Wonder Bread | Jeff Tolle | 09.06.26

What really happens when we take Communion? Is it simply a symbol and a reminder of what Jesus did on the cross—or is there something more? 🍞🍷

In “Powerful Bread,” Pastor Jeff Tolle of Vida Church LA concludes our Presence • Purpose • Power series by exploring the power of the Holy Spirit, the biblical meaning of the bread, and the spiritual significance of participating in the Lord’s Table.

These three words express part of the foundation of who we are at Vida Church:

Live in the PRESENCE of God.

Walk in the PURPOSE of God.

Minister in the POWER of God.

And throughout this series, all three ultimately lead us to the same place:

Jesus Christ. 🙏🏼

In Acts 1:8, Jesus gave His disciples an extraordinary promise:

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…”

That promise was fulfilled at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and empowered them to become witnesses of Jesus.

But the power of the Holy Spirit was not simply something the first disciples experienced.

Romans 8 reminds us of an incredible truth:

The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in those who belong to Christ. 🔥

We are not called merely to know about the power of God.

We are called to live filled with the Holy Spirit and become witnesses of Jesus wherever we go.

But what does any of this have to do with bread?

Throughout this series, Pastor Jeff has followed a biblical thread connecting the Bread of the Presence with God’s presence, purpose, and power.

In Leviticus 24, twelve loaves were continually placed before the Lord. This was the Bread of the Presence, and the priests had continual access to it.

Pastor Jeff also takes us back to David, who received this bread when he was hungry and needed the nourishment and strength to continue his journey.

Bread provides nourishment.

Bread provides strength.

Bread provides energy.

Bread is powerful.

But ultimately, this message isn't about bread we can buy at a grocery store.

It's about Christ.

His PRESENCE with us.

His PURPOSE in us.

His POWER manifested through us. 🔥

And that brings us to Communion—the Lord's Supper.

In Luke 22, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples saying:

“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Yes, Communion is an act of remembrance.

But Pastor Jeff challenges us to understand that Scripture presents the Lord's Table as more than casually remembering something that happened long ago.

Communion points us to the New Covenant established through the blood of Jesus.

And in 1 Corinthians 10, Paul uses an important word:

PARTICIPATION.

When we come to the Lord's Table, we participate spiritually in Christ, remember His body given for us and His blood poured out for us, affirm the New Covenant, and proclaim the Lord's death until He comes again.

That's why Communion should never become an empty religious routine.

It continually brings us back to Jesus and the finished work of the cross. ✝️

Isaiah 53:5 declares that He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins, beaten so we could be made whole, and whipped so we could be healed.

In Christ we find forgiveness, peace, healing, restoration, freedom, and life.

🍞 The bread points us to His body given for us.

🍷 The cup points us to His blood poured out for us.

🔥 The Holy Spirit empowers us to live as witnesses of Jesus.

Pastor Jeff reminds us that there is power in the bread and power in the cup because they lead us to participation in what Christ has done for us.

So the invitation of this message is simple:

Don't live a Christian life disconnected from the power of God.

Receive from Christ.

Remain in His presence.

Walk in His purpose.

Live filled with the power of His Spirit.

PRESENCE • PURPOSE • POWER

Three words.

One foundation.

JESUS CHRIST. ❤️‍🔥

📖 Main Scriptures: Acts 1:8 • Romans 8 • Leviticus 24 • Luke 22 • Matthew 26 • 1 Corinthians 10–11 • Isaiah 53:5

▶️ Watch “Powerful Bread” and share this message with someone who wants to understand Communion, the power of the Holy Spirit, and what it means to participate in the life we have through Jesus Christ.

#VidaChurch #PastorJeffTolle #Communion #HolySpirit #JesusChrist