COMMUNION: A SHARED EXPERIENCE

Sermon Notes, June 14, 2015

Rev. Dick Guizar

Rev. Guizar’s sermon was titled “Communion, A Shared Experience,” and his scripture reference was 1 Corinthians 11:22-29.  He reminded us that in the Church of the Nazarene, there are only two sacraments: Marriage, and Communion, sometimes called Holy Communion or the Eucharist.  The Marriage ceremony has two participants and many witnesses, while in the Communion ceremony many are participants, and very few are merely witnesses.  Participants are all doing the same thing at the same time.  It is a time of reminiscing, such as the way we reminisce during and after funerals.  We’re remembering Jesus’ death, as well as the celebrations of Communion we have received in previous times and places.

What is the significance of Communion?  Is it merely a ritual?  It is a reminder to the church of Jesus’ death: the broken bread signifies the broken body of Jesus Christ; the juice represents the blood He shed for us on the cross as He died to save us from the punishment of our own sins.  It is a concrete reminder to sinners: we can see, taste, and touch symbols of His sacrifice for us.  The ceremony is a standing reminder that (1) shows Jesus’ death (2) until He comes again. (1 Corinthians 11:26)

Verses 27-29 remind us not to take Communion lightly, in an unworthy manner.  None of us are worthy, but Jesus calls us.  We should come reverently and humbly.  The elements are not just tokens of His death, but trophies of His victory.  We are to reflect on where we would be without it.  He wanted us to see His death through the prism of His resurrection.  “Whenever you do this, do it in remembrance of Me.” (Verses 24-26)