Communion: A Commandment Kept in Love
February 13, 2022 · 2:08:59 · Watch on YouTube ↗
These notes - summary, key points, and highlighted thoughts - were generated by AI from the recording and are not the preacher’s exact words.
Summary
This communion service opens by defining what a commandment really is - a binding rule that governs a person's words and actions. God gave commandments to Israel, but Christ Himself also received a commandment from His heavenly Father and fulfilled it perfectly. Jesus declared, I love the Father and I do exactly what He commanded, abiding always in the Father's love.
To love God is to keep His commandments, and these are not burdensome: believe in the name of Jesus, love God, and love one another as He loved us. Christ proved His love by laying down His life of His own will, for no one took it from Him. Standing silent before Pilate, like a lamb led to slaughter, He willingly surrendered for our salvation. The breaking of bread is the commandment He left His church, and we keep it the same way He obeyed the Father - freely, out of love, never out of duty.
With a personal story, the pastor warns against treating worship as mere obligation. As a young man he once vowed to pray an hour each day like Jesus, but felt only relief when the week ended, until God asked him whether he had done it out of love or out of duty. Those who truly love do not count the time. He calls the church to examine themselves, admit their own guilt rather than point fingers like Adam, forgive as Christ forgave, and so proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
Key Points
- A commandment is a binding rule that should govern everything we say and do.
- Jesus loved the Father by perfectly obeying Him, and His obedience is our example.
- God's commandments are not heavy: believe in Jesus, love God, love one another.
- Christ laid down His life willingly; no one forced Him, and that is the measure of His love.
- Communion is a commandment we keep out of love, never out of duty or fear of what others think.
- Those who love God do not count the cost or the time it takes.
- At the Lord's table, judge yourself, admit your own guilt, and forgive as you have been forgiven.
Devotional
Ask yourself today not only whether you obey God, but why. Christ kept His Father's commandment all the way to the cross, and He did it out of love, not obligation. When you come to His table, do not let it become routine or a duty performed for the eyes of others. Turn the pointing finger back toward your own heart, confess what you find, and receive His forgiveness. Then go out and live every day in communion with the One who freely gave Himself for you.
Those who truly love do not keep count of the time.
No one took Christ's life from Him; He laid it down willingly, out of love for us.
We keep this commandment not out of duty, but out of love, just as Jesus did.
