"Trail Mix"
September 4, 2005

The New Testament Lesson: John 6: 35 - 40
The Old Testament Lesson: Exodus 16: 13 - 21

Encourage the people to regular Communion as Spiritual Nourishment

I.  The Sacrament of Communion is meant to be regular Spiritual Sustenance.
   A. When out on a hike, you are likely to need a substantial snack
        1. I wonder how many of you are familiar with Trail Mix?
            a. I didn’t run into it until Jill introduced me to backpacking.
            b. We made up our own back then.
            c. Now you can find it in the stores pre-packaged!
        2. Jill was in charge of the food on our first real hike.
            a. She also helped me load the packs-mine weighed a ton!
            b. But she was telling me about it and said, “of course, trail mix”
            c. to my puzzled look, she explained what it was.
            d. Hers was very substantial: Peanuts, M&Ms, Raisins
            e. Protein, fruit and fast energy!
        3. Since I really like snacks, I had no objection.
            a. The bag she packed was really big and heavy (in my pack!)
            b. Seemed like overkill to me.
            c. When I started luggin’ that pack around and burning calories, I was really glad to have something to keep me going!
   B. Just like Jill, God provides sustenance for his traveling people.
        1. One good metaphor for living that that of journey.
            a. We are on our way to God’s kingdom.
            b. We have to put in a lot of effort to make that trip.
        2. Along our journey, we are going to burn some spiritual calories.
            a. There will be times of discouragement over failures.
            b. There will be challenges to our faith and temptations to overcome.
            c. We will be called upon to develop Christian Character which is very different from being “only human!”
            d. All of that is going to demand a serious expenditure of energy.
        3. We are not going to be able to complete the journey without replenishing our Spiritual resources on a regular basis!
   C. The good news today is that God provides food of the journey.
        1. Exodus gives us a wonderful image of God’s provision.
            a. The Israelites had been delivered from Pharaoh’s oppression.
            b. Crossed the Red Sea to freedom!
            c. Then they got out into the wilderness and started complaining.
            d. Their main complaint “You brought us here to starve!”
        2. In answer to this, God sends them heavenly food!
            a. It was called Manna which roughly translated means, What’s this?
            b. The answer to the question is, “The Lord has given you bread.”
        3. This bread had some unusual qualities.
            a. It was delivered every morning.
            b. There was more than enough for everyone.
            c. You couldn’t save any for the next day in case it didn’t come.
        4. The point is very simple: We have to rely on the Lord to feed us!

II.  We are called to gather around Christ’s Table on a regular basis: The Sacrament of Communion is meant to be regular Spiritual Sustenance
   A. Jesus used this very story to explain who his was.
        1. He said, I am the bread from heaven.
            a. Jesus is God’s gift to us to satisfy our spiritual hunger.
            b. By receiving him into our lives, our desires are filled.
            c. We come to a point of Spiritual wholeness!
        2. And then he tells us that we are to partake of him.
        3. We must receive spiritual nourishment on a regular basis.
            a. It is simply not enough to receive Jesus once a week!
            b. How would you react if, when you expect dinner you’re told, what do you want, you ate last Sunday?
            c. It’s foolish to think that we can remain healthy on one meal a week.
            d. Likewise, our Spiritual nourishment must be received every day!
   B. One of the special means of grace that God gives us is Communion.
        1. Here, we proclaim the great gift of salvation.
        2. As we gather together, Jesus is really present
            a. He inhabits this mean in a way very different than any other.
            b. By receiving the bread and Juice, we invite Christ into our souls
        3. We experience Jesus when we concentrate and meditate on His gift.
            a. Think about the teacher who shared good news.
            b. Think about the healer who cured our diseases.
            c. Think about the person who reached out in love.
            d. Think about God’s son who poured out his life on a cross.

And as you go from this place, may you walk in the way of Christ Jesus and May God always find you faithful!