(Clip) Holy Communion, the Reason for the Gathering of the Church
Francis Chan emphasizes the centrality of Holy Communion as the unifying and foundational practice for the church, urging believers to reclaim its significance over pulpit-centered gatherings.
This sermon delves into the historical perspective of the belief in the literal body and blood of Christ during the first 1,500 years of church history, contrasting it with the more recent idea of it being just a symbol. It highlights the shift from the centrality of communion to the prominence of a pulpit and individual speakers in church gatherings, leading to the division within the church. The message emphasizes the importance of unity in the body of Christ and the need to restore communion to its central place in the church, fostering a sense of belonging and celebration among believers.
Full Transcript
Taking of the body and blood of Christ somehow in some real way. Again, I'm not making any like grand statements. I'm just saying some of the stuff I didn't know.
I didn't know that for the first 1,500 years of church history, everyone saw it as the literal body and blood of Christ. And it wasn't until 500 years ago that someone popularized a thought that it's just a symbol. And nothing more.
I didn't know that. I thought, wow, well, that's something to consider. And while I won't make a strong statement, I will make a statement about this.
It was at that same time that for the first time, someone put a pulpit in the front of the gathering. Because before that, it was always the body and blood of Christ that was central to their gatherings. For 1,500 years, it was never one guy and his pulpit being the center of the church.
It was the body and blood of Christ. And even the leaders just saw themselves as partakers. And oh, man, we're not worthy.
We're not worthy. We're not worthy. I say that because the church is more divided than any time in history.
What does this book tell us clearly? That he does not want any divisions in his church. And for 1,000 years, there was just one church. Did you know that? We're so used to growing up in a time when literally there are over 30,000 Christian denominations right now.
But for the first 1,000 years, it was just one. What was interesting is communion was at the center of the room every time they gathered. And it wasn't a pulpit where a guy preached after studying in his office by himself for 20 hours.
See, right now, we've got guys like me that go in a room, study. That's what I was doing for years. Meanwhile, other guys went in their rooms and studied.
And then we started all giving different messages. So many contradicting each other. And pretty soon as I follow Piper, I follow Chan, I follow, you know, it's just like everyone's following different guys.
I'm just saying, I believe there was something about taking communion out of the center of the church and replace it with a gifted speaker. Not that that gifted speaker is not a part of the body of Christ and a gift to the body of Christ, but the body itself needs to be back in the center of the church. You guys, I've been dreaming about this.
I've been praying about this. Man, I would love it if one day in our country here in the U.S., people understood the body of Christ, that they were just a part of it. And they got excited to gather and partake of the body and blood of Christ.
And they celebrated together. And that's why we gathered.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Historical view of Holy Communion as literal body and blood
- Shift to symbolic interpretation 500 years ago
- Impact of this shift on church gatherings
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II
- The original centrality of communion in church meetings
- Introduction of the pulpit and its effects
- Leaders as partakers, not central figures
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III
- The division of the modern church into denominations
- Contrast with the early unified church
- Role of communion in fostering unity
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IV
- The need to restore communion to the center of the church
- Encouragement for believers to see themselves as part of the body
- Vision for a united church celebrating together
Key Quotes
“For the first 1,500 years of church history, everyone saw it as the literal body and blood of Christ.” — Francis Chan
“It was the body and blood of Christ that was central to their gatherings.” — Francis Chan
“I would love it if one day in our country here in the U.S., people understood the body of Christ, that they were just a part of it.” — Francis Chan
Application Points
- Reevaluate the role of Holy Communion in your church gatherings to restore its central place.
- Embrace your identity as a part of the body of Christ rather than following individual leaders.
- Pray and work towards unity within the church, focusing on shared participation in communion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Holy Communion central in early church gatherings?
Because it represented the literal body and blood of Christ and unified believers as partakers in the body of Christ.
What changed about church gatherings 500 years ago?
The pulpit became central, and communion was viewed more symbolically, leading to more division.
How does Francis Chan view church division today?
He sees it as a departure from the original unity centered around communion and calls for restoration.
What is the role of church leaders according to this sermon?
Leaders should see themselves as partakers of the body, not as the central figure in gatherings.
What is Francis Chan's vision for the church?
A church united in celebrating and partaking of the body and blood of Christ together.