Paul provides specific instructions on how believers should act in various circumstances, but these are not just rules to follow; they are grounded in the essence of becoming more like Christ, living out His love and grace. To achieve this, we must deeply understand the gospel and strive to live a life that aligns with its truths.

On this World Communion Sunday, we gather to reflect on three key themes drawn from today’s Scripture, 1 Corinthians 11, where Paul teaches the true meaning of the Lord’s Supper to the Corinthian church.

1. Communion to Worship Christ

2. Communion for the Unity of the church

3. Communion for Mission in the World

Psalm 107 repeats the pattern of people in distress calling out to God, followed by His deliverance. These experiences provide ample reasons to praise God's faithfulness and love. The psalm encourages reflecting on how God has worked in the past, reinterpreting their struggles through the lens of God's intervention, and offering gratitude and praise, entrusting their future to Him.

Christ set an example by enduring suffering, and those who follow Him must also walk the path of suffering. This goes beyond merely believing in Him; it means following His life, character, and the path He demonstrated. Just as Jesus suffered and faced death but was then resurrected, those who follow Him will also experience suffering and, in a sense, small "deaths," through which they will come to know new life and resurrection.

The Israelites' experience at Kadesh Barnea, where they sent spies into the land of Canaan, highlights two very different perspectives in the face of fear and uncertainty. Ten of the spies focused on the visible challenges and threats, seeing themselves as "grasshoppers" in comparison to the giants they saw in the land. On the other hand, Caleb and Joshua emphasized faith in God’s promise and His faithfulness, urging the people to trust in His power rather than be overwhelmed by the daunting circumstances.

Faith is not just a theoretical idea; it means a transformed life, shown through the work of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are the results of this inner transformation. These fruits are not merely a list of behaviors but are the natural outcomes of a heart changed by Jesus. The Holy Spirit transforms us from within, leading us to live lives filled with love and compassion.

Living in the grace of Jesus Christ brings peace to our lives. This peace is an eternal peace from God that remains unshaken, regardless of our circumstances. The amazing grace of redemption accomplished on the cross by Jesus is the very foundation of our peace.

The essence of a wise life is rooted in a relationship with God. A wise life is not something we create on our own, but rather something we receive from God. The wisdom of living in fear of the Lord goes beyond simply making decisions with rational judgment. It means living a life dependent on God’s grace. We must recognize that we cannot comprehend everything on our own, and our judgment can often be flawed. Even if a path seems right in our eyes, decisions made apart from a relationship with God may ultimately lead us astray.

Jesus declares, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends." This means we are no longer simply servants of God but are invited into a personal relationship as His friends. Through this friendship, we come to know God's love and learn how to live in truth, loving one another. Jesus is the true friend who laid down His life for us, bearing our weaknesses and sins.

God is powerful enough to judge all worldly powers and nations. The pride and cruelty of Assyria invited God's judgment, and this principle remains true today. No nation or authority can stand before God's supreme authority. Yet, God does not desire judgment alone; He offers salvation to those who repent and rely on Him.

In Romans, Paul uses the metaphor of "grafting" to explain how the Gentiles became part of the history of salvation. Just as new branches are grafted onto an existing tree, so too are the Gentiles grafted into God's promises, bearing the fruits of salvation. Therefore, Paul warns the Gentiles against becoming arrogant. Just as the original branches, the Jews, were chosen by God's grace, the Gentiles too are saved by the same grace. 

It was only after listening to the advice of his servants and humbling himself to wash seven times in the Jordan River that Naaman's leprosy was completely healed. At that moment, Naaman praised God and confessed his faith. This event was not merely about the healing of his disease; it was the result of Naaman laying down his pride and obeying God's command.

The Bible connects the event of crossing the Jordan with the Red Sea, showing how God continues to lead His people through a new era and a new leader. Both the Red Sea and the Jordan River crossings were miracles of God, symbolizing pivotal moments that required the Israelites to take a leap of faith and make a new beginning.

The grace of sanctification is what we call 'Sanctifying Grace.' Through the grace of salvation, or 'Saving Grace,' we became children of God, and now through His grace, we experience the sanctifying grace that leads us toward holiness. Through this grace, our inner being is truly renewed, allowing us to live according to the image of God.

Love is revealed not in our interactions with those we are close to or naturally get along with, but with those who are difficult to love, even those who irritate or challenge us. Love shows itself in how we respond when things don't go our way—this is the hallmark of Christian maturity.

Paul’s "goal" represents a life that increasingly mirrors Jesus Christ. This is the true essence of faith. Paul admits that he is still pursuing this goal and urges us to strive towards greater likeness to Christ as well.

David finds hope in the fact that God exists, even amid the fleeting nature of life. This hope is rooted in the belief that God is the Creator, the Savior, and the one who will bring about new creation. We are not merely mechanical organisms existing for survival; we are beings created in the image of God, endowed with His life. Since God is the source of our life, our lives hold deep meaning and purpose. Therefore, we are not lost wanderers in a meaningless world, but those who possess hope in God. 

To fear God means to honor Him, to acknowledge His greatness, and to clearly understand the difference between what we can and cannot do. We must dedicate ourselves fully to the mission God has given us. However, at the same time, we must humbly accept that we cannot solve all the world's problems perfectly. God will create a new heaven and a new earth and completely renew His creation. Because we believe in and look forward to this, we do what we can to move toward that goal.

God uses the small things we have to accomplish His great works. Just as He had Moses cast down his staff, He desires to work through the little that we have. Even if what we hold seems small and insignificant, if we offer it to God, it can be used for the mighty purposes of His kingdom.

The leaders and wealthy of Northern Israel oppressed the weak for their own economic gain, neglecting God's justice and instead focusing on fulfilling their own desires. This societal injustice was the result of idolatry. Idol worship causes people's hearts to focus on their own desires and profits instead of on God. Amos warned that the order of society was crumbling because the people no longer revered God.