I have a sermon called "Point of Contact" that I delivered two weeks ago for communion. It's short enough--here it is:

Pastor, I’ve dialed God’s number, but no-one seems to be answering. Will I find
anything in church to help me?

Pastor, I’ve been in this church for 20 years and don’t feel saved. Is there any hope for
me?

Pastor, I think I’m lost but I’m just coming to church for the sake of the kids–maybe
they will find salvation here. Will they?

Church members have asked these questions and similar ones of me throughout my 12
years as a pastor. Usually I turn to 1 John 5:11-12 for the answer. The apostle John was
retirement age. He viewed all kinds of different movements, sects and religions trying
to press their ideas on the Christian Church. He responded with a verse that summarizes
Christianity: “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life
is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does
not have life.” All of the competing religions and philosophies of the time were based
on knowledge, sacrifice, or a proper formula of words. Christianity stood alone in a
personal relationship with its God as its measure of Salvation. What John is saying is
that if you have that relationship with Christ , it’s life, heaven, Joy, peace etc. and
eternal life. If you don’t have it, eternal death. Simple.
All of this leads to one big question: “How do I know that I’m in a relationship with
Christ?”
The answer, again, is simple. Just like any other relationship, for one to have with
Christ is based on points of contact. In human relationships, point of contacts can be
letters, phone calls displays of affection. All of these are not love, but they show that
there is a relationship there. A young man and woman who are writing to each other
can, in a discouraging moment, lay out all letters they’ve sent in a huge pile. Then they
both can say, “Yes, something’s up. I’m not just imagining it all.” What then, are some
of the points of contact we have with Christ?
Any child who has been to church can tell you: Bible Study, prayer, fellowship with
other believers...These don’t save us, but the indicate that yes, there’s a relationship
there.
But the church through the ages has used a certain, specific, God-ordained point of
contact that should never be neglected in a Christian. That is the living, healing power
of the communion. “The Lord Jesus...( Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
In the Lord’s supper, the bread becomes part of our bodies. The juice gets absorbed into
our bloodstream. The napkins on the communion table even serve a purpose. In NT
times, Romans wouldn’t wipe away the excess, they would take home the excess–to
sustain themselves and their own households for days to come.
Right after Jesus’ death Cleopas and the other disciple felt they had lost contact with
Jesus forever. The Stranger that started walking with them started giving them a study
of references in the Hebrew Scriptures to Christ. Finally when they entered a house and
this Stranger broke bread, they understood Who they were with. While walking on the
road they enjoyed His fellowship–they were still discouraged–but their hearts “burned
within them.” When He gave a Bible Study, they listened intently, but it didn’t reveal to
them who their companion was. It was only when the bread was broken in His
presence, that everything came together. Here, Jesus Christ, had entered their house and
they shared a meal together.
John, who writes about “having the Son” tells us in Rev. 3 “Behold, I stand at the door
and knock...we will share a meal together as friends.” Jesus wants into our church, into
our hearts, into our lives. He wants us to take Him home. Like the two going to
Emmaus, we’ve had bible study, we’ve had the fellowship of Christ in our lives–let us
now commune with Him...

[This message has been edited by Andrew Marttinen (edited July 03, 2001).]

I'm sorry about how those words were set up in my last post. I would have liked to make it easier to read. It seemed letters that I tried to use to edit it turned up confused and twisted. There must be a problem with the program that I'm using because it "acts up" quite a bit. I hope the meaning of my post got through, though.

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You have done many good things for me, Lord, just as you promised. I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge. Psalm 119:65-66 NLT

When Jesus said "I am the bread of life" what did He mean? What does it mean for me today? How can I eat of the bread of Jesus?

Did you know that the Jews/Rabbis understood that unleavened bread represented the Word of God? Do we partake often enough of the bread of life? Is once a quarter too much, not enough or just right for Communion service?

What does the bread and wine in the Communion service symbolize?

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Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*

Hi Sarah...sorry you and I don't see eye to eye on the issue of closed communion. I think you mis-understood my point...It does not matter, its not an issue to divide over, its a non essentual...

As for "the bread of life" in context of John Chapter 6...

Jesus said He was the bread of life that came down from heaven...Just as the Manna in the desert fed the people...He also feeds us...

Jesus is the true bread that sustains those who believe in Him...not seeking Him for the wonderful miracles He can do, but because we believe on His name...that He died to redeem us from darkness, that the riches of His mercy might be poured out on us who were once lost and alienated from the Father, but now are brought close to the Father through the riches of Christ blood...His blood was shed for us.

We are now satisfied in God for who and what Jesus is for us...We by faith, eat and drink the flesh and blood of Jesus...abiding in the truth of the vacarious substition...and doing the things He has commanded us to do.

We are so satisfied in Him, knowing He is satisfied with us as He bids us to continue and to go on to perfection...through His blood.

As we partake of communion, we understand and contemplate these truths, and we seek to be forgiven of all unrighteousness of life and character.

We understand these emblems of His blood and body to be as reminders of His death which was for us...His blood which was shed for us and His body which was broken for us till He come again...for us...

I myself think the Adventist Church should partake of the holy service once a month--frenchmon

I'm glad we're back on the meaning of Communion. I'd like to ask a question - Is it possible to experience the "meaning" of Communion (the life and death of Jesus) without the little cracker and small amount of juice?

I hope so because I'd like to see the church practice Communion with the cracker and juice less often (or maybe on Friday evening instead). The reason I like that idea is because too many times we have had visitors on Communion Sabbath and more often than not they felt like they got ripped off with such a short sermon. Yes, there are those visitors who were blessed too, but I think they would have been blessed even without the foot washing and the cracker and juice.

Does any get my point?

We are having communion on July 21st.

When we announce communion a week or two earlier, when that particular communion Sabbath arrives, there are either less people there or people who don't participate or at leaast not in the footwashing part.

Why is that?

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

Hi Brother Daryl

It may be that those who don't show up understand the importance of this sacrament...they feel as if they are not ready to partake in this service.

Some who don't take foot-washing may not want people to see their feet..---frenchmon

I'm certain that these ceramonies are not supposed to be broken up. take the sacrafices in the old testament, when the priests didn't do the ceramony appropriatly God frowned on that and some died. if we start to do that then as adventists we can't call ourselfs his chosen people if we don't fallow the truth.

Those who consistently don't show up for the Communion Service but who are otherwise active in the church serving as a deacon or whatever other function, what should be our reaction to them?

__________________________
In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

"Those who consistently don't show up for the Communion Service but who are otherwise active in the church serving as a deacon or whatever other function, what should be our reaction to them?"
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I think we should strip them of their duties and make them be rebaptised!!!! No just kidding...

But I do think it is up to the pastor of the church to meet with those who do such and find out if things are ok...frenchmon