Communion

Communion

By Pastor Gary Wayne

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, 29

Ver.23 -24 Jesus took bread and gave thanks.
Pause for a moment and think about all the mental things He was going through in that moment.
At the table was someone that was going to betray Him, at the table was all His close followers that were going to abandon Him.
In the face of all the trauma of the cross, in the face of the Father rejecting Him when He became our sin, Jesus stopped and gave thanks.

Thankful hearts attract breakthrough.
A heart that focuses on thanksgiving attracts His presence, and Hs blessing. Much like stinking thinking that tracks the demonic.

When we take communion this is not a trivial moment of religious activity.

The devil wants to control what I remember - what I dwell on - he wants to control my perspective, my perception of truth / reality.

When you take the bread, use your mouth & vice to confess His truth.
“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” (Isa53:5)

“The chastisement for our peace was upon Him …” – “He was punished so that we could have peace...” (GOD'S WORD® Translation)
I don't use this as a prayer request, but a statement of my faith in His promise. A confession of faith.

I confess His desire to heal relationships.
I sit with Him for a moment and thank Him for healing any strained relationship that is a part of my life.

Ver.25 New covenant - in His blood.
What does the Bible tells the Jesus’ blood is for?
Rom. 5:9 “…justified by His blood..”
Eph.1:7 “…redemption through His blood…”
Eph.2:13 “…brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Col.1:20 “…peace through the blood…”
1 Jn. 1:7 “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Rev.7:14 “…made them white in the blood of the Lamb….”
Rev.12:11 “…overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…”

While I sit in His presence just before I drink, I say out loud from my lips, people I know need salvation.

Ver.26 what does the first part mean? “As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup…”

I think we should do this at home by ourselves – with our family, with friends, etc.
If we don’t do this as often as you would like, guess what? You can do this any time you want and have His presence anointing your time with Him.

Take the bread:
Break it, and let’s give thanks.
Do you need healing in your body? Quote HIS Word.
Do you need peace?
Do you need healing in relationships? Thank Him for healing relationships.

Take the cup:
Thank Him for salvation.
Thank Him for the salvation of people you know He puts on your heart. Use your voice to say out loud His truth for them.