Basics For Believers

Lesson Eight: The Holy Communion

I. What is the Holy Communion?

1. It is an outward recognition of the covenant (binding agreement) that Jesus made with us through His broken body and shed blood.

a. Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26

2. It is a MEMORIAL, a reminder of all of the redemption rights and blessings that belong to us because of the shed blood of Christ.

a. Col. 1:12-14; Gal. 3:13-17.

3. Thge body and blood sustains life. We see this when MelChizidek presents the bread and wine to Abram after a great war. This was to provide him new energy and remin him of God's covenant protection.

a. Gen. 14:18-15:5

II. The meaning of the BREAD.

1. The bread represents the body of the Lord Jesus Christ

a. John 6:48-58; 1 Cor. 10:16-18

2. Bread represents food. The Word of God is called bread. Jesus is the Word made flesh. He sustains life.

a. Deut. 8:3; John 1:1, 14; Matt. 15:21-28

3. Jesus body was broken for us and the bread reminds us of the healing redemptive power from His broken body.

a. Isa. 53:4-8; 1 Pet. 2:24

b. Healing is the children's bread - Mark 7:27

III. The meaning of the WINE.

1. The wine represents the BLOOD of Jesus.

a. 1 Cor. 10:16-18; John 6:48-58.

2. The blood is life and therefore sustains life.

a. Lev. 17:11, 14.

3. There is much power in the blood of the lamb. It is this blood that washes away our sins, cleanses us from all unrighteousness and brings us complete victory over sin. One cannot have a BLOODLESS gospel. The blood is what Satan is most afraid of and is what drives him away.

a. Rev. 1:5; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 12:11; Heb. 2:14-15; Col. 2:14-16.

IV. Our Attitude during Communion

1. 1 Cor. 11:20-34

a. This is more than a mere ritual or memorial. It is an act of faith that can bring great blessing into our lives when done in faith.

b. We must have the right attitude and be cleansed of sin or we receive not a blessing, but a curse due to our careless attitude towards this sacred event. Let us learn to examine ourselves.

c. Do it as often as you like. It need not be done only once a month. Families and individuals can take communion at home.

CONCLUSION: Everything we find in the Word of God has been written for our profit (1 Tim. 3:16). All that Christ has done was for the benefit of His children. God is self sufficient and is in need of nothing. Nevertheless, He loved us so much that His only Son died upon the cross and His body was broken and His blood was shed on our behalf. All that we have in Christ is the result of this sacrifice. The Holy Communion reminds us of this and therefore the taking of this is a practical way to claim all the benefits of the death of our Lord. Do not take this event lightly. Treat it with the sensitivity and sacredness that you would if you were holding the REAL body and blood of our Lord.

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