Are you remembering?

Written by Pastor McCarty on February 28, 2014. Posted in Pastors Pen

How’s your questioning?  I know, sometimes we are told that questioning things is a sign of doubt.  That can be true.  But, other times asking questions is a sign of interest.  So, I’ll ask you again, how’s your questioning?

Today I want to remind you that Sunday is coming and we will be remembering the Lord Jesus Christ via our Communion service.  We have a Communion service each month on the first Sunday.  For many of us we have been doing this for MANY years!  So, maybe it has become simply a ritual we put up with.  But, this Sunday we will be doing some things that will shake things up.  We will have some unfamiliar aspects in the service.

During the Seder meal that the Jews celebrate each year at Passover a series of four questions are asked.  These questions are designed to elicit a response to point out the reason the meal is being held.  The questions aren’t necessarily being asked for information people don’t know the answers to.  Rather, it gives the leader another opportunity to tell the story of Passover, the most important night in the history of Israel.

Sunday we will ask a series of five questions to direct our thoughts to the purpose of Communion.  These questions are similar to the questions asked at the Seder meal.  They will direct our thoughts away from the service and unto the Lord Himself.

One poet put it this way:

Gathered in Thy name, Lord Jesus
Losing sight of all but Thee,
Oh what joy Thy presence gives us,
Calling up our hearts to Thee.

Notice the wording that points us to  Jesus.  The poet says that during the Communion service we are be “Losing sight of all but Thee.” As you approach Sunday be asking the Lord to do that for you.  You can ask yourself questions about Jesus and His work.  The hymn “Lead Me to Calvary” has this chorus, “Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine agony, lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary.”  Go to Calvary to see past the cross, the pain and the suffering to see Jesus.

Another poet said this,

Amidst us our Beloved stands,
And bids us view His pierced hands;
Points to the wounded feet and side,
Blest emblems of the Crucified.

Come Sunday prepared to celebrate the Lord’s Table with us.  What are your questions?

Communion – Are you ready?

Written by Pastor McCarty on February 26, 2014. Posted in Pastors Pen

When Jesus met with His disciples  on that last night together He knew it would be their last meal, but they didn’t.  They were going through yet another Paschal meal, one like all the others.  The ritual, the songs, the ceremony were designed to bring to their minds the events of Passover night.  Each element prepared them for the offering of their passover lamb.  Each one would have concluded that this night was no different than any other night.  But, oh were they wrong.

The Jewish cycle of life is designed to stir the memory.  Throughout the Old Testament the Lord set aside certain celebrations or places to remind them of where they had come from and where they were going.  Throughout the Book of Joshua we meet a series of piles of stones used for this reason.  The piles were placed at different spots so the younger could ask the older, “What is that pile of stones for?”  Each memory was to be as fresh as at first.

But, over the years the freshness became stale.  The memories became blurred.  And, the worshippers become dull to the real reason for the celebration.  Even to his day Jewish folks gather for the celebration of Passover without realizing the most important part; that it points to Messiah Jesus.  In the entire service each element is yet another signpost pointing to Jesus.  Yet, being blind to spiritual matters they simply go through the motions.

Sunday morning we will once again celebrate the Lord’s Table, Communion, or the Lord’s Supper.  Our celebration goes by many different names.  However, it has one main purpose; to remind of of Jesus.  The words above our the key to what we do and why we do it.  Each part of the service is designed to point us away from ourself and unto Jesus.  It’s truly not about us, but rather, it’s about Him.

Would you begin now to prepare your heart for Communion?  Would you look deeply into your heart to be sure your saved and walking in obedience to the Lord?  Don’t wait until Sunday morning to prepare your heart.  Begin now.

“This do, in remembrance of me.”