Pastor Allan asked our Bible
Teacher Linda to take the morning sermon, and I took notes and present an
edited message.
Our Bible Studies have been
about the articles in the Tabernacle and how they relate to Christ Jesus.
Today is Communion and we
have a table set with bread and grape juice representing the body and blood of
Jesus. God is a great and faithful king,
and the Holy Spirit speaks to always glorify Jesus. Jesus is worthy of it all. The table of Showbread in the Tabernacle was
made of pure gold with decorative gold crowns around its edging and on the
table was placed twelve loaves of unleavened bread.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem
Matthew 26:26-30 speaks of
Jesus taking the bread, blessing it and breaking it saying, “This is my body,
which is broken for you, do this in remembrance of me. God is a god of detail,
and the bread on the table of Showbread was a representation of Jesus the Bread
of life.
Jesus then took the cup
saying, this is my blood which is given for you - - he went on to say, I will
not drink it again until I am able to drink it with you in the kingdom.
Why did Jesus speak about the
Kingdom?
What do you think about when
you think about a king? Perhaps you
think of Majesty, a Gold crown, royal garments, Honor, Reverence, and
Power. Jesus is all of that and more. He
is our King and we worship Him as King of our life.
In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus
likens the Kingdom to wise and foolish virgins; some with enough oil, and some
who neglected to make provision for more oil.
We as believers must keep filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit and
this is accomplished by study of God’s word, and being in His presence.
Jesus gave another illustration
about the Kingdom, like as a business man giving gifts to invest to his trusted
workers as he left on a journey. Some
were diligent to step up and invest in the kingdom, and were faithful in the
opportunities given to them.
One was
fearful and afraid to use that which was gifted to him. He held back and refused to work with what he
had, but instead hid it. When the owner
returned, he was pleased with those who invested wisely, and gave them more
responsibility in the Kingdom of light, but the fearful man was cast out into
the kingdom of outer darkness.
Matthew 25 depicts Jesus on
the throne as king with the angels surrounding him. He gathers all the Nations and begins to
separate the sheep from the goats. He says to the righteous, when I was hungry
you fed me, when I was naked, you clothed me.
They replied when did we do this?
Jesus said, “For as much as you have done this for others, you have done
it as onto me.”
This was the condition,
serve others and you are serving me. The
body of Jesus was broken for everyone, and His blood was shed for all. Jesus modeled for his followers what the
Kingdom was like.
Jesus knew one would
betray Him, but he girded a towel around his waist, and taking a basin of
water, he washed the feet of His disciples.
He asked, “Do you understand what I have done? You have called me Lord and Master, and you
say well, for I AM.
His example was the
servant is not greater than his lord, but we must all have humility. Receiving those persons who God sends your
way, is the same as receiving Jesus and therefore receiving God the Father who
sent Jesus.
There is no difference in
the kingdom. Love one another and know
that God loves all people. It is a
choice to become a part of God’s Kingdom.
A decision must be made to accept Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord
of Lords. Consider your willingness to
serve in the Kingdom. Model after Jesus
with Kingdom, behavior, kingdom love, service, giving and commit our loyalty to
God who rules.
As we take communion today,
may it not be a ritual, but an emotional and spiritual experience, remembering
the symbolic meaning of the bread and wine.
His broken body and his blood was shed for you.
Be a part of His body, for He is worthy of it
all.
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