The Sunday Service on May 22, 2016 started with a praise and worship session, led by the Worship team, during which offerings were collected and then, concluded with a consecration of the offertory by Elder Khamgoupau.
Pastor H.Biakson then took to the pulpit and introduced the theme for his message, which was: ‘To benefit from The Lord’s Holy Communion.’(Mark 14:12-26). Like the Lord had instructed, ‘Do this in remembrance of me’, we conduct the Holy Communion service in remembrance of Him─ One who has never failed to remember us. After the short introduction, Pastor H. Biakson continued to speak of the boons of The Holy Communion. He then asks, how do we let it become gainful for us?
Despite not disclosing his preparatory plans for the Last Supper and the Holy Communion, the Lord had been well prepared beforehand. Only on the very day did he reveal his plans and instruct his disciples accordingly, which they followed and found to be successful. Similarly, we need to keep in mind that the Lord has a plan for each one of us, which he will reveal only when he deems it right. Like the disciples, we, too, need to seek the Lord and ask him to decide for us; His plans for us, be it for familial matters, career choices, regarding relationships and all decisions that we need to take in life. For it is the Lord who said, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). The Lord intends for us to seek him, for he shall reveal his plans to those who turn to him and seek his assistance.
During the supper, the Lord revealed about Judas’ betrayal in hopes to change his ways. Similarly, through the Holy Communion, he hopes to correct our ways; make us anew. After presenting an analogy, in which, a host invites his guests over for dinner with the intention of not only providing food, but with a bigger picture in mind─ to teach a lesson, converse and share thoughts and feelings with one another. This is the Lord’s intention. He wants us to seek him, search for his assistance, and finally, but most importantly, share his death; his sacrifice, for it is for us that he has done the same. Asking for nothing in return, the Lord died for us, did everything for us. Knowing this, how are we not supposed to be grateful? Not only did he die, he died and accepted his death as the repayment for our misgivings and sins and cleansed us so we may not go to have to face eternal damnation. If, even after all this, we still do not accept Him and embrace His death, he, too, shall forsake us. For it is said: “If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;” (II Timothy 2:12)
We are the poor, the naïve and the unfit. It is us who lack in our Christian discipleship. For this very reason, the Lord intends to teach us through the Holy Communion; His death and sacrifice, as a means to speak to us, participate in our lives, become a priority and just not an option. It is through the Holy Communion that the Lord communicates with us and lives with us.
As the sermon ended, Pastor H Biakson then proceeded and officiated the Holy Communion servicewith the help of the Elders, after which, Pastor Tuanglang closed the Holy Communion service with a benediction.
Nenem Guite, Content Writer
