WEBVTT 00:00:01.520 --> 00:00:08.960 This podcast is a ministry of Grand Parkway Baptist Church, helping people know, enjoy, and glorify God. 00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:14.000 For more information about Grand Parkway, visit Grandparkway.org. 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:34.000 Father, when we sing the great hymns of the faith like that, we're reminded when it says, in earth and heaven be one, what the Bible says, that you were in the world in Christ, reconciling the world to yourself, that you've always been at work, even when we can't see how you're at work, you've always been at work. 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:40.799 That's why the Bible goes on to say in another place that the kingdoms of this world are coming, the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. 00:00:40.960 --> 00:00:43.200 And so, Lord, reconciliation is taking place. 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:50.479 You are moving things to the way they ought to be, should be, and were designed and created to be by our Creator God. 00:00:50.640 --> 00:00:53.600 And so we yield to that and we trust you. 00:00:53.920 --> 00:01:06.480 And so, Lord, we come today to remind ourselves that you reconciled us by the body and the blood of your son Jesus, who died on the cross in our place and for our sins. 00:01:06.719 --> 00:01:11.519 And so we come to the table, Lord, with sobriety and yet with joy. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:13.439 And we do this in Jesus' name. 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:15.439 And everyone said, Amen. 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:16.319 You can have a seat. 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:18.159 I want to read a portion of Scripture. 00:01:18.239 --> 00:01:22.640 Uh, and then I want to talk briefly about two words as we prepare uh for communion today. 00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:25.359 Let me just kind of say, uh, if you're a guest today, relax. 00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:26.879 So today's a communion service. 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:30.959 It is not something we tack on at in the in the eight minutes at the end of a sermon. 00:01:31.040 --> 00:01:33.760 Uh it is the entire service here at Grand Park Way. 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:37.120 Uh, because the Bible says that there's a rest for the people of God. 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:40.879 And we want to enter in and be reminded of that today. 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:45.040 Uh, not there's a rest, not because of effort, but because of accomplishment. 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:46.719 Not ours, but his. 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:59.920 And so uh we do communion uh in a very intentional way here, but we also we practice what's called open communion, which means if you're a Christian, you have a relationship with Christ, that you're welcome to celebrate and receive communion with us today. 00:02:00.079 --> 00:02:03.359 The Bible kind of gives us some directives and some directions. 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:06.159 I want to read briefly and just talk about two words. 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:08.800 Paul writes this in 1 Corinthians 11. 00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:15.759 He says, For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, he took bread and when he had given thanks. 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:19.039 He broke it and said, This is my body which is for you. 00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:21.199 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:26.080 In the same way also he took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:29.039 Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. 00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:35.680 For as often as you eat this bread and you drink the cup, you proclaim that the Lord's death until he comes. 00:02:35.919 --> 00:02:43.120 Two words that I try to just press upon us every time we come to the Lord's table is remember and proclamation. 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:47.439 When I say remember, don't just remember the Passover celebration. 00:02:47.599 --> 00:02:53.919 Don't just remember uh communion or the Lord's Supper, or however you thought about it or think about it even today. 00:02:54.080 --> 00:03:08.159 Don't just remember a moment from the life of Jesus because the communion is not some sentimental thing that Jesus established so his disciples wouldn't forget him, like a like a middle school boy on the last day of camp, giving his phone number to a middle school girl. 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:09.680 Good luck with that, okay? 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:13.599 Uh no, this is not just a moment, this is an entire life. 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:16.960 So he says, as often as you do this, do this in remembrance of me. 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:24.080 What I'd like to do this morning is just kind of read from God's word and expand your consciousness of who God is. 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:28.080 And when Jesus says, do this in remembrance of me, what all he has in mind. 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:31.439 And so the Bible says it like this, starting back in Isaiah. 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:46.000 Isaiah the prophet wrote these words for to us a child is born, and to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:59.840 And of the increase of government and of peace there shall be no end, and on the throne of David and over his kingdom to establish it and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:03.520 And the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:10.319 Matthew picks it up and says, Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:17.120 When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:23.120 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:34.160 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:41.279 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:44.639 Luke continues the birth narrative with these words. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:54.160 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night, and an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 00:04:54.319 --> 00:05:00.240 And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:05.839 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:07.439 And this will be a sign for you. 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:12.399 You'll find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:16.399 John goes on. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:22.240 And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory. 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:26.560 Glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:34.720 John bore witness about him and cried out, This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me. 00:05:34.959 --> 00:05:38.240 For from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 00:05:38.480 --> 00:05:40.160 For the law was given through Moses. 00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:42.879 Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:46.240 No one has ever seen the only God who is at the Father's side. 00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:48.160 He has made him known. 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:54.639 Paul writes in Colossians, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 00:05:54.879 --> 00:06:05.439 For by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him. 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:09.519 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:11.680 And he is the head of the body, the church. 00:06:11.839 --> 00:06:27.439 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent, for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:40.800 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, you he is now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him. 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:55.040 If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which was been which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. 00:06:57.199 --> 00:07:05.920 Back to Isaiah the prophet, who has believed what he has heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:11.360 For he grew up before him like a young plant, like a root out of dry ground. 00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:17.040 He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:23.839 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:28.879 And as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised. 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:30.720 And we esteemed him not. 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:35.600 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:40.399 Yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:46.160 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities. 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:50.399 Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace. 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:53.600 And with his wounds, we are healed. 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:55.920 All we like sheep have gone astray. 00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:59.040 We have turned everyone to his own way. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:05.279 And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:11.120 He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:17.360 Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before it shears is silent. 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:19.920 So he opened not his mouth. 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:22.959 And finally, John. 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:31.360 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said to fulfill scripture, I thirst. 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:38.799 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch, and they held it up to his mouth. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:43.919 And when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, It is finished. 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:48.080 And he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 00:08:48.960 --> 00:09:02.799 When Paul says, records, or Jesus said at the Passover feast that night, and he said, As often as you do this, do this in remembrance of me, it's not a moment, it's this majestic life that we're remembering this morning. 00:09:03.279 --> 00:09:07.519 Second word he says is he says, as often as you do this, you proclaim the Lord's death. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:20.320 And so, until he comes, in just a moment, if you leave your seat and you come to one of these three stations in the front, or the two in the back, to receive and remember the body and the blood of Christ, where you come to celebrate that. 00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:22.720 What you're proclaiming is the Lord's death. 00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:32.159 What you're saying is that I am by nature such a sinner that the only way I can be forgiven is Christ had to die in my place and for my sin. 00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:36.639 And so what you're saying is, yes, what the Bible says about me is true. 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:39.759 I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:43.360 But, and hear this, we don't grovel today. 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:48.559 We don't grovel, we don't come like, oh, I'm just a I'm just a worm in the dirt. 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:50.879 No, you're the sons and daughters of God. 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:52.960 So there's a twofold proclamation. 00:09:53.039 --> 00:10:00.320 We say what the Bible says about me is true, but you also uh uh proclaim this that what the Bible says about Jesus is true as well. 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:11.440 Therefore, because what the Bible says that he was a true sacrifice, a sufficient sacrifice, what you're saying is that his death is sufficient, but it's also satisfaction for my life. 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:16.159 So by your coming today, you're proclaiming the Lord's death until he comes. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:21.360 And what you're saying about his death is that his death was sufficient for your sin. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:24.399 And that is to be celebrated. 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:33.759 Not mourned, not sad, it's not to be whimsy and it's to be soberly joyful. 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:36.320 The death of Jesus. 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:39.039 That's why we remember the body and the blood. 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:42.960 We do not believe in transubstantiation, and it does not become the body and the blood. 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:44.559 The Bible doesn't teach that. 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:47.759 It's a symbol that represents and reminds. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:56.240 And our prayer today is that it reorients you around the sufficiency of God in your place for your sins. 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:58.960 Sin no longer has power over you. 00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:00.720 You're free. 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:07.679 One other thing that the Bible says is that before you come to the table, we are to examine ourselves. 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:15.919 Basically, it's what we were talking about a couple weeks ago in John 4, when he says that the Father is looking for worshipers who worship him in spirit and truth. 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:21.600 When we examine ourselves, what it is, it's a time of preparation where your head and your heart kind of get synced up. 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:30.399 And you you you you you you remind yourself of the gospel that, hey, that the life and the death of Jesus was not only sufficient, but it was satisfaction. 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:35.600 And so as we examine ourselves, it's not punishment, it's preparation. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:40.320 And so what we're gonna do is I'm gonna voice a brief prayer, and then Clyde's gonna sing something over you. 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:46.720 And while he's singing, you just kind of examine yourself and you apply the gospel to yourself where most needed. 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:52.879 Because the death of Christ was sufficient, it was enough. 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:58.399 There's nothing you can add to that because Jesus plus anything is heresy. 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:01.919 There's nothing you could add to it because it's not lacking in any way. 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:08.879 The Bible says it like this in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 21 He, God, made him Jesus. 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:18.480 He made him who knew no sin to become sin for us, so that we may become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:32.399 So as you prepare to leave your seats after a time of examination and come and receive and remember and proclaim the Lord's death, what you're also proclaiming is a sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:34.559 Nothing is lacking. 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:38.080 Everything's been provided and paid for. 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:41.039 Maybe I could say it this way: look at me, beloved. 00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:50.720 He wasn't poor and he didn't have enough, and so therefore, I had to put you on layaway and come back and make some payments next month. 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:54.159 And I missed a month because I had to get my truck worked on, but I'm gonna be back next month. 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:56.240 I'm gonna double up and get caught up. 00:12:56.879 --> 00:13:02.320 Your God is rich in mercy, and he paid for you in full. 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:09.519 So part of this is just let in today that you're a paid-for people of God. 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:11.759 Let's pray together. 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:14.399 Father, we want to act in keeping with the scripture. 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:16.000 That's what makes us the church. 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:20.720 We are the church in as much as we bear the hope of the gospel. 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:27.200 And so, Lord, we come today to remember your sacrifice and the sufficiency involved in it. 00:13:27.440 --> 00:13:29.120 We come to say thank you. 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:36.960 And we come to proclaim your death, not just our sin, but the sufficiency of your death in our place for our sin. 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:41.039 And so now, Lord, in keeping with Scripture, we examine ourselves. 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:46.879 So, Lord, we say what David said in the Psalm, search me, O God, know my heart, try me and see if there'd be any hurtful way in me. 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:49.360 And then lead us in the everlasting way. 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:51.759 We pray and we listen in Christ's name. 00:13:53.279 --> 00:14:04.159 Before I dismiss you, let me remind you that we have a team of men going to Costa Rica to continue to nourish one of our missional relationships there in the mountains among the Guami Indians. 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:08.639 Uh, there's a prayer card on the stage that has the pictures of the guys on the team. 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:25.840 Uh, I want to ask you in just a minute when you're dismissed to come and grab one of these and just stick it in your Bible, put it on your kitchen table or somewhere, and just use it as an opportunity to remind your kids that we're by by being a part of a church, you're part of something bigger and better and beyond just us and what we do here on Sunday mornings. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:28.320 Uh, it's a good thing to be part of the church. 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:30.879 Not just a church, but the church. 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:31.440 Okay? 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:34.159 Hold your hands up, and we speak a blessing over you. 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:44.320 Because your God is rich in mercy. 00:14:44.720 --> 00:14:46.799 He did not have to put you on lay away. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:49.360 He paid for you. 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:57.120 With a full knowledge of your absolute capacity to put it on the put it in the ditch on any given day. 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:59.120 He paid for you anyway. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:01.200 Depart now. 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:04.080 Enjoy what you enjoy today. 00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:06.320 But don't be mastered by any of it. 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:09.120 In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:09.600 Amen. 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:10.799 Bless you dismiss.