These are bulletpoint notes from 10/12/25. *This is not verbatim. If you know Coach Pastor Theo, he adlibs a lot when he speaks!

This morning, we’re going to dive into one of the most sacred moments in the life of the church—Communion.

For many of us, Communion can become something we simply do—a rhythm, a routine. But it was never meant to be routine.

Today, I want to do three things:

               1.           Take us back to the Old Testament to remember how the Passover began and how it pointed forward to a greater Lamb to come. (Exodus 12)

               2.           Link it to the New Testament, where Jesus fulfills the Passover at the Last Supper. (Luke 22)

               3.           Look at Paul’s instructions to the church so that we partake intentionally, not casually. (1 Corinthians 11)

I. Old Testament Passover — Exodus 12

Before there was a cross, there was a doorpost.

Before there was the Lamb of God, there was the lamb of Passover.

God’s people were enslaved in Egypt. Judgment was coming. But God provided a way of deliverance.

“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household.” -Exodus 12:1-3 

“The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.” — Exodus 12:13

Verse 23 say, “the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.” 

The Israelites painted the lamb’s blood on their doorposts. Death passed over them. Pharaoh finally released them. God led them toward the Promised Land.

And then God said:

“This day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations.” — Exodus 12:14

“And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say,)‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.- Exodus 12:26-27

This wasn’t just an event; it became a feast to remember—a continual reminder of God’s power to save.

The Four Cups of Passover

Historically, the Passover meal centered around four cups:

               1.           Sanctification – God sets His people apart.

               2.           Plagues – His power to judge and deliver.

               3.           Redemption – His act of rescue.

               4.           Praise – His glory and our response.

And it’s that third cup—the cup of redemption—that Jesus lifted in the upper room and said:

“Do this in remembrance of Me.”

The physical deliverance from Egypt was pointing to a greater spiritual deliverance through Jesus Christ. The lamb of Passover foreshadowed the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

[Insert Gary Hamrick video: watch from 24-28 min]

II. The New Testament — The Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:14–20)

Fast-forward to the Day of Unleavened Bread during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Luke 22:8 Jesussent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.”

They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.”

The Upper Room. Jesus reclines at the table with His apostles. The Passover table is set. But something shifts this night.

“I have earnestly (fervently) desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” — Luke 22:15–16

He takes the bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and says:

“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

He takes the cup and declares:

“This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Jesus is saying: The lamb has a name now. The blood isn’t on doorposts—it’s on a cross.

This is no longer just a remembrance of Egypt. It’s a remembrance of Calvary.

III. Paul’s Instructions to the Church — 1 Corinthians 11:17–34

Years later, Paul writes to the church in Corinth, a church that had turned Communion into routine—even worse, into something divisive and careless.

Paul reminds them: this meal isn’t about filling your stomach. It’s about fixing your eyes on the Savior.

He calls the church to examine their hearts and honor Christ in how they come to the table.

Paul gives us five areas to examine:

Verse 17-23 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

#1: Look Now — “When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you eat…” “it is not for the better but for the worse.” “There are divisions among you.” “One goes hungry another gets drunk!” → Reflect on the present state of your heart, your relationships, your unity as the Body.

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

#2. Look Back — Remember what Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” → Remember the cross. Remember the price.

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

#3. Look to the Future — “You proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” → Communion is not just remembrance—it’s expectation. He’s coming again.

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

#4. Look Within — “Let a person examine himself…” For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. → We come not perfect, but humble, repentant, and honest before God.

33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

#5. Look at Others — “Wait for one another…” → Communion is communal. It’s about the family of God gathered at one table.

IV. What This Means for Us Today

The Passover story stretches from Egypt to the Upper Room, from a doorpost to a cross, from a lamb to The Lamb.

               •             Deliverance from Sin: Just as the blood of the lamb spared the Israelites from death, the blood of Jesus saves us from sin and spiritual death.

               •             A New Covenant: Jesus’ death ushers in a new relationship with God—not based on sacrifices, but on His finished work. (Luke 22:20)

               •             Hope of Resurrection: As He rose, so will we. Death is not the end. (1 Corinthians 15:20–22)

               •             Living in His Presence: He has ascended but is present with us by the Spirit. We live in anticipation of His return. (Acts 1:11)

               •             Communion as Passover Fulfilled: Every time we partake, we remember the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. “Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” — 1 Corinthians 5:7

V. Invitation to the Table

As we prepare to take the bread and the cup today, I want to invite you not to go through the motions… but to meet with Jesus.

               •             Look back at what He’s done. Look within and allow the Spirit to search you. Look around and honor the body of Christ. Look ahead to His coming again.

Communion is not empty ritual. It’s a holy encounter with the living Savior. Come to the table not casually, but intentionally. Come not perfect, but covered by the blood of the Lamb.