May 31, 2015 | Tom Dunham
Passage: 2 Chronicles 30:1-12
God Is My Personal Trainer! (Part 2)
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42
There are 4 essential practices for members of the church: following teaching (doctrine) … fellowship … breaking of break (Communion) … and prayer.
Central to worship is Communion.
King Hezekiah knew a thing or two about worship. Worship was one of the secrets of his strength, having had God as his ‘Personal Trainer’.
- In the first year of his reign … II Chronicles 29:3 – God was first!
- He opened the doors of the house of the LORD & repaired them. II Chronicles 29:3
- He commanded the temple to be cleansed, along with the priests & Levites – II Chronicles 29:5
- He restored worship! II Chronicles 29:35,36
He brought back the celebration of the Passover. II Chronicles 30
The New Testament parallel to the Old Testament Passover is Communion!
- They are/were both remembrances …
- Jesus linked the two at the Last Supper …
- Jesus Himself is termed our ‘Passover’ – I Corinthians 5:7 …
- The Passover was to be celebrated once a year … Communion is ‘often’ – I Corinthians 11:26 …
- The Passover lamb was mature – ‘of the first year’ – Exodus 12:5 … Jesus likewise was a fully mature Man …
- The Passover lamb had to be w/o blemish – Exodus 12:5 … so Jesus was without blemish and without spot – I Peter 1:19 …
- Both had to be slain and the blood had to be applied – Exodus 12:7 and I Peter 1:19 …
- Israel fell miserably short of celebrating the Passover yearly … let us not neglect the breaking of bread/Communion!
All believers in Christ are invited to share Communion together.
- Prior to taking Communion is the time for personal confession of sins – I Corinthians 11:27.28 …
- Be careful, also, that you have no unresolved conflicts – Matthew 5:23,24
Then you may come! And God invites us to do this regularly – often!