Communion: The Bread From Heaven - John 6:32-58
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This sermon from Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church explores John 6:32-58, a pivotal passage on the Eucharist where Jesus declares himself the 'bread of life.' The pastor emphasizes that this is not merely a symbolic meal but a spiritually transformative act rooted in historic Christian doctrine. He critiques modern trends of dismissing church history and tradition, warning against 'chronological snobbery' and the rise of subjective, emotion-driven interpretations of Scripture. Drawing from church history, he contrasts three views of communion: the purely memorial (Zwingli), the literal (Roman Catholic transubstantiation), and the Reformed spiritual presence (Calvin). He argues that the Reformed view—where Christ is spiritually present through the Holy Spirit—is the most biblically and historically faithful, grounded in the teachings of Augustine, Athanasius, and the early church. The sermon culminates in a call to reverence, faith, and spiritual discernment in partaking of communion, framing it as a foretaste of the heavenly wedding supper and a means of grace that strengthens believers' union with Christ.
Communion is not merely symbolic; it is a spiritually life-giving act where Christ is truly present through the Holy Spirit.
The Reformed view of communion—spiritual presence, not physical—is rooted in historic Christian orthodoxy and stands in continuity with the early church.
Avoid 'chronological snobbery'—reject the modern tendency to dismiss tradition and history in favor of subjective, feel-good spirituality.
Partaking of communion unworthily can have serious spiritual consequences, as warned in 1 Corinthians 11.
The bread and wine are not literal flesh and blood, but the means by which the Spirit unites believers to Christ.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction to the Passage and the Challenge of John 6
“This is really a continuation of the more doctrinal phase of this communion series that we've had been going on and will be a series of 10 messages on communion.”
The Reformed Identity: A Restoration Movement
“We are not trying to be solo scriptura, which is whatever we feel, whatever guides us by emotion is how we go. But we're actually grounded in a historic understanding of not just the word of God, but also the sacraments of God.”
Three Views of Communion: Memorial, Literal, and Reformed
“We stand in good historic company. We stand in company with the early church. Again, I've already mentioned some men like Augustine, men like Athanasius, men like Eusebius...”
Jesus' Shocking Claims and the Jewish Reaction
“Is this not a foretaste? Is this not a foretaste of the wedding supper to come? And in this communion, when you ask what is it, we are starting to partake in the wedding supper to come.”
The Spirit Gives Life: The Key to Understanding
“The spirit who gives life. The flesh is no help at all. So when we partake of communion, we are partaking of Christ, but it is the spirit that gives life.”
“The spirit who gives life. The flesh is no help at all. So when we partake of communion, we are partaking of Christ, but it is the spirit that gives life.”
“Come to him with humility, with eyes of faith in the gift that he gave our bridegroom, Christ our Lord. And when you do that in faith through the power of the Spirit, you will come and see, you will taste and see that the Lord, our Lord Jesus Christ is good.”
“We stand in good historic company. We stand in company with the early church. Again, I've already mentioned some men like Augustine, men like Athanasius, men like Eusebius...”
Host
Jesus Christ
person
John 6
other
Holy Spirit
person
Roman Catholic Church
organization
Father
person
Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church
organization
Martin Luther
person
John Calvin
person
Zwingli
person
Augustine
person
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