What is Communion?

1. What is Communion? Unlike Baptism, which is a one time event, Communion is a practice that is meant to be observed over and over throughout the life of a Christian. It is a holy time of worship when we corporately come together as one body to remember and celebrate what Christ did for us. Why do we observe Communion? We observe Communion because the Lord told us to. We are to obey His commands: And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."1 Corinthians 11:24 (NIV) In observing Communion we are remembering Christ and all that He has done for us in his life, death and resurrection: And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 1 Corinthians 11:24 (NIV) When observing Communion we take time to examine ourselves: A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:28 (NIV) In observing Communion we are proclaiming His death until He comes. It is, then, a statement of faith: For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NIV) When we observe Communion we show our participation in the body of Christ. His life becomes our life and we become members of each other: Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (NIV)

2. What is Communion? Bread symbolizes life. It is the nourishment that sustains life. Jesus said in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry."NIV) Bread also represents the physical body of Christ. At the Last Supper Jesus broke bread, gave it to his disciples and said, "This is my body given for you…" (Luke 22:19 NIV). Wine represents God's covenant in blood, poured out in payment for mankind's sin. Jesus said in Luke 22:20, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (NIV) Believers partake of communion on a regular basis to remember Christ's sacrifice and all that he has done for us in his life, death and resurrection. The Lord's Supper is a time of self-examination and participation in the body of Christ.

3. Scriptures Associated with Communion: While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV) While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." Mark 14:22-24 (NIV) And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Luke 22:19-20 (NIV) Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:53-54 (NIV) Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (NIV) And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "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." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 (NIV)

4. So let a man examine himself…. • Is your faith in God stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year or even 5, or 10 years ago?• Is your knowledge of God’s word stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago?• Is your Prayer Service /Bible Study attendance stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago?• Is your ability to put God first in all area of your life stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago? (commitment without reservation) • Is your ability to give the way God wants you to stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago? • Are you committing the same sins that you were doing last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago? • Is you’re your ability to manage your money stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago? • Is you’re your ability to forgive others who have wronged you stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago? (Are you still holding something against someone?)• Is your ability to control your anger stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago? • Is your ability to control your tongue stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago? GROWTH ARENAS_ Worshiping only God, Respecting all people, Humility, Honesty, Purity, Generosity, Patience, Righteousness