Saturday, June 20th, 2009
Familiar Grounds
Different place. Different faces. Different worship. Different building. Same God. Amen!
Stepping foot into a new fellowship may have been foreign at first, but as soon as worship started – nothing else mattered. I was in the presence of God. The presence of the Holy Spirit filled the place and I knew I was home. Closing my eyes – I felt refreshed.
We took communion, which reminded me not only of the cross, but also of God’s glory.
I believe that the elements have symbolic significance. They are to be received with understanding of their meaning, and faith in the finished work of Christ. However, the Lord’s table is not a place for perfect people to celebrate their sinlessness. It is a table for the redeemed sinners to confess their sins, and receive fresh pardon and cleansing. It is a unfortunate that some traditional teachings have led some sensitive hearts, who keenly feel their sinfulness, to stay away from the Table, lest their eating and drinking bring God’s condemnation upon them.
- Pastor Ken Shigematsu
Of course one should not participate in the Lord’s supper while living a life of disobedience to God. But I find that this “reminder of the cross” is needed the most when we are feeling weak, and sinful. Nobody can truly come to the Table without sin – so do not feel unworthy. But rather – eat and drink – draw power from this reminder and religious festival such that we may fix our eyes on the glory of God and renew our faith to know that we are forgiven.
The night continued in a time of prayer and sharing. I had a really good time.