In this sermon, “Holy Communion (1 Corinthians 11.20-22)” Pastor Timothy R. Carter shows the importance of following Jesus and participating in the act of communion as a form of worship.
It begins with a father introducing his daughter, Kenan, who leads the congregation in a worship song, emphasizing dedication to Jesus.
The sermon then transitions into an emphasis on the crucial decision to follow Jesus, the only mediator between humanity and God, capable of forgiving sins and offering salvation.
The sermon warns against misconceptions about sin and righteousness, highlighting that judgment is inevitable and that only through Jesus can one avoid eternal damnation.
It also discusses the role of communion as a communal act of worship, a reflection on Jesus’ sacrifice, and a symbol of fellowship among believers. Pastor Carter explains that communion is not just a remembrance but a participation in the body and blood of Christ, urging believers to examine their hearts for unity and repentance before partaking.
The message concludes with a communal act of communion, symbolizing the shared faith in Christ’s sacrifice and the unity it brings among believers.
SERMON
00:00 Opening Worship and Introduction
00:30 A Call to Decision: Following Jesus
02:23 The Importance of Choosing Jesus
03:23 Misconceptions and the True Path to Salvation
06:05 The Power of Jesus’ Sacrifice
07:23 Living a Life of Holiness and Righteousness
16:24 Understanding True Worship and Communion
22:13 Reflecting on Jesus’s Sacrifice
23:56 The Significance of Communion
24:46 Unity in the Body of Christ
27:35 Embracing Unity Among Believers
31:22 The Importance of Self-Examination Before Communion
34:23 Looking Forward Through Communion
39:15 Preparing for Communion Worship
42:32 Participating in the Communion Ceremony
47:23 Prayer and Reflection
Opening Worship and Introduction
At this time, my daughter Kenan is going to sing. She’s got a heart for Jesus. Worship as she leads us in worship to Jesus.
Song “I have Decided to Follow Jesus
The Importance of Choosing Jesus
Have you made the choice to follow Jesus? This is arguably the most significant decision you will ever face. What will you do with what you know about Jesus? Will you choose to follow Him, or will you turn away? Everyone must confront this question. If we turn away from Him, we will not spend eternity with Him.
If we reject Him, we will be discoected from Him and from the Father. On the other hand, if we choose to follow Jesus, we enter into a covenant and relationship with Him, and through Him, we coect with our Father. Jesus is the sole mediator between us and the Father, the only one who can bridge this coection.
He is also the only one who can forgive our sins.
Misconceptions and the True Path to Salvation
Some people may claim that they can forgive your sins or suggest that your sins are not that severe. They might say, “You’re not a bad person. You can make it on your own. You can reach heaven if you just perform enough good deeds.”
If you help enough poor people or do enough good things, they say, “You’re not as bad as others. So don’t worry.” However, these are, at best, misunderstandings of the Word. The Word of God clearly states, “for all have sied and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Every person has transgressed the known and revealed will of God. Therefore, we must give an account. Judgment is coming. The judgment of God is upon us. We will one day give an account for our actions. Do you want to be judged based on your deeds, or do you want to trust in what Jesus has already done?
If you stand with Jesus, if you take refuge in the shadow of the cross, then the punishment you deserve has already been borne by Him. You gain the opportunity to be with Him and with the Father. On one hand, you might think accepting Jesus is merely a way to avoid punishment, but that shouldn’t be the motivation. Accepting Jesus means loving Him, enjoying fellowship with Him. We aren’t just offering an escape from consequences; we’re talking about entering into a relationship with the Father, a relationship He has desired from the very begiing. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8). God walked with Adam in the cool of the evening, desiring communication, fellowship, and to share Himself with us.
This is only possible through Jesus. By accepting Jesus, we enter into a relationship with Him. So, the question remains: will you decide to follow Jesus?
Power of Jesus’ Sacrifice
Please locate 1 Corinthians 10.
Before we read, let’s go to the Lord in prayer.
Heavenly Father, we praise You. We thank You because You are worthy. You have given us Your Word, and through Your Word, You reveal Yourself to us. We know You through Your Word. We understand through Your Word. We coect with You through Your Word. Your Word is sanctifying. Your Word is powerful. Your Word is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).
Your Word will separate us from our sin and reveal Your life to us, so that we may forsake sin and turn to You. Teach us, Lord, how to be the people of holiness that You desire. Amen.
Living a Life of Holiness and Righteousness
Throughout 1 Corinthians, we see Paul providing clear guidance. He outlines what the believers are doing and contrasts it with what they should be doing instead. Over and over, Paul corrects the church, indicating that there is a standard Christians are called to uphold, much like the Old Testament laws God set for the Israelites.
Outsiders often viewed the Israelites as peculiar because of their adherence to God’s commands. Today, we too are called to be peculiar people, standing for righteousness. We should not casually assert that everyone is a Christian or that all are destined for heaven. Rather, we should declare that only those in Jesus Christ, those redeemed by His cross, are welcomed into the family of God.
This is not our decision to make; it is His. Our role is to share this message. We must acknowledge that “all have sied and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and urge people to repent. Because of sin, we are separated from God, and without turning to Christ, one faces eternal separation from God. On our own, we are powerless against sin.
Even if we attempted to create a moral checklist—placing murder, adultery, and theft at the top—such a list would be incomplete and inadequate for achieving righteousness. Our efforts alone caot please God; only through faith in Jesus can we be acceptable to Him. We must trust in Jesus for our salvation, recognizing that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Jesus, God in the flesh, exemplified the ultimate sacrifice by willingly giving His life on the cross, shedding His blood for the remission of our sins, cleansing us, and making us “whiter than snow” (Isaiah 1:18). This act of love demands our continual reflection on its impact on our lives today.
When was the last time you truly considered the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice? How often do you reflect on the consequences of your actions? As believers, we must turn away from sin and strive for holiness, recognizing the profound effects of what Jesus accomplished on the cross over 2000 years ago.
We must pursue the righteousness of God
Again, it is not through our efforts but through our faith and trust in Him that we receive His grace. And what is grace? Grace is unmerited favor, God giving us what we do not deserve. But grace is also the strength of Christ given to us to live a life free from sin.
We have the strength of Christ, not that we can resist sin on our own, but through Him, He resists for us. He gives us the strength so that as we draw closer to Him, the temptations that once ensnared us lose their grip. We were once slaves to sin, but when He sets us free, “we are free indeed” (“John 8:36”).
We are no longer bound to that sin. We are no longer obligated to commit those sins because we have freedom in Christ. This strength of Christ sets us free, enabling us to live a life free from sin. John Wesley, a theologian from many years ago, taught that we could become perfect in our Christianity. This does not imply that we can achieve personal perfection but rather that we can become spiritually mature, recognizing our complete dependence on Christ for everything.
Within myself, at the very best, all I can do is produce death. But in Christ, I have life. In Christ, I have a coection with the Father. In Christ, I can stand against sin. In Christ, I can live an eternal life. It’s all about Christ.
Therefore, we ought to celebrate Christ not just on Sundays. We should celebrate Him every day and live a life that proclaims the resurrection power of Christ. If we attend church and leave the same as we came, what’s the point? If we live from Sunday afternoon until the next Sunday morning without fellowshipping with the Father, then what is the purpose?
If the world caot see a difference between us and the drug dealers, or the person at the bar, or those committing adultery, then there is something amiss with us, because there is certainly something wrong with them. That “something wrong” is sin.
We are called to live a life that is pure and holy before God, a life without reproach, a life that is holy, not sinful. Do we need a list of chores dictating every action—’I must do this, I must do that’? If you are convicted of something, by all means, refrain from doing it.
Most importantly, we must live a life that is dependent on Christ, recognizing that it is by His power alone that we have a relationship with the Father. We need to shun sin and embrace the cross of Christ, remembering what He once did and what He continues to do.
Understanding True Worship and Communion
As Paul explains to the church, there are appropriate methods of worship.
Within church traditions, different congregations engage in various forms of worship. Some raise their hands, others maintain quiet reverence, some dance, in some churches everyone sings, while in others, only the designated lead. All these forms are acceptable in their respective contexts.
However, what truly constitutes appropriate worship? This question can sometimes lead to division. There are fundamental truths that all believers should agree upon. Chief among them is the significance of the blood of Christ. It is the blood of Christ that brings us into the family of God and washes away our sins. It unites us as one family under God. We are in need of Christ; His blood was shed for us.
Paul points out to the church that certain practices are incorrect. He references behaviors from their past and the prevailing societal norms which were inappropriate. For instance, the surrounding pagan society engaged in offering animal sacrifices to demons.
Paul admonishes the Christians, explaining that you caot partake of the Lord’s Supper and also partake at the table of demons. “You caot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you caot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons” (1 Corinthians 10:21). You must decide. Do you choose the fellowship of Christ or the fellowship with demons? You must make a choice.
Or do you want Christ and His blessings? You must make a choice. You need to separate yourself from that type of lifestyle and unite with Christ. Paul explains this concept, and let’s begin reading at 1 Corinthians 10, verse 14: “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.”
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Depending on your translation, it may read, is it not the fellowship of the body of Christ, the bread of which we bless, is it not the fellowship, or the sharing, or the participation in the body of Christ?
The word communion here means fellowship, to share in unity. It signifies that Christ has shared Himself with us, and we, in turn, share with others. Christ’s body was broken for us so that we could fellowship with Him. We receive communion as part of this tradition, often at random times.
How often should we receive communion? When Jesus instituted communion, He presented it as a means of worship to the Father, an approved method of worship. He said, “as often as you do this, do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:25). Thus, you can receive communion as frequently as you wish, as a remembrance of Him.
What were they doing when they received communion? They were worshiping during the Passover festival, looking back to Exodus 12, recalling how the Egyptians held them in bondage. God sent the plague of the death angel, which killed all the firstborn sons in Egypt. However, those who were protected by the blood of the lamb did not die. This serves as a foreshadowing, a type of what we see in Jesus. For those of us who are covered by the blood of the Lamb of God, we will not suffer eternal death. Our bodies may still die, but our spirits will not.
We have that protection in Christ. So, these people were aually looking back, celebrating this, anticipating the fulfillment of what was to come. When Jesus instituted the Last Supper, He was telling them, “I am the fulfillment of everything you’ve been anticipating.” Excuse me.
Jesus explains I am the fulfillment of everything you’ve been looking for. As we partake of communion, we ought to look back at what God has done. Yes. And we ought to look to Jesus.
Reflecting on Jesus’ Sacrifice
Not only do we reflect on what He did in the Old Testament, but we also look to Jesus. What did Jesus do? He shared His body.
Jesus took that bread, and as Paul recounts in 1 Corinthians 11:24, “and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'” In the same maer, He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
We remember the Old Testament and what Jesus did. His body was broken for us. How was His body broken? Isaiah tells us that when they beat Him, “His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men” (Isaiah 52:14). He was so beaten, He became unrecognizable, not only as Himself but He didn’t even look human because of the extensive suffering He endured. His body was broken so that we could be united with Him, have fellowship with Him, and fellowship with one another.
Significance of Communion
So we look back to the Old Testament and to Jesus.
We also look around us to others. As we engage with others, we recognize that taking communion, which is an act of worship, typically happens not in the privacy of our homes. Although it’s acceptable for those who are shut-ins, unable to make it to church, to receive communion at home, in jail, or wherever they may be confined.
However, if possible, it is beneficial to join together with God’s people and receive communion in the company of those of like-minded faith. We should celebrate the body of Christ together with the body of Christ—though it might sound unusual to phrase it that way, it emphasizes the unity and communal aspects of our faith.
Unity in the Body of Christ
But what is the body of Christ? I have a few scriptures here from 1 Corinthians 12 to explain the unity we have in Christ.
Paul writes in verses 12 through 14, “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many” (“1 Corinthians 12:12-14”). Each one of us is part of the body, and each one of us is equally valuable. We are all necessary and equal within the body of Christ. There are no greater individuals among us; we are all on equal footing, united solely by the blood of Christ.
In “1 Corinthians 12:21-22,” Paul emphasizes our interdependence as members of the body of Christ: “And the eye caot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.” We need even those members of our body that might seem weaker. If a part of our body isn’t functioning properly, it affects everything, doesn’t it?
Paul teaches that every part of the body is essential. We must acknowledge this, regardless of whether a member contributes financially, maintains the church grounds, or simply attends services. Every member is crucial. We all should contribute to the work of the Kingdom of God, but it’s not our place to judge and declare one person more important than another.
We are all members of the same body—the body of Christ, united because His body was broken for us. It’s vital that we offer mutual care to one another, recognizing and valuing each person’s role within our collective identity as the body of Christ.
Embracing Unity Among Believers
“1 Corinthians 12:25-26” instructs us that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
We should not allow divisions among us. It’s natural for disagreements to occur—siblings argue, and unless you’re an only child, you know this all too well. While disagreements are normal, divisions are not necessary.
We must avoid creating schisms within the body of Christ. Instead, we should recognize our unity in His body, fostering unity among all believers. The entire book of Ephesians underscores this call for unity. How do we achieve unity? By recognizing that each member is valued.
Every person, no matter their actions, past, current situation, financial contribution, appearance, or even their smell, is someone for whom Christ died. Each is created in the image of God (“Genesis 1:27”), and Christ died for each individual. We have no right to hinder their worship or to judge them, elevating ourselves above them.
We should never treat anyone as lesser because Christ’s blood was shed for them just as it was for us. We need to embrace unity in Christ, recognizing that educational background, physical appearance, or any other superficial attribute does not diminish their value.
This unity transcends denominational lines. Whether someone is from the Church of God, Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian, Greek Orthodox, or any other denomination doesn’t matter. Christ has united us. He is the one who forgives and shares His body.
If Christ has chosen to share His body with them, their denominational affiliation or any other external characteristic is irrelevant. What matters is that Christ accepts them and shares Himself with them. We must acknowledge what Christ has done and live accordingly, fostering unity within His body.
We should not judge others but rather strive to unite with fellow believers, looking back to the Old Testament, reflecting on what Christ has done, and observing the community around us.
Importance of Self-Examination Before Communion
We also need to look inwardly for if we take of the Lord’s supper unworthily, we are bringing judgment upon ourselves.
Paul tells us in first Corinthians 11 that many people who are among you, they have, they have participated in this act of worship unworthily and have made themselves sick and some have even died. So you can kill yourself. By taking communion in an unworthy maer. What does that mean? What does it mean to be unworthy?
Oh, maybe I need to do a list of chores for God so I can earn the right to take communion. No, that’s the wrong attitude. How do we become worthy? By recognizing we can’t be worthy. It’s only in Christ that we are worthy. We do not earn the right to worship Him. We accept the free gift of grace of Christ, saying in that we worship him.
It’s the free gift of God given to us. In that, we worship Him and have Him in unity among us. Did you realize that if we do not have unity among believers, then we are grieving the Holy Spirit? In Ephesians 6, Paul warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit, but in that, he’s not telling us not to sit there in the pew and not raise our hand.
He’s not telling us not to clap or not to sing along with their special song. No, he’s telling us through the whole book of Ephesians. We ought to have fellowship with other believers. We need to be united with other believers. And in doing that, we have freedom in the Spirit. But if we do not have unity among believers, then we are quenching the Spirit.
We are in disobedience to the Spirit of God when we are not united with other believers. And that’s the same thing Paul’s telling us here. We need to have unity with believers. We need to have fellowship, unbroken, unhindered fellowship with fellow believers when we receive in communion. We receive in the body of Christ as it is broken for us.
Just as it is broken for them. So we all in Christ receive of the same Christ on the same level, by the same merit, that is the work he did, not anything we’ve done to earn it.
Looking Forward Through Communion
His body has been broken for us, and through communion, we look to the future. How does participating in the Lord’s Supper tell us to anticipate what is to come? It may seem puzzling at first, but remember what Jesus said in “Matthew 26:29”: “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” By saying this, Jesus points us toward the future, indicating that what we do now in communion is like an appetizer for the bridal supper we will partake in Heaven, at the feast of the Lamb.
This act of worship in which we are currently engaged is a coection to Him, anticipating the day when our coection will be complete. It serves as a reminder of what He did, what He is doing, and what He will do. One day, we will be with Him without hindrance, forever, in His everlasting kingdom.
Are you ready to partake in the communion of Jesus Christ? His broken body and His blood were poured out for you. Are you prepared to accept what He has offered? Receiving communion is not merely an act of remembrance. Yes, Jesus instructs us to remember, but it is also a way to participate in what He has accomplished. We don’t earn this; we embrace it.
When we take the bread, we are receiving the body of Christ. There is some debate about whether this is physically the body of Christ, spiritually the body, or merely a memorial. Whichever stance you take, the scripture records Jesus saying, “Take, eat; this is My body” (“Matthew 26:26”). Jesus shares His bread, and however it is interpreted, the essential truth is that it is the work of Christ.
As He broke His body and offered it for us, we participate and experience this tangibly. We engage all our senses with the bread of Christ—we feel it, smell it, hear it as it breaks, and taste it. Similarly, whether it’s a cracker, a piece of bread, grape juice, or wine, these elements are used in our traditions to represent the work of Christ, past, present, and future.
The broken body and the shed blood invite us to partake, and by faith, we accept this as the body of Christ offered to us all and to me personally. This is the blood of Christ shed for us all and for me specifically. So, are you ready to follow Jesus? Are you ready to embrace and participate in the communion of the Lord?
Preparing for Communion Worship
His body has been broken for us, and through communion, we look to the future. How does participating in the Lord’s Supper tell us to anticipate what is to come? It may seem puzzling at first, but remember what Jesus said in “Matthew 26:29”: “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” By saying this, Jesus points us toward the future, indicating that what we do now in communion is like an appetizer for the bridal supper we will partake in Heaven, at the feast of the Lamb.
This act of worship in which we are currently engaged is a coection to Him, anticipating the day when our coection will be complete. It serves as a reminder of what He did, what He is doing, and what He will do. One day, we will be with Him without hindrance, forever, in His everlasting kingdom.
Are you ready to partake in the communion of Jesus Christ? His broken body and His blood were poured out for you. Are you prepared to accept what He has offered? Receiving communion is not merely an act of remembrance. Yes, Jesus instructs us to remember, but it is also a way to participate in what He has accomplished. We don’t earn this; we embrace it.
When we take the bread, we are receiving the body of Christ. There is some debate about whether this is physically the body of Christ, spiritually the body, or merely a memorial. Whichever stance you take, the scripture records Jesus saying, “Take, eat; this is My body” (“Matthew 26:26”). Jesus shares His bread, and however it is interpreted, the essential truth is that it is the work of Christ.
As He broke His body and offered it for us, we participate and experience this tangibly. We engage all our senses with the bread of Christ—we feel it, smell it, hear it as it breaks, and taste it. Similarly, whether it’s a cracker, a piece of bread, grape juice, or wine, these elements are used in our traditions to represent the work of Christ, past, present, and future.
The broken body and the shed blood invite us to partake, and by faith, we accept this as the body of Christ offered to us all and to me personally. This is the blood of Christ shed for us all and for me specifically. So, are you ready to follow Jesus? Are you ready to embrace and participate in the communion of the Lord?
Thank you lord.
Participating in the Communion Ceremony
I’d like to invite you to join with me in worship for communion.
As we receive communion, I invite you to come receive this communion.
This is a prepackaged from the manufacturer. It’s grape juice and on top of the grape juice there’s a plastic seal. There’s a tiny wafer about the size of a nickel. This is a representation of the body of Christ and the blood of Christ. Do not. Come to get this if you are not going to receive it as the body of Christ and the blood of Christ that is for you, but I invite you if you would like to worship in this biblical maer to come and receive from the bread of Christ, the body and the blood of Christ that is poured out for you.
I invite you to come as keen in scenes but as you do come, return to your seat or you can stand here if you would like. Hold on to it and we together will receive communion together. So, just hold on to your package until we can all participate simultaneously in an act of unified worship. Okay, so I invite you to come now.
If you are comfortable in doing so, I ask you to stand as a way of honoring the process. Raise the plastic cover to retrieve this white wafer. The Bible tells us that Jesus took that bread. He raised it. He blessed it. Then said, this is my body that is broken for you later. Paul said that this bread, which we bless, isn’t it participating in the body of Christ? This is a serious matter, but it’s also a great joy because Christ shares his body with you and you can tangibly participate in what he has done.
Prayer and Reflection
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your body that has been broken for us. As it symbolizes, as each wafer symbolizes a piece of the bread broken from one loaf, each one of us as members of your body that was broken and shared to us. Help us, Lord, to receive the grace that you have intended by sharing your body with us.
Receive The body of Christ
Prayer
Oh God, thank you Lord for your body that was broken for us. Thank you Lord for your body that was broken, for your grace that has given us.
After they ate, Christ took the cup, which is the fourth cup of that celebration process. He raised the cup of wine and he said, drink this because it’s my blood that was poured out for you. So as you receive this, remember his blood was shed for you for the remission of your sins, uniting you into the family of God and securing you for the future received by faith, the blood of Christ.
Prayer
Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Thank you for your blood that share. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. We thank you for shedding your blood, for breaking your body, and you uniting us together. You are holy, holy, holy god. Our father who art in heaven, holy is your name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us of our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lord, we thank you for what you have done. Holy is your name.
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