All too often men, young as well as old, get up to read long passages from the Word with a comment here and there but lacking any central thought. Others string together reference after reference while we turn the pages of our Bibles to keep up with the reader, making it difficult to meditate upon the Word ourselves. Others seem to pay no attention to what the Lord is leading other brethren to share. Still others fill up the time with a detailed exposition of some topic that might better be dealt with in the preaching service. This disturbs me.
Several years ago, my wife and I visited several of our assemblies in one region of eastern Canada. We were surprised to discover that they do not favor reading or commenting on the Scriptures at the Lord’s Supper. Instead, they indulge in long prayers, either full of teaching or replete with truths which our Lord already knows, all depending on whom the prayer was meant for. Certainly not the way to go.
The following is offered with the desire that it might be helpful, providing seed thought to young men as they prepare and participate audibly in the weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The sample outline provided here has actually been used in that context by the author on one occasion.
All May Change But Jesus Never
How wonderful to know that our God does not change—never, never, never!
“I am the Lord, I change not” (Mal. 3:6).
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).
If He never changes, how is it that week after week we come together to talk about Him but never seem to run out of things to say? Many are amazed that one can go on week in and week out in this way. Some even suggest that this cheapens what they call the Communion Service.
The answer? Because of the inexhaustible facets of the person and work of the One Whom we worship. Here’s just one example—the many names and titles together with the character that Christ bears.
Someone has well said, “The list of names and titles of Christ is not exhaustive; the resources of language are taxed in the sacred record to set forth the full excellence and worth of the Son of God.”1
Here’s a hymn we often sing which illustrates what we’re talking about:
I have found a Friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me,
He’s the Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s, my stay.
He tells me every care on Him to roll.
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star.
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will.
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear.
With His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory, I’ll see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll.
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star.
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.2
In conclusion, sing together the above hymn, the chorus, “Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same”, or something similar.
A Final Word
Be brief brother, be brief and focused, that He not you might be heard, seen, and worshipped. Throughout the week be in prayer that the Holy Spirit might give you a word, a phrase, a thought, capable of development into a brief and focused presentation such as the above. Waiting upon the same Holy Spirit, and listening to what He has led others to contribute, share it as He may direct.
Endnotes
1. Everett Harrison, “Christ, Jesus” in Zondervan’s Pictorial Bible Dictionary, 1963, 2nd edition, p. 161
2. Charles W. Fry, 1837-1882