Preparation for Holy Communion

“Fear is the root of vain glory (conceit) and selfish ambition. Selfish ambition grows out of the fear of not receiving enough… fear of not being recognized.

Let’s go back to Christ’s greeting of peace to the disciples (John 20:19,21,26).

In Luke 24, we have the experience of disciples on the road to Emmaus. After walking with Jesus, they finally recognize Him when He sits down at the table with them, in the blessing and breaking of the bread.

Holy Communion is nourishment for our souls. God has placed divine life within us and provides us with the nourishment that is necessary for our development, namely through word and sacrament.

The sacrifice of Christ is fully valid because it was brought one time, for all times! It is valid forever (Hebrews 10:14).

In His conversation with Martha at the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus tells Martha that her brother will rise again, to which she replies, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Sacraments are holy acts of God performed in the power of the Holy Spirit (CNAC 12.1.9).

At various times throughout one’s life, we may experience what is referred to as a ‘life-changing event.’

Jesus, God incarnate, is like no other. On the cross, He accomplished what no one else ever has or ever will.

Jesus also asked His disciples to do something in remembrance - celebrating the Lord's Supper is part of our Sabbath experience.

Temptation is all around us. The action items above don’t just equip us to bear witness to others, but also to confront the temptation that surrounds us (1 Peter 5:8).

At the table of the Last Supper, all the disciples were gathered. Even in the face of betrayal, Jesus offered the bread and wine to Judas.

Thoughts in worship often lead to repentance and hopefully conversion. After Elijah experiences God on the mountain, he is unchanged!

Just as Jesus saw Zacchaeus in the tree and then came to spend time with him...

In addition to creating the physical creation, God has endowed human beings with a soul as part of the spiritual creation.

Regeneration is part of our transformation and linked to repentance. We recognize the need for a new heart, and new person, a new birth (Psalm 51:10).

"The body and blood of Jesus given for you." The death of Christ is substitutionary

Salvation, as offered by Jesus Christ, is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:4-9). It is part of God’s care!

God gives us “time” to adopt new behaviors. This includes repairing relationships and forgiving others.

During this Advent season, we are reminded that, despite the world's suffering, we are called to embrace joy as we prepare for Christ's return.

To those who come hungry for His grace, God responds with abundance. "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

When God’s mercy is released, something transformative happens: the gospel begins to gain momentum across the earth. This divine mercy ignites a powerful chain reaction, with repentance at its core.

The Beatitudes express what citizenship in the kingdom looks like, and you are called to exhibit these counter-cultural values already today.

The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them (Psalm 111:2). There’s a quote that says, “the more one gazes, the more one sees.”