Introduction
Video Ill.: Zach Williams - To the Table
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What would it look like if the disciples valued worship and community like many believers do their church gatherings?
Peter - "My mother-in-law came in for the weekend."
Andrew - "I was up kinda late last night."
James (the son of Zebedee) - "Really needed some 'me' time."
John - "I was there last week. Besides, I'm not really being fed."
Philip - "Finally had a sunny day to hit the lake."
Bartholomew - "Had brunch scheduled with my Uncle Zed."
Thomas - "I doubt it would have been any good today."
Matthew - "I had to get my taxes done."
James (the son of Alphaeus) - "My dad (Alphaeus) wanted to fish today."
Thaddaeus - "The kids needed a rest day."
Simon - "I didn't hear my alarm. Because I didn't set it. Because I don't have one."
Judas - "Getting tired of hearing the same old message."
Going to church is not about checking a religious box off your "make God happy" list. It's about being invested in the lives of others — Participating in the mission of the gospel — Loving and being loved.
Following Jesus was never meant to be a solo experience. So, this morning, pull up a seat at the table. It is a level table and there is room for all of us. There was even room for Judas at the table.
So why are so many not devoted to being around the table? It is so important that we gather around the table.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, 24 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." 25 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." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks || the cup of the Lord in unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks || judgment on himself. (1 Corinthians 11, NIV1984)
In Acts 2:42, we read:
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2, NIV1984)
We are continuing our study this morning looking at why it is so important for us to gather together for church.
One of the very important reasons for coming is that it allows us to commune with God and each other. Communion involves commitment, shared experiences and a focus on Jesus.
Let’s start, this morning, by examining the Meaning of Communion in the Early Church.
As we read just a couple of moments ago, the early disciples were devoted together to the breaking of bread.
There are two aspects of breaking bread together — the Lord’s Supper and shared meals. This morning, we are going to look at the Lord’s Supper. We will look at the idea of shared meals when we look at the importance of fellowship.
The Lord’s Supper was a reminder of the meal that Jesus had with His disciples before He died. It was an observance of the Passover Feast.
But Jesus took a feast that all Jews understood, and gave it a new significance — a new importance — a new meaning.
In Luke 22, we read:
14 When the hour came, Jesus and His apostles reclined at the table. 15 And He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
|| 17 After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 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.”
20 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. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray Me is with Mine on || the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to the man who betrays Him.” (Luke 22, NIV1984)
