(Christmas) (Communion) - Christmas Is a Love Story
Notes
Transcript
Genesis 6:5-6 gives us a sad story of humanity.
ILLUSTRATION:
The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.
What could be so significant to evoke a response like this from the Father of the children of the world?
After the Fall, a seductive, powerful, and deceptive love replaced the love we were meant to have exclusively for God: the love of self.
When we choose to love ourselves, it becomes very easy for us to overstep God’s boundaries because our hearts aren’t motivated by love for him anymore. When we violate his law, designed to give us life, evil thrives in a way that Genesis 6:5 describes.
And so, humanity needed to be rescued.
Someone was required to do what we could not do for ourselves: defeat the love of self and restore the love of God in our hearts.
Paul Tripp,
And then read - John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
I would suggest,
that Christmas is a love story.
It is an expression of God’s love for a fallen, corrupt world.
As we gather here for communion,
I want us to think of communion - as part of God’s love story.
When I take up the Lord’s supper,
may it be a remembrance of God’s love for me.
I want to remind yourself,
say it silently to your self - God love’s me.
This Christmas, at communion, may we remember how the Gospel is a love story.
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Close Communion Explanation: Because of Paul’s warning we practice close communion. If you are a baptized member of a like-minded church than we would love to have you partake communion with us. However, if you are not a baptized member of a like-minded church we ask that you would respect our remembrance by allowing the Lord’s table to pass by you.
Bread
At this time we shall take up the bread. The bread represents the flesh of Jesus that was crucified on the cross.
Pray
· Hand trays. Pause and Wait. (Small)
In Remembrance of Christs bodily death for sins,
may we remember that God loves me,
you may eat the bread,
Blood
At this time, We shall take up the cups of juice. The juice represents the blood of Jesus spilled upon Calvary.
Pray
· Hand Trays, Pause, Wait. (Big)
In Remembrance of Christs spilled blood
and that God loves me,
you may drink the cup of juice.