A Celebration of Gospel Community

Dinner with my family

We ate dinner as a family around the table 6 of 7 nights a week until I was in high school

A lot of my childhood memories are of us around a table, either with my mom, dad and sister or with my extended family.

There is importance to meals.

The picture on the screen is a depiction of one of the most important meals in human history, the “Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci.

It is not a Polaroid so it is not accurate, but it is significant and depicts a very significant meal.

I want to examine that meal and the amazing portrait Jesus painted of the community He was creating by His life, death, and resurrection.

I believe we can learn a lot from what happened that night.

A Portrait of Gospel Community

The night Jesus was betrayed by Judas, and ultimately sent to the cross, was a Thursday night.

He spent that night at dinner with His closest followers, the disciples (learners).

What happened that night is significant, not only for the men in the room, not just historically, but it is significant for us here today.

Jesus paints a portrait of Gospel Community - how we as the church are to relate with one another.

He didn’t paint the picture of programs, buildings, stages with lights and musical instruments.

He painted a picture of a table with common, everyday food, and friends gathered around to share, not just a meal, but life with one another.

But before Jesus distributed the elements of the meal that would be the example we still follow today, he shows His disciples some important things about community this meal intends to create.

Jesus shows us the ATTITUDE of Gospel Community.

luk 22 21

Luke 22:24–28 ESV

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. 28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials,

Luke 22:24–27 ESV

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Luke 22:24–28 ESV

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. 28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials,

Early on in the meal an argument erupts between the disciples.

Luke 22:24–30 ESV

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. 28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

They are arguing over who is the greatest.

The natural desire of humankind is to strive to be the greatest.

To be the first in line, the first to the water fountain, the first in the front seat of the car.

To be the best worker, the boss, the CEO, the person in charge

To be at the table making the decision, sitting next to the most important people.

But Jesus shows the true attitude of Gospel Community.

If we are going to be in community with one another we must be humble.

It isn’t about you, it is about US.

Church, what we do here, isn’t about you it is about US and it is about US making HIM know to the WORLD who does not know HIM.

Jesus shows us the POSTURE of Gospel Community.

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John 13:1–10 ESV

1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”

jn 13 1-

John 3:1–10 ESV

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

Jesus is confronting a destructive tendency of humans, we liked to be served much more than to serve.

The job of feet washing was for the lowest of slaves.

Peter speaks for the other disciples in his disgust of what is about to happen.

How could he let Jesus do such a shameful thing?

Jesus response is “what I am doing is to show you the even greater sacrifice I will make for you. If you can’t receive this one, then you sure aren’t going to receive the one that matters most.”

John 13:12–17 ESV

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

John 3:12–17 ESV

12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

jn 13

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The posture of Gospel Community is sacrificial service.

It isn’t about power or recognition.

It isn’t about being the one on stage or the one taking out the trash.

It is about taking the posture of our saviour toward one another.

Jesus shows us the INTEGRITY of Gospel Community

John 13:21–30 ESV

21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

Mark 14:17–21 ESV

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.”

Before Jesus distributes the meal He calls out Judas whom has already sold Him over to the authorities.’

There is a reality to Gospel Community this side of eternity, we are sinners and we are bound to hurt one another and sin against one another.

But there is forgiveness in Jesus, the very message of the Lord’s Supper.

But we cannot deny the fact that those who do not know Jesus and have not trusted in Him for salvation are not welcome at the table of the Lord.

This is a table for those that are a part of the family.

Judas was not a part of the family.

Jesus shows us the MISSION of Gospel Community.

Though the timing is hard to pinpoint, at some point in the night,

possibly before Jesus introduced the Lord’s Supper, he said these words concerning how we are to live...

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.”

jn 13

The mission of this meal was to paint a picture of Gospel Community.

And Gospel Community has 1 purpose, 1 mission, that other would know the love of God in how we love one another.

One of the most destructive things to the witness of the church is the divisions within the church.

Before, during, or after the meal, Jesus says the the disciples “How you love, serve, and care for one another will determine how much of an impact you have in this world.”

We must stay together!

Romans 12:2 ESV

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.

Romans 12:9–10 ESV

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

rom 12

And then there is the meal...

A Meal with a Purpose

Matthew 26:26–28 ESV

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Matt 26:26-28

The Lord’s Supper is...

A meal of LOVING UNITY.

It is not a meal about ME, it is a meal about WE.

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 ESV

16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

1 cor 10 16

Paul is telling the Corinthians to “flee idolatry” specifically in the form of pagan feasts, where the food would have been consecrated to false gods.

Paul is saying “do not unite yourself with those false gods. Be different, be separate.”

But he says “that is why we have the Lord’s Supper”

When you take the cup you are participating (having community with) in the blood of Christ (you are saved by His blood)

When you take the bread you are participating (having community with) in the body of Christ (saved by His body on the cross).

There is a uniting that is symbolized in communion

A uniting of us to Christ and His sacrifice

And a uniting to those others whom have also been united to Christ.

Because there is one bread, we who are MANY are ONE!

We take the Lord’s Supper, Communion, as a display of our LOVING UNITY with ONE ANOTHER.

It is what makes us the Church here in Ohio county.

Paul is saying that the Lord’s Supper actually makes many one. The Lord’s Supper gathers up the “we who are many” and makes us into one body. In other words, the Lord’s Supper constitutes a local church. In the Lord’s Supper, we renew our commitment to Christ and each other. And it is this twofold commitment that makes a church a church. Bobby Jamieson

In other words, the Lord’s Supper is the renewing oath-sign of the new covenant. In the Lord’s Supper, we renew our commitment to Christ and each other. And it is this twofold commitment that makes a church a church.

Ephesians 4:1–2 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

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It is not a meal about ME, it is a meal about WE!

Jesus showed us that as He talked about the attitude of Gospel Community.

A meal of SACRIFICIAL COMMITMENT.

It is a meal about giving, not about getting.

1 Corinthians 11:18–22 ESV

18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

1 cor 11

Paul is calling out an awful practice among the Corinthians, the wealthier of the community were coming together early and eating and drinking freely before the poorer workers came.

They were “getting drunk” and leaving the others with nothing to eat.

The significance of this meal we eat together is that we all get the same portion and we serve one another.

We are a community with differing jobs, differing homes, differing political views, differing family backgrounds, differing economic classes, differing personalities, differing interests...

But we all share a common bond around the person and work of Christ.

They were not taking the posture Jesus taught us in the upper room

A meal of GRACIOUS FORGIVENESS.

It is not about creating categories, it is about breaking down walls.

1 Corinthians 11:27–29 ESV

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

1 cor 11

Jesus was serious about this meal when He called Judas out before He institutes the meal.

Don’t eat or drink judgement on yourself.

This is a meal for believers in Jesus, if you don’t believe in Jesus than these elements don’t mean anything to you.

If you have not trusted in Jesus, then these elements are pointless and powerless.

But if you do believe in Jesus, the significance of these elements are life changing.

You are forgiven, lavished with grace from our amazing God.

Your sins have been forgiven, the righteousness of Christ is now your righteousness.

So don’t come to this time with un-confessed sin.

Don’t come to this time with the shame of guilt on your heart.

Receive what has been given to you, the forgiveness of Christ through His body and blood.

But also let the significance of these elements persuade you to treat others how you have been treated in Christ.

Don’t carry bitterness or anger to the table of the Lord.

Forgive freely, practice grace, and restore broken relationship for the Glory of Jesus and the good of Gospel.

A meal of CORPORATE CELEBRATION.

It is not about ritual, it is about celebration.

We are celebrating, remembering, and proclaiming what Christ has done for us.

As we take this meal together now I charge each of us to not let this be a meaningless ritual that we do once a quarter.

Celebrate the grace of God and the beauty of His Church.

Ask for forgiveness and forgive others.

Take the posture of Jesus, not just now, but throughout this faith family.

Have the ushers come forward:

We are going to pass out the bread then the juice. take the tray and serve your neighbor.

If you are not a Christian we would ask you to let the elements pass and would invite you to consider Jesus.

Receive Him as Lord, trust in Him and join us next time as you participate as a new believer in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 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.” 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.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

1 cor 11 23-

Now let’s celebrate with a song of praise.