My formal training in homiletics (“the art of preparing and delivering sermons”) has revolved around yet another $10 word: “expository” preaching. Expository preaching is almost universally contrasted with “topical” preaching; and to such a degree that one is commonly viewed as superior to the other. Allow me to elaborate… Continue reading “Topical series, Expository sermon”
Category: Scripture
The Lord’s Supper
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, 24 and after 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, he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, every time you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. – 1 Cor. 11:23-26
This coming Sunday, October 19, we will participate in communion (aka “The Lord’s Supper) for the first time at LifeCity Church. While there has been some mistaken thoughts about communion, for me the spiritual exercise is extremely meaningful. As we get close to the day we do this as a church for the first time, I want the people who attend this Sunday to understand why this is such a big deal. Perhaps you’re nowhere near Santa Clara, but still wonder. Well, here’s a few thoughts on the subject:
- Symbolic. Jesus handed freshly broken bread and said “Take, eat this is my body.” He was speaking figuratively just as he did when he offered them the cup of wine and said, “take, drink, this is my blood…” The point of communion is to serve as a…
- Reminder. Jesus asked us to participate in the Lord’s Supper “in remembrance” of his sacrifice on the cross for the sin and brokenness of the world. When we do so we are remembering “the Lord’s death”. Because it is a reminder, communion is for those who have already placed their faith in Christ. Participating is completely meaningless for the person who has not put their faith in Jesus.
- Hope. We’re not just remembering what Christ did for us by dying on the cross (and, yes, rising again) – we are proclaiming it “until He comes.” Because He is coming back! One day we’ll see Him face-to-face and He’ll set this world under His rule and justice.
- Witness. By participating in communion together we are “proclaiming” via a symbolic demonstration of what Jesus did for the whole of humanity. The Lord’s Supper is a powerful testimony of what Jesus did for those who have yet to believe on Him.
- Cleansing. We are commanded to purify ourselves for the taking of communion. This is done directly between each individual and God – because of the cross, Jesus is the only necessary intercessor. We are encouraged to confess to God the things that He calls as sin, and receive the forgiveness that Jesus offers through His sacrifice which we remember at communion.
In anticipation for this Sunday (or any communion service), ask yourself two things:
- Have I placed my faith and trust in Christ?
- Is there anything in my life that is separating my heart from the heart of God?
I look forward to sharing in the Lord’s Supper with you this Sunday, church!
Blessings,
Pastor John
Good Grief
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.“
– 1 Thessalonians 4:13
I get weary at nearly every funeral of the counsel people try to give to the family of the deceased. Many well-intentioned friends and relatives quote scriptures about Heaven and say things like “they’re in a better place.” It’s not that these quotes are incorrect, it’s that they are almost universally ill-delivered. I always know it’s grating on the grieving individual when they quietly but consistently respond to each new piece of advice with “I know.”
Translation to the “I know” response? Internally, that person is thinking something like, “Yes, I too have heard, quoted, and memorized every single verse you’re giving me now. I know that I’ll see my Dad/Mom/kid/friend/etc. in Heaven one day, and that right now they are in Jesus’ presence enjoying perfect rest. But I was just having lunch with them a week ago and now they’re gone… I can’t talk to them, laugh with them, or turn to them when I need them anymore. And all of your ‘advice’ feels a lot like you’re telling me to suck it up and get over the fact that my ______ just died and I feel like I’m burying a piece of my soul with them.”
I’ve even heard some suggest that we should not grieve at all for the loss of a loved one because they’re “in God’s hands now” and we’ll see them again.
This may be a revolutionary thought for some, but grief is a good thing.
Jesus grieved at the loss of a friend, Lazarus. Psalm 34 tells us that God is “near to the broken-hearted.” And even the above passage from 1 Thes. encourages us who are in Christ, that “we do not grieve like… those who have no hope.” But we do grieve. And grief is good.
Grief is accepting and acknowledging that we’ve suffered a loss.
It’s giving that loss it’s proper place of honor, and it is also an important piece to the healing process in our own hearts. Not grieving a loved one who’s passed is a lot like getting a serious wound and not treating it – healing is slow, if not unlikely, and infection of the wound is almost guaranteed.
I’ve seen many Christ-followers carry an infected heart because they were taught to “not grieve” and the hurt of losing someone has left them with an aching, wounded soul. They often turn that blame straight to God for taking their loved one instead of properly grieving and leaning on God’s grace for hope and healing.
Grief is also the price we all inevitably pay for love.
Every person you and I love (including ourselves) will one day face death. And the greater the love for that person, the greater the grief. Grieving that person’s loss is acknowledging how loved they were. In an unexpected way, grief is also a sort of celebration that a person was well loved, and greatly missed – even if Heaven is a future hope. It’s healthy to remember that.
So not grieving them is almost like denying that they were loved at all.
There comes a point when we must all move passed the grief, of course – accept a new normal without that loved one in our lives, remember and celebrate the life that we enjoyed with them, live the rest of our days in a way that person would be proud of us, and look expectantly to the day we are all reunited in God’s big family.
Yes, we should encourage people with the promises of God in His word.
But more than anything, a grieving person needs to see us live God’s word out to them in their loss, not just heard quoted at them from a safe distance. Instead of just quoting a verse at them, get close to them. Mourn with them. Be the promise that God gave to those who suffer loss. Be near the broken-hearted. Like Jesus did.
Blessings,
Pastor John