At The Table

FULL SERMON MANUSCRIPT

“At the Table” — Mark 14:12–26

Mark 14:12–26 ESV

12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

OPENING (HOOK)

There’s something powerful about a table.

It’s where families gather.

It’s where stories are told.

It’s where relationships are built…

But it’s also where things get real.

At a table:

truth comes out

tension shows up

and sometimes… betrayal happens

And in Mark 14…

we’re invited into the most important table in history.

1: THE PREPARED TABLE (v.12–16)

Jesus sends His disciples ahead.

“Go into the city… a man carrying a jar… follow him…

This isn’t random.

This is intentional.

Jesus already prepared the place.

You need to hear this and remember it....

God is already working ahead of you—even when you don’t see it.

Some of you feel like:

your life is out of control

your situation is chaotic

But Jesus is still orchestrating the details.

Even in the middle of whatever is coming in your life…

He prepares a table.

2: THE HONEST TABLE (v.17–21)

Jesus sits down with the Twelve and says one of the most penetrating statements, “ one of you will betray me.”

Now its not shocking that people get betrayed. That happens all too often…

But this is different…

Its Not a stranger.

Its Not an outsider.

Its One of His very own.

And what do the disciples say?

“Surely not I?”

How they said that is important.

Notice They didn’t say:

“It’s not me.”

“It must be him.”

Instead they looked inward.

That’s a picture of humility that we can learn from.

So many times the response you hear is, “I didnt do anything.” Just watch an episode of cops and you will hear it alot. Some of you may have children or grandchildren who you may have heard say this a time or two.

PREACH THIS HARD:

At this table sit:

the faithful

the confused

the weak

and the one who will betray Him

And Jesus still serves the meal. I love him so much! I want to be just like him!

Sometimes we get it right. Sometimes we dont….BUT

APPLICATION (ELM GROVE)

You don’t have to be perfect to sit at this table.

And hear me out here:

Just because you’re at the table… doesn’t mean your heart is surrendered.

That’s where it gets real. When you surrender your heart…everything changes.

3: THE COVENANT TABLE (v.22–25)

Jesus takes the bread:

“This is my body.”

Then the cup:

“This is my blood of the covenant… poured out for many.”

This is the moment everything shifts.

This isn’t just Passover anymore.

This is fulfillment. Jesus came to fullfill the law. This is how he did that.

Its a Covenant Reality

Old covenant = lamb’s blood

New covenant = Jesus’ blood

Not symbolic comfort…

but rather it is absolutley Costly grace.

Do we really understand? Do we really understand What it cost to save us?

Because when you truly get this…it changes everything. It is this VERY thing that turned my heart against sin and towards God…

and its this understanding that changed me 17 years ago from a hopeless drug addict into a born again blood bought follower of Jesus Christ.

SAY THIS CLEAR:

You don’t earn your seat at this table.

You don’t clean yourself up first. That comes later.

You are invited to this table because of His blood—not your performance.

His blood was shed-literally for you!

His body was broken for you…

And yet some of us hear that great news and we squander it…

Church attendance-optional

Tithing-optional

Praying, Bible reading- ALL optional

Im here to lead you to the truth. That is the calling that I am held to.

Last week I had to have some hard conversations with a couple of men who I am discipling.

Twice I heard- “Why is it that everytime something goes wrong or I have an issue, its always me who is the problem?” “Why is it always my fault? My responsibility?”

Some may be sitting here wondering that same thing? Thats ok, I have the answer because I struggled with this just like everyone else…

The answer to that questions is;

Because God wants more for you. God has called YOU for this..

This is your calling:

Your called to be holy…

1 Peter 1:15–16 ESV

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The Standard here isnt-be better than others.

The standard is Gods character

Your called to Die to Sin…

Luke 9:23 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Romans 6:1–2 ESV

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Grace is not permission to stay the same.

Grace is the power to become different

You are called to be an example:

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

but the higher standard is rooted in LOVE…not legalism

check it out:

John 13:34–35 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Titus 2:11–12 ESV

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce(SAY NO) ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

4: THE HOPEFUL TABLE (v.25–26)

“I will not drink again… until the kingdom of God.”

Translation:

“This isn’t the last meal.”

Even with:

betrayal coming

suffering coming

the cross coming

There is still future victory.

LAND It:

Some of you feel like your story is stuck in failure…

But Jesus says:

“There’s another table coming.”

A table without sorrow and pain and betrayal and hurt….

A table where

“You are forgiven.

You are covered.

You are invited.

And you are not finished.”

Lets pray!