Thanksgiving Communion
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
The Main Thing to Know:
There’s no communion without union
“communion” = fellowship (Grk: koinonia)
. . . they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:24)
1. Give thanks for our union with Jesus Christ
The Bread: His sinless life
The Cup: His substitute life
There is no redemption but by his blood. Christ did not redeem and save poor souls by sitting in majesty on his heavenly throne, but by hanging on the shameful cross, under the tormenting hand of man’s fury and God’s just wrath. And therefore, the poor soul that would have pardon of sin is directed to place its faith not only on Christ, but on a bleeding Christ . . .
—William Gurnall (1616-1679)
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26)
2. Give thanks for our union with each other
It is in the family of God that I am able to care and be cared for; love and be loved; forgive and be forgiven; rebuke and be rebuked; encourage and be encouraged . . . [it] is a family affair, rather than a solitary pursuit.
—Steve Timmis, I Wish Jesus Hadn’t Said That
The Lord’s Supper shows:
• We belong to Jesus
• We belong to one another
As we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12:4-5)
The Church is meant to be a company of people as committed to one another as to Christ.
—Bruce Larson