The Lord's Supper Service 2022

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

There are two distinct aspects about our calling that Jesus commanded.

One is baptism and the other is the new covenant commemoration in His body and blood, the Lord’s Supper (or as referenced by some as the New Covenant Passover).

At some point, we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and our only Saviour. We repented of our sins. We surrendered all, and to the best of our faith counted the cost of discipleship. And rising from the waters of baptism, with the laying on of hands in receiving the Holy Spirit, we became a new creation in Christ.

In our Biblical tradition based on the night when our Lord Jesus took bread and was betrayed, we too join in and participate in the annual proclamation of Jesus’ death. For we too shared in his death through the waters of baptism. And likewise, we too will share in the power of his resurrection. That’s a certainty for those who “trim their oil lamps” and shine the light of Christ on the journey of perseverance!

Next week on Thursday evening, at 7:00pm, 14 April 2022, we will meet at Mundaring WA, Woodville North SA, and at Auburn NSW, as well as in many homes across this continent. As baptised members of the body of Christ, we gather in community to remember our Lord Jesus Christ and the price he was willing to pay in our redemption and salvation. We share in the symbols of the Bread of Life, and in the Cup of the New Covenant. And, in the humility and service of foot washing we also follow Jesus' command.

The Hebrew Passover, under the old covenant, pointed to the Lamb of God, the Saviour of the World. Thus a male lamb, one year old and without blemish was slaughtered, roasted and eaten. But such substitutionary sacrifices can never take away sin, although it clearly illustrates that sin can only be atoned for by blood. Under the new covenant, Jesus became the sacrifice typified in the Lamb of God, for only in Jesus can our sin be removed. Thus the Lord’s Supper transcends the old in both meaning and practice.

In the remaining week ahead, may we privately in prayer come before the throne of grace to receive mercy and help in our time of need – to better and more deeply appreciate the profound exchange Jesus initiated on behalf of our heavenly Father’s redemptive purpose. Jesus took on our sin, and he attributes to us his righteousness! Thus we too stand before our heavenly Father, justified! What a profound reality! What great joy! What great gladness!

For those who are keeping the Lord’s Supper at home, we recorded a video in 2020, “The Lord’s Supper Service at Home” which you may find helpful: https://www.cog7aus.com/2020/lord_yt.html or at https://youtu.be/-3LVon5FGKQ

I pray that our commemoration, celebration and proclamation of Jesus’ death (and resurrection) this year speaks deeply in our hearts and minds as God prepares us for another year ahead.

In Christ your brother, John