God's Word Grows Us and His Church

ME: Intro

Imagine for a moment someone came up to you this week and said:

“I want to change the world, and I want you to help me do it!”

Sounds great, right?

It should, because that is basically what Jesus says to His followers.

However, some people think the idea of changing the world is naive,

Or they think, “the world is fine the way it is.”

Like comedian Stephen Colbert said when he gave the commencement address at Princeton,

“You can change the world...

But please don’t, OK? Some of us like the way things are going now.”

On one end,

People admire the idea of changing the world,

While on the opposite end,

Others are essentially too complacent to go about changing the world.

Since Jesus tells His followers to be a part of His world-changing, disciple-making movement.

Therefore, we are to give ourselves over to impacting every tribe, tongue, and nation,

For the sake of the Gospel.

We, like the apostles in Acts,

Should be dedicated to influencing world change with God’s Word.

This is the idea of Acts 17:1-15.

Where we see God’s Word Grows Us and His Church.

In this passage,

The apostles are accused of turning the world upside down,

Which could be an appropriate title for the book of Acts,

Because Acts essentially narrates the formation of a new culture,

As the early church proclaimed that Christ is the Savior of the world.

They did this by teaching God’s Word from a Christ-centered perspective,

Showing how Jesus is Lord,

Which changes everything!

Slide

The outline for this passage starts with...

Teaching in Thessalonica (vs. 1-4)

Jealousy From Jews (vs. 5-9)

Believers in Berea (vs. 10-15)

Disciples need to continuously teach and continuously learn God’s Word.

As we see in our outline,

The message spreads to these two new cities,

Thessalonica and Berea.

Where Jesus was proclaimed by the apostles,

And many embraced Him as Lord and Savior.

We have already seen throughout Acts how gifted of a teacher Paul is.

But what is particularly exciting in this passage is how these new disciples receive God’s Word.

They willingly welcomed whatever changes God desired.

Which is where the idea of being a Berean Christian comes from.

Because it is the ancient Bereans who carefully examined what they were being taught by searching the Scriptures,

Rather than just accepting whatever Paul said.

As a culture, we are seriously lacking in this area.

Because many who say they are a Christian spend very little personal time in the Word.

Instead, they just accept whatever they hear in one sermon a week,

As their only biblical training.

As disciples of Christ,

Slide

Our desire must be to hear something like what Paul says in 1 Thess 2:13,

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

There is so much we can learn from these churches planted in Thessalonica and Berea,

We can learn both how to teach and how to be taught God’s Word.

This is a big lesson from a surprisingly brief account.

WE: (vs. 1-4)

Slide

Ch. 16 ended with Paul and Silas leaving Philippi.

Starting in vs. 1 of ch. 17,

They travel along the Via Egnatia,

Basically the interstate of the ancient world,

It was a prominent trade route for the Roman Empire.

First, they went 30 miles southwest from Philippi to Amphipolis,

Where they likely stayed the night.

Amphipolis was a large city,

Yet, the apostles don’t stay because they are eager to get somewhere else.

So, the next day they travel another 25 miles to Appollonia,

Named after the Greek God, Apollo,

Where they likely stayed another night.

Then they travel another 40 miles and finally arrive at the capital of Macedonia,

The city of Thessalonica.

Which is the next major stop on their missionary journey.

Thessalonica was a pretty big city.

Population estimates around this time are about 200,000 people.

That is roughly the same size as present day Rochester.

The city of Thessalonica is still occupied today.

It has functioned as a key city in the Mediterranean throughout history.

It was established around 315 BC,

Incorporating approximately 25 other villages,

Demonstrating how significant of a city this was from a very early date.

About 200 years later, the Romans took over,

Making this an important city for their empire.

It had a vast harbor and was located along that major trade route,

The Via Egnatia.

But later on, Thessalonica would also develop into an important Christian city.

While still maintaining a financial and political prominence in much of the ancient world.

At this time in Acts,

Thessalonica had a strong allegiance to the Roman empire.

But it was still large enough to have a synagogue.

The Jews here end up responding to the missionaries much like the way the Jews in Pisidian Antioch and Iconium did.

Which was not very nice.

Yet, just like in those other cities,

The gospel still takes hold in this city,

Especially among the Gentiles,

According to Paul’s later letters to the Thessalonians.

Slide

Vs. 2 says Paul follows his usual pattern of going to the Jew first then the Greek.

So, his first point of contact is the Jews in the synagogue.

It says for three Sabbath days,

That’s three weeks in a row,

Paul reasoned with those in the Synagogue.

Now, Paul likely stayed in Thessalonica longer,

According to his letter,

The Philippian church sent him aid for his stay,

And he was here long enough to give the church that gets planted extensive biblical instruction.

But again,

Paul’s first point of contact was the people who were already familiar with the OT,

Which he uses to teach them the gospel.

It is impressive,

Throughout Acts,

Paul just displays this knack for connecting with people whenever he gets to a new place.

It is an example for us.

We too, should be establishing these points of contact with people in our community.

We can serve alongside others in our community as a point of contact.

Slide

For example, I know some of you who have volunteered with Friends of Afton,

To help coordinate events or clean up around town.

We have had members who have helped out at the food drive before.

There are many other ways to serve,

You can get involved with the school,

Or help out an organization that helps others,

Like HALos right here in Afton,

Or Life Choices Center down in Binghamton.

This type of involvement can lead to wonderful opportunities to share the gospel.

Because, at the most basic level,

It is showing love to our neighbors.

Coaching youth sports is another example.

We’ve got members who are involved with AYSO,

Which needs coaches.

It is a great opportunity to get to know kids in our community,

And their parents.

And it is a platform to be able to speak truth in love to these families.

Another effective point of contact is simply hosting things.

This is the heart behind why we open the doors to our church to our community whenever we can.

But it should not just be the church building opening its doors.

It should be the church body.

Again, I know we have members who open their homes or their properties for people in the community.

Whether it is making our home a meeting location for a club,

Or hosting a barbecue,

This can lead to conversations about Jesus.

Another example I love to see is walking through town,

Or being a regular at certain places.

I love seeing our members out and about in the town.

And I know members who make it a point to regularly visit some of the shops in our little town,

Who make connections with the people who work at these places.

Which once again, invites the opportunity to have gospel conversations.

And the list could go on.

In all of this,

The idea is we work, play, and simply enjoy life with gospel intentionality.

That is what Paul regularly does.

Slide

Here, his point of contact with the people of the synagogue,

Is the OT Scriptures.

Vs. 3 summarizes how he proclaimed that Jesus is the Messiah from them.

He taught how it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead,

Which Jesus did.

So, he proclaimed that Jesus is the Messiah.

Paul is a magnificent teacher,

But he still needed Jesus to open the hearts of his hearers.

These Jews revered the OT Scriptures.

And we don’t know what Scriptures Paul used specifically.

But if he is talking about the Messiah’s suffering,

He likely referenced Isaiah 53, Psalm 16:10, and Psalm 22.

What we can assume based off earlier teachings,

Paul is not just laying out a list of facts about the Bible.

No, he is using this crowds familiarity with the OT,

To teach the comprehensive story of the Bible,

Which is centered on Jesus.

Even people who say they are not Christian,

May have a familiarity with some of the stories in the Bible.

At the same time,

Even people who regularly attend church,

May be unfamiliar with the storyline of the Bible.

So, this is our opportunity.

To teach God’s Word to people.

To show them how Jesus Christ,

The Redeemer, died on our behalf to reconcile us to God.

It takes boldness,

As Paul demonstrates here.

These people expected their Messiah to be a conqueror,

Not a sufferer.

He basically told them that their Hero,

The Hero of the entire Bible,

Is this man, Jesus Christ.

He taught all about Christ:

His character, His life, His death and resurrection,

His return to heaven,

Where He reigns,

And His coming Kingdom.

Teaching these truths to these people from God’s Word took a lot of guts.

By this point,

Paul has already experienced persecution from Jews for teaching this same message.

But he does not stop proclaiming that Christ is the Messiah.

No matter the affliction,

He continues to proclaim Christ.

Slide

Paul would later write about this moment in 1 Thess. 2:2,

1 Thessalonians 2:2 ESV

But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

We need to ask God for a similar boldness to speak the gospel faithfully in our day.

But Paul’s boldness was not aimless.

No, he was thoughtful and logical in the way he taught God’s Word.

Listen to some of the verbs describing his teaching in vs. 2-4:

Reasoned, explaining, proving, proclaim, and persuaded.

Paul teaches by reasoning from God’s Word.

He does not teach in some superficial or mythical way.

No, he teaches God’s Word using rational thought and logic.

So, we cannot be anti-intellectual when it comes to teaching God’s Word.

Yes, we continue to bathe everything in prayer,

But we also cannot neglect Paul’s approach here.

Paul helped people to really think about the Bible,

To consider what it means,

It’s implications,

And how it all points to Jesus.

So, when we go and make disciples,

When we teach God’s Word,

We do not leave our brain at home,

Nor do we ask those whom we are teaching to leave their brains at home.

We must be thoughtful and logical in the way we teach God’s Word.

The reality is,

It may take a long time for some people to be persuaded that God’s Word is true,

That it is applicable to them.

So, be patient,

Hear them out regarding their questions,

And answer them in love from the Bible.

That is the example Paul sets for us.

But not only is he an example when it comes to teaching.

He sets an example by the way he lives.

He teaches God’s Word with integrity.

He lived a godly lifestyle,

He worked hard,

And he would defend his lifestyle if need be,

Not to brag,

But to assure other disciples that he strived to live in conformity with God’s Word,

While also being a good citizen.

He was not a lawbreaker trying to defy Caesar’s decrees.

He was not a rebel,

He was not greedy for money.

No, he was a role model of obedience to God’s Word.

He demonstrated the instruction he taught to other disciples.

His life was an illustration of his teaching.

Likewise, we should always evaluate,

Not only that we are teaching God’s Word,

But that we are living God’s Word.

Both for our own good,

And for the good of others.

Slide

God used all these factors to make disciples of some of Paul’s audience here.

Vs. 4 says some Jews were persuaded,

Along with devout Greeks and some leading women.

Devout Greeks are Greeks who feared God,

And likely converted to Judaism at some point in their past.

The leading women seems to suggest they are leading women among the God-fearing Gentiles.

Being leading women suggests that they have prominent positions in society,

Kinda like Lydia, the purple-wool dealer from ch. 16.

This second missionary journey includes many references to women becoming believers.

So, all these people were essentially casting their lot in with Paul and Silas.

In other words, they joined the church!

What an encouragement this is to us.

God makes disciples through His Word.

So, we must trust in it’s power and teach it to others.

GOD: (vs.5-9)

Slide

While some Jews were persuaded by the teaching in Thessalonica.

Vs. 5-9 shows there was also Jealousy from Jews.

This is not the first time Jews were jealous of Christian growth.

This is basically the same thing that happened back in ch. 13 at Pisidian Antioch.

These devout Greeks who were persuaded were supposed to be following Jewish law,

Not Jesus.

So, the jealous Jews organize a resistance.

It says, they bring together wicked men of the rabble to form a mob,

And essentially start a riot.

Rabble implies these are basically unemployed people,

Who linger around the marketplace.

This phrase was used to describe people who were basically looked down upon as worthless in Roman societies.

One commentary refers to them as thugs.

They were easy assets for the jealous Jews in that moment.

In Romans 11, Paul teaches how God’s plan of salvation reached a climax in the Jews sinful rejection of Jesus.

Because of this,

The gospel has gone to the Gentiles.

Slide

Then Paul says in Romans 11:11,

Romans 11:11 ESV

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.

Part of the gospel going to the Gentiles,

Purposefully made Israel jealous.

And that jealousy is what Paul is experiencing here in Acts.

But even more than Paul here,

Slide

But Jason experiences their jealousy.

It says they storm his house,

Which is the gathering place for the new church here,

Looking for Paul and Silas.

This is how we are introduced to Jason.

All we know is that he is apparently a Thessalonian believer,

Who was hospitable.

Slide

After failing to find Paul and Silas,

Vs. 6 says they basically settle for Jason and some of the other believers,

Dragging them before the authorities.

Now, the Jews would know that Roman authorities are not going to be concerned with religious issues.

So, notice the three strategic charges they bring in order to get Roman attention.

First, they say,

“These men turned the world upside down.”

An accusation that may not make much sense without some historical context.

Around this time, Jewish nationalists had been causing riots throughout the Roman Empire.

So, ironically, the Jews here were hoping to cause the Romans to mistake Christians for the Jewish nationalists.

Other commentators are less sure that’s what this is referring to.

Suggesting that this is simply meant to exaggerate the trouble these Christians are causing,

As a preface to the following charges.

Slide

Which leads to the second charge, in vs. 7,

Specifically against Jason,

Saying he was harboring these trouble makers.

Which leads to the third and biggest accusation of all:

That these Christians were acting against the decrees of Caesar,

And promoting another King, Jesus.

Now this was a serious crime in the Roman Empire.

This is treason.

But despite the charge not being true,

The Jews did not care.

They twisted the truth to imply that following Jesus meant rebelling against Caesar.

Slide

There are four truths that they were able to distort.

First, Christianity exclusively worships God.

So, they could point out how Christians don’t sacrifice to the emperor.

Therefore, number two is that because Christians refer to Jesus as Lord,

They defy the emperor.

Third, the idea of pax Romana teaches that the emperor brings stability to the empire.

But the truth is, the Day of the Lord will come suddenly,

And the emperor would never be able to stop it.

So, the emperor does not bring stability, God does.

And fourth, The Day of the Lord also anticipates the end of the Roman Empire.

The Jews are well versed in this tactic,

Slide

They did the same thing to pressure Pilate into crucifying Jesus in John 19:12,

John 19:12 ESV

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”

So, the Jews once again distort the truth.

Ironically, charging Christians with turning the world upside down,

When they were actually working to set the world right.

God’s Word does demand allegiance to Christ over human leaders like Caesar.

But it does not demand Christians to revolt against human authorities.

Rather, King Jesus calls His followers to submit to and respect our human rulers,

Unless obedience to them means disobedience to Christ.

As Acts makes clear,

The accusations against the church here stems from jealousy.

Because as Gentiles were becoming Christians rather than Jews,

They were not able to refute Paul’s arguments.

So, they resorted to mob violence and distortion of the truth.

Slide

Vs. 8 says the officials in Thessalonica were disturbed when they heard the charges.

It made them uneasy,

Causing them to worry.

Perhaps they were aware of the events in Philippi,

Where the magistrates had to personally go to the prison and apologize,

Then escort the apostles out of prison.

So, they did not want the same embarrassing mistake to happen to them.

Therefore, they are thinking they can get ahead of it,

And in vs. 9, they release Jason from prison by charging bail.

It is possible that Jason’s release came with a stipulation,

That Paul and Silas had to leave the city.

It is also equally possible that the city was becoming increasingly hostile,

So, the apostles needed to leave for their own safety.

Either way,

Slide

The beginning of vs. 10 says, the disciples send Paul and Silas away at night.

Later we learn Timothy went with them as well.

Thessalonica turned out to be another rough place to visit.

Yet, the impact of the gospel here is clear.

In Paul’s letters to Thessalonica,

He writes about how their faith spread throughout other communities,

And how Gentiles in the city turned from their idols to serve the living and true God.

Paul would also write how he continuously prayed for the believers in Thessalonica,

And how he longed to see them.

Eventually, he sends Timothy back to encourage them.

Paul demonstrates a deep pastoral love for this church.

Slide

In his commentary, James Boice summarizes five results of Paul’s teaching in Thessalonica,

That can be observed from Paul’s letters.

1) The preaching was blessed by God.

2) The people received God’s Word eagerly.

3) The believers tried to model their Christian lives after Paul.

4) They became models themselves.

5) They became a missionary church.

So, although this is a very brief account,

It is a worthwhile one!

May God grant us similar fruitfulness as we make disciples,

Teaching them to obey everything Christ has commanded us.

YOU: (10-14)

Slide

But, as we see in vs. 10-14,

The Jealousy from Jews did not stop the apostles,

They just went on to make Believers in Berea.

From Thessalonica, the apostles traveled fifty miles to the city of Berea.

As short as the account in Thessalonica was,

The account in Berea is even shorter,

With the main highlight clearly being the Bereans devotion to God’s Word.

Now, when we, or other churches refer to ourselves as being Bereans,

Don’t be confused with Berean Bible Church nearby us,

It is a reference to this passage.

Because being a Berean is synonymous with being a diligent student of the Bible.

As usual, in vs. 10,

Instead of playing it safe,

The apostles start off in the synagogue once again,

Where they of course proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.

In vs. 1-9, Paul was an exemplary teacher for us.

Here, the Bereans are exemplary learners for us.

Slide

Vs. 11 says unlike the Jews in Thessalonica,

The Jews in Berea are more noble.

This is not necessarily saying they are noble in class,

Rather it is a broad description of their character.

So, these Jews were more upright,

More honorable,

Unlike the trouble making, jealous Jews in Thessalonica.

The Bereans gladly hear Paul and Silas out,

In fact, it says they received God’s Word with all eagerness,

Their hearts were open to biblical instruction,

They had a teachable spirit,

This is the first step when it comes to learning God’s Word:

Approaching His Word with humility,

As Psalm 119 repeatedly says,

“Teach me, oh God.”

Or as James 1:21 says,

“Humbly receive the implanted word.”

The Bereans were serious about learning.

They longed to learn God’s Word,

Slide

Similar to what Peter says in 1 Peter 2:2-3,

1 Peter 2:2–3 ESV

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

This is what you must long to feed on,

God’s Word.

Too many people are exchanging the milk and meat of God’s Word,

For the cotton candy and slushees of Sunday morning entertainment.

Where you prefer funny stories and catchy sayings,

Over the loving truths of God’s Word.

Slide

You need an appetite like the Bereans,

An appetite for God’s Word.

Because not only do the Bereans humbly approach God’s Word,

They use spiritual discernment.

They were not gullible.

They listened to Paul,

They heard him out,

But they did not just blindly receive his message.

They test Paul’s teachings about the Messiah against the Scriptures.

They went to the source of truth to know the truth.

You see, it is so easy to be drawn to a gifted or charismatic teacher.

But you will always fall short as disciple when you fail to weigh a message you hear against God’s Word.

It is the only way you will know if you are accepting a false gospel from a false teacher.

It is the only way you grow in Christlikeness,

By learning God’s Word.

That is the example the Bereans are setting for us here.

And they not only did this one day a week.

No, they were studying the Scriptures daily!

It is highly unlikely that this was a new practice for them.

They were likely familiar with God’s Word because this was their usual pattern.

So, when they heard Paul’s message,

A message with eternal ramifications,

They spend days holding up his teachings against God’s Word to see if they were true.

Slide

And what happened as a result?

Vs. 12 says, many believed!

Since ch. 2, the Spirit has been integral in people becoming believers.

So, even though it is not explicitly stated,

The implication is that the Spirit opened the eyes and hearts of the Bereans,

Through their study of God’s Word.

So, that they could learn God’s Word.

But notice, it was not just Jews who believed.

Once again, Acts says a number of high standing Greek men and women believed.

This is another example of the diverse appeal of the gospel.

The gospel takes root in the lowly outcasts,

It takes root in the high standing,

It takes root in Jews,

It takes root in Greeks,

It takes root in men,

And it takes root in women.

So, no matter who you are,

Or what your status is,

God’s Word is for you.

That being said,

Jesus did warn how difficult it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Not impossible for Him,

But extremely difficult.

The reason is because you struggle to see past your money and possession,

To acknowledge your need for God.

So, it is impossible for you to see this need on their own.

But it is not impossible for the Spirit to enlighten your eyes to see your need for God.

That is what happened to the high standing people at Berea here in Acts.

And as a result, a church in Berea is born.

This passage is such an encouragement to me as a pastor.

Because it reminds me that not everyone is changed when I teach.

But I can trust that the seed of God’s Word will bear fruit in the lives of those who the Spirit enlightens.

So, it can be a great encouragement to you when you teach God’s Word as well.

While vs. 12 shows the positive result of God’s Word being taught and learned.

Slide

Vs. 13, shows how opposition follows.

Berea was peaceful for only a short while,

Before that peace was disrupted by the Jews from Thessalonica,

Who show up in Berea after hearing that Paul was teaching God’s Word there.

They were unwilling to just sit by and let believers flourish in Berea.

They were intent on putting a stop to Paul.

So, they stir up the crowds into a mob just like they did in their city.

Continuing this trend of increased, sustained, and calculated opposition to the spread of the gospel.

Slide

But it seems in this case,

That Paul is the focal point of the persecution.

Because Paul splits from Silas and Timothy in vs. 14,

Going to the coast,

While Silas and Timothy stay in Berea to brave the impending opposition.

So, they can strengthen this new church.

Slide

Then, vs. 15 says that Paul eventually ends up setting sail to the intellectual and cultural hub of Athens,

Which was 195 miles from Berea.

Once Paul gets there,

He immediately sends word for Silas and Timothy to join him,

And Paul prepares to teach God’s Word in yet another city.

Paul writes in 1 Thess. 3 about his confidence in his prospects in Athens.

But once Silas and Timothy join him,

He quickly sends Timothy to Macedonia to check on the young churches that had just been planted there.

Once again, showing that while he goes and makes disciples,

He continues to emphasize ongoing discipleship and training.

This defines why we as a church both Go and make disciples,

But also Grow in Christ-likeness,

We grow as disciples.

Slide

WE: Conc.

Just as God’s Word is central to the narrative in both Thessalonica and Berea.

God’s Word is central in both going and growing.

We go and we teach God’s Word,

But we continue to grow and learn God’s Word.

The apostles were accused of turning the world upside down,

And in a sense, they did by turning the Word loose.

Today, we are far better off than the early church because we have God’s Word in its entirety.

The key is, we must trust in the authority and the sufficiency of the Bible.

Because the Bible is God’s Word.

Martin Luther once said,

“Unless I am convinced from Scripture, I cannot recant my teachings.”

This reflects the type of learners the Bereans were.

As disciples,

We need to continuously teach and continuously learn God’s Word.

So, keep teaching God’s Word with a Christ-centered perspective,

And keep learning God’s Word with a Christ-centered perspective.

And pray that God might use you to change Afton, and the ends of the earth for the glory of God.

Pray.

Slide

Lord’s Supper

This morning,

We are obeying Christ’s teaching through the ordinance called the Lord’s Supper.

On the night Jesus was betrayed,

He gathered together to have the Passover supper with His disciples.

During this supper, He instituted the Lord’s Supper,

By following His teaching with the command to do this in remembrance of Him.

So, as His disciples today,

We do this.

The ordinance itself is the teaching.

You will notice we have tables here in the front.

On the tables are small pieces of bread,

And small cups of juice.

In just a moment, we will begin playing music and the table will be open.

When it is,

Everyone who is a disciple of Jesus Christ is invited to come and take a piece of bread and a cup and then return to your seat.

If you are unable to come to the table,

We do have some people who will be bringing the bread and cup around.

Once you have the bread and the cup at your seat,

Take a time of quiet reflection to remember Christ’s death on your behalf.

Take a moment to pray to God,

Either by yourself or with your family.

Then in a few moments,

I will come back up and lead us in the teaching of the Lord’s Supper.

If you are not a disciple of Christ,

Before you are invited to the table,

You are first invited to trust in the grace of Jesus Christ.

Right now, if know in your heart that you are in fact a sinner,

Meaning you have not perfectly obeyed God in every way,

But you trust that Jesus Christ died for your sins,

And rose from the dead to give you new life.

Then confess that to God right now,

And come to the table to celebrate the new life Christ has purchased for you with His life.

On that note, the table is open.

The Apostle Paul teaches this lesson Jesus taught His disciples in 1 Cor. 11:24, where he says,

1 Corinthians 11:24 (ESV)

and when [Jesus Christ] had given thanks, he broke [the bread], and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

So, together, we eat.

Paul continues in 1 Cor. 11:25-26,

1 Corinthians 11:25–26 (ESV)

In the same way also [Jesus] 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.

So, together, we drink.

Would you stand as we close this morning singing together about this invitation.