WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.480 I want you to turn in your Bible. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:16.080 Well, we're going to go a couple different places because I want to frame our lesson this morning 00:00:16.080 --> 00:00:20.780 ! and its intent clearly in your hearts. 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:22.740 But before we do that, we're going to pray. 00:00:25.740 --> 00:00:26.900 Do you know why we pray? 00:00:26.899 --> 00:00:37.259 We do so many different things when we pray, but one of the things we do is that we confess 00:00:37.259 --> 00:00:41.460 His sufficiency in our dependence. 00:00:41.539 --> 00:00:42.019 Isn't that right? 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:52.500 And if there's anything we always need, it is the work of the Holy Spirit in our frail 00:00:52.500 --> 00:01:00.600 lives in rejoicing in the Lord Jesus Christ and being satisfied supremely with Him. 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:01.799 So you join me in prayer. 00:01:02.679 --> 00:01:05.980 And don't kind of be sitting there like a bump on a log thinking about lunch. 00:01:06.460 --> 00:01:10.079 You just be begging God to do something in your life that needs to be done. 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:10.340 Amen? 00:01:10.340 --> 00:01:10.480 Amen? 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:10.520 Amen. 00:01:13.340 --> 00:01:20.159 Holy Father, we are so very blessed to be able to come into Your presence this morning, 00:01:20.540 --> 00:01:28.219 to come with humility, to come with boldness that is not of our own making, but is because 00:01:28.219 --> 00:01:30.040 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:30.040 --> 00:01:39.200 And as we heard sung this morning when He said, Tetelestai, He was not only saying it is finished, 00:01:39.320 --> 00:01:41.240 but He was also saying it is paid in full. 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:47.200 There is now, therefore, no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:55.920 And, Lord, while it does not yet appear what we shall be, we know that the day is coming 00:01:55.920 --> 00:02:00.420 when we will see Him and we will be like Him. 00:02:01.799 --> 00:02:09.280 And so our prayer this morning is that our hearts would be good soil to receive the Word 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:18.020 of God and to allow the truth of the Word of God to affect our thinking and our living. 00:02:19.639 --> 00:02:27.439 That as we study in the Scriptures this very particular truth relating to how Jesus looked 00:02:27.439 --> 00:02:38.719 at the Last Supper, that we would grow to love Him, that we would grow to appreciate the beauty 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:45.919 and the depth of His work for us, and that our affection for the Lord Jesus Christ would be 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:53.680 something that not only makes a difference in our life, but makes a difference in the world around us. 00:02:55.479 --> 00:02:57.979 And most importantly, that Christ is glorified. 00:02:59.740 --> 00:03:01.659 And we ask this in Jesus' name. 00:03:02.060 --> 00:03:02.379 Amen. 00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:08.319 Well, I will get to the sermon eventually, and I do want you to put your finger in Luke chapter 22, 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:10.019 because that's where we will be. 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:16.299 But one of the things that I think is important is to understand what's the takeaway? 00:03:16.719 --> 00:03:19.459 What's it really going to look like when it all plays out? 00:03:19.519 --> 00:03:23.739 Not just the sermon, but the work of the Word of God in your life. 00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:32.359 I think about a passage in Romans chapter 8 where it says this, that God explains the issue of His 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:36.820 sovereign care for us, and it says, all things work together for good to them that love God 00:03:36.820 --> 00:03:38.760 and are called according to His purpose. 00:03:39.100 --> 00:03:45.720 And then it goes on and says this, that in essence, we are going to be conformed into the image of Christ. 00:03:46.300 --> 00:03:46.880 Isn't that right? 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:55.500 I alluded in the prayer to a passage in 1 John where it says that though we don't see Him yet, 00:03:55.579 --> 00:03:57.680 the day is coming when we will see Him. 00:03:58.039 --> 00:04:00.879 And what will be the effect of seeing Him? 00:04:01.859 --> 00:04:02.799 What will be the effect? 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:04.859 Say it with me. 00:04:04.939 --> 00:04:06.300 We will become like Him. 00:04:07.099 --> 00:04:08.479 We will become like Him. 00:04:08.699 --> 00:04:15.379 Can I tell you that duplication or modeling after someone else is the highest form of a compliment, 00:04:15.379 --> 00:04:15.939 isn't it? 00:04:16.219 --> 00:04:20.879 I want to be like whoever it is that you want to be like. 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:28.060 You are crediting as being someone significant and worthy, someone that you want to model your 00:04:28.060 --> 00:04:28.659 life after. 00:04:28.759 --> 00:04:34.120 And the truth of the matter is this, is that God intends for us who are His children to be 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:35.560 like Christ. 00:04:36.719 --> 00:04:40.459 How does Christ-likeness happen? 00:04:40.459 --> 00:04:46.060 I'll just kind of sit there and it'll happen automatically. 00:04:48.419 --> 00:04:56.740 I want you to understand, for one, growing to be like Christ happens as the Word of God 00:04:56.740 --> 00:04:58.959 makes a difference in our life. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:01.519 And I think about a passage, there are several different ones. 00:05:01.959 --> 00:05:07.919 One in particular is over there in 2 Corinthians 3, verse 18, where it says that we are transformed 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:14.040 from glory into glory and that transformation takes place when the Word of God makes a difference 00:05:14.040 --> 00:05:14.759 in our life. 00:05:17.400 --> 00:05:23.000 I also want you to understand that we grow to be more like Christ as we grow to appreciate 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:25.560 who He is and to grow in our love for Him. 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:31.220 The truth of the matter is, is that left to our own devices, we are only good at loving 00:05:31.220 --> 00:05:32.700 one person. 00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:34.200 Who is that? 00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:38.459 Me, myself, I. 00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:42.579 In fact, I'm a little irritated when everybody else doesn't love me as much as I do. 00:05:44.039 --> 00:05:45.439 And you're the same way. 00:05:46.420 --> 00:05:50.579 When you're pouty or irritated with whatever is going on in life that's not going your way, 00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:53.439 it's just saying, hey, I want to be the center. 00:05:53.439 --> 00:06:01.000 And it is the work of the Spirit of God and the work of the Word of God that brings us to realize 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:04.040 the supreme beauty and the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:06:04.540 --> 00:06:08.480 And seeing that, we grow to love Him and be interested in Him. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:16.899 And if there's any time in our attention to the Word of God that our hearts should be stirred 00:06:16.899 --> 00:06:21.719 in loving Jesus, it is when we come to this table. 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:29.159 Luke chapter 22, verse 14. 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:34.580 And when the hour came, He reclined at table and the apostles with Him. 00:06:35.760 --> 00:06:43.820 And He said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 00:06:45.440 --> 00:06:51.020 For I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 00:06:51.019 --> 00:06:58.019 And He took a cup, and when He'd given thanks, He said, take this and divide it among yourselves. 00:06:59.060 --> 00:07:04.620 For I tell you that from now on, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:09.500 And He took the bread, and when He'd given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, 00:07:09.819 --> 00:07:12.680 this is My body which is given for you. 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:14.899 Do this in remembrance of Me. 00:07:14.899 --> 00:07:22.060 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, this cup is poured out for you. 00:07:22.459 --> 00:07:27.099 It is the new covenant in My blood. 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:35.679 The thing that I want you to do this morning with me is stop and think carefully, 00:07:38.099 --> 00:07:43.199 deeply, about how Jesus viewed this table. 00:07:44.899 --> 00:07:50.399 You look there at the passage, and if you would put your finger for me on verse 15. 00:07:50.479 --> 00:07:52.439 I want you to do that consciously and deliberately. 00:07:53.159 --> 00:07:56.120 And some of you have iPads and other electronic devices. 00:07:56.239 --> 00:07:56.539 Go ahead. 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:59.779 You're afraid that if you tap it, it's going to, something else will happen. 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:01.039 But kind of mark it. 00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:02.199 Look at what it says here. 00:08:03.239 --> 00:08:08.979 I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:12.659 The Hebrew reads this way. 00:08:12.660 --> 00:08:16.780 In essence, it's saying, I have desired with desire. 00:08:17.320 --> 00:08:22.340 And one of the things that we know about Hebrew language is that when something needs to be emphasized, 00:08:22.780 --> 00:08:27.360 in our culture, when we want to draw attention to something, we underline it. 00:08:27.760 --> 00:08:29.640 Or we use a yellow highlighter. 00:08:29.760 --> 00:08:30.300 Isn't that right? 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:35.960 Judith and I are in a modest process of remodeling, and I promise it will be the last one. 00:08:35.960 --> 00:08:41.160 But we have drywallers that are coming tomorrow, I hope. 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:42.540 I'm going to be away deer hunting. 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:48.940 And so I had to make some little notations on some boards in Spanish. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:50.180 You know? 00:08:50.680 --> 00:08:52.000 Remove this screw. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:57.500 And so here I was talking with the drywaller because he is not going to be there, and his crew is going to be there. 00:08:57.860 --> 00:09:00.620 And so I was spelling out in Spanish, remove this screw. 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:03.039 Big arrow, underline, underline. 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:09.120 In Hebrew, when you wanted to make something clear and emphatic, what you would do is you would double up on it. 00:09:09.240 --> 00:09:11.059 Remember Jesus said, verily, verily? 00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:12.039 Truly, truly? 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:22.539 So when Jesus says here, with desire I have desired, he is saying, I am really into this, and I care about it a lot. 00:09:24.699 --> 00:09:26.879 I'm kind of struck by that when I thought about it. 00:09:27.579 --> 00:09:31.939 How many of you have ever read a passage and missed it completely, and then later on it's like, wow. 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:34.299 It's there. 00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:35.839 It's beautiful. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:47.879 And I was praying several weeks ago about the Lord's Table, and I have to admit that when you do something month after month, 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:53.220 and I am now into about 35 years of the Lord's Table and have done many, many of them, right? 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:58.220 It can become a little tempting to be relatively routine. 00:09:59.540 --> 00:10:05.540 And I always pray about sermons, but there is a sense in which I pray more about the Lord's Table because of that routine. 00:10:06.680 --> 00:10:12.660 And as I was praying and meditating upon a variety of scriptures, I was just, it's like, bang, there it was. 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:19.540 I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover before I suffer. 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:28.700 And I stopped and thought, what was it about this that made this particular Passover so important? 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:37.540 Well, I would suggest that it wasn't the historical significance of what the Passover represented to the nation of Israel 00:10:37.540 --> 00:10:46.520 in that it was the Passover that historically was a celebration of God's work in delivering the nation of Israel from Egypt and from slavery. 00:10:46.700 --> 00:10:47.700 It was more than that. 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:57.660 I think as Jesus thought about this Passover without question, He understood several things that I want you to ponder with me 00:10:57.660 --> 00:11:03.420 and allow it to inform your thinking regarding why this Passover was so important to Jesus, 00:11:03.680 --> 00:11:06.280 and by extension, it should be important to us. 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:17.480 For one, Jesus understood that He was the fulfillment of God's promise to provide for our sins. 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:26.060 Stop and think with me just for a moment that we don't even get out of Genesis chapter 3 before the world's a mess. 00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:29.060 Sin entered the world. 00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:59.039 Sin entered the world. 00:11:59.059 --> 00:12:01.459 Sin entered the world. 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.459 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:08.700 and we will enjoy glory without all these impediments and heartaches. 00:12:09.280 --> 00:12:15.160 And so here, as Jesus thought about what this table represented, 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:18.800 He understood that He was the fulfillment of the promises 00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:21.000 that had been made throughout the Old Testament 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:25.040 regarding His coming and His salvation and His work of redemption. 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:33.299 He understood what was in front of Him was ultimately not this great tragic moment, 00:12:33.719 --> 00:12:39.500 but the reality that He was the fulfillment of God's promises throughout the centuries. 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:45.539 Let me ask you, do you ever get a little impatient with God doing things slower than you'd like? 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:54.379 You know, I'm going to, I swear, use chewing gum on the side of my face so that it doesn't move. 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:59.919 But, at 67, I remember thinking to myself the other day, 00:13:00.319 --> 00:13:04.939 God, why don't you go ahead and finish this process of progressive sanctification 00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:10.559 because I was at a point where I was a little frustrated with some of the gross repetition in my life 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:11.799 of some of the difficulties I've had. 00:13:11.959 --> 00:13:12.879 Anybody else there? 00:13:13.819 --> 00:13:15.240 Why are we doing this again, Jesus? 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:18.039 You know, I mean, it's like, I've been through this. 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:20.959 I know how I should be. 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:31.300 And yet, we find that God in His mysterious plan of working out the plan of redemption over the centuries 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:34.980 brought it to fulfillment in Christ. 00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:43.700 And here is Christ just days prior to the fulfillment of God's promises regarding our salvation. 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:48.300 He says, man, it is with desire that I've desired to do this. 00:13:48.299 --> 00:13:56.199 Not only that, but I firmly believe that Jesus understood that His death for our sins would glorify His Father. 00:13:56.519 --> 00:14:03.240 Do you know that there was nothing that gave Jesus greater pleasure than making His Father feel good or happy? 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:10.419 Turn in your Bible, if you would, to John chapter 13, verse 31. 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:13.659 John chapter 13, verse 31. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:31.120 In the context of the Last Supper, after Judas had left, it says there in verse 31, 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:32.819 when He'd gone out, Jesus said, 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:39.100 Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:48.560 The idea of glorifying someone means to draw attention to them, make them significant, 00:14:48.780 --> 00:14:52.960 or recognize something particularly exceptional about them. 00:14:52.960 --> 00:15:04.320 How is God glorified in the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf? 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:10.320 I want you to stop and think with me about the religions around the world. 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:14.820 I've said it before, and certainly not original with me, 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:19.800 that you may divide all the religions of the world into two groups. 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:27.519 The majority that propose that salvation comes about by your own efforts, 00:15:27.599 --> 00:15:32.179 whether they're repeated and you allow for reincarnation to get another try at it. 00:15:32.479 --> 00:15:35.379 I don't want to ask if any of you ever had to take a class over, 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:38.479 but the idea of Hinduism is that if you don't get it the first time, 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:40.740 you get it the second time, or the third, or whatever else. 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:43.939 Or the idea of slowly kind of working your way up the ladder, 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:46.879 and you do these things, and you do these things, and you get there. 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:56.960 On the other hand, you have the Bible that tells us that we, unable to save ourselves, 00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:03.480 have received the grace of God who sent His Son to die in my place 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:09.179 and satisfy the debt of my sins and to redeem me with His own blood. 00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:19.259 God is glorified in that His plan of salvation is so marvelous and so wonderful 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:25.939 and so unbelievably incredible that, you know, the angels kind of look at this whole thing 00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:31.659 of people like me and people like you being saved, and they go, what is that? 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:40.559 God is glorified in the work of Christ in coming to be our Savior and our Redeemer. 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:46.799 I want you to recognize also that as Jesus, with desire, desired this, 00:16:47.299 --> 00:16:52.259 that He must have been thinking also about His joy in our redemption. 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:57.620 I think of two different passages in relationship to this. 00:16:57.779 --> 00:17:02.740 One was recited actually in our Sunday school class, one of the two Sunday school classes, 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.639 or three that we have. 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:08.279 And in Hebrews chapter 12, I want you to turn over there just for a moment. 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:16.319 In Hebrews chapter 12, the author references Jesus in His attitude towards the cross. 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:24.639 Looking unto Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.460 endured the cross. 00:17:27.439 --> 00:17:31.639 I don't think it's right for us to think that Jesus, as He thought about the cross, went, 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:33.859 woo-hoo, that's it, you know? 00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:39.419 But on the other hand, when He thought about the cross, He thought of our redemption, 00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:48.000 and it satisfied His soul, and it gave to Him a pleasure and a delight that you and I can only appreciate and enjoy. 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:51.360 Turn in your Bibles, if you would. 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:54.240 You're there keeping your finger in Luke because we're coming back to it. 00:17:54.580 --> 00:17:57.279 But I want you to look at Galatians chapter 2, verse 20. 00:17:57.279 --> 00:18:13.720 I have to confess, one of the characteristics of the Bible is that sometimes the Bible puts more thought into an issue 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:17.000 than our little pea brain can handle at one time. 00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:21.740 And as a result of that, we kind of get buried on one point or another, 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:26.660 and we don't appreciate the fact that some Bible truths are profoundly complex, 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:31.480 and you can come back to them again and again and be enriched in each case. 00:18:33.560 --> 00:18:40.160 And so it is when you stop and think about Jesus being satisfied with the matter of this Lord's Supper 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:44.500 as He thinks about our redemption over in Galatians 2.20, here's what it says. 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:46.580 I've been crucified with Christ. 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:50.940 It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:54.900 In the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith, now mark this, 00:18:54.900 --> 00:19:01.680 in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. 00:19:02.820 --> 00:19:04.420 So why did Jesus die? 00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:07.600 He died because He loves me. 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:13.560 I want you to listen to me carefully because this is something that I think far too often 00:19:13.560 --> 00:19:18.200 we diminish its significance simply by not thinking about it. 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:26.539 He loved me in that He was willing to die for me. 00:19:28.080 --> 00:19:32.720 You know, when you ponder the depth of the love of Christ 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:39.500 and you begin to gain through the Scriptures that inform us of His love, 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:46.599 we either grow in our appreciation and affection for Christ 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:51.680 or we harden our heart at the claim His love makes upon us. 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:52.359 Does that make sense? 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:59.440 As you understand that Christ loves you as skunky as you are, 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:01.099 and I joined the crowd with that, you know, 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:04.420 you're either overwhelmed or you just dismiss it. 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:08.320 And so when we come to this table, 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:13.420 it is something that the Spirit of God intends for us to take seriously 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:20.940 and allow the thinking of the love of Christ to affect our behavior and our living. 00:20:22.840 --> 00:20:27.279 Don't you wish that loving Christ could be done strictly in the abstract? 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:32.300 You know, we could kind of say nice things about loving Jesus. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.799 Oh, I love Jesus. 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:37.099 But really when you stop and think about it, 00:20:37.159 --> 00:20:41.919 every time the love of Christ is brought into frame for us little pea brains that we are, 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:45.139 it's always kind of tied in with loving other people. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:47.059 And other people are what? 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:50.960 Are not as easy to love as we are. 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:57.720 And yet, 00:20:58.460 --> 00:21:02.720 Jesus loves me. 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:05.100 And I, 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:08.000 in the glory of that truth, 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:11.440 am affected by that love 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:13.940 and slowly grow to be like Him. 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.740 Do you understand that? 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:19.819 Well, I want you to look as you think here 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:22.460 that as this, 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:25.000 going back to Luke chapter 22, if you would, 00:21:26.120 --> 00:21:29.700 as this first celebration of the Lord's table was taking place, 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:31.359 Jesus begins it by saying, 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:34.359 I have desired with desire 00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:40.140 to partake of this with you. 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:44.040 And so what I would like us to do 00:21:44.040 --> 00:21:45.520 is just take a moment right now 00:21:45.520 --> 00:21:48.020 and ask the Holy Spirit 00:21:48.020 --> 00:21:52.340 to help us desire the Lord's table 00:21:52.340 --> 00:21:56.660 because what it reminds us of. 00:21:57.020 --> 00:21:58.140 Can I say that again slowly? 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:03.620 I'm asking that you join me in prayer quietly right now 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:05.740 and that you say to the Holy Spirit, 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:08.700 Holy Spirit, help me this morning desire the Lord's table. 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:12.519 the way Jesus desired it. 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:16.140 Not exactly because I'm human, 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:20.380 but let me do more than just be here as a passive bump 00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:22.819 waiting for 1215. 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:24.940 Let's pray. 00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:36.819 Holy Spirit, this morning we are thankful 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:38.480 that we can come in humility 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:40.819 to you 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:44.099 who we know in John 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:48.099 tasked by the Father, 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:51.039 sent by the Son 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:54.299 for the express purpose 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.799 of helping us understand 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:57.159 and grow in our affection 00:22:57.159 --> 00:23:00.599 and grasp of the holy glory of Christ. 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:00.740 Christ. 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.980 And so we ask this morning 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:06.699 that you would help us 00:23:06.699 --> 00:23:11.119 to appreciate the beauty 00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:12.959 of what Jesus has done for us 00:23:12.959 --> 00:23:15.899 that we remember this morning 00:23:15.899 --> 00:23:16.919 at this table. 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:22.099 And that as a result of our taking these elements, 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.199 the bread and the cup, 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:28.559 that our affection for the Lord Jesus 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:30.299 who is our Savior would grow 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:34.660 and our passion for godliness 00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:37.220 would grow 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:40.720 and our hatred for personal sin 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:42.140 would grow. 00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:45.720 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:46.980 Amen. 00:23:48.300 --> 00:23:49.720 Well, we've looked, first of all, 00:23:49.780 --> 00:23:50.900 this morning at the passage 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:51.940 and marked what it says 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:53.360 that Jesus there in verse 15, 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:53.660 He says, 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:55.520 I have earnestly desired 00:23:55.520 --> 00:23:57.480 to eat this Passover with you. 00:23:58.420 --> 00:23:59.540 Now let's look at the second part 00:23:59.540 --> 00:24:00.300 where Jesus says, 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:01.620 before I suffer. 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:07.200 Jesus never hid the fact 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:09.740 that He was going to suffer 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.640 for our sins. 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:12.799 He understood 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:14.600 from the very beginning 00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:16.960 that He was destined 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.720 for suffering. 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.360 And He often, 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.380 at various times, 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:23.100 referred to His cross work 00:24:23.100 --> 00:24:24.140 in His ministry 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:24.980 with His disciples. 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.319 He wanted them to know 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:27.620 what was in front. 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.519 Incidentally, 00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:31.500 that is one of the characteristics 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:34.460 of God in His dealings with us. 00:24:34.840 --> 00:24:36.480 He lets us know ahead of time 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:38.099 how the story plays out. 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:38.640 Isn't that right? 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:42.059 He tells us of the hardships 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:42.799 and difficulties. 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:44.200 He tells us also 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:45.940 of the future glory 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.940 that we are going to have 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.519 with Christ 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:49.599 so that in the journey 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:51.259 and in the difficulties we face, 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.620 we're not utterly overwhelmed 00:24:52.620 --> 00:24:53.240 and surprised. 00:24:53.360 --> 00:24:53.880 We knew it 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:55.579 because He told us ahead of time. 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.920 I want you to look there 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:59.099 with me at verse 19. 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:00.640 It says there, 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:02.500 He took bread and broke it 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.220 and gave to them, 00:25:03.360 --> 00:25:03.700 saying, 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:06.779 and later on, 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.519 comments, 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.660 this is my body 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:11.319 which is given for you. 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.700 There are several things 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.620 that I want to draw out 00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:15.340 from this passage 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:16.360 as we think about it. 00:25:16.620 --> 00:25:17.200 For one, 00:25:17.360 --> 00:25:18.759 I want you to understand this, 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:21.460 that Jesus did not die accidentally. 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.720 It wasn't something 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:25.059 that just kind of happened. 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:27.940 If you're there in Luke, 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.599 turn with me just for a moment 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:31.000 over to John chapter 10 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:33.259 and verse 17 and 18. 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.740 Let me just read it to you 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:36.059 if you're not there. 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.099 But in 17, 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.480 it says, 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.159 For this reason, 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.279 the Father loves me 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:42.759 because I lay down my life 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:44.460 that I may take it up again. 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:46.539 No one takes it from me, 00:25:46.659 --> 00:25:47.799 but I lay it down 00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.679 of my own accord. 00:25:48.919 --> 00:25:49.779 I have authority 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.559 to lay it down 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.399 and I have authority 00:25:51.399 --> 00:25:52.659 to take it up again. 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:54.759 This charge I have received 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.540 from my Father. 00:25:56.820 --> 00:25:57.920 I kind of chuckle 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.700 when I think about 00:25:58.700 --> 00:26:00.019 and I just finished reading 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.779 the book of John 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:02.700 and over and over again 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.779 in each of the Gospels 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.880 when it talks about Christ 00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:06.380 before Pilate 00:26:06.380 --> 00:26:07.620 and before the Sanhedrin, 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.140 et cetera. 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.620 Remember Pilate says to him, 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.680 How come you don't say anything? 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.759 I've got the power 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.820 to put you to death. 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.820 Yeah, right. 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.080 No. 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:20.380 Jesus of his own volition 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.620 and of his own choosing 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:23.419 decided that it was appropriate 00:26:23.419 --> 00:26:25.639 for him to lay down his life 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.739 for Tim Knoyer 00:26:26.739 --> 00:26:27.859 and for you. 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:32.019 For another thing, 00:26:32.159 --> 00:26:34.539 Jesus fully satisfied 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:36.779 the debt for our sin. 00:26:37.939 --> 00:26:39.679 Over in John chapter 19, 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.359 verse 30, 00:26:40.959 --> 00:26:42.979 I want you to look at the passage 00:26:42.979 --> 00:26:43.839 just for a moment 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:46.500 and I have to appreciate 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:48.279 the way in which 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.939 attention to the Word of God 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:51.799 directs the songs 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.740 that we sing. 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:54.340 John chapter 19, 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.100 verse 30. 00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.960 When Jesus had received 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.880 the sour wine, 00:26:59.019 --> 00:26:59.720 he said, 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:01.200 It is finished. 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:03.259 And he bowed his head 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.360 and gave up his spirit. 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:06.820 This morning as we listen 00:27:06.820 --> 00:27:10.019 to Stephanie and Caleb 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.519 sing, 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.059 Te Telestai. 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:13.980 They were referencing 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.960 the point that 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.299 when Jesus died 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.440 for our sins, 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.599 what he did was 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.559 he fully satisfied 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.740 the debt for my sin. 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.559 It's really hard for us 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.200 to fathom 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:25.759 the infinite offense 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.700 that our sin 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.659 is against the Holy God, 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.039 isn't it? 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.099 I mean, hey, 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:30.200 we're pretty comfortable 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:31.099 with our own sin. 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.839 You know, 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:35.319 I stop and realize 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.799 that an indication 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:38.940 of how serious sin is 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:40.059 is that Jesus 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:41.559 had to die for my sins. 00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:43.639 Let me help you understand 00:27:43.639 --> 00:27:45.159 the two different choices 00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:47.000 that a sinner has. 00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:50.679 And there may be 00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:51.099 some of you 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:52.059 sitting here this morning 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:53.159 that have never come 00:27:53.159 --> 00:27:54.059 to the place 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.980 where you have cast 00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.679 your faith 00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:56.839 completely on the 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:57.759 finished work of Christ. 00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:58.960 So here are the choices 00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.480 you have. 00:27:59.879 --> 00:28:01.759 You can spend eternity 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:03.859 paying for the infinite 00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:05.799 offense of your sin 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:07.299 against an absolutely 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.240 holy God. 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:08.279 God. 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.519 We finished painting 00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:13.680 the lobby several weeks 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:13.960 ago. 00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.380 Kathy, you saw me, 00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:15.680 didn't you, 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.519 wiping the paint off? 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.880 I mean, here's the deal. 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:20.200 I enjoy painting. 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:21.620 It's something I kind of like. 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:23.180 But some things happen 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:23.960 after you finish 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:24.599 painting something. 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.480 Do you know little kids 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.680 put scuff marks on walls? 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:30.799 And within a couple days 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:32.240 after that lobby was painted 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:33.039 and I was having 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.960 infinite pleasure 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:35.200 and how nice it looked, 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:36.960 there's a couple marks 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.620 on the wall 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.460 and I'm going around 00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:39.120 rub, rub, rub. 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:41.259 And Kathy walks by me. 00:28:41.320 --> 00:28:41.440 She says, 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:41.920 what was it called? 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:43.060 Magic eraser or something? 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:44.200 I wasn't getting it 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:44.980 with a paper towel 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.500 and spit. 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:45.820 You know, 00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:46.140 I was like, 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:48.100 do something better, Tim. 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.340 Now listen, 00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:53.599 if I was a little tweaked 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:56.500 about kids' black marks 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:56.879 on the, 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:58.619 why do kids put marks 00:28:58.619 --> 00:28:59.079 on walls? 00:28:59.139 --> 00:28:59.699 I don't know. 00:29:00.619 --> 00:29:01.639 I used to be a kid 00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:02.259 so let's balance 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:02.759 that one out. 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:03.519 But you know, 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:05.319 here I am kind of 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:06.379 moderately irritated 00:29:06.379 --> 00:29:07.559 at marks on walls. 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.740 That's nothing compared 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.220 to sin. 00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:11.039 Against the holiness 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.720 of God. 00:29:17.159 --> 00:29:18.480 And Jesus satisfied 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.159 my debt. 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:22.139 He paid my price. 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:28.319 He took my sins 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:29.000 upon Himself 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:32.079 and bore the full wrath 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.939 of God. 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.459 Remember I said, 00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:35.659 you got two choices. 00:29:36.459 --> 00:29:37.939 You can suffer for your sins 00:29:37.939 --> 00:29:38.899 for all eternity. 00:29:39.179 --> 00:29:39.959 And there are some of you 00:29:39.959 --> 00:29:40.779 sitting here today 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.959 that consciously, 00:29:42.179 --> 00:29:43.539 whether you understand fully 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.480 what's going on or not, 00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:46.000 every time you say no to Jesus, 00:29:46.119 --> 00:29:46.439 you're saying, 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.839 hey, I'm taking it. 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.319 Bring it on. 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:51.740 I don't care about 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.639 what you did for me. 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.700 On the other hand, 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.839 you can come brokenhearted 00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:56.779 to Jesus and say, 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:58.379 I realize I'm a sinner 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:59.779 that stands justly condemned 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.859 before a holy God 00:30:00.859 --> 00:30:02.059 and I understand 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.019 God the Father 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:04.240 willingly sacrificed 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.980 His Son for me. 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:13.039 I can't help but think about 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:14.700 the words to that song. 00:30:16.860 --> 00:30:17.860 My sin, 00:30:18.140 --> 00:30:18.920 oh the bliss 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:20.220 of this glorious thought, 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.299 my sin, 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:23.200 can you say it with me, 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:23.960 not in part 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.579 but the whole, 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:28.500 is nailed to the cross 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.960 and I bear it no more. 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.940 Praise the Lord. 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.720 Praise the Lord, 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:35.240 oh my soul. 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.539 Is that true for you 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:37.000 this morning? 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.480 My sin, 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:40.100 oh the bliss 00:30:40.100 --> 00:30:41.660 of that glorious thought, 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:43.519 my sin not in part 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.819 but the whole, 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.720 is nailed to the cross 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:49.220 and I bear it no more. 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:52.200 There is now, 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.160 therefore, 00:30:53.839 --> 00:30:56.000 no condemnation 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:58.000 to them who are in Christ Jesus. 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:59.279 Does it get any better than that? 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.120 Huh? 00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:00.559 No. 00:31:03.919 --> 00:31:05.599 Later when you take the bread, 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:07.859 I want you to think to yourself, 00:31:08.979 --> 00:31:11.319 Jesus died for my sins 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.719 and He died in my place. 00:31:14.479 --> 00:31:16.959 He suffered the full measure 00:31:16.959 --> 00:31:18.339 of God's holy judgment 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:19.459 against sin for me 00:31:19.459 --> 00:31:22.000 and there is no remaining debt 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:22.859 on my account. 00:31:24.199 --> 00:31:25.359 Now look at verse 20. 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.500 Verse 20, 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:27.859 it says, 00:31:27.859 --> 00:31:29.459 the cup that is poured out for you 00:31:29.459 --> 00:31:31.459 is the new covenant in my blood. 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.759 I don't know how excited 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.919 you get about the new covenant 00:31:33.919 --> 00:31:35.500 but I want you to think with me 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.119 just for a moment 00:31:36.119 --> 00:31:36.740 and we're going to kind of 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.740 press things together here 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.240 a little bit. 00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:39.839 Understand the significance 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.799 of the new covenant. 00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:42.099 There are really two pieces 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:43.339 that we're going to enjoy 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:43.859 this morning. 00:31:44.179 --> 00:31:45.379 The bread that reminds us 00:31:45.379 --> 00:31:47.059 that Jesus died for our sins 00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:48.240 and the new covenant 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.759 that says, 00:31:49.179 --> 00:31:50.379 and He made a promise. 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:53.319 Do God's promises 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:54.299 get you excited? 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:57.440 Yesterday as I was 00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.339 out on our porch 00:31:58.339 --> 00:32:00.319 a guy was cycling by 00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:01.359 who I've gotten to know 00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:01.980 in my neighborhood 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:03.539 and he's cycling by 00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:04.059 and he stopped 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.619 and looked at me 00:32:04.619 --> 00:32:04.819 and says, 00:32:04.919 --> 00:32:05.859 hey, Reverend, 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:06.460 pray for me. 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.159 I'm going to play 00:32:07.159 --> 00:32:07.980 my lottery ticket. 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:12.919 I said, 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:13.899 not in your life. 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.440 Why do people expect 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.139 a reverend to pray 00:32:18.139 --> 00:32:18.940 for their lottery ticket? 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:20.200 Don't ask me again. 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:24.160 But in comparison 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:27.240 to a little bit of cash, 00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:30.400 I have the promise of God, 00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:32.180 the new covenant. 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:34.240 Let me kind of touch 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.200 on three little pieces 00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:35.900 of the new covenant 00:32:35.900 --> 00:32:37.319 because I am overwhelmed 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:38.640 when I stop and think about 00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:40.120 when I take that blood, 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:41.819 it reminds me of promises 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.940 God has made for me. 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:43.620 One is this, 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.220 the new covenant 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:45.500 promises transformation. 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.940 In Jeremiah chapter 31, 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.440 and we're not going 00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:48.860 to look there, 00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.140 it says, 00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:49.759 I will give them 00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.300 a new heart. 00:32:51.400 --> 00:32:52.280 How many of you remember 00:32:52.280 --> 00:32:53.220 when it was 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.100 that you had a heart 00:32:54.100 --> 00:32:55.060 that was darkened 00:32:55.060 --> 00:32:56.720 and miserable by sin? 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:58.780 You were absolutely burdened 00:32:58.780 --> 00:32:59.940 with the nastiness 00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:00.900 of your soul. 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.380 Christ Jesus came 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:05.000 into your life 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.460 and gave you 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:06.240 complete forgiveness 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:07.520 and he gave you 00:33:07.520 --> 00:33:09.180 a new heart. 00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:13.640 One of the things 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:14.580 that I love to say 00:33:14.580 --> 00:33:16.320 to people 00:33:16.320 --> 00:33:16.840 when I'm sharing 00:33:16.840 --> 00:33:17.680 the gospel with them 00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:18.160 is you don't have 00:33:18.160 --> 00:33:19.120 to stay the way you are. 00:33:20.840 --> 00:33:21.600 Oh, by the way, 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.860 to some of you 00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:23.900 who are believers, 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:26.160 I got to tell you, 00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:26.700 you don't have to 00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:27.560 stay the way you are. 00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:29.500 In fact, 00:33:29.580 --> 00:33:30.279 everybody follow me 00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:30.740 with this. 00:33:31.600 --> 00:33:32.400 Are you with me? 00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:33.600 Over here. 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:36.580 If you don't see 00:33:36.580 --> 00:33:37.220 the evidence 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:38.320 of progressive change 00:33:38.320 --> 00:33:38.840 in your life, 00:33:38.900 --> 00:33:39.660 you probably ought to 00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:41.040 check your birth certificate. 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:43.660 Now, I agree, 00:33:43.820 --> 00:33:44.560 you're not moving 00:33:44.560 --> 00:33:45.580 probably as fast 00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:46.299 as you'd like 00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:47.220 or your family 00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:47.980 would like either. 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:50.379 But here's the deal. 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:53.519 If a man 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:55.919 is in Christ Jesus, 00:33:56.099 --> 00:33:57.480 he's a different person. 00:33:57.619 --> 00:33:58.740 He's a new creation. 00:33:58.960 --> 00:34:00.379 Old things are passed away 00:34:00.379 --> 00:34:01.759 and he's at work. 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:05.199 And I am so very thankful 00:34:05.199 --> 00:34:06.039 that at 67, 00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:07.059 I'm not the man 00:34:07.059 --> 00:34:07.879 I used to be, 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:11.059 but I look forward 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.860 to being the man 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:13.239 I someday will be. 00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:13.719 Why? 00:34:15.839 --> 00:34:16.899 Because the new covenant 00:34:16.899 --> 00:34:17.639 tells me, 00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:19.119 I will give them 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:19.879 a new heart. 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:20.319 Secondly, 00:34:20.459 --> 00:34:21.019 the new covenant 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:22.500 also grants me 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.479 complete forgiveness 00:34:23.479 --> 00:34:24.519 through Christ's blood. 00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:25.239 You know one of the things 00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:26.199 it says in the new covenant? 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.819 In the book of Jeremiah, 00:34:27.959 --> 00:34:28.199 it says, 00:34:28.359 --> 00:34:29.719 their sins I will remember 00:34:29.719 --> 00:34:30.239 what? 00:34:30.719 --> 00:34:31.219 No more. 00:34:31.339 --> 00:34:31.779 How many of you 00:34:31.779 --> 00:34:32.679 have family members 00:34:32.679 --> 00:34:33.799 that bring up 00:34:33.799 --> 00:34:34.579 some of the old things 00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:34.959 you did 00:34:34.959 --> 00:34:36.379 that were incredibly unkind? 00:34:38.379 --> 00:34:40.599 I was a scoundrel 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:41.179 and a skunk, 00:34:41.279 --> 00:34:42.379 still partially that way 00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:42.820 a little bit, 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:44.640 but I have a lot 00:34:44.640 --> 00:34:45.500 of people that I grew 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.200 up with that just 00:34:46.200 --> 00:34:47.099 cannot imagine 00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:47.940 that I could be 00:34:47.940 --> 00:34:48.460 any different 00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.519 than I ever was. 00:34:51.860 --> 00:34:52.820 And they can't get over 00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:53.559 some of those things. 00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:57.039 Here's what Jesus says 00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:58.619 in the promise 00:34:58.619 --> 00:34:59.280 of the new covenant. 00:34:59.420 --> 00:34:59.559 It says, 00:34:59.680 --> 00:35:00.180 I will remember 00:35:00.180 --> 00:35:01.019 your sins against 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:01.860 you no more. 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:04.019 Satan may bring up 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:04.680 your past, 00:35:05.680 --> 00:35:07.079 but God doesn't. 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:09.039 In fact, 00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:09.980 he made a promise, 00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:10.920 ironclad, 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:11.480 bound, 00:35:12.440 --> 00:35:13.679 that he will never again 00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:14.759 bring those things up. 00:35:16.759 --> 00:35:17.199 Finally, 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:18.659 the new covenant promises 00:35:18.659 --> 00:35:20.460 a full and unchangeable 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:21.179 relationship. 00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:23.539 I love this. 00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:24.219 If you ever want 00:35:24.219 --> 00:35:24.920 to have fun 00:35:24.920 --> 00:35:26.460 in kind of a little 00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:28.099 Bible survey, 00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:30.340 start in the book 00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:30.840 of Genesis 00:35:30.840 --> 00:35:31.719 and work your way 00:35:31.719 --> 00:35:32.219 to the book 00:35:32.219 --> 00:35:33.039 of Revelation 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:33.659 asking, 00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:34.800 where all 00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:35.599 in the Scriptures 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:36.500 do I find 00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:37.380 this concept? 00:35:37.779 --> 00:35:39.079 I will be their God 00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:40.840 and they will be 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:42.059 my people. 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:47.279 God says that 00:35:47.279 --> 00:35:47.619 he will be 00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:48.300 in relationship 00:35:48.300 --> 00:35:48.940 with me. 00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:50.980 Not just kind 00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:51.619 of a distant, 00:35:52.340 --> 00:35:52.500 yeah, 00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:52.719 well, 00:35:52.759 --> 00:35:53.400 I know him. 00:35:54.980 --> 00:35:55.500 No. 00:35:57.159 --> 00:35:58.320 My name is written 00:35:58.320 --> 00:35:59.199 on his hand. 00:35:59.199 --> 00:36:03.000 The believer 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:04.259 is as precious 00:36:04.259 --> 00:36:05.139 to God 00:36:05.139 --> 00:36:06.539 as the apple 00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:07.059 of the eye, 00:36:07.139 --> 00:36:07.939 the eye itself. 00:36:09.759 --> 00:36:10.639 And so this morning 00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:11.239 as you take 00:36:11.239 --> 00:36:12.079 these elements, 00:36:13.379 --> 00:36:15.460 our prayer earlier 00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:15.960 was this, 00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:17.579 is that the Holy Spirit 00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:18.960 would stir your heart 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:22.000 to desire 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:22.679 these elements 00:36:22.679 --> 00:36:23.399 the way Jesus 00:36:23.399 --> 00:36:24.619 desired to take them. 00:36:26.299 --> 00:36:27.319 And he took them 00:36:27.319 --> 00:36:28.419 thinking about you 00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:31.740 I want you 00:36:31.740 --> 00:36:32.360 to take them 00:36:32.360 --> 00:36:33.460 thinking about him. 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:35.740 Do you follow that? 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:38.079 Have the men come 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:39.119 as we gather 00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:39.820 around the table 00:36:39.820 --> 00:36:40.860 and I would plead 00:36:40.860 --> 00:36:41.240 with you, 00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:42.280 listen, 00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:46.180 we're going to 00:36:46.180 --> 00:36:46.840 take these elements 00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:47.380 this morning 00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:48.180 to honor the Lord 00:36:48.180 --> 00:36:48.880 Jesus Christ 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:49.460 and to remember 00:36:49.460 --> 00:36:50.240 his sacrifice 00:36:50.240 --> 00:36:52.720 and I pray 00:36:52.720 --> 00:36:53.840 that your heart 00:36:53.840 --> 00:36:54.780 is overwhelmed 00:36:54.780 --> 00:36:55.760 with thanksgiving 00:36:55.760 --> 00:36:59.260 and as we, 00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:00.420 John are you 00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:01.160 playing the instruments? 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.400 Okay, 00:37:03.540 --> 00:37:04.040 you're playing 00:37:04.040 --> 00:37:05.220 quietly, 00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:05.680 softly. 00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:06.400 Here's what I want 00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:06.760 you to do 00:37:06.760 --> 00:37:07.540 back up to the 00:37:07.540 --> 00:37:08.620 just quiet soft music. 00:37:08.720 --> 00:37:09.220 Everybody look at me. 00:37:10.080 --> 00:37:11.300 I want Bible verses 00:37:11.300 --> 00:37:12.540 from you 00:37:12.540 --> 00:37:13.100 as the elements 00:37:13.100 --> 00:37:13.580 are passed, 00:37:13.640 --> 00:37:13.860 right? 00:37:14.380 --> 00:37:15.100 Bible verses. 00:37:15.220 --> 00:37:16.140 Now that's a little tricky. 00:37:16.580 --> 00:37:17.000 Some of you are going 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:17.540 to have to rely 00:37:17.540 --> 00:37:18.500 on using one hand 00:37:18.500 --> 00:37:19.100 and somebody else 00:37:19.100 --> 00:37:19.700 holding the cup 00:37:19.700 --> 00:37:20.840 or you can go 00:37:20.840 --> 00:37:21.460 for memory. 00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:23.820 But I want Bible verses 00:37:23.820 --> 00:37:24.800 just to absolutely 00:37:24.800 --> 00:37:25.900 roll out of this 00:37:25.900 --> 00:37:27.079 blessed congregation. 00:37:27.300 --> 00:37:28.199 God's people said what? 00:37:30.820 --> 00:37:31.860 Let's try that again. 00:37:32.619 --> 00:37:34.159 And God's people said what? 00:37:35.159 --> 00:37:36.440 That's moderately better. 00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:36.820 Okay. 00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:41.220 We want to pray 00:37:41.220 --> 00:37:44.059 and ask God's Spirit 00:37:44.059 --> 00:37:46.280 to give us clear consciences 00:37:46.280 --> 00:37:47.380 as we come to this table, 00:37:47.440 --> 00:37:47.740 don't we? 00:37:48.679 --> 00:37:49.539 Let's do that. 00:37:51.460 --> 00:37:53.699 Our Father God, 00:37:53.760 --> 00:37:54.559 this morning we think 00:37:54.559 --> 00:37:55.820 about the Lord Jesus Christ 00:37:55.820 --> 00:37:56.519 who you sent 00:37:56.519 --> 00:37:57.840 to be the Savior of the world 00:37:57.840 --> 00:37:59.380 and our Savior in particular. 00:38:02.420 --> 00:38:03.840 And as we take this bread 00:38:03.840 --> 00:38:04.860 and we take this cup, 00:38:04.980 --> 00:38:06.460 we do show forth 00:38:06.460 --> 00:38:07.599 the Lord's death 00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:09.579 until He comes. 00:38:10.980 --> 00:38:12.880 We remember that He died for us. 00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:14.119 We remember the promise 00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:15.440 that He made to us. 00:38:16.820 --> 00:38:18.320 And our hearts are lifted up. 00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:21.300 This morning we understand 00:38:21.300 --> 00:38:23.019 Father that to take this bread 00:38:23.019 --> 00:38:24.080 and take this cup 00:38:24.080 --> 00:38:26.380 in a dishonest, 00:38:28.620 --> 00:38:29.640 deceitful way 00:38:29.640 --> 00:38:31.080 is dangerous. 00:38:32.700 --> 00:38:33.960 And so if there's someone here 00:38:33.960 --> 00:38:35.240 that does not know Christ, 00:38:36.840 --> 00:38:37.519 Father, 00:38:37.680 --> 00:38:40.340 on the basis of Your Word 00:38:40.340 --> 00:38:41.240 I would plead with them 00:38:41.240 --> 00:38:42.880 to trust in Christ as Savior 00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:45.700 and then take the elements 00:38:45.700 --> 00:38:47.700 or to let the elements pass. 00:38:47.699 --> 00:38:50.759 and let us as believers 00:38:50.759 --> 00:38:51.819 who take these elements 00:38:51.819 --> 00:38:53.480 take them with a clear conscience, 00:38:54.879 --> 00:38:56.099 allowing the Spirit of God 00:38:56.099 --> 00:38:57.559 to challenge us 00:38:57.559 --> 00:38:59.819 to think carefully 00:38:59.819 --> 00:39:01.039 if there are things in our lives 00:39:01.039 --> 00:39:01.899 that we need to confess 00:39:01.899 --> 00:39:02.599 and to forsake. 00:39:02.859 --> 00:39:04.319 And let that confessing 00:39:04.319 --> 00:39:05.079 and that forsaking 00:39:05.079 --> 00:39:06.399 be something that is genuine 00:39:06.399 --> 00:39:07.039 and deep 00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:09.460 that we would be a people 00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:10.879 that are marked by holiness 00:39:10.880 --> 00:39:13.200 and the desire 00:39:13.200 --> 00:39:14.440 for the glory of Christ. 00:39:15.539 --> 00:39:17.400 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:39:17.840 --> 00:39:18.099 Amen. 00:39:18.099 --> 00:39:18.240 Amen. 00:39:18.239 --> 00:39:19.239 Amen. 00:39:19.239 --> 00:39:19.239 00:39:19.239 --> 00:39:19.239 00:39:19.239 --> 00:39:19.239 00:39:19.239 --> 00:39:19.239