WHY DO HOLY COMMUNION?

1. Just A Thought! Why do Holy Communion (1 Corinthians 11:23-32)?

a) The Holy Communion centers around the cross. It gives us two lives:

I) Abundant Life on earth

a) If taking Holy Communion unworthily can cause us to be weak and ill, and even death, how much more will it bring healing and wholeness to our physical bodies if we do it right!

b) That's why the body of Jesus was broken for us and that by his wounds (stripes) we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 ESV

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

c) Abundant life refers to life in its abounding fullness of joy and strength for spirit, soul and body. This life can die. It has expiry date.

John 10:10 ESV
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

II) Eternal Life in the afterlife

a) The blood is for the forgiveness of our  sins. The shed blood of Jesus washes away our sins and gives us eternal life. 

Hebrews 9:22 ESV
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

1 John 5:11 ESV
And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

John 3:16 ESV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

b) So, you see there is a continuation of life after death. Eternal life traditionally refers to continued life after death. It cannot die and has no expiry date!

c) Jesus wanted us conscious of how His body was broken so we could be made whole, and His blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins.