October 7, 2007

Why?

Why Communion?

1 Corinthians 11:23-29

Opening Words: There are five basic questions. There is who, what, when, where and why. Each question is important but the most probing question is the question of why. When you ask why it means you are digging below the surface. It means you are trying to understand the complete situation or concept. It means you are using the mind that God has given you. Never underestimate the question of why?

This is the third sermon in a seven part sermon series I have called, Why? Why does the church cling to certain practices and beliefs? There is more to it then simply tradition. To date we have look at Jesus and the Bible. In the weeks to come we will look at baptism, missions and fellowship. We will end with why the church her herself exists. Today on this World Communion Sunday we answer the question, why communion? We are instructed this morning from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 ²³For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." ²⁵In 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." ²⁶For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

In 1868, the Nominating Committee of the First Methodist Church of Vineland, New Jersey announced that the communion steward for 1869 would be Thomas Welch. He seemed like a good choice. He was a local dentist and was well respected in the community. Everyone agreed he would make a fine communion steward but no one knew the effect he would have on the church during his time in office.

For you see in 1869 the Methodist Church used real wine at the communion table. During one of those communion services an alcoholic tasted that fermented juice and went on a drinking binge. Thomas Welch was shocked that this happened during his watch. He began to study the problem. Determined to solve this problem, he and his family spent September 1869 picked and pressed about forty pounds of grapes. In an attempt to repress the natural fermentation properties in the fruit, he heated the juice, pasteurizing it before sealing it in bottles. When Welch opened the containers, he found nothing but sweet, unfermented grape juice. Dubbed "unfermented wine," this beverage was an instant hit. After introducing it to his own church, Dr. Welch began selling it to various other congregations and denominations. By 1890 "Welch's Grape Juice" had become a staple on communion tables, where for many congregations it remains so today.

From the very beginning communion was meant to be very simple. It was a way to connect people to Jesus and to one another in a common faith. However, communion has become very complex in our time. Every person has an opinion about communion. Every congregation has to address those communion issues. You know the questions. How often should the elements be taken? Should communion be served quarterly, once a monthly or weekly? (In a United Methodist congregation that answer is given by the pastor.) How do we taken communion? Do you like communion in a common cup, those little plastic cups or by intinction, where you dip it? Do you like taking communion in the pews or at the rail? Do you like have the bread cut into little cubes or do you like the little dry wafer? Do you like real wine or Welch’s grape juice? We could spend the morning debating on how to take communion but this sermon series is not called how. It is called why!

Why do we take communion? In the scripture lesson for this morning the Apostle Paul answers that question. He does two things. First, he recites the words of Jesus in the Upper Room. Second, he offers a few comments of his own. According to the text this morning Paul says we should do three things when we partake of the body and the blood of Christ. Three things you need to do when you go to the communion table. So if you are ready to answer the question, “why communion?” say, “Amen!”

Look Back

The first thing we need to do at the communion table is look back! Verses 23 through 25 say, ^“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 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." 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.’" Paul is encouraging us to remember all that Christ did for us! We are not just looking at the Upper Room experience. We are looking back on all things that Christ did for you, including the cross on Calvary and the empty tomb.

During the last few weeks I have been watching some of the segments of Ken Burn’s The War on PBS. I have enjoyed the series. They are well done and insightful. The other night they talked about the Japanese prisoner of war camp in Manila. There were American civilians in that camp. They interviewed a woman, who over sixty years ago lived in that camp, as a little girl. Did you hear her? She talked about the hardship. She talked about her parents. She talked about the food and the poor living conditions. She talked about the day the American solders arrived at the front gate of the camp and liberated them. It had been over sixty years but as she told about the liberating solders she began to cry. She was so grateful of what they did for her and the entire camp that she began to cry. She said fighting back the tears, “I have had a wonderful life but I still consider that liberation day the best day of my life.”

Have you ever gone to the communion rail and cried because you remembered how Christ liberated you? He suffered on the cross for you. He sacrificed it all for you! He gave his life for you. How can you not be moved. When you come to the communion table took back! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Look Forward

The second thing we need to do at the communion table is look forward! Verse 26 says, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” Until he comes refers to the second coming. It has not happened yet we are still looking forward to it.

On May 19, 1780 the sky of Hartford, Conn. darkened ominously. Their legislative body was in session. Some of the representatives, glancing out the windows, feared the end was at hand. Quelling a clamor for immediate adjournment, the Speaker of the House Colonel Davenport rose and said, "The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. Therefore, I wish that candles be brought." Rather than fearing what is to come, we are to be faithful till Christ returns.”

I would hope that is our story. As we come to the communion table may we look back and remember what Christ has done for us! May we look to the future longing for his return, always faithful to our calling. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Look Within

The third thing you need to do at the communion table is look within! Verse 29 says, “For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.” What Paul is saying there is that we need to perform a spiritual self examination and identify our own shortcomings.

On Monday and Tuesday of this week I was in North Canton taking a class on church planting. I want to gain some knowledge about how to satellite this church into a new area for a Sunday evening service. I hope to be worshipping in that new location in October of 2008. The class was led by Cathy Townsend, who has been involved in 11 church starts. It was an eye opening experience several reasons. One of the reasons was I was twenty years older then most of my class members. As an introduction we were asked to tell about ourselves and our appointment. A young woman by the name of Laura told his about her church. It was her first appointment. She was fresh out of seminary. She had only been their three months. She said and I quote, “I like my people individually but I am embarrassed to invite my friends, people my age to my church. I would not worship there if I wasn’t getting paid.” I was shocked by that comment. If nothing else I believe in what we are doing. I believe this is the best church in this area. I believe God is doing something special here. How do you promote a church, when you are embarrassed of that church?

If Jesus would come back today, what things in your life would embarrass you? What things in your life would you hide from Jesus? When we come to the communion table we look back and remember all the Christ did for us! When we come to the communion table we look forward and long for his return. When we come to the communion table we look within and perform spiritual evaluation. Let me ask you a serious question. What is hold you back from a closer walk with Jesus? And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

George Jaques Danton was a hero during the French Revolution. He died at the age of thirty five, beheaded by the guillotine. Historians tell us he turned to the executioner during the last few seconds of his life and said: "Show my head to the people. It is worth looking at. Show them my head!" As you come to this communion table where are you looking? Are you looking back? Are you looking forward? Are you looking within? And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”