Communion Message
(Reconciliation and peace)
May 26-27, 2001
Pastor Leighton Sheley

We have a familiar passage that we read often when we gather together in times like this. It's found in 1 Corinthians chapter 11. Many times we start at verse 23, but today I would like to start at verse 17 because I would like you to hear the context in which this familiar passage is set. Paul is writing to the Corinthians, and he says:

In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night that He was betrayed, took bread, 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. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. And that is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

The context of these instructions that are so familiar to us relating to communion, is in the setting of correction by Paul to a congregation that was being inconsiderate of their fellow believers. They were putting their own interests first. In verse 29 it says: For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. It is generally recognized in the holding of the elements as being a reference to recognizing that the elements remind us of the price that was paid by Christ on Calvary's cross for the redemption of our soul. As some of the scholars have indicated, there is a secondary meaning to this particular phrase, quite probably because of the context. In fact, in the very next chapter, chapter 12, Paul writes; Now you are the body of Christ. And so it's quite possible, if not probable, that the phrase, not discerning the body of Christ, is not only a reference to the body of Christ on Calvary, but also we who are the body of Christ. And so, as we examine ourselves this day as the Scriptures tell us that we should, perhaps the Holy Spirit will bring to our recollection a relationship that has been injured and we can pray that God gives us guidance and wisdom as to how to proceed that relationship might the restored. For we are called, every believer is called, to the ministry of reconciliation. God has reconciled us to Himself, and we are to lead others into that same relationship with God of being reconciled, not only with God, but with fellow men.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said if you come to the altar and you realize that your brother has something against you, you should go and first be reconciled to your brother and then give the gift. Jesus also said if you will not forgive, you will not be forgiven. So our relationships with others are very important to God at this time, and all times. I want to invite you to kneel with me if you are physically able in the presence of our Lord and Savior. And as we do so, Pastor David and the Celebration Singers are going to lead us in a prayer that has been put to music.

(Pastor David)
This is a prayer and it's not just for the choir, but it's for all of us so if you'll take your song sheet out of the bulletin, we're going to ask you to pray this with us.

(Singing)
O let us be the generation of reconciliation and peace.
And let us be a holy nation where pride and prejudice shall cease.
Let us speak the truth in love to the lost and least of these.
Let us serve the Lord in unity so others will believe.
Let us be the generation of reconciliation and peace.

O let us be the generation of reconciliation and peace.
And build on one foundation still He comes and wars of men shall cease.
Let us share the love of Jesus without
Let mercy and forgiveness begin with you and me.
Let us be the generation of reconciliation and peace.

O let us be the generation of reconciliation and peace.
And let us pray for restoration and seek the Lord together on our knees.
Let us keep our hearts from evil and cling to what is good.
Let us honor one another and love the brotherhood.
Let us be the generation of reconciliation and peace.

(Pastor Leighton)
And Lord that is our prayer. Lord we know how highly You esteem reconciliation in a relationship, because in Your pursuit of reconciling us to You, You were willing to pay an incredible price, paying the wages of our sin on Calvary's cross so that we could stand in the presence of a holy God. Lord as we hold these elements and we're reminded of that price that was paid for us. Forgive us Lord we pray for our sins, which are many, that we might be cleansed from all unrighteousness. Thank you Lord for Your word which tells us if we confess our sins You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Cleanse us, forgive us, we pray. Let's partake of the bread and also the cup.

(Pastor Leighton singing)
Let us be the generation of reconciliation and peace.
Let us be the generation of reconciliation and peace.

And all God's people said, amen. Let's stand. Let's greet our neighbors.