WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.859 Amen. Thank you, Treg. 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:17.640 Some of you are like me and that you love a clear, well-laid-out plan, 00:00:17.780 --> 00:00:20.920 and so if that is you this morning, I would like to apologize. 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:26.339 I'm sorry for throwing you off this morning, but I do hope that it will be worth it 00:00:26.339 --> 00:00:30.579 because what we're doing this morning is we're going to take communion together. 00:00:31.539 --> 00:00:35.359 And as Treg and I talked about this, what we're doing when we take communion 00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:40.799 is so significant and so important and so weighty 00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:47.019 that we felt like it would be necessary for us to take a one-week detour away from the Gospel of John 00:00:47.019 --> 00:00:52.600 just for one week and just to really focus in and dive in on what in the world are we doing 00:00:52.600 --> 00:00:58.539 when we take communion together. We want you to understand what we're doing, 00:00:58.579 --> 00:01:03.600 not just to do it, but to really understand what we're doing when we take communion. 00:01:03.840 --> 00:01:09.120 So if you would, please open up your Bibles this morning to 1 Corinthians 11. 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:16.840 1 Corinthians 11, and we're going to look at verses 17 through 34 this morning. 00:01:16.840 --> 00:01:21.520 If you're using the pew Bibles there in front of you, that's going to be on page 901 00:01:21.520 --> 00:01:23.840 of the pew Bibles there in front of you. 00:01:23.880 --> 00:01:29.500 But I do encourage you to have a Bible open, 1 Corinthians 11, verses 17 through 34, 00:01:29.740 --> 00:01:31.240 and follow with me as I read. 00:01:35.960 --> 00:01:39.580 But in the following instructions, I do not commend you, 00:01:40.060 --> 00:01:44.020 because when you come together, it is not for the better, but for the worse. 00:01:44.019 --> 00:01:49.959 For in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, 00:01:50.039 --> 00:01:53.799 and I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you, 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:57.060 in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:02.019 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper that you eat. 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:06.099 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. 00:02:06.519 --> 00:02:08.699 One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:09.659 What? 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:12.520 Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? 00:02:13.139 --> 00:02:17.280 Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? 00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:19.620 What shall I say to you? 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:21.079 Shall I commend you in this? 00:02:21.300 --> 00:02:22.819 No, I will not. 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:27.340 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, 00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:31.539 that the Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:34.560 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:37.060 This is my body which is for you. 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:39.719 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:02:40.699 --> 00:02:43.920 In the same way also he took the cup after supper, saying, 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:46.840 This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:50.980 Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. 00:02:51.659 --> 00:02:55.340 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, 00:02:55.699 --> 00:02:59.199 you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 00:02:59.199 --> 00:03:05.359 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner 00:03:05.359 --> 00:03:09.099 will be guilty concerning the body and the blood of the Lord. 00:03:10.119 --> 00:03:15.299 Let a person examine himself then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 00:03:15.399 --> 00:03:19.639 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body 00:03:19.639 --> 00:03:22.579 eats and drinks judgment on himself. 00:03:22.580 --> 00:03:28.560 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 00:03:29.480 --> 00:03:33.080 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 00:03:33.820 --> 00:03:36.620 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, 00:03:37.020 --> 00:03:39.640 so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 00:03:40.700 --> 00:03:44.420 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 00:03:44.540 --> 00:03:46.560 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, 00:03:47.040 --> 00:03:50.540 so that when you come together, it will not be for judgment. 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:55.079 About the other things, I will give directions when I come. 00:03:55.679 --> 00:03:56.620 Let's bow and pray. 00:03:59.699 --> 00:04:03.019 Father God, what a gift you've given us in communion. 00:04:03.680 --> 00:04:09.159 And we pray now as we open up and we read and we look to you in these words, 00:04:09.259 --> 00:04:12.500 Father, would you deepen our understanding of what we are about to do, 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:14.340 what you've done for us. 00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:16.319 We pray this in Christ's name. 00:04:17.219 --> 00:04:17.539 Amen. 00:04:17.539 --> 00:04:17.719 Amen. 00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:29.800 Sunday, March 19th at 4 p.m., we will gather here and we will eat chili. 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:32.800 I'm looking forward to this. 00:04:32.900 --> 00:04:37.800 I like chili, but even more than that, I enjoy just gathering with my brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:04:37.900 --> 00:04:40.140 especially over a good meal. 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:44.420 But I'd like for you just to imagine a scenario with me for a moment. 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:49.140 Imagine that you show up on March 19th, 4 p.m. 00:04:49.140 --> 00:04:51.400 You've been waiting for weeks for this. 00:04:51.460 --> 00:04:52.540 You've been talking it up. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:57.420 You've been having dreams about chili in your sleep, just thinking about it. 00:04:57.520 --> 00:05:01.400 Your mouth is watering as you drive to the church. 00:05:01.520 --> 00:05:07.400 But when you arrive, to your dismay, all the food is gone. 00:05:07.399 --> 00:05:11.979 You don't know how they did it. 00:05:12.679 --> 00:05:17.099 Some other members who will not be named showed up before you, 00:05:17.239 --> 00:05:21.599 and they somehow managed to eat up all of the appetizers, 00:05:22.259 --> 00:05:27.539 to eat all of the chili, to go work their way through all of the dessert. 00:05:27.659 --> 00:05:32.199 They even ate all the crackers, the cheese, the sour cream, the Fritos. 00:05:32.199 --> 00:05:36.779 And now, you're mad, of course, because you were hungry, 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:40.680 and you were looking forward to this, and you didn't get to enjoy any of it. 00:05:40.740 --> 00:05:42.180 But that's part of it. 00:05:42.219 --> 00:05:43.439 You're also disappointed. 00:05:43.620 --> 00:05:50.639 You're hurt because what was supposed to be a unifying, joyful, even worshipful experience 00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:55.360 was now ruined by someone else's selfishness. 00:05:55.459 --> 00:05:58.259 Now, that example is ridiculous. 00:05:59.560 --> 00:06:01.659 See, we never run out of food, right? 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:08.159 But this imaginary example is similar, at least, 00:06:08.279 --> 00:06:12.680 to the scenario that we find ourselves in in 1 Corinthians 11. 00:06:13.120 --> 00:06:17.899 Although only it's not a chili cook-off that's being ruined by someone's selfishness, 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:20.339 it was the Lord's Supper. 00:06:21.079 --> 00:06:26.060 In these verses, chapter 11, Paul is showing us, 00:06:26.099 --> 00:06:29.800 he's addressing an abuse of the Lord's Supper. 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:34.639 He says that some there in Corinth, your own brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:06:35.340 --> 00:06:39.900 showed up before you and fed themselves at your expense. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:45.560 They left fed and happy and left no consideration for others, 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:48.259 and you showed up and you were hungry. 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:51.759 So he says in verse 20, look there with me, chapter 11, verse 20. 00:06:53.079 --> 00:06:53.379 He says, 00:06:53.379 --> 00:07:07.579 See, some individuals here in Corinth, 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:12.000 they were taking this sacred meal of bread and wine, 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:14.740 and they were treating it as ordinary. 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:20.000 The issue here in Corinth, what we're studying about this morning, 00:07:20.099 --> 00:07:27.000 the issue was that they have lost sight of the value of this meal. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:33.800 And of course, while we may not profane the Lord's table in that exact way, 00:07:33.899 --> 00:07:34.959 at least I hope not, 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:40.480 I wonder how many of us, without even realizing it, 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:43.420 treat this meal as ordinary. 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:48.699 I wonder how many of us come, we take the Lord's Supper, 00:07:48.839 --> 00:07:52.100 we know that it's good, we know Jesus commanded us to do this, 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:58.000 but we don't really understand fully what exactly we're doing 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:01.939 when we eat this bread and drink this cup. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:05.560 Are we aware of all that it means? 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:10.760 I'm convinced that the Lord's Supper, communion, 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:17.580 is one of the most precious graces that Jesus Christ has given to his church, 00:08:17.579 --> 00:08:24.719 but I'm also convinced that far too many of us undervalue or misunderstand this meal. 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:28.859 So, this morning what we're going to do is we're going to let Paul remind us 00:08:28.859 --> 00:08:30.479 what communion is for. 00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:32.879 If someone were to ask you, 00:08:33.299 --> 00:08:34.480 what do we do this for? 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:37.759 I want to give you some answers to that question. 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:41.439 So this morning we're going to see seven ways you could answer them. 00:08:41.500 --> 00:08:42.500 Did he just say seven? 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:43.740 Yes, I did. 00:08:43.819 --> 00:08:44.879 So we're going to move quickly. 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:46.779 Seven answers to the question, 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:49.000 what is communion for? 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:50.580 This is going to be our outline this morning. 00:08:50.700 --> 00:08:51.720 If you're taking notes, 00:08:51.899 --> 00:08:53.580 seven answers to the question, 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:56.360 what is communion for? 00:08:56.559 --> 00:09:00.840 First, communion is for uniting. 00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:05.779 Communion is for uniting. 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:08.460 You all know this, 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:11.519 the enemy hates spiritual unity. 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:15.639 Jesus Christ purchased unity for his bride, 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:17.220 for the church on the cross. 00:09:17.340 --> 00:09:18.559 The enemy hates it. 00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:19.699 He wants to divide. 00:09:19.939 --> 00:09:24.460 So Paul is addressing some division in the church here at Corinth. 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:26.379 So he says in verse 18 again, 00:09:27.079 --> 00:09:28.559 when you come together as a church, 00:09:28.659 --> 00:09:31.519 I hear that there are some divisions among you. 00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:33.019 It doesn't sit well with Paul. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:34.779 He wants to address that. 00:09:34.779 --> 00:09:41.279 And this division is illustrated in how they are approaching and how they are taking the Lord's supper. 00:09:41.419 --> 00:09:43.699 Some go on eating and drinking themselves full, 00:09:43.899 --> 00:09:46.419 while others in the body go without. 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:52.699 They are not protecting and guarding the unity that they've been given in Christ. 00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:53.980 And so Paul corrects them. 00:09:54.439 --> 00:09:55.079 Verse 22. 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:56.120 He says, 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:56.560 What? 00:09:57.340 --> 00:10:00.259 Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:07.000 Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:11.700 He's so upset because the church, again, 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:18.159 is meant to be a spiritually united body in Jesus Christ. 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:19.940 That's what he talks about in the next chapter. 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:21.700 1 Corinthians chapter 12. 00:10:21.700 --> 00:10:25.160 We are many members of one body. 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:30.980 And one place where we see that spiritual unity visibly, 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:34.840 clearly is at the communion table. 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:43.759 Communion is one place where our invisible unity becomes visible. 00:10:44.940 --> 00:10:49.940 Look back with me one chapter to 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 17. 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:53.060 As Paul says it like this, he says, 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:58.700 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body. 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:02.800 For we all partake of one bread. 00:11:02.880 --> 00:11:03.480 Do you see that? 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:07.180 How he connects, Paul is connecting, he's linking communion, 00:11:07.460 --> 00:11:11.380 the one bread, with our unity together in Christ. 00:11:12.560 --> 00:11:16.200 When each of us individually comes to this one table, 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:20.540 and we each individually come and we partake of one bread, 00:11:20.540 --> 00:11:24.840 we are declaring that we have been made one, 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:28.259 both vertically, individually, vertically with God. 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:30.620 But not only that, horizontally, 00:11:31.140 --> 00:11:34.560 we have been made one with one another. 00:11:35.060 --> 00:11:38.100 We're declaring that we are one flesh, 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:41.840 one body with all those who share this meal with us. 00:11:41.920 --> 00:11:44.240 Communion is for uniting. 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:47.980 So, very quickly, my question here then becomes, 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:50.879 Well, who should share this meal with us? 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:53.159 Who should take communion? 00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:54.600 And when and where? 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:56.240 And so here's my very brief answer. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:12:01.259 Communion is a family meal for the gathered church. 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:07.379 Communion is a family meal for the gathered church. 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:16.480 And this is, I know, one area where I know this just bucks right up against our tendency towards Christian individualism. 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:18.500 But that's exactly the point, isn't it? 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:25.200 Now, communion is not just for me, not just for you individually. 00:12:26.299 --> 00:12:32.960 It's not even just for your family or for a small group, for a men's group, for a Sunday school class. 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:40.720 No, communion is meant for the gathered church, the gathered body of Christ. 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:46.060 Meaning, all those who have received Christ, that's vertical unity, 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:53.420 but also who have been baptized and brought into membership of a local church family. 00:12:53.560 --> 00:12:55.780 That is horizontal unity. 00:12:55.779 --> 00:13:02.959 Look back at our passage and tell me, see how many times he says here in this passage, 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.659 When you come together. 00:13:05.459 --> 00:13:07.360 Meaning the whole Corinthian church. 00:13:07.459 --> 00:13:08.600 When you come together. 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:10.059 He says it five times. 00:13:10.839 --> 00:13:11.600 Verse 17. 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:15.600 When you come together, it is not for the better, but for the worse. 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:16.360 Verse 18. 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:20.779 For when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you. 00:13:20.839 --> 00:13:21.360 Verse 20. 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:24.959 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper that you eat. 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:25.720 Verse 33. 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:30.639 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:31.440 Verse 34. 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:38.360 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that when you come together, it will not be for judgment. 00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:39.139 Do you see that? 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:49.980 When we come together as a church, communion is given to the church to be taken when the local church comes together. 00:13:49.980 --> 00:14:00.100 So that whatever divisions there may be, whatever tension there may be with our brothers and sisters horizontally, 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:08.759 when we come to this one table and share from one bread, we're reminded of our spiritual unity in Christ. 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:12.379 Second, communion is for remembering. 00:14:13.680 --> 00:14:15.360 Communion is for remembering. 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:19.200 Look with me to verse 23. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:22.120 Paul says, 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:43.480 This is probably, I think, the one aspect that we're most familiar with. 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:46.379 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:56.500 God knew I needed to live in an age of smartphone reminders, calendar notifications, birthdays, milestones, anniversaries, whatever it is, appointments. 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:59.980 I just plug it into the calendar once, and then I'm good to go. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:00.920 I'm forgetful. 00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:03.320 I don't think I'm alone in that. 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:05.560 We are a forgetful people. 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:10.919 We're forgetful about small things, and sometimes we are forgetful about big things. 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:15.599 We need to be reminded even of the gospel. 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:27.019 Communion is one way that God has built in a regular reminder of the gospel to the church's life together. 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:32.120 You think in the Old Testament, the Jewish people, they had the Passover meal. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.120 What did that signify? 00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:38.220 The Jews ate the Passover meal as a reminder of their deliverance from slavery, 00:15:38.819 --> 00:15:47.199 of their protection from the wrath of God on all those who were not marked off by the blood of the Lamb. 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:56.780 Now in communion, Jesus takes this Passover meal and he reinterprets it in light of himself as a reminder for us 00:15:56.780 --> 00:16:03.960 of the ultimate deliverance from slavery to sin and the ultimate rescue from the wrath of God 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:07.740 by the true blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. 00:16:08.780 --> 00:16:13.080 So when we take this bread and this juice together here in just a moment, 00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:21.860 we're going to be reminded visibly and tangibly of the sacrifice that Christ made for us. 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:32.360 Just as in baptism, we see and are reminded of God's power to save as they are buried with him in baptism 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:35.000 and raised to walk in newness of life, 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:43.759 so in communion, we see and are reminded of the broken body and the shed blood of Christ. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.580 You can't miss it. 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:48.860 You literally taste this lesson in your mouth. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:52.000 Jesus Christ came to save sinners. 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:56.100 The Son of God gave his life for you. 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:58.919 His body was broken for you. 00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:01.500 His blood was shed for you. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:03.759 You taste it and you remember. 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:09.099 To Christians, we never move on from the gospel. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.460 This is the only way that we grow. 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:14.980 It's by beholding the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:17.539 It's by fixing our minds on him. 00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:26.319 It's by feasting on Christ by faith, by remembering the gospel so that we grow and we live in light of the gospel. 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:36.679 So as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we're reminded of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:41.399 Third, communion is for participating. 00:17:43.179 --> 00:17:45.960 Communion is for participating. 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:54.259 Now, there are some historically who have reduced communion to only being a reminder. 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:56.240 And that's all that it is. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:59.640 It's simply just a memorial of what Christ has done. 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:08.119 I hope what we're seeing is that it is certainly not less than that, but it is definitely much more than just a reminder. 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:15.019 But what are the spiritual, nutritional benefits of this meal? 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:26.240 In other words, does taking communion actually do you any good outside of just getting a good reminder of what Christ has done for you on the cross? 00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:27.819 Well, yes and no. 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:37.400 On the one hand, if you take communion like the Corinthians did, then there's no spiritual benefit for you at all. 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:40.140 What did Paul say? 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:46.440 These believers here in Corinth were not benefiting in any way from taking communion. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:49.700 Paul says it's not even the Lord's Supper that you eat. 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:52.259 Same bread, same wine. 00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:54.940 In one case, it is the Lord's Supper. 00:18:55.080 --> 00:18:58.259 In the Corinthian case, it is not the Lord's Supper. 00:18:58.380 --> 00:19:00.360 So what is the difference? 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:10.879 What is it that takes these ordinary elements and injects them with spiritual nutrition so that they're a source of growth for the believer? 00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:14.119 The difference, I believe, is faith. 00:19:15.639 --> 00:19:17.979 The difference is faith. 00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:27.439 These elements by themselves, bread and juice, they carry no intrinsic spiritual value at all. 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:32.759 We buy these at Walmart, I think, maybe online, store them on a shelf. 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:36.580 They're not in and of themselves special. 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:39.240 They're ordinary. 00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:43.039 They're powerless for you. 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:55.320 But when received by faith in what they represent, they become extraordinary and precious to the believer. 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:59.059 Look back again to what he said in chapter 10, verse 16. 00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:01.480 Chapter 10, verse 16. 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.220 He says, 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:05.419 The cup of blessing that we bless. 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:08.359 This ordinary cup filled with ordinary wine. 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:10.480 This cup of blessing that we bless. 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:14.019 Is it not participation in the blood of Christ? 00:20:15.179 --> 00:20:16.539 The bread that we break. 00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:19.399 Ordinary bread bought at the market, placed on the table. 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:26.400 But that bread, he says, is it not participation, fellowship in the body of Christ? 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:27.280 How? 00:20:28.780 --> 00:20:37.900 Because when received by faith in the promises of God, faith in what the juice and what the bread represent, faith in the Savior, 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:44.080 we are fed spiritually much more than we are fed physically. 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:46.879 Let me give you an illustration. 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:51.419 Hopefully, this will help clear that up without being too silly. 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:54.359 Faith is kind of like a straw. 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:59.879 The elements, bread and wine, are the cup. 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:03.839 And the gospel is a big, nutritious smoothie. 00:21:04.679 --> 00:21:04.839 Okay? 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.639 Follow with me. 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:08.879 The smoothie is what you want, right? 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:10.460 That's where the nutrition is. 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.839 That's where the benefits are. 00:21:11.939 --> 00:21:12.819 That's what we need. 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:16.559 The cup, the cup is not really special in and of itself. 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:19.099 It just packages up the smoothie. 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:26.259 It houses it and it delivers it to us in a way that can be handled and held. 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:29.579 That is what communion does. 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:38.460 It delivers the gospel to us in a way that can be handled and seen and received. 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:45.120 But if the straw is just touching the cup, you don't get any of the smoothie. 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:54.000 The straw has to actually make contact with the smoothie or the smoothie is of no value to you at all. 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:54.900 Are you following with me? 00:21:54.900 --> 00:22:05.080 We must partake of these elements by faith so that what we're actually doing is not just feasting on a cracker and some juice. 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:12.560 What we're actually doing by faith is feasting on all the glorious benefits of what Christ has done in the gospel. 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:15.839 Bobby Jameson, he says it like this. 00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:16.200 He says, 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:45.819 What a gift that is for the church. 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:47.819 Fourth. 00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:50.099 Fourth. 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:52.579 Communion is for renewing. 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:55.119 Look with me to verse 25. 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:56.599 Chapter 11, verse 25. 00:22:57.659 --> 00:22:57.939 It says, 00:22:57.940 --> 00:23:00.820 When Jesus took the cup after supper, he said, 00:23:00.820 --> 00:23:05.120 This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:10.120 This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:17.960 I love that in God's providence just last week we talked about Jesus being the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:23:18.100 --> 00:23:19.380 That's John's proclamation. 00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:21.120 Behold the Lamb of God. 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:27.519 And what we saw was that in the old covenant, almost everything was purified by blood. 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:32.259 The blood of lambs, the blood of goats, the blood of bulls. 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:35.379 They were shed for the temporary covering for sin. 00:23:35.459 --> 00:23:36.219 But it was temporary. 00:23:37.159 --> 00:23:38.239 And it was fading. 00:23:38.439 --> 00:23:39.479 And it was external. 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:44.120 But here, Jesus says in Matthew 26, 28. 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:44.640 He says, 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:51.660 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:53.500 What Jesus is saying when he says, 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:57.799 This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:23:57.799 --> 00:24:06.940 He's bringing to fulfillment hundreds of years of waiting and longing for the promises of God to come to pass. 00:24:08.419 --> 00:24:14.500 This substitutionary sacrifice who takes away the sin of the world. 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:18.259 His blood ushers forth the new covenant. 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:26.200 The promise that God's made to be our God and us to be his people by wiping away our sin. 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:30.660 Not just externally, but completely, internally, totally. 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:37.740 Restoring us from the inside out so that we love him and we desire to delight in him. 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:39.700 We desire to obey him. 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:41.400 We want him to be our God. 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:43.579 We want to be his people. 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:50.699 But when we say this meal is for renewing, what do we mean? 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:59.500 What I mean is that this meal is a covenant renewal between us and God. 00:24:59.659 --> 00:25:01.879 Between God and his people. 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:04.559 It is a reaffirmation. 00:25:05.679 --> 00:25:10.759 A renewal of promises that have been made in the new covenant. 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:19.180 In communion, God is reaffirming to us his commitment to be our God through the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:27.940 And by coming and drinking of this cup, we are reaffirming our commitment to him to be his people. 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:33.779 To love him and to serve him with all our heart, all our mind, all our soul, all our strength. 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:41.039 It is a regular mutual reaffirmation of the promises made in the new covenant. 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:43.160 I'll give you another example. 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:51.539 If you are married, then you are married whether or not you ever take your wife on a date. 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:55.539 That covenant commitment is there. 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:57.119 The vows have been made. 00:25:57.119 --> 00:26:03.779 But when you do get a chance to pull away from the busyness of life and actually spend some time with your spouse, 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:13.359 you are reminded again of all of the good benefits, all of the good blessing, all of the relational intimacy of marriage. 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:17.119 Your love is rekindled and your commitment is strengthened. 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:22.339 And you leave, I hope, renewed in your commitments to one another. 00:26:23.659 --> 00:26:27.279 Only communion is more formal even than this. 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:30.459 It is covenant vow renewal. 00:26:30.739 --> 00:26:36.819 He offers himself fully to us and we offer ourselves fully to him. 00:26:36.939 --> 00:26:39.239 He commits again to be our God. 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:42.139 We commit again to be his people. 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:50.460 So in a sense, communion doesn't give us anything that we don't already have as Christians. 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:58.160 But it deepens our intimacy with God as we're reminded again of his faithfulness to us 00:26:58.160 --> 00:27:07.400 and we have the opportunity again to pledge ourselves to him over and over and over and over again until he comes. 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:12.480 And we need to do that, church, because none of us are perfect. 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:15.080 None of us are perfect. 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:19.560 God always commits and fulfills his end of the bargain, doesn't he? 00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:26.040 But you and I, we always fall short, which is why fifth, communion is for revealing. 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:30.220 Communion is for revealing. 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:40.480 One of the most gloriously painful ways that God loves his people is to shine a light on our sin. 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:45.720 And he gives an opportunity for that in communion. 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:51.120 You remember communion is an expression of our fellowship with God. 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:54.980 1 John 1, verses 5 through 9 says this. 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:59.860 God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:07.279 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:13.220 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. 00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:17.440 In the blood of Jesus, his son cleanses us from all sin. 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:22.559 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:32.379 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:38.480 In communion, we have a regular opportunity to confess our sin to God. 00:28:39.139 --> 00:28:46.440 To bring it before him and to have our fellowship with him, our experience of intimacy with the Lord restored. 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:50.440 Paul shows us here that the stakes are high. 00:28:50.580 --> 00:28:53.120 Higher than you and I probably normally think. 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:55.080 We shouldn't treat this casually. 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.160 Look at verse 27. 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:58.080 He says, 00:28:58.079 --> 00:29:21.419 And he says in verse 30, 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:41.740 I think it's safe to say that God takes this meal way more seriously than we do. 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:49.980 We are urged here to examine ourselves. 00:29:50.740 --> 00:30:03.359 To approach this table, not casually and with a carefree manner, but somberly and soberly and seriously to approach the table. 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:06.240 Christians are not perfect. 00:30:07.099 --> 00:30:09.380 We are declared perfect. 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:12.520 One day we will be perfect, but we're not there yet. 00:30:12.600 --> 00:30:18.760 Martin Luther, I believe he's the one that said that the whole of the Christian life is to be one of constant repentance. 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.380 Continual repentance. 00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:23.740 That's not a one-time thing when you come to faith in Christ. 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:28.560 The entire Christian life is to be marked by repentance. 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:31.480 When's the last time you repented of your sins? 00:30:31.760 --> 00:30:32.740 Before the Lord. 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.640 Last month. 00:30:35.840 --> 00:30:36.800 Last week. 00:30:37.760 --> 00:30:38.240 Today. 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:40.120 In the past hour. 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.160 Church communion. 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.759 Is a gift to the church. 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:47.880 As a regular checkup of the state of your heart before the Lord. 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:50.799 To be able to shine a light on your sin. 00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:52.279 To invite the Holy Spirit. 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:54.039 To examine yourselves. 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:56.660 To see if there's any unpleasing way in you. 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:59.220 That you might confess your sin. 00:30:59.339 --> 00:31:01.380 So before we eat of this table today. 00:31:01.380 --> 00:31:05.220 We're going to stop and give an opportunity for you to reflect. 00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:09.920 And to confess any unrepentant sin. 00:31:10.060 --> 00:31:14.440 This is good, painful, merciful grace. 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:15.440 Sixth. 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:16.440 Sixth. 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:16.720 Sixth. 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:20.860 Communion is for proclaiming. 00:31:22.140 --> 00:31:24.900 Communion is for proclaiming. 00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:26.500 Jesus says in verse 26. 00:31:26.820 --> 00:31:29.820 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup. 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:34.740 You proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:37.920 Communion is a meal with a message. 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:44.320 The reformers used to refer to baptism and communion as visible words. 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:47.560 In other words, they are saying something. 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:49.920 They are proclaiming a message. 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:55.019 And you know, sometimes I think that we tend to just overcomplicate things a little bit. 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:58.140 I was talking about this with some of you this week. 00:31:59.100 --> 00:32:01.720 Communion and baptism are not meant to be complicated. 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:03.880 They're really not. 00:32:03.880 --> 00:32:12.240 You do not need a master's degree and hours and hours of study to understand the simple message of baptism. 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:15.140 Or the simple message of communion. 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:17.500 Yes, there's elements of mystery here. 00:32:17.600 --> 00:32:19.740 Yes, there's always more that we can glean. 00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:20.860 More that we can learn. 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:22.520 There's a lot to talk about. 00:32:22.900 --> 00:32:32.020 But at its core, communion and baptism are supposed to be simple, visible demonstrations of the gospel. 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:40.639 So complex and mysterious that academics can argue for years and years and years and years and never come to an agreement. 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:49.200 But so simple and clear that even a child can get the message of what's being demonstrated here. 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:51.059 Don't overcomplicate this. 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:56.200 And when Jesus picks up a loaf of bread and he breaks it in half. 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.740 And then again. 00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.480 And then again. 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:01.299 And then again. 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:03.159 And then again. 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:05.179 And he hands a piece to you. 00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:07.059 Hands a piece to you. 00:33:07.639 --> 00:33:08.759 Hands a piece to you. 00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:12.779 And he tells them, this is my body broken for you. 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:17.799 And when he takes a glass of red wine and he pours it out for his friends. 00:33:17.879 --> 00:33:20.660 And he says, this is my blood that is shed for you. 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:29.680 The strange and overcomplicated way to understand that is to say, well, he must mean that's actually his body. 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:32.720 And that is actually his blood. 00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:33.799 That's not what he's saying. 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:38.859 This is a simple proclamation of the gospel. 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:40.500 He's making a point here. 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:41.299 What's the point? 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:41.379 What? 00:33:41.859 --> 00:33:43.240 It's a comparison. 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:52.859 Just like this bread is broken into many pieces and spread abroad for all of you. 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:56.119 Just like this wine is poured out for you. 00:33:56.259 --> 00:34:01.099 So my body and my blood are broken and shed for you. 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:02.180 I'm going to die. 00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:05.819 And whenever you eat this bread and drink this wine. 00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:09.039 I want you to remember that I gave myself for you. 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.539 A sinner. 00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:11.780 Unworthy. 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.340 Unworthy. 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:12.380 Unworthy. 00:34:12.580 --> 00:34:15.340 But now adopted as a child of God. 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.740 That is the message. 00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:19.300 It's a proclamation of the gospel. 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:24.560 Now you should know by now that every week we proclaim the gospel. 00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:27.880 This is not a new message. 00:34:28.100 --> 00:34:30.660 We preach the gospel from every text of scripture. 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:33.019 You hear the gospel every single time we come to worship. 00:34:33.160 --> 00:34:34.539 We sing about the gospel. 00:34:34.700 --> 00:34:36.000 We preach about the gospel. 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:38.380 But sometimes we're a little dense. 00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:40.579 And we need to taste the gospel. 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:43.880 We need to see the gospel. 00:34:44.739 --> 00:34:48.159 We need to have it shown visibly to us. 00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:53.539 See God is condescending to our senses as he often does. 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:57.000 In a way that we can understand. 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:59.779 So that when we eat this bread and drink this cup. 00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:03.500 We're proclaiming the gospel visibly to ourselves. 00:35:04.539 --> 00:35:06.480 To others around us. 00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:08.739 To our children here among us. 00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:11.599 To those outside of this church. 00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:13.500 To any non-believers who are here. 00:35:13.659 --> 00:35:18.800 We're bearing witness to the fact that Christ Jesus has died for sinners. 00:35:18.800 --> 00:35:22.000 The righteous for the unrighteous. 00:35:22.240 --> 00:35:25.039 That he might bring us to God. 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:28.760 We preach Christ crucified. 00:35:30.100 --> 00:35:31.640 But not just that. 00:35:32.600 --> 00:35:35.600 We preach Christ risen. 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:39.740 We preach Christ reigning. 00:35:40.680 --> 00:35:44.519 We preach Christ victorious over death. 00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:49.539 Which is why number seven. 00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:51.420 This is where we'll close. 00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:55.179 Communion is for hoping. 00:35:57.159 --> 00:36:00.380 Communion is for hoping. 00:36:00.599 --> 00:36:04.300 When we take communion together as a church family. 00:36:04.300 --> 00:36:07.820 We're not just looking backwards to the cross. 00:36:08.219 --> 00:36:11.579 We are also looking forwards. 00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:13.900 In anticipation. 00:36:14.739 --> 00:36:17.139 Of when he will come again. 00:36:17.840 --> 00:36:19.960 Look what Paul says in verse 26. 00:36:20.179 --> 00:36:20.799 Look there with me. 00:36:22.900 --> 00:36:25.119 He says as often as you eat this bread. 00:36:25.219 --> 00:36:26.279 And drink this cup. 00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:28.219 You proclaim the Lord's death. 00:36:28.579 --> 00:36:31.500 Until he comes. 00:36:32.759 --> 00:36:35.980 Until he comes. 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:39.960 Jesus adds in Matthew 26 verse 29. 00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:42.619 He says I tell you I will not drink again. 00:36:42.619 --> 00:36:44.099 Of this fruit of the vine. 00:36:44.099 --> 00:36:45.659 Until that day. 00:36:45.659 --> 00:36:47.420 When I drink it new. 00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:48.460 With you. 00:36:48.760 --> 00:36:50.500 In my father's kingdom. 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:54.980 Church communion is an incredible gift. 00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:56.380 But it's not permanent. 00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:59.079 This is a meal on the way. 00:36:59.240 --> 00:37:01.199 It's just an appetizer. 00:37:01.559 --> 00:37:02.960 To hold us over. 00:37:03.039 --> 00:37:04.599 Until our king returns. 00:37:04.840 --> 00:37:06.780 And we will feast with him. 00:37:06.820 --> 00:37:08.159 And with one another. 00:37:08.599 --> 00:37:09.099 Forever. 00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:11.860 And for all of his people. 00:37:11.980 --> 00:37:14.079 Those who cling to him now in faith. 00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:14.659 For us. 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:16.599 This meal is just a pointer. 00:37:17.780 --> 00:37:19.059 It's a foretaste. 00:37:19.179 --> 00:37:20.199 It's a mere sample. 00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:22.740 Of the joy to come. 00:37:23.740 --> 00:37:25.579 But for those who don't know. 00:37:25.840 --> 00:37:26.679 The Lord. 00:37:27.780 --> 00:37:29.300 Let this table. 00:37:29.699 --> 00:37:30.659 Be a flashing. 00:37:31.340 --> 00:37:32.340 Warning sign. 00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:32.900 For you. 00:37:33.900 --> 00:37:36.820 That only those who feast on Christ. 00:37:37.139 --> 00:37:37.619 Now. 00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:38.139 Here. 00:37:38.139 --> 00:37:38.539 Now. 00:37:38.539 --> 00:37:38.579 Now. 00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:39.400 By faith. 00:37:40.920 --> 00:37:41.559 Will be. 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.379 Invited. 00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:42.980 To feast. 00:37:43.299 --> 00:37:43.639 Forevermore. 00:37:43.719 --> 00:37:44.179 With him. 00:37:44.719 --> 00:37:45.299 In glory. 00:37:46.799 --> 00:37:46.960 You know. 00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:47.379 If you've. 00:37:47.799 --> 00:37:49.000 Sat through this whole sermon. 00:37:49.139 --> 00:37:50.199 And you're just scratching your head. 00:37:50.259 --> 00:37:50.519 You don't. 00:37:50.739 --> 00:37:51.460 You don't get it. 00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:52.879 Maybe you got this sinking feeling. 00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:53.779 In the pit of your stomach. 00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:54.460 And wonder. 00:37:54.839 --> 00:37:56.339 If you actually believe. 00:37:56.340 --> 00:37:57.760 And belong to God. 00:37:57.760 --> 00:37:58.800 Maybe you're not sure. 00:37:59.019 --> 00:38:00.320 Jesus invites you. 00:38:00.480 --> 00:38:01.720 To join the family. 00:38:01.920 --> 00:38:03.559 By turning from your sin. 00:38:03.960 --> 00:38:06.320 And trusting in Christ alone. 00:38:06.320 --> 00:38:07.460 For your salvation. 00:38:07.680 --> 00:38:08.600 Let your response. 00:38:08.740 --> 00:38:09.600 To this table. 00:38:09.720 --> 00:38:10.280 This morning. 00:38:10.680 --> 00:38:11.340 Be repentance. 00:38:11.579 --> 00:38:12.579 And faith in Christ. 00:38:14.280 --> 00:38:15.200 But for those of us. 00:38:15.260 --> 00:38:16.100 Who know. 00:38:16.500 --> 00:38:17.160 The king. 00:38:17.340 --> 00:38:17.680 Church. 00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:19.700 Let this meal. 00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:21.280 Increase your longing. 00:38:21.280 --> 00:38:22.900 For his fulfillment. 00:38:23.440 --> 00:38:24.540 In the age to come. 00:38:25.900 --> 00:38:26.740 If you're like me. 00:38:26.820 --> 00:38:28.180 This little bit of bread. 00:38:28.260 --> 00:38:30.080 And this little cup of juice. 00:38:30.080 --> 00:38:32.019 Is not enough to satisfy you. 00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:35.280 It ought to leave you wanting more. 00:38:35.400 --> 00:38:37.140 That's exactly the point. 00:38:38.300 --> 00:38:40.380 But the best news imaginable. 00:38:40.580 --> 00:38:41.519 Is that one day. 00:38:41.519 --> 00:38:43.019 Christ will return. 00:38:43.519 --> 00:38:45.760 And we will be satisfied. 00:38:46.200 --> 00:38:46.640 Forever. 00:38:47.400 --> 00:38:48.000 In him. 00:38:48.680 --> 00:38:49.120 Together. 00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:52.319 I want to close by. 00:38:52.980 --> 00:38:53.940 Reading the passage. 00:38:53.940 --> 00:38:55.059 That was read earlier. 00:38:55.059 --> 00:38:55.839 This morning. 00:38:55.960 --> 00:38:56.380 From Isaiah. 00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:57.299 Chapter 25. 00:38:58.039 --> 00:38:59.199 Verses 6 through 9. 00:38:59.319 --> 00:38:59.519 Church. 00:38:59.619 --> 00:39:00.579 This is our hope. 00:39:01.219 --> 00:39:01.940 I'm going to read it again. 00:39:02.019 --> 00:39:02.359 To you. 00:39:03.579 --> 00:39:04.239 He says. 00:39:04.279 --> 00:39:05.359 On this mountain. 00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:06.359 The Lord of hosts. 00:39:06.440 --> 00:39:07.619 Will make for all peoples. 00:39:07.679 --> 00:39:09.279 A feast of rich food. 00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:11.900 A feast of well-aged wine. 00:39:12.279 --> 00:39:13.299 Of rich food. 00:39:13.380 --> 00:39:14.259 Full of morrow. 00:39:14.359 --> 00:39:15.319 Of aged wine. 00:39:15.400 --> 00:39:16.259 Well refined. 00:39:16.739 --> 00:39:18.259 And he will swallow up. 00:39:18.299 --> 00:39:18.880 On the mountain. 00:39:18.880 --> 00:39:19.500 The covering. 00:39:19.500 --> 00:39:20.240 That is cast. 00:39:20.240 --> 00:39:21.240 Over all peoples. 00:39:21.760 --> 00:39:22.519 The veil. 00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:23.200 That is spread. 00:39:23.200 --> 00:39:24.099 Over all nations. 00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:25.960 He will swallow up. 00:39:26.099 --> 00:39:26.900 Death forever. 00:39:27.640 --> 00:39:28.519 And the Lord God. 00:39:28.640 --> 00:39:29.760 Will wipe away tears. 00:39:29.760 --> 00:39:30.900 From all faces. 00:39:31.500 --> 00:39:32.260 And the reproach. 00:39:32.260 --> 00:39:32.980 Of his people. 00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:33.920 He will take away. 00:39:34.039 --> 00:39:34.920 From all the earth. 00:39:35.280 --> 00:39:36.140 For the Lord. 00:39:36.140 --> 00:39:36.840 Has spoken. 00:39:37.720 --> 00:39:38.340 It will be said. 00:39:38.400 --> 00:39:38.900 On that day. 00:39:38.980 --> 00:39:39.519 Behold. 00:39:39.820 --> 00:39:41.039 This is our God. 00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:42.360 We have waited for him. 00:39:42.420 --> 00:39:43.640 That he might save us. 00:39:44.240 --> 00:39:45.340 This is the Lord. 00:39:45.619 --> 00:39:46.900 We have waited for him. 00:39:46.900 --> 00:39:48.360 Let us be glad. 00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:49.000 And rejoice. 00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:50.180 In his salvation. 00:39:51.059 --> 00:39:52.500 As it says in Revelation. 00:39:52.500 --> 00:39:53.619 Chapter 19. 00:39:53.780 --> 00:39:54.019 Church. 00:39:54.119 --> 00:39:55.380 Blessed are those. 00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:56.280 Who are invited. 00:39:56.280 --> 00:39:58.000 To the marriage supper. 00:39:58.360 --> 00:39:59.460 Of the lamb. 00:39:59.579 --> 00:40:01.360 That is what this meal. 00:40:01.720 --> 00:40:02.680 Is for. 00:40:03.240 --> 00:40:04.440 Will you join us. 00:40:04.680 --> 00:40:05.340 At the table. 00:40:06.280 --> 00:40:07.000 Let's pray. 00:40:07.000 --> 00:40:11.360 Father God. 00:40:11.440 --> 00:40:11.579 We. 00:40:12.099 --> 00:40:12.980 We thank you. 00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:13.760 For the gospel. 00:40:14.920 --> 00:40:16.039 The good news. 00:40:16.519 --> 00:40:17.780 Of the broken body. 00:40:17.880 --> 00:40:18.500 And the shed blood. 00:40:18.559 --> 00:40:19.099 Of Christ. 00:40:20.440 --> 00:40:21.019 And Lord. 00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:21.699 We thank you. 00:40:21.940 --> 00:40:22.420 For. 00:40:23.260 --> 00:40:23.780 The unity. 00:40:23.780 --> 00:40:24.699 That you've given us. 00:40:24.920 --> 00:40:25.820 Not only individually. 00:40:25.820 --> 00:40:26.760 To you. 00:40:26.880 --> 00:40:28.239 As individual believers. 00:40:28.420 --> 00:40:28.579 But. 00:40:28.780 --> 00:40:29.440 But together. 00:40:29.440 --> 00:40:30.480 As one body. 00:40:30.480 --> 00:40:31.059 In Christ. 00:40:31.139 --> 00:40:32.119 That you have made us. 00:40:32.420 --> 00:40:32.699 One. 00:40:32.840 --> 00:40:33.699 We pray now. 00:40:33.840 --> 00:40:33.960 That. 00:40:34.300 --> 00:40:34.940 As we come. 00:40:34.940 --> 00:40:35.800 And we partake. 00:40:35.800 --> 00:40:36.200 Of this. 00:40:36.440 --> 00:40:37.019 This bread. 00:40:37.079 --> 00:40:37.760 And this juice. 00:40:37.760 --> 00:40:38.039 Lord. 00:40:38.139 --> 00:40:38.599 Would you. 00:40:39.119 --> 00:40:40.119 Would you lead us. 00:40:40.200 --> 00:40:41.119 To worship you. 00:40:42.059 --> 00:40:42.820 Would you deepen. 00:40:43.079 --> 00:40:43.119 Our. 00:40:43.360 --> 00:40:43.639 Our. 00:40:43.800 --> 00:40:44.579 Our desire. 00:40:44.820 --> 00:40:45.320 For you. 00:40:46.139 --> 00:40:46.740 Would you help us. 00:40:46.780 --> 00:40:47.280 To long. 00:40:47.380 --> 00:40:47.900 For the day. 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.960 When Christ returns. 00:40:49.059 --> 00:40:49.820 And we will feast. 00:40:49.920 --> 00:40:50.780 Forever with you. 00:40:51.380 --> 00:40:51.940 In glory. 00:40:52.820 --> 00:40:53.260 We pray this. 00:40:53.280 --> 00:40:53.900 In Christ's name. 00:40:54.840 --> 00:40:55.179 Amen.