Should I be Afraid to Take Communion? – Rural Reset 18/21 [20]

09/23/24 • 17 min

Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, delves into the concerns and misunderstandings surrounding the Lord's Supper. He explores who should partake in it, the meaning behind the practice, and how it should be a joyous, communal act for believers.

Key Points:

Who is Communion For? Communion is for believers. We are taking the Lord's Supper together, placing our hope in work of Christ, instead of our own works. It is also for believers gathered together in local churches, not 'lone-ranger' Christians.
What is Communion For? Communion is like an ongoing Baptism. It is a symbolic reminder of our need for Christ. Just as God made us have a need for food, we have a need to go to him again and again.

Listener Takeaways:

Run to communion table with Joy. Praise the God who saved you.
If you feel burdened by your sin, so much so that you feel as if you cannot take the Lord's Supper, talk with your pastor. Remember that communion is a reminder of all of our need for God's grace.
When you take the Lord's Supper, look to three things. Look back to the sacrifice that Christ made. Look around you to the people taking the supper with you. Lastly, look forward, in hope, to the supper feast of the lamb!

Connect with Us:

Website: backtorurality.com
Social Media: Facebook

Key Points:

Who is Communion For? Communion is for believers. We are taking the Lord's Supper together, placing our hope in work of Christ, instead of our own works. It is also for believers gathered together in local churches, not 'lone-ranger' Christians.
What is Communion For? Communion is like an ongoing Baptism. It is a symbolic reminder of our need for Christ. Just as God made us have a need for food, we have a need to go to him again and again.

Listener Takeaways:

Run to communion table with Joy. Praise the God who saved you.
If you feel burdened by your sin, so much so that you feel as if you cannot take the Lord's Supper, talk with your pastor. Remember that communion is a reminder of all of our need for God's grace.
When you take the Lord's Supper, look to three things. Look back to the sacrifice that Christ made. Look around you to the people taking the supper with you. Lastly, look forward, in hope, to the supper feast of the lamb!

Connect with Us:

Website: backtorurality.com
Social Media: Facebook

Previous Episode

Is Baptism Necessary? – Rural Reset 17/21 [19]

Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, addresses Baptism. He addresses common questions such as whether believers should get baptized, the legitimacy of infant baptism, and the significance of baptism in the Christian faith.

Key Points:

Baptism as a Covenant: Baptism is a sign of entering into a covenant relationship with God, akin to a wedding ring symbolizing marriage. While baptism does not save, it is a crucial step for believers as an affirmation of faith and entry into the church community.
Baptism as a Front Door: When you are Baptized in a church, you effectively join that church community as a member. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul says that we are baptized into the body of the church! The church is affirming your confession of faith as true.

Listener Takeaways:

Baptism is set aside for believers.
You only need to be baptized one time.
If you have questions about your baptism, your pastors would love to help you think through it.
Additionally, you should consider reading "Understanding Baptism" by Bobby Jamison.

Connect with Us:

Website: backtorurality.com
Social Media: Facebook

Next Episode

Why You Should Have Your Neighbors Over This Week -- Rural Reset 19/21 [21]

Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, delves into the common anxieties of showing hospitality, particularly in small towns. Through scriptural insights and practical advice, TJ encourages Christians to see hospitality not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to live out their faith, break down barriers, and experience joy.

Key Points:

What If My House Isn't Clean? Hospitality isn't about showing off, instead it is actually about living out your faith in a way that breaks down some barriers and reflects God's grace to those around you.
Isn't It My Home? Everything we have is a gift from God! Our home, our resources, our personalities and even our time. We invest what God has given to us for kingdom purposes.

Listener Takeaways:

Think of one person, or family, that you could get together with this week. It could be a neighbor, a peer, a coworker, or a fellow church member!
Be creative with your hospitality. You can meet with people in a park, a coffee, shop, or have people over for a game night.

Connect with Us:

Website: backtorurality.com
Social Media: Facebook

Back to Rurality - Should I be Afraid to Take Communion? – Rural Reset 18/21 [20]

Transcript

Are you afraid to take communion? That might seem like a weird question. Why would anyone be afraid to take communion? Are you suggesting someone might actually choke on that little piece of bread? Others are going, yeah, yeah, I actually am afraid to take communion. I know that there are eternal matters at stake and I know I'm a sinner. I'm just not sure how all that works together. So yeah, I'm a little afraid to take communion. So who's right? How should we feel when we approach the Lord's