July 11, 2015 - Church at Worship

The communion service is without doubt the most sacred and significant time and event in the life of the church. It is sacred because Jesus Christ Himself established it. It is significant because it is the centerpiece reference and explanation of how we get to be God’s people with our Lord’s assurance of the future He has promised with His return. “His sacrifice is the center of our hope.” — The Desire of Ages 660

The explanation Jesus gave to His disciples in the upper room also has particular meaning and application to 21st century disciples. He declared, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 

When we come to the Lord’s table we do so as a memorial to our Lord’s sacrifice for us. Obviously, aware of our distractions and forgetfulness, twice He said, “Do it to remember Me.” He declared each time we receive the sacred emblems we bear testimony of our dependence upon Him, not only for our eternal welfare, but for our daily life and health as well. All that we are or have or hope to be are the provisions of our Lord’s sacrifice. “The bread we eat is the purchase of His broken body. The water we drink is bought by His spilled blood.” — The Desire of Ages 660.

“But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” “The Communion service points to Christ’s second coming. It was designed to keep this hope vivid in the minds of the disciples.” — The Desire of Ages 659

The length of “until” is not as meaningful, important, nor worthy of our concern, as attention to the prophetic promise Jesus gave that He will be with us in His Father’s kingdom. —

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 TNIV

 Dan Matthews

Pastor for Senior Care