group of friends long ago, and is still transforming lives today.

But Holy Communion will never be more than a break in the regular Sunday Service if we do not approach it with the expectation of becoming more of a true disciple each time.  The changes in each of us may be too small to feel in the moment, but we can see when we look back at who we were and how we used to feel before each commemoration of Christ as our Lord and Savior; we can find reason to celebrate.  Our times of communion can serve as markers along the path we walk from this exact moment, to judgment day.  Communion is an act of grace.  Let us ask to be changed by this grace.

*Judas Iscariot sat at the table with his friends and shared that sacred bread and wine with Christ, but left the table just as he approached it.   Prepared to betray the one he’d freely chosen to follow, unchanged by his communion; he suffered the loss of his sanity, his life and his place in heaven.

Even Peter, the passionate, strong-minded leader who proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah and had declared that he would never disown Him, would fall back on self-preservation instead of truth when fear overwhelmed his faith.  Thankfully, Peter was redeemed and grew in a mighty way; taking his place in a long line of leaders who would stand against the world by kneeling to The King.

*I think we should expect to be changed each time we share any form of communion.  Each gathering for worship, work, entertainment or just being around other people – believers or not – should change us somehow.  Each ocean wave adds to, or shifts the world’s geography by altering the shore just a little each time. Every encounter with others can add to or define who we really are in Christ. 

*Several of us have done a Bible study on the Book of James.  I find myself drawn to read James at different times, just to reinforce his straight to the point way of telling me what I need to work on. 

James 2:12 says, “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

*Let us ask the Holy Spirit to remind us of the mercy and grace that has been given to each of us.  Especially when we encounter anyone who may not show signs that they know our Lord.  For our hearts to be hearts that offer mercy before we judge.

*“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”   Hebrews 13:15-16

God has offered us Jesus Christ.  Our relationship with Him will be as full and as intimate as we allow it to be.  The deeper we choose to go inside of the Christ Spirit within us; the greater our commitment, the more we are changed by His grace and the sweeter the sound of God’s judgment will be when our time to stand before Him comes.

Jesus, please give us Your perfect peace in our encounters with all, most especially with non-believers.  Help us to seek opportunities to share what You have freely given to us with anyone who asks – especially when they are crying out for help without words.  Help us to love beyond our human capacity or understanding.

*May we each seek a holy transformation today; through this time of communion.  As each sunrise brings new things into the light; may we recognize Your glory as it rises up within us.  Let us not just be amazed by the Lord, let us truly be changed by our communion with His Love.

2 Timothy 4:5 says, “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

*“Grace be with you all.” Hebrews 13:25

Sing – “Lord, I’m amazed by You.

I pray that I’m changed by You. 

Lord, I’m amazed by You.

 How You Love Me.”