Introduction

Context

Main Idea: Communion with Christ creates and cultivates communion with his church in preparation for perfect communion in glory.

OR

You need Jesus. You need Jesus' people. And Jesus' people need you.

1. Communion Created: Fellowship with Christ

    a. Location in the Creed, Under Holy Spirit

    b. The Meaning of "Communion"

    c. Fellowship with Christ [1 John 1:1–3; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:9]

    d. Saints are Saved Sinners

        i. The Savior Sanctifies His People [Isaiah 61:10; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 3:26–27; Hebrews 2:11a, 10:14, 13:12]

       ii. Survey of Saints in the New Testament [Acts 9:13, 9:32, 26:10; Romans 1:7, 8:27, 15:26, 16:15; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 2:1, 8:4; Ephesians 1:1, 4:12; Philippians 1:1, 4:21; Colossians 1:2]

      iii. Contra Rome [1 Timothy 2:5]

      iv. Simul Justus et Peccator: Simulataneously Just (Saint) and Sinner

    e. Union with Jesus Means Union with Jesus' People

2. Communion Cultivated: Fellowship with the Church on Earth

    a. Cultivated for the Glory of Christ

        i. Cultivate communion so that the glory of Jesus' love is shown [John 13:35]

       ii. Cultivate communion so that the glory of Jesus' care is shown [1 Corinthians 12:14–27]

    b. Cultivated for the Good of Christ's People

        i. Promoting Communion [Acts 2:42–47]

           1. Apostolic Teaching [Acts 2:42]

           2. Fellowship [Acts 2:42]

           3. Breaking Bread [Acts 2:42, 26]

           4. Prayer [Acts 2:42]

           5. Generosity [Acts 2:44–45]

           6. Day by Day (More than Sunday) [Acts 2:46]

           7. Gladness & Gratitude [Acts 2:46]

       ii. Protecting Communion

           1. Personal Holiness [2 Corinthians 7:1]

           2. Corporate Holiness [1 Corinthians 5]

           3. Stand for the church, Share the church's lot no matter what [Jude 3; Hebrews 10:32–35]

           4. Bear with one another's faults [1 Peter 4:8; Proverbs 19:11]

           5. Preserve unity, Be wary of those who divide the church [Romans 12:18, 16:17; 2 Timothy 3:5; Philippians 4:2–5]

3. Communion Consummated: Fellowship in Glory

    a. Preparation for Glory [Hebrews 12:12–17]

    b. Perfection in Glory [Revelation 7:9–17]

Conclusion