One High Priest

Simple Yet Profound

Hebrews 4:14 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

The function of a priest in Scripture was to act as a mediator between God and the people. He was intercessor, he was the people’s representative. He offered sacrifice on behalf of the people to atone for their sin. Jesus came, suffered once for sins… the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God…

If this is not your first time to this church on the first Sunday of the month, you have probably noticed something different up here. The altar table has been moved out further and we are behind it and to the side. A simple gesture, but with profound implications. What are these implications?

The atonement of Jesus, that is His death that covered or appeased God for the offense of our sin, paid the penalty of our sin in full. The message of the gospel makes clear that Jesus through His death, paid the penalty of His people’s sin in full. He offered His body once for all (Heb 10:10).

The atonement of Jesus removed all obstacles between sinners who place their faith in Him and God. Through His offering of His body, He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified (Heb. 10:14).

We desire to do all we can to present the truth of the gospel as clearly as we can. Semper reformanda (always reforming). So we stand here to declare that there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim 2:5). That truly Christ’s single sacrifice for sin was enough. There is nothing left to be done.

We come to Christ through faith. So I ask us all today, are there obstacles between you and God? Our sin is that obstacle, but the good news of the gospel is that that obstacle has been overcome. Jesus cleared the way… Jesus and what He has accomplished is the way.

So if the Lord Jesus Christ is your hope and salvation, you are invited to partake with the rest of the body of Christ today.

We want to recognize the seriousness of our sin for which Jesus paid the price by taking a moment to seek the Lord now. Perhaps confessing sin and asking His forgiveness.

Pray to pronounce pardon

Explain Process

Give elements to elders

Invite people to come forward

Put plates back on table

Serve elders

Ask if anyone needs to be served

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Ask elder to bless bread

As Jesus Himself made clear, the bread represents His body which was broken for us. Take now and eat.

1 Corinthians 11:25 ESV

25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Ask elder to bless the cup

Jesus explained that the cup is the New Covenant in His blood. Let us drink it remembrance of Him.

Know brother, know without a doubt sister, Jesus paid the price in full, and on this basis we are members of the New Covenant community. Praise the Lord.

We will sing a hymn together, but before we do, it is our custom on this particular Sunday of the month to take an offering for our benevolence fund that will go towards the immediate physical that exist among us, so that offering will be taken as we sing together.