WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.240 I would like you to turn your Bibles this morning to 1 Corinthians chapter 11. 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:14.359 ! 00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:17.679 Today, we celebrate the Word's table. 00:00:17.679 --> 00:00:18.679 ! 00:00:18.679 --> 00:00:23.679 You're trying to tell me that it's not on. 00:00:23.679 --> 00:00:24.679 ! 00:00:24.679 --> 00:00:25.679 It's not on. 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:27.679 Did I do it or did it? 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:28.679 Yeah. 00:00:28.679 --> 00:00:31.920 First time for everything. 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:38.920 Thank you, Pastor David. 00:00:38.920 --> 00:00:43.920 Let's begin with prayer. 00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:45.560 Probably a safer start. 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:57.240 Our gracious Father, we are so very blessed to be your children. 00:00:57.240 --> 00:01:05.579 To take the Word that you have given to us, settled in the heavens, depend upon the Holy 00:01:05.579 --> 00:01:15.859 Spirit to give to us understanding, and to cause our hearts to delight in the Lord Jesus, and 00:01:15.859 --> 00:01:20.200 look forward to the day that we will see Him face to face. 00:01:20.200 --> 00:01:24.200 To revel in the reminder of our salvation. 00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:34.920 And Lord, as I pray these things for those of us who are here today who by grace have come to know Jesus as our Savior, 00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:40.260 Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior of mankind. 00:01:40.260 --> 00:01:50.159 And I would pray that as the hearts of believers are encouraged today, that those who are here that do not know Christ would be drawn to the cross. 00:01:50.159 --> 00:02:06.400 That by your gracious Spirit, they would first of all sense the deep and dark burden of their sin and be drawn to believe in the finished work of Christ. 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:21.740 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:02:21.740 --> 00:02:25.060 Amen. 00:02:25.060 --> 00:02:29.800 We're here this morning to celebrate the Lord's table. 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:36.500 And I want you to follow with me briefly as we look at chapter 11 beginning there in verse 17. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:42.680 And allow me to read it to you to frame the portion that we're going to be looking at. 00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:45.640 You follow along in your own copy if you would. 00:02:45.640 --> 00:02:53.400 But in the following instructions, I do not commend you because when you come together, it's not for the better but for the worse. 00:02:53.400 --> 00:03:00.860 For in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and I believe it in part. 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:07.960 For there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:12.379 When you come together, it's not the Lord's Supper that you eat. 00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:15.480 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. 00:03:16.640 --> 00:03:19.120 One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:19.680 What? 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:23.060 Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:27.939 Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? 00:03:29.080 --> 00:03:30.360 What shall I say to you? 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:32.360 Shall I commend you in this? 00:03:33.020 --> 00:03:34.520 No, I will not. 00:03:35.300 --> 00:03:42.020 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread. 00:03:42.020 --> 00:03:45.640 And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:48.480 This is my body which is for you. 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:50.879 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:54.799 In the same way also he took the cup after supper, saying, 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:57.379 This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:03:57.780 --> 00:04:00.840 Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:07.919 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:15.399 I begin by drawing attention to what we find there in chapter 11, verse 17, 00:04:15.399 --> 00:04:20.719 where the apostle draws attention at the start to a problem that the church had, 00:04:20.939 --> 00:04:23.319 and he was writing to correct the difficulty. 00:04:24.519 --> 00:04:32.480 You'll notice there as you kind of work your way through the first portion that he gives recurring signals that there's something that bothers him. 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:35.920 He'd heard about a difficulty in the church at Corinth. 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:44.980 And any of you that are familiar with the book of 1 Corinthians know that the church at Corinth was one that had numerous difficulties. 00:04:44.980 --> 00:04:49.620 One in particular that stood out was that they were a very divisive group of people. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:51.660 Strange thing, isn't it? 00:04:51.660 --> 00:04:58.560 You know, we gather together because of the Lord Jesus, and we all love each other, and we're on one family, and yet, guess what? 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:03.520 People end up with their little attitudes and divisions and difficulties. 00:05:03.520 --> 00:05:13.260 And from the beginning, early on in the book, we find this recurring concern that the apostle had regarding the divisiveness of that congregation. 00:05:13.259 --> 00:05:22.219 And this played out not only in their general conversations and disputes that they had in the rest of the fellowship, 00:05:22.459 --> 00:05:26.459 but particularly when they came together to celebrate the Lord's table. 00:05:27.599 --> 00:05:35.959 Instead of gathering together with this sense of unity and oneness that is to be the truth in our relationship, 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:41.239 because we are bound together by the Lord Jesus and what he's done for us, 00:05:41.599 --> 00:05:43.620 they were often their little pockets and attitudes. 00:05:43.799 --> 00:05:45.639 And he says, listen, I've got to tell you something. 00:05:46.099 --> 00:05:49.159 The following instructions that I have for you, I don't commend you. 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:50.359 I'm not real happy with you. 00:05:51.319 --> 00:05:52.699 Then in verse 20, he says, 00:05:53.019 --> 00:05:57.159 It is not the Lord's Supper, the Lord's table, the supper, that you eat. 00:05:57.639 --> 00:06:01.979 If you had asked anybody in the church at Corinth as they were leaving the service, 00:06:02.359 --> 00:06:04.060 So what did you guys do today? 00:06:04.060 --> 00:06:07.699 They would have said, well, we celebrated the Lord's table. 00:06:07.860 --> 00:06:10.019 And the apostle says, no, you didn't. 00:06:10.579 --> 00:06:15.439 Well, what you were involved in had nothing to do with what you thought you were doing. 00:06:16.139 --> 00:06:18.139 Then again, in verse 22, he says, 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:20.240 Shall I commend you in this? 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:22.560 No, I will not. 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:25.759 Pretty strong, sharp words from the apostle. 00:06:26.779 --> 00:06:32.860 It's interesting that he goes on, he says something there in verse 19 that I think we should not miss. 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:35.439 Put your finger on it, if you would, just to kind of track. 00:06:36.020 --> 00:06:39.400 For there must be factions among you. 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:43.600 That's pretty interesting, isn't it? 00:06:45.080 --> 00:06:50.520 You'll remember that over in Ephesians chapter 4, the apostle, when he was writing to the church at Ephesus, 00:06:50.660 --> 00:06:56.100 he says, listen, that we're to endeavor to maintain the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. 00:06:56.100 --> 00:06:59.980 One faith, one Lord, one baptism. 00:07:00.300 --> 00:07:07.120 There are things that because of our common salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:07:07.260 --> 00:07:09.200 we are to be knit together. 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:10.920 We are to be part of one body. 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:14.620 And yet here, the apostle says, you know, 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:21.040 don't be surprised that there is this divisiveness on occasion in the fellowship, 00:07:21.580 --> 00:07:22.560 and there's a reason. 00:07:22.600 --> 00:07:23.740 It has to be. 00:07:25.020 --> 00:07:28.100 Now, when you find in the scripture, it says it must be, 00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:32.120 I think a rational question would be, why is that necessary? 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:36.280 Thankfully, when you have a Bible question asked, 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:38.840 a safe thing to do is find a Bible answer. 00:07:38.899 --> 00:07:39.720 Wouldn't you agree to that? 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:44.579 And one of the rules is this, is that the answer is in the scriptures itself. 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:47.860 And you'll notice there in verse 19, he goes on and says, 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:52.300 in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:56.180 Nobody likes division. 00:07:56.180 --> 00:08:04.220 Nobody really likes to be in an environment where there's tension and animosity and an ill spirit. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:10.400 And, you know, you walk up into a conversation in the lobby and you get the drift that something's amiss 00:08:10.400 --> 00:08:14.180 and somebody's not happy and there's that tension. 00:08:16.060 --> 00:08:19.920 By the way, when dad and mom are fighting, that never happens in any family. 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:21.480 But, you know, where do the kids go? 00:08:22.780 --> 00:08:25.079 They head for safer places, right? 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:34.279 And sadly, sometimes tension in a body of believers will cause those who are less mature to find the exit 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:37.759 and to leave the environment rather than to work through the challenges. 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:40.220 Here's what Paul says. 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:42.360 He says, these things are going to happen. 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:44.539 They must happen. 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:45.079 Why? 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:49.899 So that those who are approved may be identified. 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:57.039 You don't really know who peacemakers are until there is a need for it. 00:08:57.699 --> 00:08:59.740 Let me use a simple illustration of it. 00:09:00.220 --> 00:09:01.199 I am not a mechanic. 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:06.699 I'm very thankful for YouTube, but I would not go so far as to say that YouTube has made me a mechanic. 00:09:06.700 --> 00:09:17.700 And when my car begins making strange sounds, probably the best thing I can do is lift the hood and hope that Jesus sends along a helper. 00:09:17.700 --> 00:09:27.900 You know, it's like, and I have no idea who a mechanic is until somebody sees my plight and comes along and says, what's the problem? 00:09:28.020 --> 00:09:30.360 Well, you know, I'm turning the key and it just goes click, click, click. 00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:30.980 Oh. 00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:34.680 You figure out who a mechanic is when there's a mechanical problem. 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:35.120 Am I right? 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:51.240 And the text tells us that the reason that some of these difficulties happen in a church is so that those who have a heart that is right before the Lord end up being revealed and displayed. 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:58.139 I think about a companion passage over in 1 Timothy where it says, lay hands on no man suddenly. 00:09:58.139 --> 00:10:11.139 Don't be precipitous in calling a person into spiritual responsibility because some men's issues are pretty evident and you see them pretty quickly. 00:10:11.559 --> 00:10:19.639 Other men's issues don't come to the surface at the outset and you only see things over time. 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:25.480 And here in this passage, Paul is writing to the church and he said, let me tell you, 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:36.440 I've heard about the difficulties that you're having and I think you need to understand that some of these things happen and God uses them to bring out those individuals whose hearts are right. 00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:53.460 If the church at Corinth had those kind of difficulties, it's fair and it's appropriate for us to understand that the church at Corinth serves as an example and instruction to us as believers today. 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:54.060 Isn't that right? 00:10:54.059 --> 00:10:59.319 We read in the scriptures, it says, these things are written for your example. 00:10:59.599 --> 00:11:05.739 We're given these things so that when we bump into these kind of situations, we can say, oh, you know what? 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:07.679 The Bible has some counsel on that. 00:11:08.459 --> 00:11:18.079 So how should I, when I run into a divisive spirit or an ill-spirited individual and I know they're struggling, what should I do? 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:23.320 Well, what I shouldn't do is share it with a brother for a prayer request. 00:11:23.680 --> 00:11:23.920 Okay? 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:26.460 I want you to pray for John Kroll. 00:11:26.660 --> 00:11:27.920 So you know who I'm talking about. 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:29.060 He's really young. 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:30.639 You know, that's not it. 00:11:32.180 --> 00:11:38.759 We know, you're well informed as the Bible believers that in scripture it says that you're to go to that person alone. 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:44.460 And you're to appeal with a gentle, winsome spirit. 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:52.220 By the way, we'd like to think that everybody knows why we're upset with them. 00:11:52.679 --> 00:11:53.799 Did you hear what I just said? 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:57.779 And here's the deal. 00:11:58.159 --> 00:12:04.319 Scripture really is pretty pointed in that if I think you have a problem with me, I should go to you. 00:12:05.219 --> 00:12:08.559 If you have a problem with me, you should come to me. 00:12:08.979 --> 00:12:16.719 There is no way to escape the responsibility of being biblical problem solvers in the body of Christ. 00:12:16.859 --> 00:12:17.079 Amen? 00:12:17.079 --> 00:12:17.259 Amen? 00:12:19.859 --> 00:12:21.759 And Paul says, these things are going to happen. 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:37.460 And when they do, it's an opportunity for those whose hearts are right to go ahead and be problem solvers rather than complainers and ill-spirited and lead to the divisive destruction of the bride of Christ. 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:45.799 In relationship to that, I want you to think with me of another little passage in touch with this. 00:12:46.299 --> 00:12:51.319 In Matthew chapter 18, verse 7, just going to recite it to you so you can follow with me. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:55.100 Jesus says this, woe to the world for temptations to sin. 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:57.740 It's not a good thing to have sin happen. 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:02.639 For it is necessary that temptations come. 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:05.960 They are going to happen. 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:07.899 You are going to have temptation. 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:09.139 You're going to have problems. 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:10.360 Now listen to the next part. 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:16.360 But woe to the one by whom the temptation comes. 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:17.799 Do you know what it's saying? 00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:20.459 There are going to be problems in the church. 00:13:20.459 --> 00:13:22.639 Just be sure you're not the one that causes them. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:25.879 We got that, didn't we? 00:13:26.199 --> 00:13:27.139 Kind of tucked that away. 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:28.039 That's just a... 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:29.659 What does that have to do with the Lord's table? 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:35.120 Evidently, the Holy Spirit put it here for the sake of the church at Corinth. 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:52.860 And it's safe for us to think that on occasion, we may need to be reminded as well that we need to be individuals who, because of our communion with the Lord Jesus Christ, are problem solvers, not problem communicators and causers. 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:55.600 Let's look at the second thing. 00:13:56.860 --> 00:14:06.259 After having admonished the church there in chapter 11, verse 17 on to 23, he then gets into the substance. 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:06.759 He says, 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:30.899 The thing that we find in the second piece that we're looking at this morning is a reminder of the fact that Jesus died in our place. 00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:37.519 The Bible makes it very clear that the penalty for sin is death. 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:40.079 It says in the book of Romans, 00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:42.120 For the wages of sin is death. 00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:42.720 Right? 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:53.720 And we know that the consequence of sin is something that has not only an impact in the present, but it also has an impact in the eternity of life. 00:14:53.800 --> 00:15:03.460 And that those who do not come to grips with the reality of their sin and believe in the finished work of Christ will face the judgment of God for all eternity. 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:05.519 That's a Bible fact. 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:18.139 And we like to make light of sin, at least, listen carefully, we like to make light of the sins that we do, but not the sins that are done against us. 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:18.600 Am I right? 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:27.159 We're better at spotting the sins that other people do to us than we are at spotting the sins we do ourselves. 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:36.819 However, all sin creates a supreme offense against a holy and absolutely infinite God. 00:15:36.939 --> 00:15:41.679 And there is no remedy for sin apart from some form of payment. 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:42.559 Illustration. 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:47.980 I may, in carelessness, back into your car out in the parking lot. 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:54.459 And I find out that it's your car and I walk in and say, 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:57.019 Oh, Andy, I am really sorry I hit your car. 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:59.120 And Andy says, Oh, no, pastor, it's fine. 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:04.220 The subtext is, is he wants to know what my insurance is. 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.159 Why? 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:08.559 Right? 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:13.340 It's reasonable to accept some, to understand there's a remedy for the problem. 00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:16.519 You made a mess, you caused the problem, you damaged something. 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:18.259 Now we need to fix it. 00:16:19.819 --> 00:16:22.480 The wages of sin are death. 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.579 The Bible makes it clear. 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:30.220 And the truth of the matter is, is that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 00:16:30.280 --> 00:16:30.840 Isn't that right? 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:35.220 Every one of us, every one of us have sinned and fallen short. 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:38.259 And there is no satisfaction. 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:45.620 There's no remedy for the burden of sin apart from the consequences the scripture declare, which is death. 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:52.399 One of the things that I've enjoyed over the years is having the opportunity of talking to people about the Lord Jesus. 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:56.080 And one of the questions that I've always found appropriate is to say, 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:59.560 So if you were to die tonight and God were to say, Why should I let you into heaven? 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:00.919 What would you say? 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:04.240 You know what the standard answer is? 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:05.879 Surprise. 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.819 I'm a pretty good person. 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.779 I've met the nicest people in the world. 00:17:10.859 --> 00:17:12.159 Every one of them, pretty good person. 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:17.079 And another one that I really like is, Well, I'm keeping the Ten Commandments. 00:17:17.159 --> 00:17:17.839 Can you name them? 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:21.679 Well, no, but I am keeping them. 00:17:22.379 --> 00:17:22.519 Okay? 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:29.720 The thing is, is that the idea in most people's minds is that the trying's okay. 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:33.639 And I may not even have to try all the time. 00:17:33.699 --> 00:17:34.879 Just try every now and then. 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:40.079 The truth of the matter is, is that that is not satisfactory to God. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:51.439 And the idea that we can solve our own sin problem by our effort is so contrary to the reality of what sin really is. 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:56.359 It's supremely offensive to the absolute holiness of God. 00:17:56.439 --> 00:17:59.059 And there is no remedy apart from death. 00:18:00.179 --> 00:18:03.159 And what God did was this. 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:11.320 He sent his son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to take my place and die for my sins. 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:15.500 That just overwhelms me when I stop and think about it. 00:18:24.820 --> 00:18:25.640 Here's the truth. 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:30.560 Yesterday afternoon, I'm studying and praying for today. 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:34.259 And I'm sitting there thinking, Why am I preaching? 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.440 Well, pastor asked me. 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:39.779 But I don't want to preach. 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:45.200 And I was just kind of overwhelmed by my frailty. 00:18:47.159 --> 00:18:48.519 And I kept on praying. 00:18:48.659 --> 00:18:50.159 And I started reading the scriptures. 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.619 And the next thing I know, I'm crying. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:54.839 My wife walks out and she says, What's your problem? 00:18:54.839 --> 00:19:01.259 I said, Well, I tell you what, it's just so amazing. 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:04.539 Tomorrow I get to talk about Jesus who saved me. 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:05.359 Right? 00:19:08.639 --> 00:19:10.139 I think about the song. 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:13.899 What can wash away my sin? 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:14.379 What? 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:17.659 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:32.980 And Paul writes to the church and he says, Listen, at the heart of what we're going to celebrate this morning is a reminder that Jesus died in my place. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:44.240 He took the wrath of God that bore down upon me, justly deserved, and he stepped in and took it for me. 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:49.519 I am forever indebted to Jesus. 00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:53.759 And I revel in that fact. 00:19:53.759 --> 00:20:01.180 There is now, therefore, no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:01.799 Isn't that right? 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:10.660 And if I were to ask you, I would hope that if I were to just pause, and I'm not going to do it, but if I were to just pause and say, 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:16.859 All right, give me a couple Bible verses that just stick with this portion of scripture. 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:19.720 I would hope that you would just rattle them out. 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.500 Agreed? 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:20.559 Agreed? 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:26.279 Agreed? 00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:29.200 You're not used to me. 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.099 I understand that. 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:33.059 But it's like, I'd like to have a little bit of response back. 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.700 It was like, yes. 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:48.460 In Acts chapter 17, you know, Paul is preaching and people without their phone are cross-referencing what he's saying. 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:48.940 Am I right? 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.940 Isn't that what's going on? 00:20:50.339 --> 00:20:50.599 Yes. 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.980 That's what, thank you. 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:54.380 Aaron, you're at extra points with Jesus for that one. 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:54.620 Okay. 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:56.140 Thank you. 00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:56.779 Okay. 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:58.079 Here's my point. 00:20:58.240 --> 00:21:03.839 As a pastor is preaching, you ought to be cross-referencing it with passages that support it. 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:11.159 Christ Jesus died in my place. 00:21:11.159 --> 00:21:23.759 And the heart of the believer should just well up inside with references that support and affirm and encourage and nurture that kind of thinking. 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:24.319 Am I right? 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:27.419 Ah, that's what it should be. 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:32.720 You ought to walk out of here this morning thinking, man, Jesus died for me. 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:40.519 And I no longer face the wrath of God because God poured it all out on him. 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:40.759 Every sin. 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:50.059 Every sin. 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:59.339 Every offense satisfied for all eternity by the blood of Christ. 00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:05.419 I grew up in India. 00:22:05.899 --> 00:22:06.839 Parents are missionaries. 00:22:06.939 --> 00:22:08.519 I lived across the street from Muslims. 00:22:08.659 --> 00:22:09.639 I had Hindus around me. 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.599 There were Buddhists in the area. 00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:14.659 And if you were to ask any of them, how do you get to heaven? 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:17.559 They would say, well, you've got to try really hard and you've got to work at it. 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:22.439 And you have the advantage that if you don't get it right the first time, there's reincarnation. 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:24.119 Try trying again, right? 00:22:24.159 --> 00:22:24.839 Keep on doing. 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:25.720 Climb your ladder. 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:27.000 That doesn't work. 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:31.480 It's appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment. 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:37.240 And if you're sitting here this morning and you have never come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:45.839 you will face an eternity under the wrath of God in judgment against your sin. 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:52.000 And when we hold that cup this morning, we who know Jesus are saying, 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:57.059 He died in my place. 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:03.359 Let's go to another part. 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:08.539 We see the bread is a reminder of the cross. 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:11.480 And then he says something else. 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:16.579 In the same way, also, he took the cup after supper saying, 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:21.140 This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.319 I'm curious. 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.420 Now, don't raise your hand. 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:28.640 And don't go ahead and shout out all the parts of the new covenant. 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:34.539 But I'm curious, how many of you this morning could tell me what is the new covenant? 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:37.759 I mean, it's reasonable, right? 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:43.980 Every time we celebrate the Lord's table, we read this passage, and it's reasonable that you... 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:45.639 I know what the new covenant is. 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:49.259 A couple weeks ago, I went to a wedding. 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.480 I love weddings. 00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:54.079 I do like funerals, too, when I get to preach the gospel at them. 00:23:54.079 --> 00:24:04.519 But one of the things I really like about weddings is when the bride and the groom trade their promises, right? 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:10.399 My wife and I are at the point where when we think about our wedding, we think about... 00:24:10.399 --> 00:24:13.240 We said something like this, you know, in sickness and in health. 00:24:13.679 --> 00:24:16.599 When we were 20-something, we never thought what that really meant. 00:24:19.659 --> 00:24:20.720 But we're learning. 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:32.180 But as I listen to those promises, I'll bet you those of you who are here that are married, you remember what you promised. 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:32.660 Do you remember? 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:35.640 Better or worse, sickness and in health. 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:37.960 Richer or poorer, right? 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.880 You said those things. 00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:40.259 Till death doeth part. 00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:45.920 I got to tell you, the new covenant is more significant than any wedding promise. 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.339 Do you know why? 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:48.399 Why? 00:24:50.199 --> 00:25:04.740 Because what the new covenant involves lasts for all eternity and brings us back to remind us of communion and relationship with the God of this universe and the creator who is also our savior. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:23.099 If you walk out of here and you do not know the new covenant and you are a believer, I wouldn't say shame on you, but, you know, I hope you take a test and have the ability to pass it next week, okay? 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:25.339 So that you get it locked into your mind. 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:27.140 What is the new covenant? 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:31.020 Jeremiah chapter 30. 00:25:32.800 --> 00:25:34.300 Jeremiah chapter 32. 00:25:34.860 --> 00:25:35.900 Hang on just a second. 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:38.180 I'll give you the false information here. 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:42.320 Jeremiah chapter 31, verse 31 through 34. 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.560 If you'll make a note of that. 00:25:44.020 --> 00:25:48.020 And then in Ezekiel chapter 36, verse 26 and 27. 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:56.299 And in those two passages, God speaks to the nation of Israel through his prophets and he says, let me tell you something. 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:59.139 I'm going to make another covenant with you. 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:03.180 It's not going to be like the earlier one. 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:08.359 Talking about the Mosaic covenant that was made on Mount Sinai. 00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:14.559 And incidentally, the Mosaic covenant was one in which there were two parties that agreed to do certain things. 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:19.579 A little bit like when you decide you're going to buy a car and you don't have cash for your car. 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:22.119 You go to the bank and you say, can we make a deal? 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:23.219 They say, sure, sure, sure. 00:26:23.439 --> 00:26:27.879 You make your monthly payments and you can keep driving the car until it's paid off. 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:30.319 What happens if you don't make your car payments? 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:45.559 I lived in Westgate and I remember seeing a truck with a hook on the back pull up to my neighbor's garage and he pulled up the garage door and he started taking the car out of the garage. 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:46.879 I said, what are you doing? 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:50.119 He said, well, I'm repossessing the car. 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:51.399 Okay. 00:26:51.400 --> 00:27:00.940 That is a contractual relationship in which two parties agree to what they're going to do, right? 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.759 You make your payment, you get to keep the car. 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:12.000 The new covenant that Jeremiah was speaking about and Ezekiel was speaking about was a different kind of covenant. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:21.720 It was a covenant that God made that was not going to depend in any way on mankind keeping a part of it. 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:26.660 You see, we can't completely keep the covenant. 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:28.099 We break it. 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:32.660 And here's what the promise of the new covenant involved. 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:39.079 For one, in the Jeremiah passage, verse 34, it says there's complete forgiveness for sin. 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:41.859 There's complete forgiveness for sin. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:45.160 My sin is remembered no more. 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:52.420 What a blessing to be able to recite what it says in Romans chapter 8. 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.740 There is now therefore what? 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:56.519 No condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:58.460 It has been wiped away. 00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.640 It is not there. 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:04.140 And then again in verse 33, it says, and I will give you a new heart. 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:06.220 You're going to be a different person. 00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:08.599 You're not the same as who you were. 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.240 Why? 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:15.279 Because he who is the covenant maker has made these promises and he is doing it. 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:20.759 And then again in the passage in Ezekiel, it says, and I will put my spirit within you. 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:24.559 And also, I will be your God and you will be my people. 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:33.240 I'll never forget sharing the gospel with a young Muslim who was trying to sell me a TV. 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:38.160 And that was in the days before you bought them on the internet. 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:44.980 And he was doing his best to sell me a TV and I was doing my best to share the gospel with him. 00:28:45.060 --> 00:28:46.160 You can understand that, right? 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:47.019 I mean, after all. 00:28:48.040 --> 00:28:53.920 And somehow or another, I don't know how it happened, but we got close to talking about what it was to be saved. 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:56.460 And I was asking him about his religion. 00:28:56.840 --> 00:29:00.140 And, you know, by the way, you know, Islam is all about submission, right? 00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:04.160 And he said, tell me about your religion. 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:08.840 I said, well, you know, I tell you, the sweetest thing is I've received forgiveness for all of my sin. 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:10.519 And his eyes rolled back. 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:16.539 And I said, not only that, but I have a personal relationship with the Father in heaven. 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:18.420 And he laughed in my face. 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:20.539 You're kidding me. 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.079 No. 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.019 No. 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:32.119 He has granted to me the privilege of being his own. 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:37.279 And when in the Old Testament and you work your way throughout the entire scriptures, 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:41.099 it says, I will be your God and you will be my people. 00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:48.539 So as we take the bread in the cup this morning, 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:57.019 the heart of what we're doing is reminding ourselves of what we enjoy in our salvation. 00:29:59.199 --> 00:30:03.599 And one of the things it says there in verse 26, 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:07.059 as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:10.799 you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:19.339 The word proclaim that is used there is a word that is actually talking about giving public testimony. 00:30:20.639 --> 00:30:24.799 There is a sense in which later on when the men come and pass the elements 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:27.519 and you take the bread and you take the cup, 00:30:27.679 --> 00:30:29.859 what you are doing is bearing testimony. 00:30:30.099 --> 00:30:32.519 I know Jesus as my personal Savior. 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:41.619 That is the richest, most precious blessing to enjoy. 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:49.759 It's something that should cause your heart this morning to just kind of well up with thanksgiving. 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:50.799 Right? 00:30:50.799 --> 00:31:04.519 Your heart should find satisfaction, pleasure, sweetness in the communion that you have with the Lord Jesus. 00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:09.980 I think about a couple different passages in relationship to that this morning. 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.779 Psalm 1611 says, 00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:16.519 In thy presence is the fullness of joy, and at thy right hand are pleasures evermore. 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:24.319 When you think about Jesus, I would hope that your heart is satisfied. 00:31:25.639 --> 00:31:33.379 I think about the passage in 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 8 that stands as such a poignant text to me. 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:36.160 Here is what the apostle said, 00:31:37.300 --> 00:31:39.360 Whom having not seen you love. 00:31:40.120 --> 00:31:41.880 Can you love somebody you have never seen? 00:31:42.820 --> 00:31:43.880 It is hard, right? 00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:49.740 But the way in which we come to love Jesus is the scriptures reveal him to us, 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:52.560 and we come to know him personally. 00:31:53.040 --> 00:31:54.260 And then the apostle writes, 00:31:54.380 --> 00:31:57.620 Whom having not seen you love, though now you see him not yet, 00:31:57.619 --> 00:32:01.979 believing you are filled with joy inexpressible and full of glory. 00:32:04.219 --> 00:32:06.419 So here's my practical question. 00:32:08.479 --> 00:32:11.279 Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior? 00:32:13.239 --> 00:32:22.759 Have you come to the place where by his grace you have first of all been convicted of the dark misery of your soul 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:29.599 and have come to understand that you cannot solve your sin problem by yourself? 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:34.119 And there will be a day of reckoning. 00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:41.619 And Christ Jesus came into the world to pay the penalty for your sin 00:32:41.619 --> 00:32:48.259 and to grant salvation to whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord. 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:54.160 And so we're here today in one of two conditions. 00:32:55.799 --> 00:32:59.480 There are those of you who are here today that know Jesus as your Savior, 00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:03.299 and when you take that bread and when you take that cup, 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:10.160 one of the desires of my heart is that your spirit would be lifted up to say, 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:16.819 Man, Jesus is my Savior, and I can't wait till when I see him, right? 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:23.400 Or you're here having never come to faith yet, 00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:30.480 carrying around the cloud and the darkness and the misery of unrepentant sin 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:34.299 and knowing there's no remedy for the darkness of your heart, 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:36.240 and yet you hear this morning, 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:39.460 Jesus died for me. 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:45.440 The day is coming when you will give an account. 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.900 I've got to tell you something. 00:33:46.900 --> 00:33:50.519 It's better to have never heard the gospel than to hear it and to reject it. 00:33:50.560 --> 00:33:51.280 Does that make sense? 00:33:53.540 --> 00:33:55.680 And this morning the gospel says this, 00:33:55.780 --> 00:33:59.080 Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 00:34:00.620 --> 00:34:03.759 So what I appeal to you this morning is that you who know Christ 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:07.540 come to this table and come with humility and tenderness, 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:11.820 pleading with the Spirit of God to quicken your affections for Jesus 00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:14.600 and long for the day that you're going to see him. 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:18.700 And you who do not know Christ, 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:23.080 now is the hour of repentance 00:34:23.080 --> 00:34:27.519 and pleading with Jesus to save you. 00:34:28.160 --> 00:34:30.300 Have the men come as we come to the table. 00:34:31.120 --> 00:34:31.460 Let's put it in. 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.460 00:34:31.460 --> 00:35:01.440 Thank you.