Thursday, April 05, 2012

Where to look during Holy Communion

I posted some jottings for my Maundy Thursday sermon the other day. I've gone so far as to prepare the sermon, and I think it might come with a handout which might say:


1 Corinthians 11:17-end (p1152)
Where to look during Holy Communion:

(1) Look up to God and to the risen Lord Jesus Christ enthroned in heaven.

Acts 17:28
James 1:17
John 6:35
1 Cor 10:16
Matthew 11:19; Luke 15:2
v24, Genesis 9:12-16; Numbers 10:8-10

(2) Look within: examine yourself and repent of your sins (vv27-32)

(3) Look back:

(a) on the previous week (with repentance, but also with thankfulness, offering God our work)

(b) to Christ and especially his death on the cross (vv23-26)

(4) Look forward:

(a) to the coming week (God feeds us to sustain us for the coming week and renews his covenant with us, we recommit ourselves to his service and offer him ourselves)
v25
Romans 12:1-2
1 Cor 10:21

(b) to Christ’s coming again, to the heavenly banquet, the Wedding Supper of the Lamb, of which this meal is a foretaste and pledge
v26
Mark 14:25
Revelation 19:9

(5) Look around and recognise the church, the Body of Christ, we celebrate our unity (vv17-22, 33-34, 29; 1 Cor 12:27; 1 Cor 10:17)

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