Today I want to speak about the power of Holy Communion! What can you expect after partaking of the bread and wine? What are the benefits of Holy Communion? Why did Jesus establish Holy Communion as a commandment, an ordinance?
Unfortunately, many take Holy Communion as a ritual, as a Christian practice, but without understanding and revelation of what it represents and what the benefits are of taking it correctly.
What is Holy Communion or The Lord’s Supper?
But what, in fact, is Holy Communion? Firstly, It is a vivid memory.
Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took the bread and the wine and instructed us: “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19 NKJV)
We do not have a good memory and often forget important things, and the Communion was instituted so that you do not forget that a high price was paid for your life, that you were bought and now belong to the Lord whom you need to thank and honour for what He did for you!
By breaking the bread, He symbolised His body that was broken, crushed and delivered on the cross for us, to give us eternal life. By taking the cup of wine, He symbolised His blood shed, the blood of the new covenant, which seals our forgiveness, washes away our sins and reconciles us with God. It is the memorial of the greatest act of love and redemption in all human history.
Secondly: Holy Communion is a prophetic proclamation.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV
Holy Communion not only looks back to Calvary, but also forward, to the glorious and awaited return of our Lord Jesus Christ. It reminds us that this journey is not in vain, that He will come again to seek His Church, and we, washed and redeemed, will be with Him forever.
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ ” 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 NKJV
Now, listen carefully: this is a revelation that the apostle Paul received from the Lord. He did not learn it from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. On the contrary, he received it directly from the Lord Jesus, as he himself states: “I received from the Lord…”
What is so important about the Communion that the Lord Jesus Himself made a point of transmitting this revelation directly to Paul — whether through a vision or a personal encounter, teaching him about the Communion.
And it was through Paul that we learned about the availability of healing and health through the Communion.
The apostle Paul calls the Communion the Cup of Blessing.
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 10:16 NKJV
He calls the Communion the Cup of Blessing, but before speaking about it, he draws the brethren’s attention, because they were partaking of the Communion without resolving relationship issues among themselves, and he warned that the Communion would bring them more harm than good.
“For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.” 1 Corinthians 11:18 NKJV
Did you know that pastors are always informed about the problems and divisions in the church? There are honest brethren whom the Holy Spirit uses to inform us.
The Cup of Blessing is for blessing, but: when we neglect this provision from God, people become weak, sick, and die prematurely, or die spiritually. 1 Corinthians 11:30 NKJV
So, firstly, the Communion is a direct revelation from the Lord. Secondly: The Lord watches over this provision.
You know, for some reason, people say: “You know, Pastor Marcio, it’s just a piece of bread and a bit of juice, what can it do?”
Remember what happened when Jesus… when the woman whose daughter was demon-possessed asked for help?
“And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’ ” Matthew 15:27 NKJV
Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:27
Even a crumb can cast out a demon! A crumb can heal your sickness!
The bread of the Communion is a symbol of Jesus’ body.
Friends, we are not like the little puppies under the table. We sit at the table! We don’t have crumbs; we have the whole bread! Jesus is the Bread of Life, and we are children and heirs!
We need to have discernment and revelation of the Bread and the Wine, which represent the Blood and Body of Jesus!
Paul said that many do not have discernment of the Body of Christ! Do not mix the body and the Blood!
Many churches mix the two elements and refer to the body and the Blood as if they were one. In the Communion, they thank God for forgiving our sins and for having died to save us, and rarely mention illnesses.
“Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering ; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:4-5 / 1Peter 2:24.
“He took our infirmities our pain,” that is, physical infirmities and not spiritual ones!
We need to take the Communion with revelation, understanding, and discernment! Why?
Jesus died for all! John 3:16. God loved the whole world; however, only those who believe are saved!
Jesus bore our infirmities; however, those who believe receive healing! Jesus said to that woman who was content with crumbs: “Great is your faith!” And we need to take communion with faith!
How Can Communion Be Beneficial and Blessed? What are the benefits of Holy Communion when you partake with a broken and humble heart?
Communion is a Source of Spiritual Strengthening:
Communion nourishes us spiritually, renewing our faith, our hope, and our purpose amidst life’s adversities. When it is taken with a correct state of heart and mind, it increases and expands our faith.
It strengthens and refreshes our soul. It helps and increases the Grace you have already received. It sanctifies your soul. It strengthens our spiritual life and deepens our repentance.
The Lord’s Supper waters our roots in Christ Jesus and you become a fruitful Christian.
Affirmation of Forgiveness and Covenant: Each time we partake, we are reminded of the complete forgiveness we have in Christ and the unbreakable covenant He made with us through His precious blood. It is a reaffirmation of our salvation.
Union with Christ and with Brethren: The Communion unites us with Christ in an intimate and personal way, and also connects us to one another as members of one body, the Church. It is a moment of profound communion, where barriers fall and the unity of the Spirit is celebrated.
Awakening of Glorious Expectation: It ignites within us the flame of expectation for Jesus’ second coming, motivating us to live lives that glorify Him, persevering in faith and service until the day of His return.
Physical and spiritual restoration: When believers partake of the bread and wine, they are participating in Christ’s broken body and shed blood, which brings healing and restoration. This act of communion, done with faith, can lead to physical, mental, and spiritual restoration.
However, we need to Examine Our Lives!
The Bible exhorts us to an attitude of seriousness and reverence as we approach the Lord’s table.
1 Corinthians warns us: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 NKJV
Question: Is there any medicine that a doctor prescribes to us with these same instructions above?
Would the doctor say: “Take this medicine, but if you have problems or resentments against your brother, forgive him before taking it, because otherwise, you will be attracting judgment and could die if you take the medicine with bitterness in your heart?”
Listen to what the Bible says: Examine yourself, otherwise you will be attracting judgment!
For this reason, there are many who are sick, weak, and many who have died prematurely.
That is why: We have been instructed not to partake of the Communion in a disrespectful or unworthy manner!
For example: If you have a drinking addiction, you come and partake, but when you leave here, you continue to die. If you smoke, you come and partake, but your life will become worse. If you are a fornicator, after leaving here, you will become worse.
The point here is not that you should not partake of Holy Communion, because your problem is NOT Holy Communion, but your sin, which requires repentance and abandonment.
The Bible says: Examine yourself, repent, abandon sin, and partake of Holy Communion, for you need its benefits!
Does this mean that Holy Communion is taken by perfect people?
No, it is not; it is taken by people who yearn to do right. It is not about perfect people, for no one is perfect. But it is about seeking sincerity, humility, honesty, and a truly repentant heart before God.
It is a moment to empty ourselves and be filled with the grace and love of Christ.
This examination is not to condemn us, but to purify us and align us with God’s will.
It is a loving invitation to:
Confess and abandon sins: Is there something between you and God that needs to be confessed and abandoned?
Forgive: Is there anyone against whom you hold resentment, bitterness, or lack of forgiveness? The Lord’s table is a place of reconciliation.
Restore relationships: Are there situations between you and “someone” that need to be fixed? We need to reconcile with a brother or brother.
Reaffirm our commitment: Are we living in a way that honours Christ’s sacrifice, or have we strayed from His paths?
Conclusion:
We need to have this revelation and partake of the Communion with understanding and experience the transformative power of Holy Communion. May this Communion moment not be just another ritual, but a milestone in your journey of faith, where you deeply reconnect with Jesus’ redemptive sacrifice and with the unwavering hope of His coming.
May each one of us, with examined, surrendered, and grateful hearts, approach the Lord’s table now. As we eat the bread and drink the cup, may we not only remember what He did for us, but also renew our commitment to live for Him, in holiness and love, until He comes.
May the Lord bless us as we partake together of this sacred memorial. Amen.