Communion Message 2020
Zac Poonen emphasizes the unity of the body of Christ through the practice of breaking bread in homes, reflecting the early church's devotion to fellowship, remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, and commitment to holiness.
This sermon reflects on the early days after the Day of Pentecost when 3,000 people were converted and baptized. It emphasizes the unity of believers meeting in different homes, breaking bread together, and recognizing themselves as one body in Christ. The practice of breaking bread from house to house is highlighted as a way to remember Christ's sacrifice and express willingness to live sacrificially for Him.
Full Transcript
Let me read to you how it was soon after the Day of Pentecost. Acts chapter 2, when 3,000 people were converted, and we read here in Acts 2, Peter preached and 3,000 were converted and they were baptized, Acts 2 41. That day, the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2 41, 3,000 people were converted and received baptism.
So numerous people must have helped these people to be baptized. And in the succeeding days, these 3,000, see, these 3,000 could not meet in one place. There was no building to hold 3,000 people.
They met in different different places, in different little homes. When we talk about the church in Rome, it was not in one building, it was in many, many homes, like we are today. And they received the apostles' teaching and fellowship, and they broke bread and prayed.
So in their different homes, they broke bread. So the church in Rome broke bread. It broke bread in so many homes.
The church in Jerusalem broke bread. It was in many, many different homes that they broke bread, but they were still one body. They were testifying to the fact that they were one body.
And it says they continued like that in verse 46, day by day, with one mind in the temple and from house to house, they broke bread, Acts 2 46. So we've come back to apostolic days now. They broke bread from house to house, and they took their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart.
I hope that will also be true in our midst. In our homes, we break bread, recognizing that those people in the other home there are one body with me. And 1 Corinthians 10 says in verse 17, since there is one bread, we who are many are one body.
We all partake of that one bread. Even when we meet together in the meeting hall, it's in little pieces that we take part in here. Now we are in different homes, but we never forget that we are one bread.
We are one body in Christ. And we remember the fact that he died for us and we take part in that bread to say we want to die with him. And we drink the cup saying that he shed his blood to forgive all our sins, saying, Lord, I want to take sin very seriously as I drink this cup.
I want to really see what a price you pay to free me from sin. And I want to be willing to have my life poured out for you as well. So that's the spirit in which we can break bread like the early apostles and early believers from house to house.
Amen.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Early Church's Practice
- 3,000 people converted and baptized on Pentecost
- Believers met in many homes due to large numbers
- They shared fellowship, teaching, prayer, and breaking of bread
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II. Breaking Bread as a Sign of Unity
- Churches met in multiple homes but remained one body
- Breaking bread from house to house demonstrated unity
- One bread symbolizes one body in Christ
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III. The Meaning Behind Communion
- Partaking bread signifies dying with Christ
- Drinking the cup acknowledges Christ’s blood for forgiveness
- A call to take sin seriously and live sacrificially
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IV. Application for Today
- Breaking bread in homes continues apostolic tradition
- Recognize fellow believers as one body
- Commit to living a life poured out for Christ
Key Quotes
“We are one body in Christ. And we remember the fact that he died for us and we take part in that bread to say we want to die with him.” — Zac Poonen
“I want to take sin very seriously as I drink this cup. I want to really see what a price you pay to free me from sin.” — Zac Poonen
“So that's the spirit in which we can break bread like the early apostles and early believers from house to house.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Participate in communion with a heart of unity and remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.
- Foster fellowship by meeting with other believers regularly, even in small groups or homes.
- Commit to living a life that reflects dying to sin and being poured out for Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the early church meet in homes?
Because there was no single building large enough to hold all believers, so they met in many homes to fellowship and break bread.
What does breaking bread symbolize in the church?
It symbolizes the unity of believers as one body in Christ and remembrance of His sacrifice.
How should we approach communion today?
With a sincere heart, remembering Christ’s sacrifice, taking sin seriously, and committing to live sacrificially.
Is it important to remember that the church is one body?
Yes, recognizing that all believers partake of one bread reminds us that we are united in Christ despite meeting in different places.
What attitude should we have when partaking in communion?
We should have gladness, sincerity, and a willingness to die to sin and live for Christ.