The Lord’s Supper | Sunday October 12, 2025
Today we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. We have been studying in Leviticus all the ceremonies and reminders God left Israel to keep them focused on Him. It is very fitting then for us to gather as a body of believers to be reminded of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus both through Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. As we partake in communion God wanted us to be drawn to what Jesus’ perfect life in His body allowed Him to accomplish with His blood. He was righteous so His blood could be the perfect payment for sin. Then as we celebrate baptism we are reminded how the Holy Spirit takes each believer and immerses us, identifies us, into Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. We died to our sin in Him and are raised to new life in Him. Everything hinges on the cross without it there is no blood and if there is no blood then nothing to be identified in. This is why we have been called to consistently remember Him and proclaim His death.
1 Corinthians 11:23-31 ESV
(23) 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,
(24) and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”
(25) In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
(26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
I am thankful that God knows we have a bad memory and put things in place to help us. The Lord’s supper is to help us remember Him and proclaim, announce His death. It is amazing to think that we could forget what Christ has done. Yet, Israel serves as a warning of how easy it is to forget the amazing work of God. One of the reasons we are prone to forget what Christ has done, is that we have minimized what the cross accomplished. Jesus is often reduced to a moral teacher, who showed us love through His sacrifice. His death on the cross is not elevated to the perfect payment for sin that enabled Him to offer life, put all things into submission to His will, and bring true restoration. The book of revelation almost does not happen because no one is found worthy, of opening the scroll that describes how all things will be brought to completion.
Revelation 5:4-6 ESV
(4) and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
(5) And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
(6) And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
No one on heaven or earth was worthy of bringing God’s will for all of creation to completion. There are myriads of perfect angels in the throne room, so having no sin does not make someone worthy. Jesus is the creator and all things have been made through Him and for Him (Col 1:16), yet this did not make Him worthy. He is worthy because of His life, death on the cross, and resurrection. He conquered death so now He can open the scroll.
Revelation 5:9-10 ESV
(9) And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
(10) and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Jesus is worthy because of the cross. He was slain and His blood is the perfect payment for sin. Through His blood salvation can be offered to all. Through His blood we are brought into His kingdom. Through His blood we become His priest and have direct access to God. Through His blood we will reign on earth with Him. The last two weeks we have studied the Jubilee, the tremendous release, liberty and freedom that happens when the Jubilee horn is blown. Jesus is worthy to declare the real Jubilee, the restoration of all things, because of what His worthy blood accomplished. Jesus claims in Luke 4:21 to fulfill the promises in Isaiah 61.
Isaiah 61:1-2; 4-7; 11 ESV
(1) The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
(2) to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
(4) They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
(5) Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers;
(6) but you shall be called the priests of the LORD; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast.
(7) Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.
(11) For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.
Jesus is the only one who is worthy to bring in the real Jubilee and proclaim liberty and freedom. It will be a time of restoration that is far reaching. Israel and her cities will be rebuilt and she will have a glory and power among the nations. God’s people both Israel and us as the church will be called priests of God. Instead of sin and rebellion, the world will sprout righteousness and praise. The cross accomplished so much more than just our individual salvation; it enables Jesus to restore all things that are wrong on this earth. He not only declares jubilee in our life, but a jubilee for the nations and a jubilee for this world! His blood enables everlasting joy! The jubilee is a restoration and freedom from the corruption of sin that has cost humanity so much since the garden.
Genesis 3:17-19 ESV
(17) And to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
(18) thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.
(19) By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
God gave Adam an amazing inheritance in the garden of Eden. Humanity was the only thing created in God’s image, and we were given the privilege to subdue and have dominion over God’s creation. We were to rule this world and walk with God. Then Adam willful rejected God’s plan. This world was cursed along with Adam and Eve. Food did not sprout naturally but thorns and thistles instead. Growing food now required painful toil. Each sabbatical year and year of Jubilee God lifted this curse on nature temporarily for the fields to produce naturally for His people. It served as a reminder of the inheritance that was lost in the garden and as a promise of the future restoration. Right now we live with a cursed world.
Romans 8:18-23 ESV
(18) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
(19) For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
(20) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope
(21) that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
(22) For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
(23) And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
The word consider means to logically work out a math problem, and calculate an answer. Paul has spent time dwelling on and giving careful thought comparing this life now and its suffering to the one that is to come. He did this math as he sat in jails cells hurting from the beatings he just received. He arrived at the conclusion that the glory awaiting for us is far greater. Even this physical earth, nature is eagerly longing for believers true glory to be revealed. When we are restored and have put on our resurrected bodies, this earth will finally be free from its curse. The freedom of the Jubilee even releases this earth “from its bondage to corruption.” Amos 9:13 tells us that the guys getting the fields ready to plant will be slowed down because the harvesters aren’t done yet, there is so much.
The body and blood of Jesus accomplished far more then we think. It offers us a hope that this life with all its trials, sufferings, and curses is not permeant. If this earth is eagerly longing for the day that we will be with Jesus how much more should we be longing for that day.
Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV
(27) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
(28) so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
We are called to remember Jesus’ finished work on the cross today, as we come to the Lords table. As we remember when He came to bear our sins it should draw us to when He will appear a second time. The more we stand in awe over the blood of Jesus the more excited we will become for all He accomplished!
Revelation 21:1-5 ESV
(1) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
(2) And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
(3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
(4) He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
(5) And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
The blood of Jesus enabled Him to make all things new, to declare the Jubilee. Death, mourning, crying and pain all to be done away with. We are restored to an inheritance with Him. We will dwell with this amazing savior forever!
2 Peter 3:13-14 ESV
(13) But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
(14) Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
If this is the future that we are to be eagerly excited about then today should show that. If we are excited about an upcoming trip we might read about where we are going, buy the supplies we need and even get our bags packed up. If we are excited about what the blood of Jesus accomplished then we should be zealous, eager, take pains, make every effort, to be blemish free. To live a life of peace, as we aim to draw close to and know the one who is coming back for us. I don’t want to meet a stranger on that day and I trust that you do not either. Let us draw near to Him, to remember what He has done! Let us focus on the perfect obedient body of Jesus and then the perfect payment of His blood which accomplishes so much, the true Jubilee.
We believe in Open communion- If you are a believer here today you are welcome to take communion with us. It is Jesus’ table not ours.
If you are not a believer, meaning you have never trusted in Jesus for your salvation, this is not for you. Please believe in Him.
We are going to have a time of reflection
Take this time to confess any sins God convicts you of. His blood is what gives us this amazing future, but we do not always act like we have this future ahead of us. This is why we need to confess our sins and walk fresh with Him. We also need to be careful to not let Godly conviction lead to self-condemnation. No one is worthy of Him we are accepted by the blood of the Lamb.
His body and His blood, secured our redemption. Take time to mediate on the grandeur of what Jesus accomplished and do the math comparing this world to what lies ahead. Our current suffering, and this sin cursed world is going to be restored at the Jubilee. Let us remember Him as we look forward to His return.
After the time of reflection, I will lead us as will all partake of the elements together.
(The crackers are gluten free)
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 ESV
(23) 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,
(24) and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”
The Bread Represents the Body- It speaks of who Jesus Is-
Fully God, Fully man
Perfectly Obedient to the father
Pray-
Eat the Bread
1 Corinthians 11:25-26 ESV
(25) In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
The Cup represents the Blood- His blood paid the penalty for our sin
Pray-
Drink the Cup
1 Corinthians 11:26 ESV
(26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
Revelation 22:16-17; 20 ESV
(16) “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
(17) The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
(20) He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!