Sermon Reflections from The Communion Table | Sara Wade | November 19, 2023

On Sunday, Sara Wade from Hands and Feet east bay, shared a message from 1 Corinthians 11 about the communion table and how it represents Embracing All as Jesus Did.  In the Gospel narratives, one of the remarkable qualities of Jesus was His inclusive nature, particularly evident in His interactions with those considered outcasts or marginalized by society. This inclusivity extended to His invitations to share meals, reflecting a profound message of love, acceptance, and grace. The communion table, as a symbol of fellowship and remembrance, mirrors this open-hearted invitation extended by Jesus during His earthly ministry.

Embracing the Outcasts
Throughout His life, Jesus consistently broke societal norms by reaching out to those labeled as outcasts—tax collectors, sinners, the sick, the broken, the lost and the marginalized. He dined with them, offering them not just physical food but acceptance and love that transcended social barriers...  Can you imagine opening your house or eating with strangers you just met?  Well, that's exactly what Jesus did.   

The Symbolism of Meals in Jesus' Ministry
The significance of meals in Jesus' ministry can’t be overstated. His actions challenged the prevailing cultural norms, emphasizing inclusivity and the importance of fellowship. Sharing a meal with someone, in that context, signified deep acceptance and belonging...  What would it be like to move to another country, not speak the same language, not know the cultural norms, and have no family or friends around? 

The Communion Table: Reflecting Christ's Inclusivity
When instituting the Last Supper, Jesus extended an invitation to His disciples, setting a precedent for the communal act of remembrance through bread and wine. This act wasn’t exclusive; it was a gesture of inclusivity, representing the sacrificial love He embodied...  Whom might God be asking you to invite to your dinner table? 

Open to All: Breaking Barriers
The essence of the communion table lies in its openness. Just as Jesus welcomed all to dine with Him, the communion table is a symbol of unreserved acceptance. It's a place where all are invited—regardless of background, social status, race, gender, sins, or past mistakes... Whom do you limit your table to?

Relevance Today
In contemporary times, the message of an inclusive communion table remains vital. The table symbolizes unity, breaking barriers that divide us. It stands as a reminder of Christ's all-encompassing love and the call for His followers to extend that love to everyone, without exception...  What is Jesus saying to you? 

Conclusion
The communion table isn’t a place for exclusivity or judgment; it’s a sacred space embodying the all-embracing love of Christ. Just as Jesus welcomed and dined with the outcasts, the communion table invites all, irrespective of their journey or background. It’s a profound reminder of the radical inclusivity found in Christ’s ministry—a call for us to extend that same love and acceptance to everyone, making the table a symbol of unity, grace, mercy and love.

This thanksgiving maybe we save a place for one more at our table.  Maybe God is asking us to open our hearts and doors to an unexpected guest.  Damon Hopkins shared a beautiful prayer on Sunday.  He said, "Lord...Just give me 1 more!" "Just 1 More!" May our prayer be for 1 more this Thanksgiving.  

Blessings,
Pastor Alex

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Sermon Reflection from January 15, 2023 | A New Community
 
Pastor Alex has been seeking to awaken in us a sense of newness in this New Year.  He started with our need to look into God’s ageless scriptures for direction and purpose.  Did you ask God for a word from His Word for your year? Our challenge verse for the 1st Sunday of the year was from Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”  Cling to God’s Word and the truths revealed there and claim His promises that He so freely gives. God is eternal and so is His Word.

Hopefully, you have begun to focus on prayer as Pastor Alex directed us towards on the 2nd Sunday of the New Year.  Prayer for your own needs and for the needs of those around you, for direction, purpose and for the salvation of those you know that are without the Savior. Prayer is a weapon God has given us along with His Word to combat the forces of evil in our world and to communicate with Him so we can seek His guidance in our lives.  Our memory verse for this week was Romans 10:13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  What a precious promise to know that anyone who repents and turns to God can and will be saved.  For your loved ones that are not walking with God or do not even know Him, keep on praying as there is always hope for their salvation as long as they draw breath. 

Pray, pray, pray!

This Sunday Pastor Alex focused on the newness of heart that we need and find in community. Our community of believers is to hold us up in prayer and together in hope in times of distress, hardship, worry, as well as times of joy and rejoicing.  The encouragement of believers to believers is powerful.  Just as we have a relationship with Jesus through His death and resurrection we have a relationship held together by our mutual love for Jesus.  The love He showed us, we are to show to others.   Pastor Alex reminded us through the act of taking communion that we are reminded continually of Jesus’ love and sacrifice for us.  We are reminded that He wants us to be in community supporting and loving one anther just as He loved and continually loves us. 

Our verse for this week is 1 Corinthians 11:26 “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” 

The fact and the act of communion serves to remind us of His great sacrifice and keep us moving forward in community.  Jesus said these words when he was breaking bread, communing with his beloved disciples.  I like to imagine the Lord’s Table extending from that time into this and that we are all gathered there with the disciples as we are all joined together by Jesus.  Where are you exercising community in your life?  Do you associate with your fellow believers just on Sunday or do you see them in a small group, a bible study, or in a time of service?  Does your community invade and pervade your life?  Do you consider your brother and sisters in Christ family?  Jesus is saying that as we proclaim His death and join together with Him we are with Him, we are community, we are His family.  Where can you infuse more of Christ’s community into your life this week?  Let the new YOU who is now in the Word of God, praying daily and seeking community with others, reach out and seek to bring someone else into the family this week!  Touch a life with the love of Jesus.  God has you where you are for a reason.  Look for those God opportunities this week.

Linda

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A New You | A New Community
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Sermon series, "A New Community " Today Alex Hardt share how Communion is a Covenant For God's People

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