Why Does It matter: Communion

Introduction:  We have been in a series of conversations concerning…Why Does “It” Matter

Today we are going to answer the question:  Why Does “Communion” Matter 

A few Titles of Jesus:   

We know He is the Light of the World, He is the Word Made Flesh, He is the Lilly of the Valley, He is the bright and morning star, He is the Prince of Peace, He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, He is the Good Shepherd, He is the Great Physician, He is the Bread of Life, He is Alpha, Omega, First and Last, the Beginning and the End…He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords…Author and Finisher of our Faith…

Matter of Fact…You should just give God a Praise Right Now for Who He Is…

Rev 2:1-7

2 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:  2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;  3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.  4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent.  6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”‘ 

NKJV

Transition:  Firsts sets the expectations of what is to follow in the Future…This is why First Impressions are so vitally important

  1. The Indictment of Ephesus
    1. Who is this Church of Ephesus?
      1. It was a church established through 2 years of prayer by Aquila and Priscilla and the Apostle Paul set it in order…
      2. Paul stayed in Ephesus for 3 years…the longest he stayed anywhere other than house arrest…
      3. So this church has an incredible prayer base and teaching foundation…
      4. This Church had Incredible Leadership…
      5. I read that it was probably the first Mega Church with 50,000 that claimed it as home…
      6. The Pastor who followed Paul was his spiritual Son Timothy…and Pastor Timothy is the one who grew this church to its Apex…this is also the place the Great Apostle John came to and retired after leaving the Island of Patmos
    2. But They Have Forsaken Their First Love
      1. Now here me…it isn’t as if they had abandoned their love but they abandoned the Fervency of which it once was…
      2. If you asked does this church Love God…yes…but the Fire, the Fervency, The Passion, The Emotion had diminished…They were Doctrinally sound in their Orthodoxy…but their Love was Cold at Best.

Transition:  The scripture says, “you have forsaken (Left) your first Love…”

  1. What Is Love
    1. Love first of all is a verb, not a noun.  
      1. Action has to be attached to Love
      2. Scripture says, John 15:13-17
      3. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other. 
      4. NIV
    2. Love is “Unselfishly choosing the highest good of God and His Kingdom…” 
    3. This isn’t the touchy feely love…this is the commitment and choosing to Love… to put others above your own desires, wants and even needs…
    4. This is the 1Cor.13 Love…
  2. First Love 
    1. What is It Really…If I say Jesus is My First Love what Does That Truly Mean:
      1. Love Relationship with Jesus
        1. Do you love Jesus like you first Loved Jesus…?
          1. Recalling this week riding in a bus…in 1985 coming back from General Council in San Antonio, listening to “Send Me” by Allies…and balling my eyes out asking God to use me and to send me…expressing how much I love him…
        2. Honestly you and I have to ask that question periodically and be real and honest about it…
        3. Jesus said, if you love me you’ll keep my commandments! 
        4. Our love relationship with Jesus must have the Actions of Love accompanying it…
      2. Love for People
        1. Eph 1:15-18

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 

ESV

        1. The church of Ephesus was known for its love for people…they wouldn’t tolerate gossip, criticalness and division in the house…
        2. They understood the purpose of the Church was and is People…
        3. We may fail, we may come up short…but make no mistake, the church is all about People…IF the Church is viewed as a Hospital for the hurting…even in a Hospital you are expected to get well…if not you go to Hospice and prepare to die.
      1. iii.It is a Picture of Communion
        1. When we think of Communion Paul said in Corinthians…

1 Cor 11:23-26

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said,  “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 

NKJV

        1. Another name for Communion is the Love Feast…
          1. It is possible to take communion and not do it in remembrance of all Jesus has done and continues to do for us…
    2. The writer challenges us to:
      1. Compare Where We Were vs. Where We Are…
      2. Then Repent…Quickly!
      3. Return…Back to Your Love, To Your Passion, To Your First Love
      4. Process
  2. Closing – Distribute the Communion Elements & Worship Team Begins Singing “Nothing But the Blood” 
    1. Let’s walk Down Memory Lane of First’s with Jesus
      1. Remember the First time you encountered the Lord in Worship…I mean you worshipped with no stage, no lights, no mic…just you LOVING Jesus and you knew He Loved You…
      2. First time you experienced His Love
      3. First time you realized His Grace
      4. First time you recognized His voice
      5. First time scripture made since 
      6. First time God answered Your prayer
    2. Love Others
      1. Remember the first time you felt accepted in the House of God before it became comfortable
      2. First time you were asked to serve in the church and the honor, the fear, the humility you experienced
      3. Remember the excitement and joy you experienced through serving…so nervous but when you got in your car or returned home you were floating on cloud nine…
    3. The Only way to Heat Up the Fervency of Your First Love is to Re-Establish Gratitude…
    4. So, as we take communion…I want you to take a few moments and ask God to Help You Remember…and then express Gratitude…

Why Does “Communion” Matter

He Is My First Love

The Righteous Brothers sang a Song:

“You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling”

If that describes Your heart and condition…maybe today is the day you get it back.  

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