MannyVelarde

Q4. What are the implications for you personally, when you realize that in the Lord's Supper you are becoming a sharer in the sacrifice of the cross? How does that affect you? How does it change your understanding of the Lord's Supper? It brings new depth to the process- in our "growing up" days many of us come from tradition that makes the Lord's Supper meaningless - and without purpose - Realizing that we are becoming s sharer of the sacrifice of the cross - should humble us and make our heart's desire to approach this element of faith with a clean heart and mind and a humbled seriousness.

Q3. In what way did the priests participate in the altar by eating of the Old Testament sacrifices? How does Paul connect this observation with our participation with Christ's sacrifice? This was God's way to provide for the priests since they were not aportioned land. They also had to perform these sacrifices in a strict manner to be presented holy before God. Not sure if the eating represented a reminder of the covenant as a "shared meal" was a characteristic of covenant such as when Moses received the commandments and he and the elders sat down at covenant meal and at wedding ceremonies we have a covenant meal. They were connecting witht he sacrifice and the meaning and reason of the sacrifice. To do so in a manner that was not proper meant sure death. As Paul was observing - to take of the Lord's Supper in an improper manner was death - - when we partake we are sharing in His sacrifice and becoming a part of the sacrfice.

Q2. What does koinōnia mean? What does it mean to "participate" or "share" in the blood of Christ? deep intiment sharing one with another. Only like minded believers can participate or share in the blood of Christ - with understanding - Christ has allowed me the privilege of sharing in all that His death, buriel and resurrection has bought for us. To share in the blood of Christ - may mean to suffer for the faith - for the body - we are one body - united by the blood of Christ and our faith and belief.

Q1. Why was Paul exhorting the Corinthians about the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons? What was going on in the church? What was the danger to the believers? Idolatry Taking their eyes off of God and turning them to things like the world, man's ways, idols, etc. Back then and today if we lose site of Jesus then more and more of the world will come into our lives and we will be far away from Jesus - and our support and we will become isolated - exactly where Satan wants us, which takes us out of commission to full fill the great commission.

Q4. (1 Corinthians 11:26) In what way is the Lord's Supper a proclamation? To whom is the proclamation made? Why is this important? What happens to the church when its proclamation shifts to a different central theme? Since Jesus was celebrating the Passover and giving us a command to do this in rememberance of Him, it seems it is proclaiming deliverance - as God delivered the Israelites from slavery - Jesus has delived all mankind from the bondage of slavery sin - and proclaiming He has satisfied God's requirement for atonement. In addition giving us eternal life through Him. It is made to God as a thank offering perhaps and of course to brothers and sisters in Christ and those unbelievers who are watching. To me if the church shifts to a different central theme then it is no longer Christian- what other theme could there be- i would say they are apostate.

Q4. Which part of the meaning of the Lord's Supper is most valuable for you at this point in your spiritual journey when you partake of and meditate on the Lord's Supper? Can't separate it for me- just reflecting on the fact that ALL of the wrath of God was taken by Jesus on the cross - - is beyond our comprephension - tht He paid the penalty - and was resurrected to provide the eternal life for all of us.

Q3. Which action words used to describe the elements of the Lord's Supper, teach us that we are to be thinking of Jesus' sacrifice of atonement, when we partake of the Lord's Supper? Broken and poured out HE was broken for us His blood was poured out for us. The fact is He didn't have to do it that way. But He needed to be the perfect sacrifice to satisfy God's requirement to atone for sin. Sin must be paid for and Jesus stood in and suffered what we should have suffered. Unforgiven sin in our lives means that we will fact the prospect of eternal separation from God. "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Jesus satisfied God's requirement to cover our sins and prevent His wrath.

Q2. How can an extreme symbolic interpretation cause a person to have too little respect for the Lord's Supper and its elements? Where is the balance, do you think? The entire church experience I feel has become to casual and carefree. We do not approach God with reverence as He requires. God is the most powerful God and teh most loving God, but that does not allow us to stroll casually into His presence. Our service has very little worship involved in it and very less and less Scripture and true praise and worship. Communion can then become casual as well, and the seriousness of incorrect worship - as in Nadab and ABihu's incorrect sacrifice and as believers partaking of communion in an incorrect matter show that God is serious about how to approach Him. There is balance but God must be the center of focus of everything we do, and we should do so in respect and reverence that He has always required.

Q1. How does your particular understanding of the bread and the wine (literal or figurative) help you grow closer to Christ when partaking of the Lord's Supper? the fact that Jesus commanded us to partake - and he labeled the bread and wine as His flesh and blood - brings the reality of exactly what God has done for us- He sent His Son, who willingly sacrificed Himself for the purpose of providing for me for all of us the promise of eternal life and redemptionj from sin. He satisfied the requirement of God's wrath. It is our sign of the New Covenant, when we partake we are saying we are partners in the covenant.

Q4. What is the significance of the confession "Jesus is Lord"? Why is this necessary for salvation, according to Romans 10:9? To call Jesus "Lord" - means to say - whatever Jesus asks me I will do - - I will submit my life to Him unconditionally - I will die to my fleshly desires and allow the King to reign in me. Many times we call Him Lord and we don't realize our covenant with Hiim when we do so. It should not be prayed lightly and when we say LORD - we should do so in a willing attitude to be obedeint. Why is this necessary for salvation - because we say Lord with our lips but until our heart can procalim it - we will never be willing to walk with Him as Lord.

Q2. What are the personal implications of Yahweh being your King and of Jesus being the Messiah sent from God? What are the advantages of being the subject of Yahweh as King? What does it mean for you to submit to the King on an everyday basis? How does a person reject Yahweh from being King over him or her? Having Yahweh as King - - is the ultimate - - His character is unchanging - He is just - He is merciful - He loves us - and the list goes on. We each day can submit to that King because of who he is and how He is going to react in our lives - - HE IS MY EVERYTHING! To reject Him - is to not serve Him to live under the rule of the temporary reigning person of satan in this world - to not live according to God's preepts.

Q3. What are the implications for governments that Yahweh is the King of kings and Lord of lords? What are the implications of removing God" from a nation's currency and pledges, and ardently secularizing national life? Where does that put a nation with regard to God the King? The scripture tells us "blessed is the nation whose God is Lord. As in the case of the USA - a small contingent of special interest folks want to kick God out of everything - - yes it is hard to legistlate morality - but we must honor the true God in all we do. He will bless a nation that is in allegiance with Him and working for His Kingdom - - but because He is a just God - He will also curse and consequence a nation that turns from His ways. - - save for the few true believers - - the USA is spared for the time being!

Q1. Read 1 Samuel 8:15 and Malachi 3:8-10. How did tithing relate to a person's acceptance of God being their King in the Old Testament? How about for those of us who live under the New Covenant? What place does tithing have for us? Tithing is something that was done as God has established. Abraham gave a tenth to Melchezedek so it shows God had precepts that dictated to do this. It is a way to pay honor to the king. If earthly kings warrent a tithe - how much more so for the King of Kings - Our Lord. Anyway - what we have and earn all belong to God in the first place - He allows us to retain 90%!

Q4. Define "justice," "vengeance," and "mercy." Can a Holy and Righteous God justly forgive sins without punishing them? What is the significance of the cross in God's righteousness? justice - giving what is desered for sin vengeance - Infliction of punishment in return for a wrong committed; retribution mercy - not giving us the extent of full punishment for a wrong. Yes God can forgive sins but he must bring the consequence. His Son's death on the tree has saved us from the condemnation of the law - - we will not eternally suffer - but our choices if they be sinful will come with consequences - because God is just - he must send consequence for sin and blessings for obedience. Look at David's life - he lusted, then coveted, then committed adultery, then murder...the last two sins should have caused his death - - but God showed mercy - - yes consequences came - - the son out of his adulterous affair dies, his household would never be strife free, he would be usurped by his sons and the sin of his son taking David's concubines was done in public view. Consequences yes that hurt David deeply, but not to the extent that God could have done. The Hebrew word for lovingkindness in the Old Testament - is chesed - God's love - His Grace!

Q3. (Psalm 68:5) Since our God is the Helper of the Fatherless and the Protector of Widows -- that is, the poorest and weakest of society -- what does this say about a Christian's commitment to social justice in our communities? How should it affect our actions? We should be obedient - - it is clear - - few of our churches today make the weakest and the widow a priority - we stroke the rich and the famous many times so the support of the church will continue. Look where Jesus walked - look where He served. The scripture in Matthew 25 encourages us to take care of the poor, those in prison, etc. because if we serve the needy then we are serving Him and will be rewarded. We should not do it because of the reward but because we love God so much - we desire to serve Him