Communion: Suffering With Christ — Santosh Poonen — November 16, 2024
https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/communion-suffering-with-christ http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon explores the deep meaning of the Lord's Supper, arguing it is more than just a ritual of forgiveness. The speaker emphasizes that partaking means taking Christ's sacrifice and making it personal, connecting it to the necessity of being filled with the Holy Spirit alongside accepting Christ's suffering. He draws from Colossians 1:24 to illustrate that believers are called to partake in the remaining sufferings of Christ.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The true meaning of the communion tableCommunion is often treated as a rigid ritual, fear-based rule, or empty tradition, but Jesus intended it as an intimate, joyful invitation to have a permanent connection with Him.
Filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictionsAlongside being filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul speaks in Colossians of filling up our cup with the remaining afflictions of Christ by choosing to suffer as He suffered.
Arming ourselves with the purpose to suffer in the fleshPeter explains that since Christ suffered in the flesh, believers must arm themselves with the same purpose; suffering in the flesh is necessary to cease from sin.1 Peter 4:1
Choosing suffering over the pleasure of sinFollowing Jesus requires denying the fleeting pleasure that comes from sin, choosing instead to suffer with Him so that sin no longer masters our lives.
First: Never trying to make a reputation for yourselfJesus made Himself of no reputation, meaning we must deny the inner urge to impress others or draw attention to our own abilities and achievements.Philippians 2:7
Second: Never making decisions to please other peopleTo be a true servant of Christ, our life decisions cannot be driven by the desire to make people happy or win their favor over pleasing God.
Third: Never seeking the approval of othersJust as Jesus did not entrust Himself to man or rely on human validation, we must let go of chasing the approval of friends and the world.John 2:24
Fourth: Never opening your mouth in self-defenseWhen faced with false accusations, misunderstandings, and mistreatment, Jesus remained silent like a lamb, leaving His defense entirely in the hands of His Father.Isaiah 53:7
Responding to God's amazing love at the communion tableRecognizing Christ's great sacrifice leads us to surrender our whole lives to Him, willing to suffer for a short time in exchange for eternal joy and resurrection life.
