220327 Communion: Betrayal

The great and gracious gift of Communion is truly remarkable. That God would choose to accept the righteousness of Christ on the believer’s behalf - that is stunning. Because as Isaiah 53:6 says... “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But Yahweh has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.”

Furthermore, our rebellion against God is complete,

Romans 3:23 says “...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

James 2:10-11 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

Luke 22:54-62 Now having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest, but Peter was following at a distance. HE WAS FOLLOWING BECAUSE PETER WANTED TO SEE THE OUTCOME (MATT 26:58)

55 And after they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. 56 And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”

58 A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”

59 And after about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man was with Him too, for he also is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” (Matthew 26:74 TELLS US THAT HE WAS CURSING AND SWEARING VEHEMENTLY DENYING ANY ASSOCIATION WITH CHRIST) Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.

61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And he went out and cried bitterly.

WAIT FOR ONE WHOLE MINUTE.

Close in prayer.

Invitation for Communion Ushers

If I could have the communion ushers come up, we will distribute the elements and then ask the blessing over the elements.

Dad will you ask for the blessing on the bread?

(1 Co 11:23–26)

23 …the Lord Jesus in the night in which 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.”

George will you ask for the blessing on the cup?

25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

PAUSE

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

LET’S PRAY