First Steps and Continued Motivation

Baptism marks you in, communion keeps you going

Kind of like Boy Scouts: there is an initial ceremony, and then you are in. But we regularly said the pledge and what is a boy scout because that helps clarify the mission and reminds us who we are.

Mark 14:22–26 ESV

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.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 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.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Baptism marks you in, communion keeps you going

What is baptism?

Starts the process. Public proclamation that (1) you are part of the church (2) You are submitting to the authority of the church and therefore (3) Your brothers and sisters have not just the right but the responsibility to call you out on disobedience.

Matthew 18:15 NIV

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

What is communion?

First, what is the passover?

Egypt, Moses, The Israelites were saved from the wrath of God by the provision of God. Communion is the fulfillment of this.

“In essence, Jesus was saying, ‘I am the Passover, I am the Pascal Lamb; I am the one who will be sacrificed for you. It is My blood being marked over the door of your life that you will escape the wrath of God.” So He said: “From now on, this is My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of your sins. This is the blood of a new covenant.’ This new covenant that He instituted that very night fulfills the old covenant, giving it its fullest and most meaningful expression.”

How does it keep us going?

Friends, this is the greatest news. What could the Egyptians do to save themselves from the angel of death? Nothing. They were powerless. In the same way, so are we.

Jesus has declared Himself to be the bread of life. He took on flesh, blessed it, broke it and then there was always enough. He has poured out blood and allowed us to drink it!

Something you were never allowed to do. drill

Blood was never allowed to be drank because there is a transfer of life.

We have all sinned and fallen short. We are fully deserving of the wrath. But the beauty of the new covenant is that this wrath has been poured onto the only being in the universe who can survive it!

Challenge:

Take, eat, drink (v. 22, 24)

Long for when you can drink it with Jesus (v. 24) How often do you think about that? This life is like camping...

Live knowing the work is finished (v. 24) We have a new covenant!