Encountering Jesus in the Last Supper

Come to the table.

Matthew 11:28–29 NIV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

matthew 11:

He laid aside his rights and privileges

What cross are we bearing

Embrace the cross today( take the cross down and walk it around the people)

Come all you who are wearing and heavy laden.

Jesus wants to encounter us in all our affliction and offer freedom from bondage into his glorious riches as we turn from what the world offers and accept his offer to walk with him in the path of the cross and loving obedience that leads to life

Jesus was about to have a

Matthew 11 NIV

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear. “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Today soften your heart

Matthew 11 NIV

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear. “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The Wounded Savior “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom,

John 14 NIV

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave.

Matthew 11

John 13 NIV

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

-24

Day 2 ~ The Wounded Savior

John 20 NIV

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom,

and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing!” Rev. 5:12

As part of our focus on the meaning of the Lord’s table, and entering into the celebration of it......I want to share with you a testimony of what God can do with a people who celebrate it in a worthy manner. Let this story build your faith and increase your prayers for one another in our church.

In The Key to the Missionary Problem Andrew Murray described a moving encounter with Christ that Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzen- dorf had in a Dusseldorf museum. A painter had painted a picture of the suffering Christ. The painter himself had been so affected by Christ’s love for him that he wanted to do something for Christ. He wanted to paint a picture of Jesus that would convey his love for his Savior. Below the picture he wrote the words:

All this I did for thee, What hast thou done for Me?

When Zinzendorf saw the painting and read the words, “his heart was touched. He felt as if he could not answer the question. He turned away more determined than ever to spend his life in the service of his Lord.

10

Week 1: Remembering Christ and the Cross, the vision of that face never left him. Christ’s love became the constraining power of his life.‘I have,’ he exclaimed,‘but one passion—’tis He, and He only.’ It was His dying love that fitted Christ for the work God had given Him as the Saviour of men. It was the dying love of Christ mastering his life that fitted Zinzendorf for the work he had to do.”1

vision of that face never left him. Christ’s love became the constraining power of his life.‘I have,’ he exclaimed,‘but one passion—’tis He, and He only.’ It was His dying love that fitted Christ for the work God had given Him as the Saviour of men. It was the dying love of Christ mastering his life that fitted Zinzendorf for the work he had to do.”1

Have you ever experienced God’s love so fully that love for Jesus was your one passion? Pray and ask the Lord to stir your passion for the Savior who suffered for you.

Zinzendorf returned home to provide spiritual leadership for a group of about three hundred people who had moved to his estate to escape religious persecution. Most were Moravians, a religious group related to the martyr John Hus, but the refugees included Lutherans, followers of Calvin and Zwingli, Anabaptists, and others. In the spring of 1727 internal conflict was about to destroy the religious community. Zinzendorf and three other elders drew up a covenant of brotherly union that described the way these Christians would live together. It recognized their differences but insisted on brotherly love and unity in the body of Christ.

On May 12, 1727, the entire community repented of their divisions, were reconciled with their brethren, and entered a covenant to live in harmony to honor their Lord. Murray quoted from their diary account of that day:“ the Brethren all promised, one by one, that they would be the Saviour’s true followers. Self-will, self-love, disobedience—they bade these farewell. they would seek to be poor in spirit; no one was to seek his own profit before that of others; everyone would give himself to be taught by the Holy Spirit.”2

God began to bind this body of believers together in love and unity. On August 13, 1727, they had a significant encounter with their Savior at a Lord’s Supper observance. But three days before this was Sunday August 10. On that Sunday, 10th,though ( Pastor Rothe was leading the afternoon meeting at Herrnhut, when he was overpowered and fell on his face before God. The whole congregation bowed under the sense of God’s presence, and continued in prayer till midnight! until midnight. He invited the congregation to the Holy Supper on the next Wednesday, the 13th.

On Sunday, 10th,though ( Pastor Rothe was leading the afternoon meeting at Herrnhut, when he was overpowered and fell on his face before God. The whole congregation bowed under the sense of God’s presence, and continued in prayer till midnight! until midnight. He invited the congregation to the Holy Supper on the next Wednesday, the 13th.

11

Come to the Lord’s Table

As it was the first communion since the new fellowship, it was resolved to be specially strict with it, and to make use of it “to lead the souls deeper into the death of Christ, into which they had been baptized.” The leaders visited every member, seeking in great love to lead them to true heart-searching. In the evening of Tuesday, at the preparation service, several passed from death to life, and the whole community was deeply touched.

On the Wednesday morning all went to Berthelsdorf. On the way thither, any who had felt estranged from each other afresh bound themselves together. During the singing of the first hymn a wicked man was powerfully convicted. The presentation of the new communicants touched every heart, and when the hymn was sung it could hardly be recognized whether there was more singing or weeping. Several brethren prayed, specially pleading that, as exiles out of the house of bondage, they knew not what to do, that they desired to be kept free from separation and sectarianism, and besought the Lord to reveal to them the true nature of His Church, so that they might walk unspotted before Him, might not abide alone but be made fruitful. We asked that we might do nothing contrary to the oath of loyalty we had taken to Him, nor in the very least sin against His law of love. We asked that He would keep us in the saving power of His grace, and not allow a single soul to be drawn away to itself and its own merits from that Blood-and-Cross Theology, on which our salvation depends. We celebrated the Lord’s Supper with hearts at once bowed down and lifted up. We went home, each of us in great measure lifted up beyond himself, spending this and the following days in great quiet and peace, and learning to love.

Among those present in the church when the communion was held were a number of children. One writes: “I cannot attribute the great revival among the children to anything else but that wonderful outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the communion assembly. The Spirit breathed in power on old and young. Everywhere they were heard, sometimes at night in the field, beseeching the Saviour to pardon their sins and make them His own. The Spirit of grace had indeed been poured out.”3

12

Week 1: Remembering Christ and the Cross

were heard, sometimes at night in the field, beseeching the Saviour to pardon their sins and make them His own. e Spirit of grace had indeed been poured out.”3

Following that encounter with Christ, the Moravian Brethren were posessed by a zeal for missions. They began a 24-hour prayer watch for the causes of the kingdom, which continued for more than 100 years. (from 1727 to about 1827). During the following 25 years they sent out more than one hundred missionaries. This was the beginning of the Moravian Church.

Some of those missionaries met John Wesley on a boat bound for America in 1735. In them Wesley saw a personal faith in Christ, a love for Christ, and a calm assurance that were different from his own. When he returned to London, Wesley came to personal faith in Christ in a Moravian chapel at Aldersgate. He went from there a different man and led the Evangelical Revival (the First Great Awakening) in England.

returned to London, Wesley came to personal faith in Christ in a Mora- vian chapel at Aldersgate. He went from there a different man and led the Evangelical Revival (the First Great Awakening) in England. Even William Carey, known as the father of modern missions, was greatly influ- enced toward missions by the testimonies of these Moravian missionaries.

In e Key to the Missionary Problem Murray quoted Reverend P. de Schweinitz, who summed up the work of the Moravian Brethren.

1. As you read the following description of Moravian missions, look for the thing that motivated and inspired the Moravians’ work. Underline their battle cry.

Even today [1901] the Moravians have for every fifty-eight commu- nicants in the home churches a missionary in the foreign field, and for every member in the home churches they have more than two members in the congregation gathered from among the heathen. ... Now, what was the incentive for foreign missionary work which has produced such results? While acknowledging, the supreme authority of the great commission, the Moravian Brethren have ever empha- sized as their chief incentive the inspiring truth drawn from : making our Lord’s suffering the spur to all their activity. From that prophecy they drew their missionary battle-cry:‘To win for the Lamb that was slain, the reward of His sufferings.’ We feel that we must compensate Him in some way for the awful sufferings which He endured in working out our salvation. e only way we can reward Him is by bringing souls to Him.

13

When we bring Him souls, that is compensation for the travail of His soul. In no other way can we so effectively bring the suffering Saviour the reward of His passion as by missionary labour, whether we go ourselves or en- able others to go. Get this burning thought of ‘personal love for the Saviour who redeemed me’ into the hearts of all Christians, and you have the most powerful incentive that can be had for missionary ef- fort. Oh, if we could make this missionary problem a personal one! if we could fill the hearts of the people with a personal love for this Saviour who died for them, the indifference of Christendom would disappear, and the kingdom of Christ would appear. 4

Come to the Lord’s Table

souls, that is compensation for the travail of His soul. In no other way can we so effectively bring the suffering Saviour the reward of His passion as by missionary labour, whether we go ourselves or en- able others to go. Get this burning thought of ‘personal love for the Saviour who redeemed me’ into the hearts of all Christians, and you have the most powerful incentive that can be had for missionary ef- fort. Oh, if we could make this missionary problem a personal one! if we could fill the hearts of the people with a personal love for this Saviour who died for them, the indifference of Christendom would disappear, and the kingdom of Christ would appear. 4

2. Copy the battle cry of the Moravians below.

_________________________________________________

3. Which of the following best describes the thought that motivated and inspired the Moravians to serve Christ?

❑ a. ey read Christ’s commands and served from a sense of duty to the commands.

❑ b. eir spiritual leaders, like Zinzendorf, made them feel guilty and ashamed if they did not serve.

❑ c. eir love for the wounded Savior, who died to redeem them, gave them a zeal to serve Him.

If only all believers would see Christ as our wounded Savior in the same way! ese men and women were prepared to give their all, even their lives, because of their love for Christ. Paul described this motivation this way:

“Christ’s love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: One died for all, then all died. And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised” ().

Can we

That even was 291 years ago and yet today , God desires for us to encounter him is such as way that we are changed from what we are into more of what he disires us to be. He invites us today....do you feel the pull.

Jut as Jesus desired to have this meal with his close friends and followers he knew everything about their motivations and what was on their mind at the last supper (power, pumped up zeal, and betrayal) yet he was anxious to eat the meal and reveal more if himself, his mission, and what was to become.......IN SPITE OF KNOWING ALL THIS non-spiritual stuff. Today, God , Jesus and the Holy spirit want to commune with us. To be closer, to him, to each other, in all our uniqueness and be one in him. This is an amazing conversational prayer the Jesus engages in He want us to remember him. His suffering for us…his suffering for us even now. Jesus surrender to the suffering leads him to the cross…the ultimate sin offering for all of us. The lords supper leads us in the way of suffering and the cross. It give meaning and understanding to what it truly means to love..... to choose to love.... .love one another with a new heart.

Move among the people …sit down next to a couple persons and say :

....HOW DOES GOD DO THIS????

Move among the people …sit down next to a couple persons and say :

“ I dont know what happened to you this week, what you did good what you might have done bad or thought about doing or regretted doing a long tome ago. but I do know this. that God wants yo you to let your burden here cast it on him, confess any sin whether conceived or carried out and let it with him, he has already provided himself as the perfect lamb who suffered beaten up bloodied took our place.

Next person, God knows us so well, and you are no exception. Hes in love with you

Next person, God values you and wants to do deeper with you in this communion service.

Next person, God wants you to go deeper with him. He will not forsake you .

Interview myself. God : Good morning Keith. Keith: Good morning again Lord. Lord: You know my message of love and forgivness is for you to. right? Yes I know that but, but I’m not sure they think that ? God: Keith” Keith: Yes Lord God: trust me thay know you need me just as much if not more. Keith: You are right…but they know that? God: They do now.

There are no expemtions to the cross my friends.. All of us must go through the cross and meet him there.

And he wants us to love one another as he loved us . And he wants us to serve one another . and for us to serve others too. But its more than our western idea of “helping”…giving money. Its getting our hands and knees and clothes dirty. Its engages our senses of smell that we engage with others by bending down to wash the dirty grimy feed of a brother or sister who has picked up something that risks health. This is love....love that sacrifices my inconvenience, my reputation, my status in the community, ..... a love that cares more for the persons relationship with God and their health and life more than their own life here on earth. When this happens ( loving others the way God loved us) then…not only does he recieve glory but he gets advertising about himself from the way we love each other to others around us!!!!

Come to the Table. The redeemed of Christ who are in living in harmony with God and his teachings are invited to the table of communion as we celebrate Gods broken body and blood he shed. The only reason we would ask you to refrain is if you have not accepted Christ as your savior or there is an area of your life you have not yet gone to Lord for forgiveness. The scripures warning is that it is perlless to enter into communion in this state. IF thats you, we would like to pray with you and for you.

Prayer. We come as your children broken and in need of you. We pray for our friends who may not know you as savior or who are living in active disobedience to you . Lord would you pull them to your offer of forgiveness and cleansing as they repent and accept your lordship and follow you. Reveal yourself to us and uncover anything in us that is keeping us from a full encounter with your saving work and your baptizing us into a deeper walk with you.

Our Elders will be leading and serving the element of Communion …begining with Chad and then Randy. And Chris will lead the footwashing . If you are new here we take literally Jesus coomendation to his disciples to and What do you say we sing a song of worship to God and concentrate on the words rather than the harmony and the notes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

163 What Wonderous Love is This

273 O Thou in Whose Presence

If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness .

Closing. Prayer and Impartation!

Father we experienced your presence here today in the meditation of your word, recored for generations for us to know you. But in our experience in the sharing of these emblems we have expereinced again and anew something more of your creative and devine love for us in this service, much more than an empty ritual but an engangeing with you on a spiritual and phisical and holy dimention that cannot be fully explained but profoundly experienced. Thank you Father Holy lamb.

And now in the name of Jesus and God the Father and the Holy Spirit I declare that I speak into this body of believer that they become your bride that they will bind up the broken hearted the poor....talking to the most despised …inviting risky people to their table.....ministering to you in doing so. I ask in the name of our fathere God that you would invade our very lives and that we would cast down every idol that stands between we being fully surrendered to you coming to us.

I pray this as your servant humbled by the grace you have shown me and in the larger vision you want us to embrace. We release your holy spirt to have his way with us. AS your people here threaten the power of darkness would you protect us from the evil one

All who are weary and heavy laden

Matthew 11:29 NIV

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28–29 NIV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29