And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47 ESV
Hearing from God and encountering Him in His Word (Teaching) demands a response from the people. Remembering that worship is dialogic in nature, it’s as if God were saying to us, “Okay, now it’s your turn to speak. Let me hear from you. Show me (God) the difference my Word makes upon your life.”
Responding. We might be tempted to think that the response is only for those who are “answering the invitation,” but we would be wrong. The Gospel is the story of Jesus, and that is a story for everyone; young and old, male and female, every ethnicity, all walks of life, and regardless of spiritual maturity or time spent in the Church.
Our response may include many things, but we would be remiss if we did not respond in thanksgiving. This is the essence of our response, and so a large part includes the Lord’s Supper, or as some refer to it, the “Service of the Table.” In three of the Upper Room accounts, and in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we read that Jesus gave thanks as He instituted new-covenant significance amidst the Passover meal. Some traditions, then, refer to Communion as the “Eucharist” because that’s the Greek word for “giving thanks.”
It’s important that we remember exactly what it is we are commemorating when we give thanks, for sometimes we can run the risk of turning the supper into a sacrifice. Keep this in mind that Jesus made the sacrifice on the cross, and that is where our sins were forgiven. It is not the supper that forgives our sins, but rather through the supper we remember how our sins were forgiven.
What actions might we take in our Responding?
- Songs of celebration (give thanks)
- Sharing the bread and cup with one another (communion)
- Interaction and speaking to one another (again, communion)
- Movement (response, by definition, is not passive)
- Silence or somber reflection (remembrance)
We may do some of the above, but some are not as natural for us, depending on each of our individual backgrounds. I would encourage you to take note of how we participate in our response to God, realizing that it’s not a random or ritual activity, but rather a most significant and purposeful act of our worship.
After having gathered, received the Word, and responded in thanksgiving to the Lord, it’s time to take our dialogue out to the world. That’s what Sending, the topic of next month’s article, is all about.
I am printing these articles, not only on my blog, but in Greenwood Christian's New Spirit (monthly newsletter) as well. Please follow along, subscribe to the blog, then share your pertinent and well though-out comments, questions, and responses as we go.
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