[0:00] This morning's service is going to be a little different than our usual service. We are going to be coming to the Lord's table and observing that. We're not going to have a message like we usually do, a sermon per se, but we will be listening to the story of Jesus that relates to the Lord's table.
[0:19] So there'll be kind of singing interspersed with scripture reading. And so I invite you just to sing when the singing starts. Just join right in. Most of it you can remain seated.
[0:32] And for the parts where we'll stand, I'll let you know when that is. On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?
[0:50] So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters.
[1:03] The teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.
[1:16] The disciples left, went into the city, and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the twelve.
[1:29] While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, Truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.
[1:42] They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, Surely you don't mean me. It is one of the twelve, he replied. One who dips bread into the bowl with me.
[1:56] The Son of Man will go, just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man. It would be better for him if he had not been born.
[2:08] While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take it. This is my body.
[2:22] Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many, he said to them.
[2:35] Truly, I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
[2:54] Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures.
[3:05] here below. Praise him above ye heavenly host.
[3:17] Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
[3:31] Praise him above ye heavenly host.
[3:47] Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
[4:01] You will all fall away, Jesus told them. For it is written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.
[4:12] But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee. Peter declared, Even if all fall away, I will not. Truly, I tell you, Jesus answered, Today, yes, tonight, before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will disown me three times.
[4:37] But Peter insisted emphatically, Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you. And all the others said the same. They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, Sit here while I pray.
[4:55] He took Peter, James, and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow.
[5:07] To the point of death, he said to them, Stay here and keep watch. Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible, the hour might pass from him.
[5:24] Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me, yet not what I will, but what you will.
[5:39] Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. Simon, he said to Peter, are you asleep? Couldn't you keep watch for one hour?
[5:51] Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Once more, he went away and prayed the same thing.
[6:04] When he came back, he again found them sleeping because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting?
[6:19] Enough! The hour has come. Look! The Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go. Here comes my betrayer.
[6:31] Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.
[6:46] Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them. The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him and lead him away under guard. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, Rabbi!
[7:01] And kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
[7:17] Am I leading a rebellion, said Jesus, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me.
[7:31] But the scriptures must be fulfilled. Then everyone deserted him and fled. man of sorrows, lamb of God, by his own betrayed.
[7:54] The sin of man and wrath of God has been on Jesus' grave.
[8:08] Silent as he stirred, accused, beaten, mocked, and scored.
[8:22] Bowing to the Father's will, He took a crown of thorns.
[8:36] Oh, that rugged cross, my salvation, where your love poured out over me.
[8:50] Now my soul cries out, hallelujah, praise and honor unto thee.
[9:05] Very early in the morning, the chief priests with the elders, the teachers of the law, and the whole Sanhedrin made their plans.
[9:18] So they bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Are you the king of the Jews? asked Pilate. You have said so, Jesus replied.
[9:32] The chief priests accused him of many things. So again, Pilate asked him, aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of. But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
[9:48] Now, it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.
[10:01] The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? asked Pilate, knowing that it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.
[10:17] But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. What shall I do then with the one you call the king of the Jews?
[10:28] Pilate asked them. Crucify him! They shouted. Why? What crime has he committed? asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder.
[10:40] Crucify him! Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.
[10:54] The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace that is the praetorium and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.
[11:10] And they began to call out to him, Hail! King of the Jews! Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him.
[11:24] Falling on their knees they paid homage to him and when they had mocked him they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
[11:35] A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus was passing by on his way in from the country and they forced him to carry the cross.
[11:49] They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha which means the place of the skull. Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh but he did not take it and they crucified him.
[12:05] Dividing up his clothes they cast lots to see what each would get. It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.
[12:17] The written notice of the charge against him read The King of the Jews! They crucified two rebels with him one on his right and one on his left.
[12:29] Those who passed by hurled insults at him shaking their heads and saying So you who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days come down from the cross and save yourself.
[12:44] In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. He saved others they said but he can't save himself.
[12:56] Let this Messiah this King of Israel come down now from the cross that we may see and believe. those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
[13:09] were you there when they crucified my Lord were you there when they crucified my Lord oh sometimes it causes me to tremble tremble tremble tremble were you there when they crucified my Lord were you there were you there when they nailed him to the tree were you there when they nailed him to the tree oh oh sometimes it causes me to tremble tremble tremble tremble were you there when they nailed him to the tree at noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon and at three in the afternoon
[14:53] Jesus cried out in a loud voice Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani which means my God my God why have you forsaken me when some of those standing near heard this they said listen he's calling Elijah someone ran filled a sponge with wine vinegar put it on his staff and offered it to Jesus to drink now leave him alone let's see if Elijah comes to take him down he said with a loud cry Jesus breathed his last the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom and when the centurion who stood there in front of Jesus saw how he died he said surely this man was the son of God sent of heaven
[16:06] God's own son to purchase and redeem and reconcile style that o hè Where your love poured out over me.
[16:47] Now my soul cries out, Hallelujah. Hallelujah, praise and honor unto thee.
[17:01] Now my debt is paid. It is paid in full. By the precious blood that my Jesus spilled.
[17:17] Now the curse of sin has no hold on me. Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed.
[17:32] Now my debt is paid. It is paid in full. By the precious blood that my Jesus spilled.
[17:46] Now the curse of sin has no hold on me. Whom the Son sets free, O is free indeed.
[18:01] Oh, that rugged cross my salvation. Where your love poured out over me.
[18:16] Now my soul cries out, Hallelujah. Praise and honor unto thee.
[18:31] Praise and honor unto thee. Please stand.
[18:42] Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, the younger, and of Joseph and Salome.
[18:55] In Galilee, these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. It was preparation day.
[19:06] It was preparation day. That is the day before the Sabbath. So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, prominent member of the council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.
[19:21] Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph.
[19:34] So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock.
[19:46] Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joseph, saw where he was laid.
[19:59] Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
[20:13] Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
[20:29] Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Oh, sometimes it's all that was now. Oh, sometimes it's all that was now. Oh, sometimes it's all that was now.
[20:39] Oh, sometimes it's all that was now. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord.
[21:01] Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt. Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled Grace, grace, God's grace Grace that will pardon and cleanse within Grace, grace, God's grace Grace that is greater than all our sin Sin and despair like the sea waves cold Threaten the soul with infinite loss Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold Points to the refuge, the mighty cross Grace, grace, God's grace
[22:05] Grace that will pardon and cleanse within Grace, grace, God's grace Grace that is greater than all our sin Dark is the stain that we cannot hide What can avail to wash it away Look, there is flowing a crimson tide Brighter than snow you may be today Grace, grace, God's grace Grace, grace, God's grace Grace that will pardon and cleanse within Grace, grace, God's grace Grace that is greater than all our sin Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace
[23:09] Grace, grace, grace Freely bestowed on all who believe You that are longing to see His face Will you this moment His grace receive Grace, grace, God's grace Grace, grace, grace Grace that will pardon and cleanse within Grace, grace, God's grace Grace, grace, grace Grace that is greater than all our sin Grace that is greater than all our sin Grace that is greater than all our sin You may be seated.
[24:05] Well, you've just heard, again, the story behind this table The story of Jesus That story is precious to us It tells us of the love that God has for us Jesus explained that night that He was betrayed When He was gathered around the table with His disciples The meaning of all of this He told them as He shared the cup around with them That that cup represented His blood Which is about to be poured out for them Why?
[24:47] For the forgiveness of sins Do you know that you are a sinner? That you have broken God's holy law And done things that in His sight are wicked Are wrong God is just And He can't just let us get away with that He can't just let us off the hook Just because Something had to be done So that we could be forgiven in a way that was right In a way that was just And that something Was to send His Son, Jesus, into the world Into the world And for Him to die In our place On the cross An amazing sacrifice And gift of love And as we just sang A gracious gift
[25:50] For all who will believe It's not something we could earn It's not something we could ever deserve But because God is kind And merciful And loving He sent Jesus To do that for us Do you know that?
[26:13] Does your heart know that? Have you made that decision? To do what Jesus called all people to do To repent To turn to God And acknowledge That you have blown it That you have done wrong by Him And to seek His forgiveness And have you put your faith and your trust in Jesus The one that God sent to save To save It's the most important decision That you could ever make in your life As I said at the beginning of the service There is a day coming when Jesus returns And He will be the King Of the Kingdom of God Will you be ready for that day?
[27:01] Will you have a way to be off the hook? That the way that God has provided For all the things that you have done Jesus is the only way And that's what we celebrate And mark once a month When we come to this table And so if you are trusting in that And your hope is in that And you are someone who believes in Jesus And belongs to Him Then I invite you to participate with us To take of the cup and the bread In just a moment Charles is going to come up And he's going to pass them out And if that's you You believe that Then please take And eat and drink with us We'll wait until everybody has been served And then at the end We'll eat and drink together in unison But before we do that I just want to give us a couple minutes Of quiet reflection A couple moments for you To think about Where you are at with God right now How's your relationship with Him going?
[28:05] Where do you stand before God? Where do you stand before God? Thank you.
[28:39] Thank you.
[29:09] Thank you.
[29:39] Thank you.
[30:09] Thank you.
[30:39] Thank you.
[31:09] Thank you.
[31:21] I invite you to stand as we sing to the Lord. Thank you.
[32:21] Amen.
[32:53] You're the name above all names.
[33:29] All our hope is in you.
[34:06] All our hope is in you. All the glory to God.
[34:18] The light of the world. Jesus, Jesus, name above all names.
[34:30] Name above all names. Our blessed Redeemer, our blessed Redeemer, the rescue for sinners.
[34:42] The rescue for sinners, the ransom from heaven. The ransom from heaven.
[34:56] Jesus, Jesus, Lord of all. Jesus, Lord of all.
[35:08] Jesus, Lord of all. You may be seated.
[35:19] You may be seated. When the Sabbath was in you. When the Sabbath was over.
[35:31] Jesus, Jesus, Lord of all things. And Salome bought spices. And Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the day, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb.
[35:43] And they asked each other, Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb? But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.
[35:56] As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side. the right side and they were alarmed. Don't be alarmed, he said. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen. He is not here. See the place where they laid him, but go. Tell his disciples and Peter. He is going ahead of you into Galilee.
[36:26] There you will see him just as he told you. I'll invite you to stand again. Amen. He arose with a mighty triumph for his foes. He arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever with his saints to reign. He arose, he arose. Hallelujah. Christ arose.
[37:26] He arose. Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior. Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord.
[37:48] Up from the grave he arose. With a mighty triumph for his foes. He arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever with his saints to reign. He arose, he arose. Hallelujah. Christ arose.
[38:15] Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus my Savior. He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord.
[38:34] Up from the grave he arose. He arose. He arose. He arose. He arose. Hallelujah. Christ arose. One more time.
[39:03] He arose. He arose. He arose. Hallelujah. Christ arose. I heard an old, old story. How a Savior came from glory. How he gave his life on Calvary.
[39:30] To save a wretch like me. How he gave his life on Calvary. How he gave his life on Calvary. To save a wretch like me. I heard about his groaning. Of his precious blood's atoning.
[39:43] Then I repented of my sins and won the victory. Oh, victory in Jesus my Savior.
[39:59] He was a Savior forever. He sought me and bought me with his redeeming blood.
[40:11] He loved me ere I knew him. And all my love is due him. He plunged me to victory.
[40:25] Beneath the cleansing blood. Beneath the cleansing blood. Beneath the cleansing blood. Beneath the cleansing blood. I heard about his healing. Of his cleansing power revealing.
[40:41] How he made the lane to walk again. And caused the blind to see. And then I cried, Dear Jesus, Come and heal my broken spirit.
[40:59] And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory. Oh, victory in Jesus my Savior forever.
[41:17] He sought me and bought me with his redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew him. And all my love is due him. He plunged me to victory. Beneath the cleansing flood.
[41:44] Beneath the cleansing flood. I heard about a mansion he has built for me in glory. And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea.
[42:03] Beneath the cleansing blood. Beneath the cleansing blood. And the old redemption story. And some sweet day I'll sing up there that song of victory. Oh, victory in Jesus my Savior forever.
[42:31] Beneath the cleansing blood. He sought me and bought me with his redeeming blood. He sought me and bought me with his redeeming blood.
[42:41] He loved me ere I knew him. And all my love is due him. He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.
[42:58] He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood. Hallelujah. Amen. Lord Jesus, we thank you so much for your great love for us and that through you, we, undeserving as we are, can have victory, can have life, can have a relationship with you, the God who created the world and everything in it.
[43:25] We love you so much and we thank you for all you've done for us. We pray and ask that you would go with us from here today and this week and that you would put this message and this hope and this life on our lips that we would be able to share it with our neighbors, friends, coworkers, people we bump into.
[43:46] Bless us all and go with us. We ask this in your name, Jesus. Amen. You may be seated.