Pastor Jann Braaksma
We’re going unplugged so to speak this morning. We’re actually going to talk and interact more than most Sundays.
Sami, please make sure each person has a pen or pencil. David, please pass out a sheet to each person. I’m asking you fill out this half sheet of paper with ten things you are thankful for right now.
From your lists of things you are thankful for, how many had –
Family; Children; Parents; Spouses; Health; Finances; Home; Car; Job; Health Care; Our Military?
OK, what else is on your list?
We have a lot to be thankful for. In reality we should be filling entire pages with items, but ten lines would fit nicely on the ½ pages.
Before we move on I’d like us to hear a story from Acts 3:1-11
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked for alms.
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said “Look on us”.
And he gave heed unto the, expecting to receive something of them.
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
All the people saw him walking and praising God; and they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
Have you walked and leapt and praised God lately? If we praised God more openly would others notice and come to Jesus because of it?
Now let’s talk about Communion or the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist (which means thanksgiving). Three names, one meal. Each name we use for this sacrament brings out a different dimension to it.
Who served this meal first? Jesus
Who ate it? The disciples
What was the occasion? Passover
Many call it the Lord’s Supper because it commemorates the Passover meal Jesus ate with his disciples.
Why would some call it the Eucharist?
Because in it we thank God for Christ’s work for us.
Finally, why would some call it communion?
Because through it we commune with God and with other believers. As we eat the bread and drink the juice, we should be quietly reflective as we recall Jesus’ death and his promise to come again, grateful for God’s wonderful gift to us, and joyful as we meet with Christ and the body of believers.
We will receive communion differently today. Jesus has set the table for us, His body and His blood of the new covenant.
If you have asked Jesus into your heart, asked him to forgive your sins, and would like to receive these elements; you may come forward any time during the next minutes and do so.
Come as families or individuals, and help yourselves.
Paul writing in 1 Corinthians 11 says;
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me’.
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.’
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord’s death till he comes.”
As Pastor Mike Johnson always said, “Come because you may, not because you must.”
Let us close today in prayer.