Blessed Me

Q1. (1 Corinthians 10:16). What does the "cup of blessing" teach us about our focus at the Lord's Supper? 1Co 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Our focus must be on the one who deserves to be blessed, the one who deserves our adoration, He is to be commended for the awesome work He did, that enables us to have fellowship with the Father, and with each other. The One who deserves our praise, the One who deserves the glory forever and ever. I lift the "cup of blessing" up to you my wonderful savior, my commendation goes up to you, my praises goes up to you Jesus Christ, the savior of my soul.

Q4. Why is the Lord's Table such a time of intimate fellowship with Jesus? The Lord has gone to alot of work in preparing His Table. It consist of His death and His resurrection. He is our Bridegroom. We have been invited to eat this meal with Him. At this meal there is Joy, Peace, and love. He has asked me to come back to the table again soon, and I am looking forward to it, and I am already getting myself ready, for I want to make Him happy, I want to please Him, why? because I love Him ,and He has asked me to be His bride. Thank you Lord for inviting me over to dine with you, I love being in your presence. In your experience with having meals with friends, what makes the difference between a casual, forgettable meal, and one which is rich with memories? Being with friends and loved ones always makes a meal taste better and the memories linger. How can this insight make your experience of the Lord's Table more meaningful? At the Lord's Table is a friend closer than a brother, Jesus Christ. Also at the table is my family in Christ, those brothers and sisters in the Lord. Its meaning is found in the Family Unit, bound together by this Covenant with God, sealed by the blood of the Lamb, ratified by our "yes we believe"

...Q4. Why is the Lord's Table such a time of intimate fellowship with Jesus? The Lord has gone to alot of work in preparing His Table. It consist of His death and His resurrection. He is our Bridegroom. We have been invited to eat this meal with Him. At this meal there is Joy, Peace, and love. He has asked me to come back to the table again soon, and I am looking forward to it, and I am already getting myself ready, for I want to make Him happy, I want to please Him, why? because I love Him ,and He has asked me to be His bride. Thank you Lord for inviting me over to dine with you, I love being in your presence. In your experience with having meals with friends, what makes the difference between a casual, forgettable meal, and one which is rich with memories? Being with friends and loved ones always makes a meal taste better and the memories linger. How can this insight make your experience of the Lord's Table more meaningful? At the Lord's Table is a friend closer than a brother, Jesus Christ. Also at the table is my family in Christ, those brothers and sisters in the Lord. Its meaning is found in the Family Unit, bound together by this Covenant with God, sealed by the blood of the Lamb, ratified by our "yes we believe"

Q3. What is the significance of the 12 Apostles drinking the Cup of the Covenant? To whom would they correspond under the ratification of the Old Covenant? (Hint: Exodus 24:11.) In Exodus they ate the festive covenant meal in the presence of God, a grand celebration! a covenant with God! We see a glimpse into the future as the 12 Apostles drink the Cup of the Covenant, a new covenant to be brought to us by the death and resurrection of Jesus. This will bring us into a covenant, a relationship with the Almight God. What is the significance of us drinking the Cup of the Covenant? We are drinking the cup that seals our covenant with God. It is my way of saying "yes, I will" to God. Yes, I believe in the blood shed for me, yes I believe that Christ rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Yes, I beleive He is the only mediator between me and the Father and He is speaking on my behalf. Yes, I will love you, and only you. There will be no other god's before you. Yes, I am making myself ready for your return. Another signifcance I have as I drink the Cup of the Covenant is - Yes, I am thankful for all you have done for me, thankful for the saving grace and your mercy, I am celebrating, for there is so much to be thankful for.

Q2. (Jeremiah 31:31-34) How does the promised New Covenant differ from the Old Covenant? The New Covenant is a better Covenant with better promises. The work on the cross accomplished what the old could not: removal of sin and the cleansing of the conscience. The Holy Spirit will be with all believers, touching our hearts with the love of God, and bringing to our minds the truth in God's word. Power to live lives holy unto the Lord. As in the OT we are to love the Lord God with all our being, in the New Covenant we have the power of the Holy Spirit, we can now grow in the Lord's grace. Prior to the cross the Gentiles were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Eph. 2:12 but through the work on the cross Christ has given to us the opportunity to be adopted into the family of God. John 1:12-13 As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. What are the promises God makes in the New Covenant? We Gentiles are grafted into the blessings of Abraham through the blood atonement of the great Rabbi, Jesus Christ. Eternal life is given to us, we belong to the royal family of God, I can go directly to the Throne Room by the blood of the Lamb, I am a joint heir with Christ. The Holy Spirit is with us. It was predestined by God " from the foundation of the world. I claim these promises. What are our responsibilities under the New Covenant? We are to love God with all our hearts, minds, and soul, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. God says, " If you love me, keep my commandments." God is saying" Will you be my bride, prepare yourself? for I have gone to prepare a place for you, but I will come again, come for that faithful bride and we will drink together the cup of wine. It is the same as the Old Testament with one big change brought to us on the cross, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to become that faithful bride. Has God touched our stony hearts with His love, so our desire is to obey? He has touched my heart and this is what I think about when I take the cup in the Holy Communion, I drink the cup sealing my covenant with the Lord until He comes again to take me Home.

Q1. (Exodus 24:3-11) How was the covenant with Israel ratified? The people ratified the covenant by giving their approval to God when in one voice they said "we will" to God's word. They validated the covenant twice, with a united voice "All the words which the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient." I noticed one part they left out and that was " and all thy judgments" as seen in verse 3. It was important the people understand what the Lord imposed upon them, there will be a judgment to the breaking of the covenant, as seen later in the two eldest sons of Aaron. What was sacrificed? A young bull without blemish, this was of great value to the people. A Burnt Offering was a sign of self dedication. We also are to offer our best. The Burnt offering was to be a continual offering. The same is true of our offering of ourselves to the Lord, not once in a while, but a continual offering, drawing closer to Him, a relationship with our Creator - Himself! The Peace Offering is an indication of their thankfulness. The Hebrew word for "Peace" is (wholeness - completeness) The Peace offerings were times of feasting, singing. The scriptures declare "Jesus is our Peace offering." I rejoice in this Peace that passes all understanding - the Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God! What was sprinkled? The blood of the Covenant, it was sprinkled half on the altar, then Moses read the Book of the Covenant to the people and they said, "all that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient". Then Moses sprinkled the blood on the people. Our Salvation is found in the blood of Jesus, the blood that was sprinlked upon us when we said "We will, we believe in the blood shed for us" sealing our covenant with the Lord of All. He wants our obedience, our love. Not seen in words only, but also in our deeds. What was eaten? A sacrificial meal, an act done before God. It involves communion with Him. Moses, Aaron with his two sons, and the 70 elders were engaged in the feast when they saw God. The word "saw" means - to perceive, to have a vision. It doesn't speak of the thunder, lighting, fire, or thick cloud, It reminds me of the vision Daniel and John had, of His loveliness. They could eat and drink, they felt as if they were at His table. Here I see the forecast of our privilege of eating and drinking in the presence of God when we take of the sacred feast of the Holy Communion.

Q4. What do the Words of Institution say to us about forgiveness? Paul did not praise the brethren concerning the Lord's Supper, he praised them not for they were splintered into factions, with unforgiveness towards others. Christ forgave us our sins and nailed them to the cross, He also commands us to forgive each other, it is a fruit of the Spirit. When I come to the table in remembrance of what Christ did, He forgave a debt I could not pay, I rejoice, I celebrate, I am thankful that I am forgiven. I am reminded He also wants me to forgive others and He sent the Holy Spirit to help me live a life pleasing to Him, He gave me the word to grow in. Why is it important for us to repent of known sin before taking the Lord's Supper? Repentance means a change of mind, turn away from sin. If we have known sin in our lives, what better place to go but to the communion table, for we are reminded of who has paid the price for our sins for God to forgive us. He has given us the Holy Spirit to help us become an overcomer. Christ did not redeem man, so he could continue in his sin, He came to break those chains that binds us to sin. It is our choice to receive this covenant with Christ, it is our choice to follow after Him. It is at this table we Remember we are His bride, He is coming for His bride, who is making herself ready for Him. He did not suffer and die so we can continue in sin. If we love Him, we will want to change our ways - keep His commandments ---- look what He did on the cross just for me, just for you. Repent, what joy there is in seeing Christ's saving power change me, mold me into a new creation.

Q2. Why did Jesus refer to the violent nature of his death in the Words of Institution? Sin is violent, it kills the soul and seperates man from the Father; and yet Christ willingly would become sin, He would take on the sin of the world. The violence shows the awful state mankind is in with sin ruling in their lives. However, Christ was willing to take it on Himself. The cost He paid-was, and is, beyond our understanding. The only word that comes to my mind is "love" -- He came to do the will of the Father and the cost was not an easy one. The end result when He presented to the Father the work He did on the cross, was ample compensation for all He endured. He looked at it with pleasure. For multitudes would be saved from the grasp of sin on mans life. This is why we should Love Him with all our hearts, for saving our souls from the violent stage it was in, seperation from the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. What did this probably mean to the disciples at the time? They were looking for Christ to rule as King on earth. The disiciples knew violence. They were tortured, killed, put in jail, etc. (Christ will rule again and I think that day is getting near, but for now He has gone to prepare a place for the bride and will come again.) They did not understand all of this at that time. What did it probably mean to them later? They also were willing to lay down their lives for the gospel, knowing in the end, there is a reward for all that continue in the faith. All of them except for John, were martyred. What should this say to us when we are tested? Will we take advantage of this time and learn from them? God we give praises to you for the work that was done on the cross, help us to stand firm on the foundation of "Salvation." The world can kill the body, but not the soul. As I think about the words from Steven, "forgive them" -- That power, that love, comes from the Holy Spirit. They felt the touch of the Master's hand, power was seen in the lives of these great men of God. He desires this power to be seen also in our lives.

Q1. How were Old Testament sacrifices a way of God showing grace and mercy to his people? Grace is favor shown without regard to the worth of the one who receives it , or what that person deserves. God's example of grace was the redemption of the Hebrew people from Egypt and establishment in the Promised Land. This was not because of any merit on their part, but in spite of their unrighteousness. Grace was found in the Covenant, a gift given by God, received through repentance, obedience, and by faith. God's mercy was shown in a ritual when the Hebrew people offered the blood of an animal to God as a "substitute payment" for their sin. It began in the garden when sin came to mankind and God covered their sin with an animal skin. The animals blood was shed. The word for sacrifices in the Mosaic Law was "gorban," meaning -"that which is brought near." This is what God is saying to us today, "offer yourselves as a living sacrifice." draw near to me, and I will draw near to you. God gave His Son as a living sacrifice for mankind, once for all, what an awesome thing, by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, we are now able to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him. Draw near to Him, that is what mankind was created to do, to have fellowship with this wonderful God, who is full of Mercy and Grace.

Q2. (1 John 4:2-3) Why does Christianity insist on a physical birth, physical suffering, and a resurrection of the physical body? Prophecy is fulfilled in Christ coming as man, His suffering, and His resurrection. Gen 3:14 And Jehovah God said to the serpent, Because you have done this you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every animal of the field. You shall go upon your belly, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He will bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. The seed is Jesus Christ. Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. PROPHECY OF A PHYSICAL BIRTH FULFILLED Heb 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Captain means "leader" Jesus endurance of sufferings makes Him our leader. He understands our pain because He went through suffering. The serpent will strike His heel, referring to Christs death on the cross, but, unlike the curse on Satan, Christs death would be conquered by His resurrection. -- 1Co 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 1Co 15:13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 1Co 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 1Co 15:15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 1Co 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 1Co 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 1Co 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. OUR HOPE IS FOUND IN THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR who was born of a virgin, came in the flesh and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. PROPHECY IS FULFILLED IN THE RESURRECTION of Jesus. God releases into our lives the power of Christ's resurrection Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. How would our faith be different if Christ hadn't fully entered the human condition? our hope would have been in vain

Q1. (1 Peter 2:24) Why do you think the Apostle Peter emphasized Jesus' physical body, when he talks about sin-bearing? First, we must believe that Christ came in the flesh, not just as mere man, but in Him dwells the fullness of the God head. Col.2:9 Salvation depends upon His being fully God and fully man at the same time. God took on a form of man, a human body, for Christ is the image of God. He lived this life, experiencing the pressures, temptations, that we experience, showing us a perfect example of how to live our lives. He went beyond this to taking our sins upon His body, bringing salvation to those who believe. He is the only Mediator between God and man. He understands the testings we go through, because He was tested in the body as man is tested. Jesus loved us so much, He was willing to be made a little lower than the angels, to be tested, He never sinned, but He was willing to become sin, to take our sin upon His body, by so doing, He gives back to mankind what was lost when sin came into the heart of man, that is fellowship with Father God. All this is possible because Christ took on the body of mankind. As I think about that alone, Christ was willing to leave the Father, to take on the human body, I thank Him for that. He was tested in the body- thereby understanding our testing, He presents our needs to the Father, that is why He is the only Mediator between us and the Father, I thank Him for that. He was willing to be crucified, feel the pain that sin brings, with the worst part of it all -as He hung there taking on the sins of the world, He was seperated from the presence of the Father. I thank Him for coming in the flesh, for showing me what love is all about.

Q2. What does koinōnia mean? koinōnia koy-nohn-ee'-ah From G2844; partnership, that is, (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: - (to) communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-), distribution, fellowship. What does it mean to "participate" or "share" in the blood of Christ? The believers share in the benefits of the blood of Christ, we share the same blessings together. When we partake of the communion, we are one body, united by the blood of the Lamb. Fellowship, that is what God desires of us to have one with another, as seen in His commandment to "love one another". How can this be done? Life given power found in the blood of our redeemer. What Joy, what wonderful fellowship there can be - when we truly participate, give thanks for the new life found in Him.

1. Why was Paul exhorting the Corinthians about the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons? Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. A serious warning, to flee. The church cannot worship God and Satan both. The covenant we have with Christ is not one sided, when we excepted Christ as our Saviour, we drank of the cup of the marriage proposal, we are now to make ourselves ready for His coming again. We must be faithful to Him. We are to love God with our whole being. Flee from anything that would take you from your first love. Demons are very real! What was going on in the church? Many were not fleeing from the danger before them, it reminds me of the word I see in many of our churches today, tolerance, they were tolerating false beliefs in the church. What was the danger to the believers? Are we trying to arouse the Lord's jealousy? Are we stronger than he? God's anger to those who are covenant breakers. God is a jealous God. God looks at the covenant breaker as an adulteress. It is very serious and God will not tolerate it. Just look in Deuteronomy and see how God delt with adultery from Israel. God is the same God of yesterday. He has made it very clear to His people what kind of people we are to be. He has made it clear, He wants a faithful bride

I love what you wrote. I do not dwell on the fact Christ died on the cross, but that He is living in me, and even better yet, He is coming again for those who are looking for His appearing. Yes, we are to live holy lives, as He said "if you love me, keep my commandments" what a joy that is to do. It is not a yoke. Yes when I take of the bread, and drink of the cup, I do it in remembrance of who He is, I cannot give Him enough praise, how awesome is this love that lives in me.

Q1. When repeated often, doesn't the Lord's Supper run the risk of becoming mundane and lose its meaning? Why did Jesus command its repetition? I do not understand how taking the Lord's Supper "often" can become mundane. The Lord's Supper has a purpose, our hearts and minds must be reminded of the awesome work the Lord did on the cross for us. It is a reminder that He is coming again for us, and we will drink with Him the cup of wine. When they drank the cup, it was after the meal, and it was a celebration. It is a time of celebrating for me, it is a time of bringing afresh, how much God loves "ME," for He gave His only Son that I could be in fellowship with the Father God. I find it to be true, the more I take it, the sweeter He grows. Mundane? no, rejoice! yes.

AMEN

Which part of the meaning of the Lord's Supper is most valuable for you at this point in your spiritual journey when you partake of and meditate on the Lord's Supper? ALL of the Lord's Supper is most valuable to me - because in it brings REMEMBRANCE of who I am in Christ. I am reminded of the love God has for mankind. I am reminded of the grace and mercy He poured out for mankind. I am reminded of who I am in Christ, a new creature, He has clothed me in His righteousness. I feel like a new bride each time I partake of the elements, for I love Him so!! I cry and I rejoice, for my heart is full of emotion, how do I find the words to say what my heart feels? "THANK YOU LORD FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE" This is what it means to me.

Q3. Which action words used to describe the elements of the Lord's Supper, teach us that we are to be thinking of Jesus' sacrifice of atonement, when we partake of the Lord's Supper? Given - Christ freely gave His life, man did not take it. Love, obedience, brought Christ to the cross, our sins nailed Him there. We who believe are Free. Forgiveness - Christ freed us from the bondage of sin. Christ willingly paid a debt, we could not pay!

Q2. How can an extreme symbolic interpretation cause a person to have too little respect for the Lord's Supper and its elements? Where is the balance, do you think? Extreme, is the key word here. Webster: Symbolism, representing things by means of symbols or of attibuting symbolic meaning or objects, events, or relationshps. If the act of taking of the Lord's Supper is focused on the objects, making it just a religious ceremony, one has gone to the extreme. God would like us to take it to the extreme, in the relationship with the Son, who made it possible, and gave the believer this privilege. He said to do it often, for it will bring REMEMBRANCE, remembrance of the love God has for mankind, He sent His Son, made Him a little lower than the angels, why? to free us from the bondage of sin. When we partake, we can say, "I am free."

Q1. How does your particular understanding of the bread and the wine (literal or figurative) help you grow closer to Christ when partaking of the Lord's Supper? (Note: This question is not your excuse to argue, but to learn from one another's personal experience of partaking.) IT IS A GREAT DAY OF CELEBRATION!!! I think about a jewish wedding in the days of Christ. The bridegroom recited a ritural statement as to his acquisition of the bride and the consecration of himself to her. He would pour a cup of wine for the woman and place it before her. If the woman was willing to receive the man and his proposal, she would drink of the wine which sealed the covenant. I drink that cup in remembrance of my bridegroom who has gone to prepare a place for me, I have oil in my lamp and am anxious for Him to come again, to come for His bride, who has made herself ready.

Q3. How does God's steadfast love in the Old Testament relate to his mission of love? John 3:16 God loved the world so much He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 12:44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, "If you trust me, you are really trusting God. When you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer wander in the darkness. If anyone hears me and doesn't obey me, I am not his judge, But all who reject me and my message will be judged at the Day of Judgment by the truths I have spoken. For these are not my own ideas, but I have told you what the Father said to tell you. His instructions lead to eternal life; so whatever He tells me to say, I say. Does the world have an ear to hear this beautiful message of love, sent to man, seen in the sacrifice that was freely given on the cross, to redeem man from the curse of death, and to give eternal life with Him. Steadfast love for sure.

Q2. What does faithfulness have to do with trustworthiness and keeping one's word? 2Ti 2:12 If we stick it out with him, we'll rule with him; If we turn our backs on him, he'll turn his back on us; 2Ti 2:13 If we give up on him, he does not give up-- for there's no way he can be false to himself. Faithfulness, dependability, loyal to His word is the Almighty God. Psalms 89, God is "the faithful God who keeps covenant." We must remember in the covenant are blessings for obedience, and a curse for refusal to obey God's commands, and for worshiping gods of other nations. The promise is, a believer will be saved, and to lead holy lives. If we are unbelieving and unfaithful, Christ will remain true to his word, and we cannot hope to be saved. What does the Faithful God inspire in you? That I too will remain Faithful to Him. When testing comes, I will stand firm, steadfast, knowing He is the Faithful One, in Him I am free from the burden of sin. Why must faithfulness be part of our character as believers? Christ living in me, Christ "the Faithful one, the faithful witness, the faithful High Priest, should be reflected in the way we live our lives. Faithfulness is expected to be seen in the believers life.