It Is All About Communion – Jason Hirsch

Just completed the finishing touches on a spiritual life report I am sending off to the Northern California & Nevada Regional Ministry Offices of the Assemblies of God.  Very excited to execute change!!

We launched a new series today entitled “Detox” moving from toxic religion to following Jesus.  I just could not pull it off.  I had to do a pre-tox to the “Detox”.  Why?  Because I have been so busy doing, that I have neglected the state of my own soul.  Yes, that is a confession.  Yes, I am human just like you.

It was not until about 3 A.M. this morning that God revealed to me that my inner turmoil and issues are all related to my communion/relationship with Him. I have been neglecting my relationship with Him, because I have been busy working for Him, or so I thought.  I am really good as a human doing, but very bad as a human being.  Human doings do not commune really well!!

My above statement contradicts Jesus words in the bible though.  Life is not supposed to be about the do’s and don’ts.  Life with Jesus is supposed to be freeing and liberating right?  He says in the bible in Matthew 11: 28-30  ”Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

If the above statement from Jesus is true, then it is time for me to really start communing with Him.  To start living in His rest.

communion = Greek - koinonia (koy-nohn-ee’-ah); participation, sharing, communion, fellowship.

What has started moving me back to a right relationship with my heavenly Father is this:

1.  Looking Within!!

When I start to live in anxiety, anger, bad attitude, chronic hurt, fear, etc….. I have stopped communing with my heavenly Father. Oh, I can stop communing with God, but it is the unwritten assumption that I think I can make it on my own. I can’t!

So this is what I did:

I examined myself today before I ate of the bread and drank of the cup in communion. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 1 Corinthians 11:28-29  Key word:  I examined myself.  Pretty ugly!!

What do you see within yourself?  It will determine whether or not you are really communing with your heavenly Father or not.

2.  Look Back!!

My journey back to true communion with my heavenly Father includes remembering what He has done not only for me, but what He has done throughout history.

When the first passover took place in Exodus, it was a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus would make one day on a cross.  And Looking back helps us never forget what truly took place through the Son of God.

After the first passover, the Hebrews were commanded to:

And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony (passover) mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’” Exodus 12:26-27

As you begin to commune with your heavenly Father, never forget what Jesus said “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Luke 22:19b.  The Key here =  Remembering what God has done!!!

Do you have any special God memories?  I do, and those memories are bringing me back to true communion with my heavenly Father.

3.  Look Ahead!!

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. I Corinthians 11:26

Some people are scared to die, but the person who really knows/communes with Jesus, who believes that He is who He says He is, will long for a time when he/she will be with Him.

• What are you looking forward to with God?

Most devout Jews have had this desire to celebrate the passover in Jerusalem, and they have this tradition that when they hold up the cup, they say “Next time in Jerusalem!”   Some Christians say “Next time with Christ!”  Why?  Because we’ll all have a last communion on earth and then we’ll have one with Him.

How do I know this?

Jesus said  this to His disciples”Mark my words — I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” Matthew 26:29 NLT

After I spoke today, we did corporate communion as a local church.  It was rich!  But more importantly, I pray that my daily relationship of communing with God will grow to be so sweet, that the day I die and meet Him face to face, I will not be looking at a stranger, but into the eyes of my heavenly Father who I will have communed with for years.  What a day that will be!!!

Remember: We are not human doings, but human beings.  It is all about communion!!!  God’s yoke is easy, and His burden is light.  Tired?  You will find rest.  Where?  In communing with your heavenly Father!!