Word of the Day: Why am I holding a communion service in my yard next Wednesday? Because Jesus Himself commanded us to take it regularly and there are people who are desperately waiting to receive it. Too many churches are worried more about liability and the government rather than following the commands of Christ. Have we forgotten that we are in a spiritual battle? Have we forgotten that Christ will always be persecuted in the world? It is almost like the Blood of Christ holds no more power in our lives anymore; rather it’s just a memorial that has no real presence for us today…
Why are we surprised that there is such a good reason for us to stop taking the Lord’s Supper (and baptism)? Do we not understand that Satan will gladly destroy our entire economy (and way of life) if that is what it takes to strip us of our boldness and faith in Christ? How have we been so easily swayed to put our faith in science and politics over faith in God?
Scripture is clear. Communion is central to Christian worship. In Acts 2 we find the 4 main pillars of Christian gatherings. It reads, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 And of those four, communion seems to be emphasized even more with statements like, “breaking bread from house to house”… Acts 2:46 And by the end of Acts, we see that communion had become so important, the gathering of the faithful was being identified by the ritual itself in Acts 20 verse 7 which states, “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them…”
A line is being drawn in the sand. Do we believe in Christ or do we kind of have a faith in a God-like being and Christ seems to be the easiest option because of our parents? Do we believe that there is power in the blood or is our grape juice and wafer so void of power that we rely on the world for our healing and wholeness rather than finding it through Christ?
If there truly was no power in simple bread and a cup of wine, the scriptures would be false. In 1 Cor. 11 Paul writes, “29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.”
Do we believe in the power of communion? Do we agree that Jesus commands us to take communion even when our Government says we can’t by saying, “Do this in remembrance of Me”? Jesus is the Bread of Life. We have NO AUTHORITY to change or modify the rituals of Christ to appease the world. Do we not understand that we may be rejected by Christ if we are unwilling to embrace Christ and His commands before men. Are we now ashamed of the Gospel?
Some say we can’t safely take communion. I say that is a cop-out. For if we can go to restaurants and be served by someone who continually interacts with people to give us food that has no lasting value, we can just as safely provide the Bread of Life to those seeking after Christ and His holiness.
Many things are changing. Rejoice that God is in control. He is taking the sword to a Lukewarm Bride and forcing us all to choose. Many are about to fall away as they are faced with their unbelief. Many whose soil rocky or filled with thorns will not make it through this culture shocking change in perspective. The choice is being placed before us all. Will we be serious about our faith and continue to believe in what the Bible tells us about God and our Savior Jesus Christ, or will we always cherish the memories of our faith yet deep down no longer believe it as Truth?
Fellow believers, take time to enjoy the buildings and being able to speak about Jesus in public. For the wheels of persecution for the global Christian Church is gaining speed. Yet God will bless those who remain faithful to what the world sees as a dead and empty religion. There will be a time when the buildings are gone, the t-shirts and bumper-stickers will all be thrown away, and the Church will sing quietly in basements and in secluded places in the woods. And in that time of great suffering we will have joy. Much more joy than we have now as we strive to hold onto what we have constructed for ourselves. Our worship in song will carry so much more depth when we are forced to sing in whispered tones.
Could it be that it is God’s plan to take our constructed Jerusalems away so that in our emptiness we can find the true Jerusalem we have already been given. Maybe he is taking our busyness and the noise of ministry away so that we can hear Him once again in the stillness of His presence. Whatever the case, may God be with us as we navigate what could very well be the beginning of the Great tribulation. Of course it will not feel like a tribulation to the Lukewarm, but for many of us, we see the figs budding on the trees. No matter where we stand on the issue, may we all rekindle a Holy fear for the Lord our God, for that is the beginning of all wisdom.
I will be serving communion at my home on Wednesday, for it is the only place that will allow me to do so. Anyone who seeks the Lord’s Body and Blood will not be denied.