Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
Mike uses communion as a test case—Ignatius calling it “the medicine of immortality,” John 6’s “eat…drink…or you have no life,” and Matthew 26’s “for the remission of sins”—and he contrasts that with modern “just a symbol” or “just pray a sinner’s prayer”; what would change in your fear of God, your assurance, and your daily perseverance if you treated communion (and the rest of Jesus’ commands) as real spiritual sustenance needed to endure the wilderness rather than optional symbolism for people already “saved forever”?
Another way to ask: If communion and Jesus’ commands are real spiritual nourishment we need to keep going, not just symbols for people already “saved forever,” how would that change your fear of God, your confidence, and how you live each day?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, treating communion and Jesus’ commands as real sustenance would increase sober “fear,” replace shallow assurance with abiding faithfulness, and encourage daily perseverance through the “wilderness,” not complacency.
- Mike contrasts modern views: communion as “just a symbol” and salvation as “just pray, sinners prayer… saved forever.”
- He cites Ignatius (discipled by John) calling communion “the medicine of immortality,” challenging a purely symbolic mindset.
- He reads John 6: “unless you eat… and drink… you have no life in you,” and notes disciples left because it was hard.
- He reads Matthew 26: “This is my blood… shed… for the remission of sins,” tying communion to salvation language.
- He connects Exodus imagery: after deliverance comes “a wilderness… Stay faithful… many… perished… because they weren’t faithful,” and we need “spiritual sustenance… And that’s communion.”
- In Q&A he rejects “easy beliefism” by pointing to Jesus’ warnings (John 15 abiding; Romans 11 “fear lest you be broken off”).