Houston Congregational Christian Church

Pastor James Manuel
4883 Russia-Houston Road
Houston, OH  45333
Phone:  937-295-3591
Email:  click here

Message Title:     A Meal That Lasts

Call to Worship:     Psalm 136:1

Scripture Reading:     1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Prayer:  May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable unto You O Lord on this Your day.

Today we gather around the Lord’s table to remember and to give thanks.     Psalm 136:1 says,  ‘Give thanks to the Lord   for He is good.  His Love endures forever.’       Here we see the never ending story of God’s Love.   God deserves our praise because His endless Love never fails.   We never have to worry that God will run out of love   because it flows from a well that will never run dry. 

Whether we call it Communion,  the Eucharist  or the Lord’s Supper   this meal is the communal center of Christian faith.      It is a Meal that Last.         As we gather at this table remember that the Lord’s Supper is a plentiful meal.     Yet some may say---How can this meal at the Lord’s Table be plentiful?     How can this tiny piece of bread and this cup be a plentiful meal?    

The Lord’s Supper is plentiful because it gives us the presence of Christ.   We receive Christ at the table.    We are fed by Him.    We are nourished by Him and sustained by the One who is the Lord of life.    He is the One who reveals to us the meaning of life.         Jesus tells us in John 6:35,  ‘I Am the Bread of Life.   He who comes to Me will never go hungry   and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.’    Remember at the Lord’s table   there is always room for others.    When we come to the Lord’s table   the Good News is that there is a chair for everyone     to come and eat of the plenty of God’s redeeming grace.   No one is excluded.  

Then let us remember  we come to the Lord’s table aware that we are taking the food that is perpetual.   It is lasting.    When we eat of this bread and drink of this cup   we are taking in nourishment.      It is nourishment that is the Lord’s presence.        Christ nourishes you only as you allow Him    to come into your life     and give you His presence.    When you do that you are satisfied.   You are satisfied by the power and presence of a Christ that is perpetual.   

Christ continues to be there,   to sustain you throughout your life.   Jesus is telling us that the bread He gives is eternal,   John 3:15,  ‘Jesus said---that anyone who believes in Me may have eternal life.’       It is Eternal because it comes with the Love,   grace   and the power of God’s presence in and with us.

 Jesus Christ is the one who is life,  life everlasting.    Jesus says to us in John 6:47,  ‘I tell you the truth he who believe has everlasting life.’  Jesus offers Himself as he Spiritual Bread from heaven that satisfies completely   and leads to eternal life.

That night in the Upper Room when Jesus ate the Passover Meal with His disciples   they celebrated the Passover Meal and remembered. They remembered what God had done for them by allowing Moses to bring them out of captivity in Egypt.  

At the end of the meal Jesus took the bread and wine and gave both new elevated meanings.  Instead of being free from slavery   Jesus instituted a new meaning---free from our sins.       Jesus took the bread and cup,   gave thanks   and then gave it to His disciples and said,    Matthew 26:26,  ‘Take and eat,  this is My body.’   

My friends each time we come to the Lord’s table   we are reminded of God’s grace   so overwhelmingly poured out for us.   Jesus tells us to remember Him,  1 Cor. 11:25,  ‘Jesus said as often as you do this   do in remembrance of Me.’  

This meal is a time of rejoicing.    We sit at His table together as the family of God,   the Body of Christ.      May each heart declare Love and Loyalty to our Lord   who has brought us here and has made us to sit forever in the Heavenly places.    Thanks be unto our   Everlasting   and   Eternal Father.