049. ACT 18:21. IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR COMMUNION

Act_18:21. Importance of Regular Communion

"I must by all means keep this feast."’97Act_18:21.

It is probable the apostle referred to the feast of the passover, where he would probably meet many old friends, and where he might have a very favorable opportunity of making known the doctrines of the cross of Christ. We select the passage as capable of being very naturally applied to the Christian feast of the Lord’s Supper, where the friends of the Redeemer meet to hold communion with Jesus and with one another.

With this use of the text we notice, I. That the ordinance of the supper is a feast. II. That Christ’s disciples should by all means keep it. And, III. Some directions for the profitable keeping of the feast.

I. The Lord’s Supper is a Feast.

As such, it was very beautifully and fully prefigured by the Jewish feast of the passover. The apostle states, that "Christ is our passover sacrificed for us." The symbolical elements are bread and wine; one the indispensable staff, and the other the richest luxury, of life. The spiritual provision is Jesus Christ, or rather the precious benefits flowing to us through his death; including pardon, peace, holiness, joy, and grace for every time of need.

1. It is a royal feast.

Founded and prepared by the King of kings; Mat_22:1, &c.

2. It is a love-feast.

Where Christ’s love is displayed to his people, and where they meet to exhibit their love to him, and to each other.

3. It is the Christian’s family feast.

Where the friends of the Redeemer meet together in their family capacity Where the elder brother is the head, and all the guests brethren. Notice,

II. That Christ’s Disciples should by all means keep this Feast.

They should do so,

1. Because the Lord has commanded it.

Plainly’97affectionately’97at a very interesting time.

2. Consistency demands it.

We bear his name; profess to be his disciples. This is the Christian’s distinctive ordinance, where they appear professedly as his witnesses and friends.

3. Safety demands it.

No safety except in the way of Christ’s commandments and ordinances. Sign of coldness and apathy, when the Lord’s Supper is neglected. Often the precursor of apostacy, &c.

4. The Church demands it.

She expects, and she expects reasonably, that her sons and daughters should be found in her solemn assemblies, especially at this holy fraternal feast.

5. The love of Christ demands it.

Shall not that love which brought him to that solemn hour when it was instituted, that love which induced him to be our paschal lamb sacrificed for us; shall not the dying love of our blessed Jesus constrain us to keep this feast?

6. Our own true advantage demands it.

At this feast the provision is rich, suitable, and abundant; we cannot regard it in the exercise of rightly regulated feelings, without receiving benefit to our souls. Here love will be inflamed. Faith strengthened. Hope brightened. Joy and peace abound. Soul be refreshed, and mount up as on the wings of eagles, &c. Let us then specify,

III. Some Directions for rightly keeping this Feast.

It should be kept,

1. With deep humiliation of mind.

A sense of God’s greatness, the Saviour’s sufferings, our own unworthiness, &c., should produce this. Sink into the depths of selfabasement.

2. In the exercise of faith in Christ’s precious blood.

Without faith in Christ’s blood we cannot be benefited by the feast. It is faith that receives and applies Christ’s merits to the soul’97that feeds upon him’97lives by him, and through him, and in him.

3. With strong feelings of benevolent regard to our fellow-men.

With complacent and strong love to the brethren, and compassion and charity to wards all men.

4. In hope of beholding the Saviour at his second coming.

We must "show forth his death till no come." And we must look for this blesses! hope, the coming of the Saviour. Expect to be raised to hail his appearing, to mingle with his attendants, to be glorified with him, and to dwell in his presence for ever more.

APPLICATION

(1) Regular communicants at Christ’s table, value and improve your privileges (2) To those who only occasionally commune, we say, Why be absent from the spiritual banquet? Do not slight your mercies. You are bound by every thing reasonable and sacred to keep this feast. (3) Invite the poor starving sons of men to come to the gospel feast, for "yet there is room."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS