WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.280 Go to John chapter 13. 00:00:03.419 --> 00:00:07.620 Turn to John 13 with me if you would. 00:00:08.700 --> 00:00:09.839 My name is Sam Bunnell. 00:00:09.900 --> 00:00:11.480 I'm the pastor here at First Baptist Henrietta. 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:14.700 ! Got to meet several new faces before the service started. 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:16.839 If I haven't gotten to do that, I'd love to meet you afterward. 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:20.280 My wife and I will be in the back, and we would love to meet you. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:25.039 We are looking at the Last Supper today. 00:00:27.260 --> 00:00:29.219 From the prayer before the offering, 00:00:29.219 --> 00:00:33.259 to the prelude before the choir special this morning, 00:00:33.339 --> 00:00:34.500 and they did a beautiful job, 00:00:35.299 --> 00:00:40.420 we heard about the significance of today in Passion Week 00:00:40.420 --> 00:00:43.840 or the events leading up to next Sunday, 00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:47.000 which we'll celebrate as Easter Sunday, Resurrection Sunday, 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:50.899 and all around the world, followers of Jesus are rejoicing 00:00:50.899 --> 00:00:53.219 because Jesus rose from the dead. 00:00:54.120 --> 00:00:57.219 But in the events leading up to His crucifixion 00:00:57.219 --> 00:00:59.899 and then His resurrection, 00:01:00.699 --> 00:01:02.460 they're called Passion Week. 00:01:02.939 --> 00:01:05.840 And it kicks off with today as Palm Sunday. 00:01:06.260 --> 00:01:08.019 You heard about that already a little bit? 00:01:08.719 --> 00:01:11.200 And what's significant about that to me 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:15.280 is it stands to reason many of the same people 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:19.299 who were rejoicing as Jesus comes into the city of Jerusalem 00:01:19.299 --> 00:01:22.140 and were waving palm fronds, which were significant, 00:01:22.140 --> 00:01:26.460 and shouting Hosanna, which was also significant. 00:01:26.460 --> 00:01:29.480 They believed that Jesus would be the king 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:31.340 who would free them from Rome. 00:01:31.980 --> 00:01:32.760 Many of them. 00:01:33.180 --> 00:01:35.579 Some of them had likely listened to His teaching. 00:01:35.939 --> 00:01:37.780 Some of them believed He was the Messiah. 00:01:38.460 --> 00:01:42.260 Some of them understood that maybe it looked a little bit less like 00:01:42.260 --> 00:01:43.879 freeing them from an earthly kingdom 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:47.640 and more like freeing them from the slavery to sin. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:51.840 But it's safe to say probably the majority were thinking 00:01:51.840 --> 00:01:54.819 He's going to come and liberate us from Rome. 00:01:55.299 --> 00:01:57.460 And when He failed to do that, 00:01:58.900 --> 00:02:01.439 it stands to reason that you see many 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:06.180 of those same people in the crowds at His trial 00:02:06.180 --> 00:02:10.139 shouting, crucify Him, crucify Him. 00:02:11.460 --> 00:02:13.979 Because they didn't understand what kind of a king He was. 00:02:13.979 --> 00:02:18.159 They didn't understand what freedom He was offering them. 00:02:19.079 --> 00:02:24.239 So in John 13, we see the events of Maundy Thursday 00:02:24.239 --> 00:02:29.179 when Jesus met with His disciples in an upper room. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:31.579 And beginning in verse 1, 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:34.479 before the Passover celebration, 00:02:35.479 --> 00:02:38.719 Jesus knew that His hours, His hour had come 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:41.159 to leave this world and return to His Father. 00:02:41.159 --> 00:02:44.599 He had loved His disciples during His ministry on earth 00:02:44.599 --> 00:02:46.960 and now He loved them to the very end. 00:02:47.060 --> 00:02:48.680 It was time for supper. 00:02:49.139 --> 00:02:50.400 This was the Passover supper. 00:02:50.599 --> 00:02:53.479 All good Jews would be celebrating the Passover 00:02:53.479 --> 00:02:55.900 or observing rather would be a better term, 00:02:56.359 --> 00:02:56.900 the Passover. 00:02:58.659 --> 00:03:00.859 They would be gathered together in someone's home 00:03:00.859 --> 00:03:05.500 and Jesus and His disciples had found a place 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:08.300 in an upper room willing to let them 00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:09.780 have their Passover meal. 00:03:09.780 --> 00:03:11.939 But Jesus knew the full context. 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:13.219 The disciples didn't. 00:03:13.539 --> 00:03:16.060 He'd given them little clues that something big was coming. 00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:18.759 Perhaps the end was near, 00:03:18.920 --> 00:03:21.199 but He knew what was going to take place. 00:03:21.819 --> 00:03:22.780 It was time for supper. 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:26.020 One of them was already going to betray Him. 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:27.580 The devil had already prompted Judas, 00:03:27.699 --> 00:03:29.620 son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 00:03:30.039 --> 00:03:32.719 Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:35.920 over everything and He had come from God 00:03:35.920 --> 00:03:37.979 and He would return to God. 00:03:37.979 --> 00:03:40.379 So He got up from the table, He took off His robe, 00:03:40.519 --> 00:03:41.799 wrapped a towel around His waist, 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:45.019 and poured water into a basin. 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:47.819 Then He began to wash the disciples' feet, 00:03:48.639 --> 00:03:50.839 drying them with the towel He had around Him. 00:03:51.839 --> 00:03:53.419 I think it was a couple years ago, 00:03:53.639 --> 00:03:55.459 I preached a sermon about this, 00:03:55.859 --> 00:03:57.099 called Pick Up Your Towel. 00:03:57.819 --> 00:04:00.439 Serve the way Jesus was willing to serve. 00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:04.280 And I want to draw attention to this act again, 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:05.639 because it's significant. 00:04:08.139 --> 00:04:15.000 He shows in real time what He meant by, 00:04:15.939 --> 00:04:18.519 this is my body given for you. 00:04:19.399 --> 00:04:21.500 As was the custom at the Passover, 00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:24.399 Jesus takes the bread and breaks it, 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:27.740 and then began to pass off little pieces of the bread 00:04:27.740 --> 00:04:30.259 so each disciple would have one. 00:04:31.400 --> 00:04:35.000 And He says, this is my body. 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:37.780 He's using it as an example or an illustration, 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:40.480 and I'm breaking it for you. 00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:44.980 The truth is, Jesus had been sacrificing His body 00:04:44.980 --> 00:04:46.439 from the very beginning. 00:04:47.280 --> 00:04:50.600 He had gone without rest oftentimes. 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:52.900 He had spent long hours in prayer. 00:04:52.899 --> 00:04:55.679 He had spent even longer hours healing people, 00:04:56.159 --> 00:04:56.959 teaching people. 00:04:57.699 --> 00:04:59.879 He had exhausted Himself physically. 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:02.679 He had given of Himself, 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:05.779 but it was all leading up to the final sacrifice 00:05:05.779 --> 00:05:09.399 when He would allow His body to be broken 00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:11.199 for the sins of all. 00:05:12.539 --> 00:05:16.120 But He models what this looks like for us. 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:18.259 Because I don't know about many of you, 00:05:18.259 --> 00:05:22.159 but I don't think it's likely that God is going to call 00:05:22.159 --> 00:05:25.539 very many people in this room to hang on a cross. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:31.219 Back in the events of unrest toward Christianity 00:05:31.219 --> 00:05:33.800 that followed the crucifixion of Jesus, 00:05:34.839 --> 00:05:40.060 some of Jesus' followers were crucified like He was. 00:05:41.339 --> 00:05:43.819 But that's been a very unusual death. 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:50.699 So how do we take an application 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:52.219 from when Jesus said, 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:55.240 this is my body given for you, 00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:59.959 how do we apply that teaching of Jesus to our lives? 00:06:00.519 --> 00:06:02.300 What should we do with our bodies? 00:06:03.100 --> 00:06:05.180 And for whom should they be given? 00:06:06.039 --> 00:06:07.939 So He shows them what that means. 00:06:08.180 --> 00:06:09.399 He gets up from the table. 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:11.060 He wraps the towel around His waist. 00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:13.600 He kneels in front of them. 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:16.000 A posture of subjection. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:20.279 I'm lowering myself below you, beneath you. 00:06:20.719 --> 00:06:24.360 I'm putting myself in the position of a servant. 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:27.379 What do we read from Paul's letter 00:06:27.379 --> 00:06:28.620 to the church at Philippi? 00:06:29.019 --> 00:06:31.300 That Jesus humbled Himself, 00:06:33.039 --> 00:06:34.959 became a servant. 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:39.360 And we see Him doing that in real time 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:41.219 right here with His disciples. 00:06:41.220 --> 00:06:44.240 It's one of the last things He does. 00:06:44.400 --> 00:06:45.340 I don't know about y'all, 00:06:45.840 --> 00:06:47.260 but I like to pay attention 00:06:47.260 --> 00:06:50.740 to some of the last things that wise people say. 00:06:52.400 --> 00:06:55.380 When people have lived long, successful careers 00:06:55.380 --> 00:06:57.420 and they get toward the end of their life, 00:06:57.600 --> 00:06:59.000 I like to pick their brains. 00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:00.440 What have you learned? 00:07:00.960 --> 00:07:03.940 I want some of your last words of wisdom and advice. 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:07.439 We get to see some of the last things 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:10.680 that Jesus chose to do before His time was done. 00:07:10.779 --> 00:07:13.240 And we get to listen to some of the last teaching 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:14.959 that He chose to give. 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:18.139 This is the part His disciples were not expecting. 00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:21.579 They believed He was the Messiah. 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:23.920 They believed that He was the promised King. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:26.280 They believed He came from God. 00:07:26.460 --> 00:07:29.819 They had some understanding that He was God Himself. 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:32.699 But they had a category 00:07:32.699 --> 00:07:34.819 for what they thought He should look like. 00:07:35.379 --> 00:07:36.340 He should teach. 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:37.240 He should lead. 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:38.420 He should win. 00:07:39.340 --> 00:07:40.500 He should be on top. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:44.020 And Jesus had been teaching them from the beginning 00:07:44.020 --> 00:07:45.439 that in the kingdom of God, 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:47.240 you've got to flip that upside down. 00:07:47.740 --> 00:07:49.000 You've got to flip that on its head. 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:50.780 The last will be first. 00:07:50.779 --> 00:07:53.639 First, the rich will be poor, etc., etc. 00:07:53.839 --> 00:07:57.359 There's a principle that's upside down 00:07:57.359 --> 00:07:59.219 to our human way of thinking. 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:05.699 And these weren't just any feet 00:08:05.699 --> 00:08:07.759 that Jesus was willing to wash. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:13.739 Some of the feet were those who would betray Him, 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:15.839 those who would fail Him, 00:08:17.079 --> 00:08:18.159 those who would deny Him, 00:08:19.039 --> 00:08:20.419 those who would scatter in fear. 00:08:21.739 --> 00:08:22.839 Those who had argued. 00:08:25.919 --> 00:08:27.059 These men had struggled 00:08:27.059 --> 00:08:30.139 in their years walking with Jesus. 00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:32.159 He knew them intimately. 00:08:32.959 --> 00:08:35.100 He knew all their successes. 00:08:35.339 --> 00:08:36.059 He knew all their failures. 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:37.620 He knew their strengths and their weaknesses. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:42.179 He doesn't wait for them to be worthy 00:08:42.179 --> 00:08:44.899 before He washes their feet. 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:48.639 That's the example He left for you and for me. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:53.039 What are you willing to do with your body 00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:55.319 as a follower of Jesus? 00:08:56.379 --> 00:09:00.259 Is it at least to lower yourself 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:03.539 to the position of washing someone else's feet? 00:09:03.539 --> 00:09:07.559 Now, my guess is not very many people in this room 00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:08.740 want you to touch their feet. 00:09:10.099 --> 00:09:11.839 So you probably don't have to literally 00:09:11.839 --> 00:09:13.000 go wash somebody's feet. 00:09:13.699 --> 00:09:16.319 Now, you might be in a particular situation 00:09:16.319 --> 00:09:17.259 that requires that, 00:09:17.339 --> 00:09:19.199 and we need to be willing to do that 00:09:19.199 --> 00:09:19.959 if we need to. 00:09:19.960 --> 00:09:24.220 But let's apply the principle here. 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:28.920 How can we serve someone else 00:09:28.920 --> 00:09:31.120 in the way that Jesus served 00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:35.660 His very unworthy disciples? 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:38.919 He knew exactly who they were. 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:40.959 And then He gave them a command. 00:09:41.100 --> 00:09:41.419 He said, 00:09:41.699 --> 00:09:43.319 As I have done for you, 00:09:43.839 --> 00:09:45.919 you should do for one another. 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:50.379 Now, Simon Peter, of course, resisted. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:53.179 If you read about Simon Peter, 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:54.419 he's always got something to say, 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:55.419 and it's usually a little, 00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:58.600 I don't know, 00:09:59.319 --> 00:10:00.319 off the beaten path, 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:02.159 kind of breaks the mold a little bit. 00:10:02.299 --> 00:10:03.079 That's Peter, right? 00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:03.860 He pops off, 00:10:03.940 --> 00:10:05.740 maybe speaks without thinking sometimes. 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:07.320 That's some of the vibe we get from Peter. 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:07.960 He says, 00:10:08.040 --> 00:10:08.860 No, Lord, 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:10.660 you're not going to wash my feet. 00:10:10.800 --> 00:10:11.320 Come on now. 00:10:12.200 --> 00:10:12.840 Jesus says, 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:14.879 You don't understand what I'm doing, 00:10:15.060 --> 00:10:15.960 but someday you will. 00:10:16.020 --> 00:10:16.280 And He says, 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:17.520 No, Lord, 00:10:17.800 --> 00:10:19.560 I'm not going to let you do this. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:20.200 This is wrong. 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:21.340 I should be doing this to you. 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:22.320 You shouldn't be doing this to me. 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:24.840 That's kind of the idea that Peter has. 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:26.960 And then Jesus says, 00:10:27.040 --> 00:10:28.480 Okay, if you won't let me wash your feet, 00:10:28.540 --> 00:10:29.420 then you don't belong to me. 00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:31.660 So then Peter jumps in, 00:10:31.660 --> 00:10:32.460 and he says, 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:34.180 Well, then don't just wash my feet. 00:10:34.280 --> 00:10:34.920 Wash my hands. 00:10:35.040 --> 00:10:35.639 Wash my head. 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:36.860 Wash everything, Lord. 00:10:37.540 --> 00:10:38.540 Give me a full bath. 00:10:39.420 --> 00:10:40.100 And Jesus says, 00:10:40.160 --> 00:10:40.340 No, 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:42.460 a person who has bathed all over 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:43.420 does not need to wash 00:10:43.420 --> 00:10:44.320 except for the feet 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:46.240 to be entirely clean. 00:10:46.300 --> 00:10:47.500 And you disciples are clean, 00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:48.680 but not all of you. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:49.480 Because He knew 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:51.200 that someone would betray Him, 00:10:51.220 --> 00:10:52.160 and He knew who it was. 00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:54.820 So after washing their feet, 00:10:55.820 --> 00:10:57.080 Jesus puts His robe back on. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:58.180 He sits back down and says, 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:59.400 Do you understand what I was doing? 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:00.860 Look at this in verse 13. 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:02.019 You call me teacher, 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:02.899 and you call me Lord, 00:11:02.959 --> 00:11:03.579 and you're right, 00:11:03.699 --> 00:11:04.779 because that's what I am. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:05.860 And since I, 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:06.779 your Lord and teacher, 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:08.059 have washed your feet, 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:10.399 you ought to wash each other's feet. 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:13.299 I've given you an example to follow. 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:17.220 Do as I have done to you. 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:18.059 Notice, 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:20.639 I don't think it's a mistake 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:21.539 that it didn't say, 00:11:21.819 --> 00:11:23.860 Do what I have done to you. 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:26.340 Do as I have done to you. 00:11:26.340 --> 00:11:30.040 Take this level of serving one another, 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:32.180 of humbling yourself, 00:11:32.680 --> 00:11:34.500 and using your body 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:36.580 to serve someone else. 00:11:37.040 --> 00:11:38.160 Take that principle 00:11:38.160 --> 00:11:40.399 and apply it to your lives 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.519 and to your relationships 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:42.840 with one another. 00:11:43.160 --> 00:11:43.420 Why? 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:44.700 Because we understand 00:11:44.700 --> 00:11:45.879 from Jesus' teaching, 00:11:46.800 --> 00:11:49.220 they will know you are my followers 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:51.320 by how well you love each other. 00:11:52.040 --> 00:11:54.340 And you show each other love 00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:56.259 by serving each other. 00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:58.660 Now, we love to be served, 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:01.280 but we don't always love to serve. 00:12:02.040 --> 00:12:03.040 This is the principle 00:12:03.040 --> 00:12:04.639 that Jesus was teaching. 00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:07.080 Do as I have done to you. 00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:08.240 To tell you the truth, 00:12:09.160 --> 00:12:10.320 slaves are not greater 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:11.139 than their masters, 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:14.139 nor is the messenger more important 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:15.840 than the one who sends the message. 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:17.980 Now that you know these things, 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:20.500 God will bless you for doing them. 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:21.860 So I want to impart 00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:23.620 that same message to you, 00:12:23.700 --> 00:12:25.100 that same principle to you. 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:27.560 Now that you know these things, 00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:30.360 God will bless you for doing them. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:31.740 How many of you, 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:32.639 pretty simple question, 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:33.659 I think everybody in here 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:34.200 can answer it. 00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:34.980 How many of you, 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:35.800 by uplifted hand, 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.139 would say, 00:12:36.300 --> 00:12:37.860 I want God's blessings in my life? 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:40.580 I think that's most of us. 00:12:40.680 --> 00:12:41.159 That's good. 00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:43.080 I'm going to be like Peter. 00:12:43.180 --> 00:12:44.240 I want both hands up. 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:49.159 If you do these things, 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:52.759 God will bless you for doing them. 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:55.340 If you serve one another 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:57.080 as I have served you. 00:12:57.180 --> 00:12:58.019 So here's the truth 00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:59.299 I want you to take away from this. 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:02.539 The body of Jesus shows us 00:13:02.539 --> 00:13:05.639 that love moves first. 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:07.960 You don't wait 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:10.159 for someone else 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:11.080 to make the first move. 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:13.300 You make the first move. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:17.180 You serve first. 00:13:18.180 --> 00:13:19.960 You meet the need first. 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:21.680 You step up 00:13:21.680 --> 00:13:22.500 and be the one 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:24.600 for God to use first. 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:27.040 And then you are allowing 00:13:27.040 --> 00:13:28.139 your body possibly 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:28.860 to be broken 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:30.980 for him 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:32.560 and for them. 00:13:33.280 --> 00:13:34.460 And that's how we 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:35.780 can be like Jesus. 00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:38.200 Not after somebody apologizes. 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:40.980 Not after somebody changes. 00:13:42.160 --> 00:13:42.900 Not after 00:13:42.900 --> 00:13:45.720 you have full assurance 00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:46.900 that they're going to take it well. 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:47.740 It's going to go 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:48.680 how you hope it goes. 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:51.920 You move first. 00:13:52.680 --> 00:13:54.360 You go with forgiveness first. 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:56.400 You go make it right first. 00:13:56.640 --> 00:13:58.259 You go meet the need first. 00:13:58.560 --> 00:14:00.060 You step into the gap 00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:01.680 and be the one 00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:04.060 to be like Jesus first. 00:14:04.059 --> 00:14:04.179 Christ. 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:05.379 That's how 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:07.019 we remember 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:08.059 his body. 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:09.259 By doing 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:10.639 as he did 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:12.000 with his body. 00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:13.379 He held nothing back. 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:14.719 He sacrificed it. 00:14:15.099 --> 00:14:16.479 Every step of the way. 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:17.459 Every journey 00:14:17.459 --> 00:14:18.500 of his time on this earth. 00:14:18.719 --> 00:14:20.059 He sacrificed his body 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:21.679 all the way to the end 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:23.799 when he let his body 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:24.239 be broken. 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:26.679 How far will we go 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:28.379 in giving our body 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:29.339 for Jesus 00:14:29.339 --> 00:14:30.439 and for those 00:14:30.439 --> 00:14:31.459 whom he loves? 00:14:32.119 --> 00:14:32.839 Would you bow your heads 00:14:32.839 --> 00:14:33.439 in prayer with me? 00:14:33.440 --> 00:14:34.280 I'm going to invite 00:14:34.280 --> 00:14:35.100 our deacons up. 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:39.900 I'm going to invite 00:14:39.900 --> 00:14:41.180 our musicians to play. 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:47.340 In just a moment 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:48.460 we're going to distribute 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.720 the elements 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:50.680 of the Lord's Supper. 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:52.840 We'll hand them to you 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:53.320 together. 00:14:53.800 --> 00:14:54.860 The bread and the cup. 00:14:59.920 --> 00:15:01.300 We're not going to take them 00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:02.080 at the same time. 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:03.320 First, 00:15:03.420 --> 00:15:04.240 we're going to observe 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:04.820 his body. 00:15:06.160 --> 00:15:07.300 We're going to remember 00:15:07.300 --> 00:15:08.720 his body. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:15.200 So would you right now 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:15.780 in the stillness 00:15:15.780 --> 00:15:16.320 of this moment, 00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:17.120 would you pray 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:19.240 and talk to the Holy Spirit 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:20.540 and say, 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:20.900 God, 00:15:21.400 --> 00:15:23.440 you held nothing back 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:24.180 from your body 00:15:24.180 --> 00:15:24.680 for us. 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:26.359 how do you want me 00:15:26.359 --> 00:15:27.259 to use my body 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:29.699 to do as you did? 00:15:37.239 --> 00:15:38.159 Men, if you'll go ahead 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:39.219 and take the trays 00:15:39.219 --> 00:15:41.519 and begin to distribute those. 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:49.600 as the trays 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:51.179 are going to pass down 00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:51.720 your aisle, 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:53.059 I want to remind you 00:15:53.059 --> 00:15:53.600 of this. 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:56.460 Jesus invites 00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:57.220 all followers 00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:57.720 of Jesus 00:15:57.720 --> 00:15:59.279 to participate 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.159 in the Lord's Supper. 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.899 If you don't consider 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:02.759 yourself a follower 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.600 of Jesus yet, 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:05.399 you can let that 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:06.439 pass right by you 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:07.340 with no problem. 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:08.559 No one will look at you 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:09.159 any differently. 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:10.159 No one will probably 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:10.759 even notice. 00:16:12.959 --> 00:16:14.240 But I would invite you 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.639 then to pray 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.639 and to think 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:18.500 through what you've heard 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:20.059 about the sacrifice 00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:20.980 that Jesus made, 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:22.100 about the kind of person 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:22.939 that Jesus was. 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.559 So we invite anyone 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:26.079 in the room, 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.039 whether you're a member 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:28.000 of our church or not, 00:16:28.819 --> 00:16:29.719 if you're a follower 00:16:29.719 --> 00:16:30.240 of Jesus 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:31.519 and you've given 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.259 your life to him, 00:16:32.699 --> 00:16:33.579 then please go ahead 00:16:33.579 --> 00:16:34.740 and take these elements 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:36.559 and hold on to them 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:37.899 and we'll take them 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:38.360 together 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.779 at the appropriate time. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.779 Thank you. 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:40.779 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:09.359 Amen. 00:17:38.359 --> 00:18:05.359 When you're praying, 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:05.939 there's a lot of times 00:18:05.939 --> 00:18:07.379 there will be. 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:09.039 Oh. 00:18:09.979 --> 00:18:10.539 There's one bag. 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:11.699 There's one bag. 00:18:11.699 --> 00:18:11.979 There's one bag. 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:11.979 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.980 Amen. 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:38.539 As we prepare to take the bread, 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:39.559 we remember a Savior 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:43.039 who didn't wait to be met halfway. 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:44.639 He moved to us first. 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.619 We thank Him for that. 00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:07.599 Amen. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.559 Amen. 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.559 00:19:39.559 --> 00:20:09.539 Thank you. 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:39.539 Thank you. 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:41.559 Thank you. 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:41.559 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:43.559 Thank you. 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:09.899 Thank you, Josh. 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:12.240 All right. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:20.380 Heavenly Father, we just come here today, Lord, just thinking about your sacrificial love. 00:21:21.260 --> 00:21:30.260 As we prepare to take this bread, Lord, we think about the fact that it represents your son and how he was the incarnate word. 00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:31.400 He became flesh. 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:35.019 so he died on the cross for our sins 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:38.300 and just the great sacrifice that is 00:21:38.300 --> 00:21:39.460 we want to remember that 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:42.000 that he bore our sin and our shame 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:45.740 so that we don't have to face that punishment of death 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:49.580 so Father we just want our hearts to be filled with gratitude 00:21:49.580 --> 00:21:54.340 for that great sacrifice that you made by sending your son 00:21:54.340 --> 00:21:58.280 and just we want to be thankful during this time 00:21:58.280 --> 00:22:00.360 but just really all the time Lord 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:01.559 just that great sacrifice 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:04.799 and we want to remember that our sin and our shame 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:06.259 died on that cross with him 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:08.839 Lord that we don't have to do that 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:14.279 but instead we can live our lives as a sacrifice for you 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:16.259 so we just thank him 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:20.679 thank you for sending your son to die on the cross for our sins 00:22:20.679 --> 00:22:22.719 and we'll just remember that 00:22:22.719 --> 00:22:26.979 Jesus said this is my body 00:22:26.979 --> 00:22:28.439 given for you 00:22:28.439 --> 00:22:30.279 do this in remembrance of me 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:43.200 I'm going to dismiss the deacons and thank them for their service 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:46.700 Jared is going to lead us in the words of a song 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:49.180 that point us back to Jesus the Messiah 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:52.039 the one who came and gave his body for us 00:22:52.039 --> 00:23:00.720 oh he became sin 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:03.740 who knew no sin 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:06.500 we might become 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:09.099 his righteousness 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:11.779 humbled himself 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:14.839 and carry the cross 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:18.839 love so amazing 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:20.339 love so amazing 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:23.759 love so amazing 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:23.759 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:27.939 love so amazing 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:27.939 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:38.740 Jesus, Messiah, the name above all names, 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:53.680 blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel, the rescue for sinners, 00:23:53.680 --> 00:24:10.680 the ransom from heaven, Jesus, Messiah, Lord of all. 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:18.400 His body, the bread, His body, the bread, His blood, the wine, 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:23.960 broken and poured out all for love. 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:29.600 The whole earth trembled and the veil was torn. 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:39.759 Love so amazing, love so amazing. 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:52.240 Oh, Jesus, Messiah, name above all names, 00:24:52.240 --> 00:25:07.240 blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel, the rescue for sinners, 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:17.640 the ransom from heaven, Jesus, Messiah, 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:24.160 the Lord of all. 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:30.800 All our hope is in You. 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:36.020 All our hope is in You. 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:42.620 All the glory to You, God. 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:47.459 The light of the world. 00:25:47.459 --> 00:25:52.039 All our hope is in You. 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:57.399 All our hope is in You. 00:25:58.099 --> 00:26:03.699 All the glory to You, God. 00:26:04.659 --> 00:26:07.979 The light of the world. 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:20.180 Jesus, Messiah, name above all names, 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:27.960 blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel, 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:34.880 The rescue for sinners 00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:40.160 The ransom from heaven 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:45.240 Oh Jesus Messiah 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:52.000 Lord of all 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:56.019 Oh Jesus Messiah 00:26:56.019 --> 00:27:02.599 The Lord of all 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:07.019 The Lord of all 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:12.859 The Lord of all 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:15.259 Amen. 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:18.480 We're going to get back into 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:22.819 looking back at that night, the last supper. 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:27.460 And this time we're going to move on and look at the blood. 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:31.139 Luke chapter 22. 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:38.779 Jesus says, this cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you. 00:27:39.659 --> 00:27:41.700 Well that was an odd thing for them to hear. 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:48.039 With the benefit of hindsight, we get to look back at Jesus' sacrifice, at the blood that was spilled. 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:57.019 We get to read the early church fathers writing about the impact, the cleansing effect that Jesus' blood in effect has on us. 00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:59.059 And our sin problem. 00:27:59.059 --> 00:28:02.419 But they didn't have all that context. 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:10.519 So they're hearing him say, this cup is the new covenant, which goes back to old covenants that God had established with the Jewish people. 00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:12.599 We can read about them in the Old Testament. 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:19.159 But he says, this is a new covenant that I'm starting with you in my blood poured out for you. 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:21.099 A blood covenant is the strongest kind. 00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:23.179 But it's sealed in blood. 00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:25.559 So this is a promise. 00:28:25.899 --> 00:28:31.879 This is a binding covenant that I have between you and me. 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:37.179 I'm signing it in my blood and pouring out my blood as a sacrifice for you. 00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:40.399 So then he gives them a picture to understand what he's talking about. 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:42.439 And he says in John chapter 15. 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:45.220 I am the vine. 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.900 You are the branches. 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:57.460 If you abide in me as I abide in you, if you remain in me as I remain in you, you will bear much fruit. 00:28:58.539 --> 00:29:03.140 Branches don't have to strain and work hard to produce fruit. 00:29:04.600 --> 00:29:06.380 Where does it come from? 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:10.360 It comes from the vine, which comes from the roots. 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:15.980 You understand what Jesus is saying. 00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:22.100 The fruit will come if you remain in me. 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:30.019 If you stay strongly connected to me, you will bear healthy fruit. 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:35.240 We get to see in Galatians exactly what kind of fruit he's talking about. 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.880 Paul gives us a list. 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:40.840 Peter gives us a list in 1 Peter or 2 Peter. 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:45.599 And we see these building blocks or these fruits of the spirit. 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:52.599 This is what God produces in you when you are connected to the vine. 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:56.379 It's not about gritting your teeth. 00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:58.000 It's not about trying harder. 00:29:58.919 --> 00:30:03.019 It's not about working overtime to impress God. 00:30:03.159 --> 00:30:05.019 That's never been what it's about. 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:08.039 In fact, he taught against that. 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:09.480 He preached against that. 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:15.680 There were religious leaders at the time who built their lives to do that, to impress everyone around there. 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:18.579 So they would all think that they were closer to God. 00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:23.000 That they were the ones who were the most pious, the most holy, the most righteous. 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:25.400 And Jesus said, no. 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.480 It's all a show. 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:29.220 It's all your human effort. 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:31.519 None of it is coming from God. 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:39.599 In fact, he goes on to say, apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.720 That's true. 00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:44.440 Because a branch can't do anything on its own, can it? 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:48.680 You cut a branch off from a tree, what's going to happen to that branch? 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:51.680 It's done for, man. 00:30:52.840 --> 00:30:53.820 You're going to throw it away. 00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:54.480 You're going to burn it. 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:56.180 Your dog's going to grab it and go chew on it. 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:58.299 That's what happens at my house. 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:07.060 Nothing apart from him, you can't produce any of the fruit. 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:08.320 He's talking about that. 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:10.759 We talked about that in our class this morning. 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:13.500 You can mimic the fruit. 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:15.279 You can try. 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:19.119 You can make something that looks real good on the outside. 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:20.440 It looks very convincing. 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:24.680 Have any of you ever seen the show on Food Network, Is It Cake? 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:30.960 Where the guy from Saturday Night Live gets on there and cuts into things that look real 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:32.220 and turns out it's cake. 00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:33.639 And it fools me every time. 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:36.440 I've gotten pretty good, but then I think I've got it. 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.619 And nope, that was cake. 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:44.079 You can make something that looks just like an apple on the outside. 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:48.220 It can convince the human eye, but when you cut into it, that's not an apple. 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:50.319 That's a really good cake artist. 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:55.579 You can convince someone on the outside that you're a follower of Jesus, 00:31:56.019 --> 00:32:01.000 but when we get underneath the surface, when we've been around you long enough, 00:32:01.859 --> 00:32:04.819 or even forget about whether you fooled us or not, 00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:08.960 the Holy Spirit of God knows that's fake. 00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:10.720 That's not from me. 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:13.440 That's imitation. 00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:15.860 That's not the real thing. 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:18.640 You might be able to fool me, 00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:21.200 but you can't fool God. 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.680 Why would you want to? 00:32:23.620 --> 00:32:24.700 He's a good God. 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:25.880 He's a good father. 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:28.759 Why wouldn't you just sign up for the genuine article? 00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:30.400 Why wouldn't you just say, 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.779 God produced that fruit? 00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:33.160 I need the real stuff. 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.259 My wife needs it. 00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:35.319 My husband needs it. 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.380 My kids need it. 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.400 My neighbors need it. 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:40.880 They need the real fruit of the Spirit in me. 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.980 My coworkers need it. 00:32:42.140 --> 00:32:48.460 Those who are in my life need me to be showing that fruit. 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:51.320 They can see through it when it's fake. 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:55.860 So, you don't have to generate. 00:32:55.859 --> 00:33:01.579 You don't have to come up with the life that God is calling you to live. 00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:05.399 It comes from His blood. 00:33:06.659 --> 00:33:10.719 His blood now changes you. 00:33:11.219 --> 00:33:16.500 It is the life stream that flows from the vine into your branch, 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:20.180 and it bears the fruit of goodness, 00:33:20.839 --> 00:33:21.579 of righteousness, 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:22.720 of holiness, 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.099 of peace, 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:24.819 of joy, 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.779 of love, 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:26.859 of patience, 00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:28.440 long-suffering, 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:31.099 not short-suffering. 00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:32.700 What are we talking about by long-suffering? 00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:34.839 It doesn't necessarily mean in that context 00:33:34.839 --> 00:33:36.940 that you're suffering for a long time. 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:40.000 It means you'll put up with a lot. 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:43.940 It means you'll put up with the nonsense 00:33:43.940 --> 00:33:45.619 that you get sick of putting up with, 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:48.380 but you realize that Jesus put up with so much worse 00:33:48.380 --> 00:33:49.900 than you're ever called to put up with. 00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:50.559 You say, 00:33:50.660 --> 00:33:50.900 All right, 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:54.160 I'm not going to tell them what I really want to tell them. 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:56.140 I'm not going to give them a peace of mind like I want to. 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:59.000 I'm not just going to cut that person off like I want to. 00:33:59.079 --> 00:34:01.420 I'm going to suffer long with them 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:05.180 because Jesus showed long-suffering to me. 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:07.539 This is the kind of fruit of the Holy Spirit 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:10.579 that comes from the blood of Jesus. 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:14.680 You don't have to manufacture love and patience and faithfulness. 00:34:14.780 --> 00:34:17.059 You receive it from God. 00:34:17.320 --> 00:34:19.500 When you spend time with God, 00:34:20.680 --> 00:34:22.539 He changes you. 00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:27.360 And if you haven't changed in the last year, 00:34:28.300 --> 00:34:29.180 or five years, 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:30.039 or 10 years, 00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:31.599 or six months, 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:38.099 maybe it's because you haven't been spending as much time with God. 00:34:38.819 --> 00:34:40.259 Not talking about going to church. 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.940 Not talking about going to Sunday school. 00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:44.360 Not even talking about reading your Bible. 00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:46.699 You know you can read your Bible and not spend any time with God? 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:50.440 You've got to spend time with Jesus. 00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:52.759 You've got to open your heart and mind. 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.559 Tear down the walls 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:58.759 and listen to what Jesus has to say in the pages of Scripture. 00:34:58.760 --> 00:35:00.940 Listen to what God the Father and the Holy Spirit 00:35:00.940 --> 00:35:02.620 have to say in the pages of Scripture 00:35:02.620 --> 00:35:04.000 and let it change you. 00:35:04.340 --> 00:35:05.380 How you go to it, 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:07.640 the time you spend with it, 00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:10.280 it's called meditating on the Word of God. 00:35:11.460 --> 00:35:12.680 Joshua 1.8 says, 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.780 this book that we get from God, 00:35:15.260 --> 00:35:17.600 we're supposed to meditate in it day and night. 00:35:17.920 --> 00:35:19.380 Then it can change us. 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:22.540 Then the power of God comes alive through it. 00:35:23.700 --> 00:35:24.020 So, 00:35:24.740 --> 00:35:26.820 let's reach down. 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:28.360 Let's pick up our cups. 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:29.260 Let's go. 00:35:39.260 --> 00:35:41.060 As we prepare to take this cup, 00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:42.900 I'm going to invite Steve Ross forward, 00:35:43.060 --> 00:35:43.740 our deacon chairman. 00:35:43.900 --> 00:35:45.240 He's going to lead us in a prayer 00:35:45.240 --> 00:35:46.600 thanking God for His blood. 00:35:47.760 --> 00:35:49.980 And I want to say this final statement. 00:35:51.620 --> 00:35:52.420 Jesus said, 00:35:52.620 --> 00:35:53.360 I am in my Father, 00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.900 and you are in me, 00:35:55.420 --> 00:35:56.760 and I am in you. 00:35:56.760 --> 00:35:59.460 This blood is so much more 00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:01.940 than just a picture 00:36:01.940 --> 00:36:04.340 of Jesus' sacrifice and forgiveness. 00:36:05.180 --> 00:36:07.460 This blood changes things for us. 00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:12.980 It's the idea that we are brought into a new family. 00:36:14.420 --> 00:36:17.619 It's almost like we've got new blood flowing through our veins. 00:36:17.720 --> 00:36:19.360 It's almost like we've got new DNA. 00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:25.679 He took us from belonging to the wicked, sinful darkness 00:36:25.679 --> 00:36:27.699 that had us trapped before, 00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:29.539 and He won the victory over that. 00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:33.019 And so we thank Him for the blood that frees us 00:36:33.019 --> 00:36:36.199 and that then can generate the life 00:36:36.199 --> 00:36:37.800 that He's calling us to live. 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:39.119 How unfair would it be 00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:40.019 if God said, 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:41.759 I want you to live a life that looks like this. 00:36:41.980 --> 00:36:42.800 Now figure it out. 00:36:44.259 --> 00:36:46.860 Now He's going to produce that life in us 00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:49.440 by the power of His blood 00:36:49.440 --> 00:36:52.239 the longer we stay connected to Him. 00:36:52.239 --> 00:36:53.339 Steve, would you lead us in prayer? 00:36:57.939 --> 00:36:58.379 Lord, 00:36:58.859 --> 00:37:01.519 we thank You for this day, 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:04.199 for this Palm Sunday, 00:37:05.199 --> 00:37:08.779 as we come before You 00:37:08.779 --> 00:37:11.699 in remembrance of our Lord and Savior, 00:37:12.059 --> 00:37:12.799 Jesus Christ. 00:37:12.800 --> 00:37:16.160 Lord, we love You. 00:37:18.740 --> 00:37:20.539 We ask that You forgive us 00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:22.560 where we fail You. 00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:24.039 Forgive us of our sins 00:37:24.039 --> 00:37:26.580 as we come to Your table. 00:37:29.840 --> 00:37:32.740 We pray Your blessings 00:37:32.740 --> 00:37:35.440 on this cup that we take 00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:39.160 and the juice that it represents 00:37:39.159 --> 00:37:41.000 the new covenant 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:43.480 in Jesus' blood 00:37:43.480 --> 00:37:45.379 that was poured out 00:37:45.379 --> 00:37:47.059 for our sins. 00:37:49.679 --> 00:37:50.879 Lord, we thank You 00:37:50.879 --> 00:37:52.940 for our Savior, 00:37:53.359 --> 00:37:54.159 Jesus Christ. 00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:56.960 We thank You for His life. 00:37:57.980 --> 00:37:59.639 We thank You for His sacrifice. 00:38:00.779 --> 00:38:03.119 And we thank You for His resurrection. 00:38:05.219 --> 00:38:06.960 And I pray these things 00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:08.519 in the strong name 00:38:08.519 --> 00:38:10.059 of Jesus Christ. 00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:10.679 Amen. 00:38:11.960 --> 00:38:12.699 Jesus said, 00:38:12.880 --> 00:38:13.920 This cup is the new covenant 00:38:13.920 --> 00:38:14.759 in my blood. 00:38:15.420 --> 00:38:16.940 Do this as often as you drink it 00:38:16.940 --> 00:38:17.960 in remembrance of me. 00:38:17.960 --> 00:38:18.079 Amen. 00:38:38.519 --> 00:38:50.019 How deep the Father's love for us. 00:38:50.019 --> 00:38:50.019 00:38:51.280 --> 00:38:55.860 How vast beyond all measure 00:38:55.860 --> 00:39:02.820 that He should give His only Son 00:39:02.820 --> 00:39:08.780 to make a wretch His treasure. 00:39:08.780 --> 00:39:16.640 How great the pain of searing loss. 00:39:16.640 --> 00:39:22.580 The Father turns His face away 00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:29.279 as wounds which mar the chosen one 00:39:29.279 --> 00:39:35.019 bring many sons to glory. 00:39:35.019 --> 00:39:42.579 Behold the man upon a cross. 00:39:42.579 --> 00:39:48.719 My sin upon His shoulders. 00:39:50.320 --> 00:39:55.380 Ashamed I hear my mocking voice 00:39:55.380 --> 00:40:02.420 call out among the scoffers. 00:40:02.420 --> 00:40:08.220 It was my sin that held Him there 00:40:08.220 --> 00:40:13.820 until it was accomplished. 00:40:15.880 --> 00:40:21.019 His dying breath has brought me life. 00:40:21.019 --> 00:40:26.820 I know that it is finished. 00:40:29.300 --> 00:40:33.139 I will not boast in anything. 00:40:33.139 --> 00:40:39.659 No gifts, nor power, nor wisdom. 00:40:41.159 --> 00:40:46.039 But I will boast in Jesus Christ. 00:40:46.099 --> 00:40:51.539 His death and resurrection. 00:40:51.539 --> 00:40:58.420 Why should I gain from His reward? 00:41:00.420 --> 00:41:04.599 I cannot give an answer. 00:41:06.599 --> 00:41:11.539 But this I know with all my heart. 00:41:13.219 --> 00:41:17.279 His wounds have paid my ransom. 00:41:17.280 --> 00:41:18.280 Amen. 00:41:47.280 --> 00:41:50.960 Just a couple of chapters over. 00:41:51.080 --> 00:41:51.900 John 17. 00:41:53.580 --> 00:41:55.300 Jesus gives us one more theme. 00:41:55.400 --> 00:41:56.500 He talked about His body. 00:41:56.640 --> 00:41:57.760 He talked about His blood. 00:41:57.960 --> 00:41:59.880 And then He talked about the bond 00:41:59.880 --> 00:42:01.840 between His followers. 00:42:02.680 --> 00:42:04.500 After the meal, Jesus prays. 00:42:05.960 --> 00:42:08.920 We're listening in on what matters to Him most 00:42:08.920 --> 00:42:10.240 in that moment. 00:42:10.340 --> 00:42:11.400 What's He praying about? 00:42:11.400 --> 00:42:12.900 He says, 00:42:13.280 --> 00:42:16.740 My prayer is not for my disciples alone. 00:42:17.619 --> 00:42:17.920 He said, 00:42:18.079 --> 00:42:21.160 My prayer is also for those who will believe in me 00:42:21.160 --> 00:42:23.320 through their message. 00:42:23.460 --> 00:42:26.840 That reaches down through the annals of time 00:42:26.840 --> 00:42:29.519 all the way to 2026 in Henrietta, Texas 00:42:29.519 --> 00:42:30.200 and Clay County. 00:42:30.940 --> 00:42:32.300 We are the ones, 00:42:33.180 --> 00:42:34.340 some of the ones, 00:42:34.539 --> 00:42:36.860 who were reached through their message. 00:42:36.860 --> 00:42:40.700 So Jesus is praying for us. 00:42:41.320 --> 00:42:42.700 And what is He praying for? 00:42:42.800 --> 00:42:44.420 What does He ask from His Father? 00:42:45.039 --> 00:42:49.300 That they may be one as we are one. 00:42:50.079 --> 00:42:51.539 This is our bond. 00:42:52.700 --> 00:42:54.420 The theme of unity 00:42:54.420 --> 00:42:57.000 goes from the Old Testament, 00:42:57.140 --> 00:42:58.300 from Solomon's writings, 00:42:58.660 --> 00:43:00.620 and it's modeled by those 00:43:00.620 --> 00:43:03.320 who followed God as the children of Israel 00:43:03.320 --> 00:43:05.920 all the way through to Jesus' disciples 00:43:05.920 --> 00:43:06.760 and His teaching 00:43:06.760 --> 00:43:08.559 and then all the way to Peter's teaching 00:43:08.559 --> 00:43:09.539 and Paul's teaching 00:43:09.539 --> 00:43:10.539 and James' teaching 00:43:10.539 --> 00:43:12.539 that we would be one, 00:43:12.740 --> 00:43:14.200 that we would have this strong, 00:43:14.380 --> 00:43:16.840 inseparable bond in Christ. 00:43:17.400 --> 00:43:17.780 Now look, 00:43:17.840 --> 00:43:19.360 y'all are weird people, okay? 00:43:21.400 --> 00:43:23.039 I thought that would get some laughs. 00:43:23.099 --> 00:43:24.240 You really think I'm serious? 00:43:24.579 --> 00:43:25.159 Well, you are. 00:43:25.220 --> 00:43:25.659 You are weird. 00:43:25.720 --> 00:43:26.559 And I'm weird too. 00:43:26.639 --> 00:43:28.260 That's why we work together. 00:43:28.260 --> 00:43:30.300 If you're weird, 00:43:30.400 --> 00:43:31.159 if you're not weird, 00:43:31.280 --> 00:43:33.059 you can't be part of us, okay? 00:43:33.139 --> 00:43:34.200 You gotta be a little weird. 00:43:35.920 --> 00:43:41.159 We may not always get along 00:43:41.159 --> 00:43:43.099 in every area of life. 00:43:43.599 --> 00:43:45.039 You might have different opinions 00:43:45.039 --> 00:43:46.800 on certain things that I do 00:43:46.800 --> 00:43:47.680 and vice versa. 00:43:48.519 --> 00:43:50.659 I like to put lavender in my coffee. 00:43:51.400 --> 00:43:52.800 You may think that's weird. 00:43:54.099 --> 00:43:55.139 It's great. 00:43:57.139 --> 00:43:58.420 It's awesome. 00:43:59.519 --> 00:44:00.940 Holly thinks it's disgusting. 00:44:01.940 --> 00:44:02.700 She's like, 00:44:02.800 --> 00:44:04.000 why do I wanna drink soap? 00:44:04.000 --> 00:44:06.719 We may not agree 00:44:06.719 --> 00:44:08.179 in a lot of different areas, 00:44:08.320 --> 00:44:09.900 but we can set aside 00:44:09.900 --> 00:44:11.059 the less important things. 00:44:11.119 --> 00:44:12.360 Now that's a silly thing, right? 00:44:13.059 --> 00:44:13.559 Truth is, 00:44:13.599 --> 00:44:14.519 I don't really like coffee, 00:44:14.599 --> 00:44:15.440 so I gotta dump 00:44:15.440 --> 00:44:16.460 as many frou-frou, 00:44:16.980 --> 00:44:18.280 sugary stuff into it 00:44:18.280 --> 00:44:19.679 and then I don't get to drink it much 00:44:19.679 --> 00:44:21.159 because I'm trying to do better. 00:44:21.440 --> 00:44:21.760 Anyway, 00:44:22.500 --> 00:44:23.960 you and I don't have to agree on it. 00:44:24.000 --> 00:44:24.639 We don't have to like 00:44:24.639 --> 00:44:25.739 the same sports teams. 00:44:27.639 --> 00:44:28.679 Should we go here? 00:44:28.679 --> 00:44:30.659 We don't always have to agree 00:44:30.659 --> 00:44:31.919 on every political issue. 00:44:34.139 --> 00:44:35.139 But look, 00:44:35.719 --> 00:44:37.839 we do have to agree on Jesus. 00:44:38.539 --> 00:44:40.679 And if we agree on Jesus, 00:44:41.179 --> 00:44:42.759 then we have a bond. 00:44:43.179 --> 00:44:45.319 And that bond should not be broken 00:44:45.319 --> 00:44:47.239 by how you take your coffee 00:44:47.239 --> 00:44:50.079 or what sports teams you like 00:44:50.079 --> 00:44:53.739 or what political affiliation you have 00:44:53.739 --> 00:44:55.899 or candidate you happen to like 00:44:55.900 --> 00:44:59.119 or whatever issue happens to divide people, 00:44:59.280 --> 00:45:01.440 would you say America is more united 00:45:01.440 --> 00:45:02.980 or divided these days? 00:45:04.500 --> 00:45:04.940 So, 00:45:05.200 --> 00:45:06.960 I didn't have to give 00:45:06.960 --> 00:45:08.039 all those silly illustrations. 00:45:08.300 --> 00:45:09.740 I just wanted to wake you up for a second 00:45:09.740 --> 00:45:11.340 because this is the third sermon. 00:45:11.840 --> 00:45:11.840 00:45:13.039 --> 00:45:15.119 the truth is, 00:45:15.180 --> 00:45:16.019 we all know this. 00:45:16.380 --> 00:45:17.559 We know America's divided. 00:45:17.960 --> 00:45:20.019 They're divided by race. 00:45:20.360 --> 00:45:23.680 They're divided by socioeconomic status, 00:45:24.139 --> 00:45:25.680 how much money you got in your bank account. 00:45:25.900 --> 00:45:31.059 They're divided by all kinds of dividing lines. 00:45:33.360 --> 00:45:34.980 Sometimes in a small town, 00:45:35.840 --> 00:45:36.800 it can be divided by 00:45:36.800 --> 00:45:38.300 who your friends were in high school 00:45:38.300 --> 00:45:40.500 or what family, 00:45:40.599 --> 00:45:41.559 who you're related to. 00:45:42.539 --> 00:45:45.619 Dividing lines that humans draw between us, 00:45:45.760 --> 00:45:48.420 that can shatter the bond of unity 00:45:48.420 --> 00:45:51.599 that Jesus is praying for 00:45:51.599 --> 00:45:53.720 in John chapter 17. 00:45:53.719 --> 00:45:56.699 Then Paul echoes the same thing 00:45:56.699 --> 00:45:57.739 in 1 Corinthians 10. 00:45:57.879 --> 00:45:59.439 He's writing about the Lord's Supper. 00:45:59.699 --> 00:46:00.719 He's writing about communion. 00:46:01.039 --> 00:46:01.379 And he says, 00:46:01.719 --> 00:46:02.919 because there is one loaf, 00:46:03.679 --> 00:46:05.719 we who are many are one body. 00:46:06.719 --> 00:46:11.259 We all come from the same broken body of Jesus. 00:46:12.119 --> 00:46:13.439 That's how we have life. 00:46:13.759 --> 00:46:15.419 We all have his blood 00:46:15.419 --> 00:46:17.419 that gives us new life, 00:46:17.539 --> 00:46:18.259 gives us forgiveness, 00:46:18.480 --> 00:46:19.259 gives us cleansing, 00:46:19.260 --> 00:46:22.800 and produces the same fruit in all of us. 00:46:22.840 --> 00:46:23.740 It might look different. 00:46:24.040 --> 00:46:25.060 Patience in my life, 00:46:25.160 --> 00:46:25.740 in my life, 00:46:25.800 --> 00:46:27.400 might look different than patience in yours. 00:46:28.680 --> 00:46:30.540 I might show love differently 00:46:30.540 --> 00:46:32.120 than you show love. 00:46:33.320 --> 00:46:35.620 God might be working differently in me 00:46:35.620 --> 00:46:36.420 than he is in you. 00:46:36.540 --> 00:46:39.380 But the point is that he's working in all of us, 00:46:39.460 --> 00:46:41.980 that he's producing this fruit in all of us. 00:46:42.100 --> 00:46:43.720 That's what binds us together. 00:46:43.719 --> 00:46:46.319 So when we come to what we call the Lord's table, 00:46:47.059 --> 00:46:48.339 and we pass the bread, 00:46:48.519 --> 00:46:49.419 and we pass the cup, 00:46:49.500 --> 00:46:50.159 and we drink it, 00:46:50.199 --> 00:46:51.359 and we remember Jesus, 00:46:51.739 --> 00:46:55.159 we're doing this together, jointly. 00:46:56.239 --> 00:46:57.699 Joy and Jared, our staff, 00:46:57.759 --> 00:46:59.980 went around this week to some of our shut-ins, 00:47:00.119 --> 00:47:02.059 and they gave these Lord's Supper elements 00:47:02.059 --> 00:47:03.319 to them ahead of time 00:47:03.319 --> 00:47:05.679 so they could watch on the live stream. 00:47:05.779 --> 00:47:07.599 And when we all take the bread and the cup, 00:47:07.759 --> 00:47:09.459 they can be doing it at the same time. 00:47:10.799 --> 00:47:12.239 And I thought that was a wonderful idea. 00:47:12.239 --> 00:47:14.199 I don't remember who came up with that. 00:47:14.259 --> 00:47:14.979 Was it one of the deacons? 00:47:15.859 --> 00:47:16.419 It was Joy. 00:47:16.519 --> 00:47:17.239 It was Joy's idea. 00:47:17.359 --> 00:47:18.859 Joy comes up with all the good ideas. 00:47:19.500 --> 00:47:21.439 If anything is good about this church, 00:47:21.519 --> 00:47:22.379 it was Joy's idea. 00:47:22.500 --> 00:47:23.319 Just trust me on that. 00:47:27.559 --> 00:47:28.439 Jesus said, 00:47:28.739 --> 00:47:30.919 this is how the world will recognize you 00:47:30.919 --> 00:47:32.359 as a follower of Jesus. 00:47:32.519 --> 00:47:33.119 John 13, 00:47:33.279 --> 00:47:34.639 by this everyone will know 00:47:34.639 --> 00:47:36.459 that you're my followers 00:47:36.459 --> 00:47:38.779 if you love one another, 00:47:39.399 --> 00:47:40.959 if this bond is strong, 00:47:40.960 --> 00:47:43.099 not by what we can claim, 00:47:43.199 --> 00:47:44.119 what we can brag about, 00:47:44.199 --> 00:47:45.199 what we can boast about, 00:47:45.420 --> 00:47:46.760 by how much better we are, 00:47:47.280 --> 00:47:49.320 or by how we can relate to everybody. 00:47:49.960 --> 00:47:51.960 They'll know that you're his followers 00:47:51.960 --> 00:47:54.260 by how strong the bond is. 00:47:55.980 --> 00:47:57.639 That's what draws people to Jesus. 00:47:59.179 --> 00:48:01.740 The table doesn't just connect you to Christ. 00:48:02.300 --> 00:48:04.139 It ties you to his people. 00:48:05.900 --> 00:48:07.400 Whether they're easy to love or not, 00:48:07.820 --> 00:48:09.240 whether you're easy to love or not, 00:48:09.239 --> 00:48:12.439 whether you naturally just click or not, 00:48:13.139 --> 00:48:15.639 it's not a chosen community. 00:48:16.119 --> 00:48:17.679 It's a given community. 00:48:18.159 --> 00:48:19.679 It's a gift from God. 00:48:19.839 --> 00:48:20.479 This community. 00:48:21.019 --> 00:48:21.419 Look around. 00:48:21.500 --> 00:48:22.459 Can everybody just look around? 00:48:23.000 --> 00:48:23.899 Just look around at each other? 00:48:25.079 --> 00:48:25.659 Now say, 00:48:25.739 --> 00:48:26.439 you're a gift to me. 00:48:27.000 --> 00:48:27.759 You don't have to do that. 00:48:27.799 --> 00:48:28.279 That's awkward. 00:48:29.459 --> 00:48:30.899 Don't do it insincerely. 00:48:30.900 --> 00:48:36.420 But we are. 00:48:36.639 --> 00:48:38.840 We are a gift to each other. 00:48:41.780 --> 00:48:43.160 So now let's sit quietly. 00:48:44.320 --> 00:48:45.360 Lindsay's gonna come forward 00:48:45.360 --> 00:48:47.039 and she's gonna sing a song. 00:48:48.119 --> 00:48:48.900 Jared's gonna play. 00:48:49.280 --> 00:48:50.320 They're just gonna be down here. 00:48:50.320 --> 00:48:55.080 She's gonna sing this song over us. 00:48:56.260 --> 00:48:58.400 And I pray that it's a blessing to you 00:48:58.400 --> 00:49:01.180 as it is to me. 00:49:02.920 --> 00:49:04.840 Let this be a time as she's singing 00:49:04.840 --> 00:49:09.460 where you talk to the Holy Spirit of God, 00:49:09.860 --> 00:49:11.380 but maybe more importantly, 00:49:11.480 --> 00:49:12.539 you let him talk to you. 00:49:12.539 --> 00:49:16.139 If God wants you to respond 00:49:16.139 --> 00:49:18.460 to the preaching of his word 00:49:18.460 --> 00:49:19.940 through his teaching 00:49:19.940 --> 00:49:21.800 that was relayed to you today from John, 00:49:23.219 --> 00:49:24.259 then this is a good time. 00:49:24.380 --> 00:49:25.199 You can come forward. 00:49:25.320 --> 00:49:26.440 You can talk to me down here. 00:49:26.480 --> 00:49:27.179 I'll be down front 00:49:27.179 --> 00:49:28.480 if you need somebody to pray with you. 00:49:28.800 --> 00:49:30.179 If you'd like to place your membership 00:49:30.179 --> 00:49:31.840 in this church and join us 00:49:31.840 --> 00:49:33.559 as part of our body 00:49:33.559 --> 00:49:35.259 as we're joining Jesus 00:49:35.259 --> 00:49:36.840 this journey together. 00:49:37.480 --> 00:49:37.980 Come down. 00:49:38.039 --> 00:49:38.840 Let's talk about that. 00:49:39.259 --> 00:49:40.860 If you'd like to place your faith in Jesus 00:49:40.860 --> 00:49:42.019 for the first time today 00:49:42.019 --> 00:49:42.739 and say, 00:49:42.880 --> 00:49:44.559 I choose Jesus 00:49:44.559 --> 00:49:46.019 to forgive me of my sin 00:49:46.019 --> 00:49:47.460 to become God's child. 00:49:48.440 --> 00:49:50.019 I wanna make today the day we do that. 00:49:50.059 --> 00:49:51.579 I'd love to sit and talk with you about that. 00:49:52.019 --> 00:49:52.840 If you'd like to be baptized, 00:49:53.059 --> 00:49:54.400 if you'd like something else 00:49:54.400 --> 00:49:55.119 that's on your heart 00:49:55.119 --> 00:49:56.440 you wanna talk about or pray through, 00:49:56.739 --> 00:49:57.500 come down front. 00:49:57.599 --> 00:49:58.719 If I'm tied up with somebody, 00:49:58.840 --> 00:49:59.619 we'll grab somebody else 00:49:59.619 --> 00:50:00.539 to come pray with you. 00:50:00.800 --> 00:50:03.259 But use this time of invitation 00:50:03.259 --> 00:50:04.759 to invite you to come forward 00:50:04.759 --> 00:50:05.759 or stay in your seat 00:50:05.759 --> 00:50:07.380 and you just do business with God 00:50:07.380 --> 00:50:09.119 right now while Lindsay sings. 00:50:12.019 --> 00:50:21.239 This is the body 00:50:21.239 --> 00:50:25.039 that was torn for us 00:50:25.039 --> 00:50:30.380 This is the blood that was spilled 00:50:30.380 --> 00:50:33.779 Points to the pain 00:50:33.779 --> 00:50:37.519 You endure for us 00:50:37.519 --> 00:50:39.940 Points to the shame, 00:50:40.000 --> 00:50:43.039 the blame, the guilt 00:50:43.039 --> 00:50:51.340 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 00:50:51.340 --> 00:50:52.259 Come 00:50:52.259 --> 00:50:56.300 Move our hearts 00:50:56.300 --> 00:50:58.660 To remember 00:50:58.660 --> 00:51:12.160 This is the Lamb 00:51:12.160 --> 00:51:15.840 Who was slain for us 00:51:15.840 --> 00:51:18.100 So we, the church, 00:51:18.519 --> 00:51:21.260 May enter in 00:51:21.260 --> 00:51:24.260 So bittersweet 00:51:24.260 --> 00:51:27.920 When we think of you 00:51:27.920 --> 00:51:30.480 The one who bore 00:51:30.480 --> 00:51:33.800 Our curse, our sin 00:51:33.800 --> 00:51:41.540 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 00:51:41.540 --> 00:51:42.480 Come 00:51:42.480 --> 00:51:46.420 Move our hearts 00:51:46.420 --> 00:51:47.420 To remember 00:51:47.420 --> 00:51:47.420 00:51:47.420 --> 00:51:55.519 To remember 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:55.519 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:58.519 Father, 00:51:58.519 --> 00:51:55.519 To remember 00:51:55.519 --> 00:51:58.519 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 00:51:58.519 --> 00:51:58.519 00:51:58.519 --> 00:51:58.519 00:51:58.519 --> 00:51:58.519 00:51:58.519 --> 00:51:58.519 00:51:58.519 --> 00:51:58.519 00:51:58.519 --> 00:51:58.519 00:51:58.519 --> 00:51:58.519 00:51:58.519 --> 00:51:58.519 00:51:58.519 --> 00:51:58.519 00:51:58.519 --> 00:52:06.480 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, come. 00:52:10.579 --> 00:52:18.460 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, come. 00:52:18.460 --> 00:52:24.940 Move our hearts to remember. 00:52:28.519 --> 00:52:33.599 The body shows us, yeah, thank you, Lindsay. 00:52:38.519 --> 00:52:44.119 Christ's body shows us that love moved first all the way to sacrificing its own life. 00:52:44.719 --> 00:52:48.500 His blood gives us a life that we don't have to create or manufacture. 00:52:48.960 --> 00:52:50.199 It comes from Him. 00:52:51.759 --> 00:52:57.079 And then this table binds us together with a people that we didn't choose, 00:52:57.079 --> 00:52:59.860 but we get to do life with, with Jesus. 00:53:00.380 --> 00:53:01.840 So let's keep that in mind. 00:53:02.159 --> 00:53:04.239 I'm going to invite you to stand if you're able to. 00:53:04.880 --> 00:53:06.360 Some of you may know this song. 00:53:06.440 --> 00:53:11.779 If you don't, you can just listen as we sing it. 00:53:12.119 --> 00:53:15.440 But this song is called Power of the Cross. 00:53:15.799 --> 00:53:17.199 We're going to start with the chorus. 00:53:17.799 --> 00:53:19.699 And if you know it, sing along. 00:53:20.119 --> 00:53:22.579 If you don't, just listen and let it bless you. 00:53:22.579 --> 00:53:27.079 Singing about the sacrifice that Jesus made. 00:53:27.460 --> 00:53:30.519 And let's try to think on that as Christians and followers of Jesus this week. 00:53:30.759 --> 00:53:37.099 And when Resurrection Sunday comes next week, we'll be ready to celebrate the truth that He is no longer dead. 00:53:37.219 --> 00:53:37.819 He has risen. 00:53:38.199 --> 00:53:38.799 He is alive. 00:53:38.800 --> 00:53:50.260 This the power of the cross. 00:53:50.260 --> 00:53:57.900 Christ became sin for us. 00:53:57.900 --> 00:54:11.220 Now sing this part. 00:54:11.220 --> 00:54:19.180 Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day. 00:54:19.880 --> 00:54:25.680 Christ on the road to Calvary. 00:54:26.019 --> 00:54:26.720 Think about it. 00:54:26.719 --> 00:54:30.339 Tried by sinful men. 00:54:31.019 --> 00:54:33.980 Torn and beaten then. 00:54:34.719 --> 00:54:39.559 Nailed to a cross of wood. 00:54:41.679 --> 00:54:45.539 But now the daylight flees. 00:54:45.539 --> 00:54:48.659 And now the ground beneath. 00:54:48.659 --> 00:54:56.819 Quakes as its maker bows his head. 00:54:56.819 --> 00:55:00.139 Curtain torn in two. 00:55:00.139 --> 00:55:04.119 Dead arrays to life. 00:55:04.119 --> 00:55:09.319 Finished the victory cry. 00:55:09.320 --> 00:55:10.320 This the power. 00:55:10.320 --> 00:55:10.519 This the power. 00:55:10.519 --> 00:55:10.519 00:55:10.519 --> 00:55:11.660 This the power. 00:55:11.660 --> 00:55:12.900 This the power. 00:55:14.620 --> 00:55:17.160 Of the cross. 00:55:18.320 --> 00:55:25.120 Christ became sin for us. 00:55:25.660 --> 00:55:28.460 Took the blame. 00:55:29.460 --> 00:55:30.800 Bore the wrath. 00:55:31.220 --> 00:55:36.320 We stand forgiven at the cross. 00:55:36.320 --> 00:55:38.320 Now think about these words. 00:55:38.940 --> 00:55:40.200 It personalizes it. 00:55:40.580 --> 00:55:41.840 Brings it down to you and me. 00:55:41.840 --> 00:55:50.000 Oh, to see my name written in your wounds. 00:55:50.539 --> 00:55:56.559 For through your suffering I am free. 00:55:56.559 --> 00:56:00.519 Death is crushed to death. 00:56:00.519 --> 00:56:04.519 And life is mine to live. 00:56:04.519 --> 00:56:10.320 One through your selfless love. 00:56:10.320 --> 00:56:10.980 Sing it out. 00:56:10.980 --> 00:56:12.980 This the power. 00:56:12.980 --> 00:56:14.820 This the power. 00:56:14.820 --> 00:56:18.219 Of the cross. 00:56:18.219 --> 00:56:21.940 The son of God. 00:56:22.500 --> 00:56:25.559 Slain for us. 00:56:26.219 --> 00:56:27.940 What a love. 00:56:29.480 --> 00:56:31.300 What a cost. 00:56:31.679 --> 00:56:36.860 We stand forgiven at the cross. 00:56:36.860 --> 00:56:39.660 Let's sing that through one more time. 00:56:39.740 --> 00:56:41.059 This the power of the cross. 00:56:41.059 --> 00:56:44.059 This the power. 00:56:45.920 --> 00:56:48.059 Of the cross. 00:56:48.960 --> 00:56:49.539 Son of God. 00:56:49.980 --> 00:56:52.059 Son of God. 00:56:53.260 --> 00:56:56.960 He was slain for us. 00:56:57.780 --> 00:56:59.599 What a love. 00:57:01.180 --> 00:57:03.160 What a cost. 00:57:03.159 --> 00:57:10.059 We stand forgiven at the cross. 00:57:10.739 --> 00:57:13.839 God, thank you for that cost that you were so willing to pay. 00:57:14.279 --> 00:57:16.519 Thank you for giving your body and your blood. 00:57:17.279 --> 00:57:19.299 And for the bond that you have given to us. 00:57:20.379 --> 00:57:22.879 Help us to go forward into this Passion Week. 00:57:23.420 --> 00:57:26.279 Remembering the events that led up to your death. 00:57:26.440 --> 00:57:27.139 Your sacrifice. 00:57:28.599 --> 00:57:32.339 And the ultimate victory over everything that can come up against us. 00:57:33.159 --> 00:57:34.239 With your resurrection. 00:57:34.659 --> 00:57:36.299 Bring us back together Wednesday night. 00:57:36.799 --> 00:57:38.339 And back again together. 00:57:39.199 --> 00:57:40.539 On Resurrection Sunday. 00:57:40.779 --> 00:57:42.460 To celebrate Easter in the way that. 00:57:42.920 --> 00:57:44.539 Churches all around this world. 00:57:45.279 --> 00:57:46.299 Will be gathering to do. 00:57:47.179 --> 00:57:49.119 We'll give you all the praise and glory for it. 00:57:49.159 --> 00:57:50.179 It's in Jesus name we pray. 00:57:50.639 --> 00:57:50.920 Amen.