Sunday Morning’s Message: 15th of September 2024
Speaker: Nick Jenkins
Objective
To explore how communion draws us closer to God and one another, and what helps and hinders these divine connections.
Key Verses
John17:20-23
Jesus prays for the unity of believers, that they may be one as He and the Father are one.
Proverbs 18:8
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
John15:4-5
Remain in me, as I also remain in you... No branch can bear fruit by itself...
Hebrews12:1
Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…
Communion Unites Us with Each Other
Jesus' prayer in John 17 calls for unity among believers, that they may be one just as Jesus and the Father are one. Communion symbolises this unity, bringing us together as one body in Christ.
Help to Unity: Seeing Others Through God's Eyes
When we view others as God sees them, it enables us to love, see past one another's faults, and forgive.
Ephesians 1:4 reminds us that we are all chosen by God to be holy and blameless before Him. He sees us with His original intent. He loves us for who he made us to be, despite how pain and sin can distort us.
Questions
● How does seeing others as God sees them change your perspective on relationships within the church?
● Reflect- who is someone you would benefit by seeing through God’s eyes?
Hindrance to Unity: Gossip
● Gossip can harm relationships and cause division within the church. Even internal gossip—our negative thoughts about others—can damage unity.
● Proverbs 18:8 speaks of gossip going deep into the heart, illustrating the harm it can cause.
Questions
● How different are the conversations we have in our head, to what we might speak out loud? In what way does entertaining these thoughts cause division?
● How can we guard ourselves from both spoken and internal gossip, which can harm unity?
Communion Unites Us with God
In John 15:4-5, Jesus tells us to remain in Him as He remains in us. Communion is not just an act but a symbol of abiding in Christ, experiencing His life flowing through us like a vine to its branches.
Help to Union with God: Abiding in Christ
● Abiding in Christ is not about striving, but staying connected to Him daily, in everything we do. Whether it’s through prayer, Scripture reading, or simply acknowledging His presence throughout the day, we are called to remain close to Him.
● The Greek word meinate can be translated as remain, abide, stay or wait.
Questions
● What areas of your life have you compartmentalised? How can you let God in?
● What does it look like for you to “abide” in Christ throughout your daily life?
Hindrance to Union with God: Sin
● We approach sin knowing we are not condemned (Romans 8:1) but that he is calling us higher.
● Sin, while forgiven, can still entangle us and if repeated may lead to a desensitised conscience (1 Tim 4:2).
● Sin creates a barrier to intimacy with God, but he calls us to holiness.
Hebrews12:14
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
● We pursue holiness for deeper communion with God and greater manifestation of his presence and glory.
Question
● How does sin affect your relationship with God? How can we deal with the sins that entangle you? What does it mean to be set free from sin?
Reflection
Take a moment to reflect on Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17. Ask God to reveal any areas where you may be harbouring division or sin that hinders your relationship with Him or others. Invite Him to bring healing, unity, and a deeper sense of communion in your life. Let us desire and pray for a pursuit of holiness that will usher in a greater move of God's power and presence and glory.
Conclusion
Communion is more than just a ceremony —it’s a profound expression of our union with God and with each other. We see through the book of John in chapters 15 and 17 that unity was a deep desire of Jesus. Let us live each day in a way that prioritises unity with one another and with God
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