Lord's Supper 21
Notes
Transcript
Work crew
wedding
We’ve spent the past two weeks looking at what the cross did for mankind. Today, let’s make that much more personal. Let’s ask ourselves the question: What did the cross do for me? Not “what’s in it for me?” But genuinely consider myself in light of the cross.
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, 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.” 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.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
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. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
Looking back
This is where the cross comes into view. Romans 5:8 God showed His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
He did not do this for those who already loved Him. For anyone who, as though we could, had earned His affection. He did this for His enemies. For those overtly opposed to Him.
How Jesus saw the cross should color how we see the cross. Hebrews 12:2 who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising its shame and has sat down at the right hand of the Father.
The cross was not the joy. The cross was the shame, mine and yours. Because He became sin. Our sin. But the joy was us!
He died. That is a fact. How He died, though, brings into focus how deeply we are loved by the entirety the GodHead.
The Love of God
Oh, love of God, so rich and pure
We look back, and thankfulness wells up within our hearts! When we are full of thankfulness, we are not hungry for what keeps us from coming to this table.
Looking ahead
Yes, to the return of Christ, but more urgently to what God would have us do between now and when He calls us home.
Our time is short!
We also look forward to having communion with Jesus Himself in Heaven.
Looking within
We examine our own hearts. The disciples were expected to do the same at the Last Supper. They kind of got caught up examining each other’s though. They asked who it would be that betrayed Him. Quickly, the answer was revealed. I dont think knowing the answer brought any kind of satisfaction to them. The spilled contents of another’s heart rarely does.
We certainly dont want to take it in an unworthy manner. And when we knowingly hold on to sin, we are guilty.
Not that we have to be worthy to receive it (we cannot create our own worthiness), but that we take it in a worthy manner.
Looking around
Why compassion? We live in a world that desperately needs Jesus! There is suffering and trouble everywhere we turn.
Matthew used the term compassion frequently in his writing. He was a tax collector. Jesus’ compassion was likely a marvel to him.
“When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd.” Mt 9:36 “Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.” Mt 20:34
Because our compassion reflects His compassion.
Why power? Living in a world filled with suffering and trouble is hard. “In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer: I have over come the world!” Jn 16:33
It is the power to overcome sin. To live a life that glorifies Him.
Romans 6:6 (HCSB) — 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sin’s dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin,
Because His power lives within us! The power to overcome sin and move boldly into a world that needs His compassion.
So let’s take these four and prepare ourselves for Communion.
Two ways we could do this wrong: Not taking because we think God cant forgive us. Taking with an assumption He forgives even if we don't ask.
music
prayer time
deacons
The Holman Christian Standard Bible Chapter 11
On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”
The Holman Christian Standard Bible Chapter 11
25 In the same way, after supper He also took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”