3/18/13

From Gary... Lord, help me love



Lord, help me love!

From Gary...


Some youngsters came to church today and seemed quite weird to me
The way they talked was very odd and their clothes- a sight to see.

But I tried to be polite to them and nice as I could be.
For after all, they were just kids and meant nothing much to me.



Chorus
O Lord, how I love you and you know this is true,
Please Lord, won’t you help me, love those who may love you.




On Wednesday night a couple I had never met before
came to church to sing with us but they were a just a bore

They could only talk of hobbies - and movies they liked to see
They cared only for themselves and not a wit for me.



Sunday morning came a man whose face seemed strange to me
He spoke with a funny accent and walked with difficulty

Yet he sang with such vigor and laughed so loudly
that I almost began to like him, which surprised even me



Sunday evening the preacher said something that I didn’t like
it was a little too pointed and seemed aimed right at me.

I wonder what HIS PROBLEM is so I can set him right
I just wish he wouldn’t go on and on, cause I’ve got plans tonight.



And when the preacher finally stopped and during the invitation song
I realized with horror, that I was in the wrong.

For I looked down on others so contemptuously 
And how The Lord in heaven must now look at me.


Fine
I thank you Lord, for Loving me and helping me to see
the problem was not with them, but rather it was me.


Luke 18:9-14

  9  He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. 10  “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.   11  The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.   12  I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’   13  But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’   14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

There may be someone out there who might wish to set the poem to music- be my guest- I can't.  Just send me the finished product - OK?

Bible Reading, Mar. 18



Mar. 18
Exodus 30, 31

Exo 30:1 "You shall make an altar to burn incense on. You shall make it of acacia wood.
Exo 30:2 Its length shall be a cubit, and its breadth a cubit. It shall be square, and its height shall be two cubits. Its horns shall be of one piece with it.
Exo 30:3 You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top, its sides around it, and its horns; and you shall make a gold molding around it.
Exo 30:4 You shall make two golden rings for it under its molding; on its two ribs, on its two sides you shall make them; and they shall be for places for poles with which to bear it.
Exo 30:5 You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.
Exo 30:6 You shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you.
Exo 30:7 Aaron shall burn incense of sweet spices on it every morning. When he tends the lamps, he shall burn it.
Exo 30:8 When Aaron lights the lamps at evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before Yahweh throughout your generations.
Exo 30:9 You shall offer no strange incense on it, nor burnt offering, nor meal offering; and you shall pour no drink offering on it.
Exo 30:10 Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once in the year; with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once in the year he shall make atonement for it throughout your generations. It is most holy to Yahweh."
Exo 30:11 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Exo 30:12 "When you take a census of the children of Israel, according to those who are numbered among them, then each man shall give a ransom for his soul to Yahweh, when you number them; that there be no plague among them when you number them.
Exo 30:13 They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary; (the shekel is twenty gerahs;) half a shekel for an offering to Yahweh.
Exo 30:14 Everyone who passes over to those who are numbered, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the offering to Yahweh.
Exo 30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when they give the offering of Yahweh, to make atonement for your souls.
Exo 30:16 You shall take the atonement money from the children of Israel, and shall appoint it for the service of the Tent of Meeting; that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before Yahweh, to make atonement for your souls."
Exo 30:17 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Exo 30:18 "You shall also make a basin of brass, and its base of brass, in which to wash. You shall put it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it.
Exo 30:19 Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in it.
Exo 30:20 When they go into the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water, that they not die; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
Exo 30:21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they not die: and it shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his descendants throughout their generations."
Exo 30:22 Moreover Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Exo 30:23 "Also take fine spices: of liquid myrrh, five hundred shekels; and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty; and of fragrant cane, two hundred and fifty;
Exo 30:24 and of cassia five hundred, after the shekel of the sanctuary; and a hin of olive oil.
Exo 30:25 You shall make it a holy anointing oil, a perfume compounded after the art of the perfumer: it shall be a holy anointing oil.
Exo 30:26 You shall use it to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the testimony,
Exo 30:27 the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense,
Exo 30:28 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its base.
Exo 30:29 You shall sanctify them, that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them shall be holy.
Exo 30:30 You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest's office.
Exo 30:31 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'This shall be a holy anointing oil to me throughout your generations.
Exo 30:32 It shall not be poured on man's flesh, neither shall you make any like it, according to its composition: it is holy. It shall be holy to you.
Exo 30:33 Whoever compounds any like it, or whoever puts any of it on a stranger, he shall be cut off from his people.' "
Exo 30:34 Yahweh said to Moses, "Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, and onycha, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be an equal weight;
Exo 30:35 and you shall make incense of it, a perfume after the art of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy:
Exo 30:36 and you shall beat some of it very small, and put some of it before the testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be to you most holy.
Exo 30:37 The incense which you shall make, according to its composition you shall not make for yourselves: it shall be to you holy for Yahweh.
Exo 30:38 Whoever shall make any like that, to smell of it, he shall be cut off from his people."
Exo 31:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Exo 31:2 "Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
Exo 31:3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
Exo 31:4 to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 31:5 and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.
Exo 31:6 I, behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you:
Exo 31:7 the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the testimony, the mercy seat that is on it, all the furniture of the Tent,
Exo 31:8 the table and its vessels, the pure lampstand with all its vessels, the altar of incense,
Exo 31:9 the altar of burnt offering with all its vessels, the basin and its base,
Exo 31:10 the finely worked garments--the holy garments for Aaron the priest--the garments of his sons to minister in the priest's office,
Exo 31:11 the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded you they shall do."
Exo 31:12 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Exo 31:13 "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, 'Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you.
Exo 31:14 You shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Exo 31:15 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death.
Exo 31:16 Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
Exo 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.' "
Exo 31:18 He gave to Moses, when he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, stone tablets, written with God's finger.

From Gary V. Womack... DANIEL - KEEPING YOUR HEART




DANIEL - KEEPING YOUR HEART


Scripture reading - 2 Kgs. 24:1-4


Setting - Amid the wicked kings of Judah, especially Manasseh (55 yrs 2 Kgs. 21Josiah (grandson of Manasseh) did right. He "cleaned house" - reforming the wickedness of the people - removing idolatry, destroying the offenders & promoters of idolatrous worship, removing every vestige of idolatry -  restoring proper worship (passover) - & upon discovery of the law, having it read to the people.

2 Kgs. 22:1-2 Josiah did right
2 Kgs. 23:25-27 No king was like Josiah - Yet God would still overthrow
Judah as He had promised.

It was probably during Josiah's reign that Daniel was born. In a climate of reform and renewed attention to honoring God & observing His statutes, Daniel must have been influenced to faithfulness to God at a very early age.

Probably born at the end of Josiah's 31 year reign - Daniel would have also lived under the subsequent rule of Josiah's younger son, Jehoahaz (3 month rule) - then Jehoiakim (11 year reign) [Egyptian Pharoah Necho, who killed Josiah, imprisoned Jehoahaz, removing him from the throne and putting Jehoiakim in his rightful place as the older son of Josiah 2 Kgs. 23:28-ff)

2 Chron. 36:17-21 The 70 years of Judah's exile begins - Daniel is among the first of the captives. (606 BC)

Dan. 1:1-7 Daniel is young, good looking, gifted, of royalty probably still in his late teenage years.

4 young men - away from home & family - thrust into a different culture, language, & religious beliefs (Idolatrous).

Their names were changed. Why?

1. To show authority over them & note their 
    subjection to their captors
2. In token of their being naturalized as citizens  
    of the Chaldean empire
3. To make them forget the God of their fathers 
    & the guide of their youth,
4. To wean them from their past & instill a sense 
    of allegiance to their new nationality.

Daniel = "God is my judge" >

Belteshazzar = "Keeper of the hidden treasures 
                         of Bel"

Dan. 4:8 "...Daniel....(his name is Belteshazzar 
                  according to the name of my god...)..."

Hananiah = "The grace of the Lord" >
Shadrach = "The inspiration of the sun"

Mishael =   "He that is the strong God" >
Meshach = "Of the goddess Shach" (Under which 
                    name Venus was worshipped)

Azariah =       "The Lord is a help" >
Abed-Nego = "The servant of the shining fire"

Daniel didn't leave his convictions at home:

Dan. 1:8-16 Daniel "purposed in his heart" - He was committed to not defying his conscience, even in the face of possible death.

Daniel kept in his heart what he had learned at home & took it with him:

Lev. 11:44-ff Consecration (holiness) learned in discernment between clean and unclean animals (meats, such as pork)

Abstinence from eating of unclean meats. 
                  (Self-discipline)

Self- control, Self-denial, Discipline of mind 
                                          over the body

1 Cor. 9:24-ff "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. (25) And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (26) Therefore I run thus; not with uncertainty. Thus I fight; not as one who beats the air. (27) But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should
become disqualified."

To eat of the kings dainties may have involved a connection to the sacrifice of such meats to the idol gods of their religion. To have eaten may have been a matter of conscience.

1 Cor. 8:4-7 "Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. (5) For even if there are 'so-called' gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), (6) yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. (7) However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some,
with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled."

Rom. 14:14-ff "He who doubts is condemned if he eats" - Conscience

What we learn from Daniel is to be faithful in your youth

Eccl. 12:1 "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, 'I have no
pleasure in them.' "

1 Tim. 4:12 "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

Despise - [kataphroneo] - (kata = down; phren = mind) To think down on, to think slightly of.

Ezek. 14:12-14 Daniel, Noah & Job - worthy examples of righteousness.

What we learn from Daniel is commitment of purpose - holiness

Prov. 4:23 "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life."

Rom. 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God."

What we learn from Daniel is - serve God where you are

1 Cor. 7:17-24  Slave? Free? Rich? Poor?  
                        Home?  Abroad? Circumstances?

Phil. 4:10-13 Learning contentment - Confidence 
                     in our faith & God's power

What we learn from Daniel is... 
                                              faithful Continuance

Col. 2:6-10 As you have received Christ, so walk 
                  in Him. Rooted in Him

INVITATION

Col. 2:11-12 Baptism = the circumcision made without hands.

Gen. 17:11 "and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you."

Baptism is a sign of the New covenant between God and man.

A covenant is an agreement between two - both obligated to faithfulness. 

From Jim McGuiggan..Draw a line


Draw a line

Disappointment drains you. It tires you out and gets you down precisely because it tires you out. You expend more energy that you can afford coming to terms with the disappointment but you can’t seem to let the matter rest. If you truly thought you should let the matter go you might be freer but in many cases you think it’s something you can fix—or at least, somebody working with you instead of against you can help you fix it. And what seems to drain you most is disappointment with people you expect more from.
It’s true that some of our expectations are over the top, sufficiently over the top that they border on being unfair. I think I recognise that—indeed, have to wrestle with it; but it isn’t always the case that the expectations are set too high. If we really believed that that was the case we could handle it better—so we judge. But it’s often the case that what we expect is little more than some common courtesy, some indication of at least basic gratitude or to be cut some slack by people for whom you’ve made allowances for time without number. But, no, they act like solitary virgins in a world of prostitutes. And that’s when you’re in the wrong and it would appear that you’re always in the wrong about everything. Listen, nobody’s that good or bad that they’re always in the right or in the wrong about everything.
I suppose what's most disappointing and tiring--because it’s the most disappointing experience you have--is what you experience with those closest to you and it’s crippling when they don’t want the matter fixed. What makes it especially painful is that they know it guts you because it continues to be an open wound. They seem to get a special delight in keeping you at arm’s length and it’s your hunger for their warmth that makes the pain exquisite. "As far as it depends on you live at peace with everyone," a wise man said. But he did say, "If it’s possible." Romans 12:18.
What can’t be cured must be endured. You can’t wish that you didn’t love those that shut you out—not if they are or have been close to you. But, let me repeat, these poor sightless people know full well that it’s your longing for them that's their most jagged needle to pierce you with. So what are you to do?
My guess is that you should be glad it’s not you that’s behaving this way, shutting the door in a childish, cherished and wicked sulk! And I’d suppose you should be pleased that it’s still in your heart to want reconciliation. Wanting it to be right again is the price you pay for genuinely loving someone. If you never loved them then you wouldn't miss them, wouldn't care that they shut you out.
But maybe if you can draw on all the other fine relationships you experience in life, if you can drink from all the other joys that are there for you to experience, it will enable you to bear the burden of this sad situation without folding. And without dismissing them, if you can let them know that life goes on for you, that you will rejoice in life without them if you must; if you can make it clear that they can’t hurt you so as to reduce your life to gloom and misery you'll take away the weapon that serves them best. Everyone’s important, some are more important to us than others, but no one's so important that they should be allowed to reduce life with God to cold ashes. No one is so important that they should be allowed to reduce all our other friends or family members to nothing! So miss them--as you should--but don't allow them to make the love of others count for nothing in your life.
I suppose you must make it clear that they would make your life richer and warmer if they'd let you back in or if they came back in. But while that’s true, you must make it clear you refuse to wither so they can find sheer pleasure in their spite and blindness. They must learn that only God is that important! Draw a line.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... The Lord's Supper


                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                      The Lord's Supper (26:26-30)

INTRODUCTION

1. During His last week, Jesus observed the Passover for the last
   time...
   a. The Passover was a Jewish feast, observed annually - Deut 16:1-8
   b. Commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt - Exo 12:1-28,43-49

2. This last Passover was very special to Jesus - Lk 22:14-15
   a. His knew His death was imminent ("before I suffer")
   b. He was with those he loved - Jn 13:1 ("He loved them to the end")

3. On this occasion Jesus instituted what we call the Lord's Supper...
   a. Read our text - Mt 26:26-30
   b. As recorded by Luke, Jesus wanted His disciples to do this in His
      memory - Lk 22:19

4. The importance of properly observing the Lord's Supper should not be
   underestimated...
   a. The church at Corinth was guilty of abusing it - 1Co 11:20-22
   b. Such misuse has serious consequences - 1Co 11:27,29

[That we might observe the Supper properly, to receive its blessings
rather than condemnation, let's use this opportunity to review what is
revealed about the purpose and observance of "The Lord's Supper"...]

I. THE MEANING OF THE SUPPER

   A. IT IS A MEMORIAL...
      1. Note Paul's account as given by the Lord Himself - 1Co 11:
         23-25
         a. We eat the bread in memory of His body
         b. We drink the cup (fruit of the vine) in memory of His blood
      2. We therefore commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross
         - Mt 26:28
         a. Whose death make the new covenant possible - He 9:16
         b. Whose blood was shed for the remission of sins - Ep 1:7
      -- As the Passover was a memorial commemorating Israel's
         deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lambs on the
         door post, so the Supper is a memorial of our Lord's death who
         makes our deliverance from the bondage of sin possible

   B. IT IS A PROCLAMATION...
      1. We proclaim our faith in the efficacy of the Lord's death
         - 1Co 11:26a
         a. That His death was indeed for our sins
         b. If we didn't believe it, why keep the Supper?
      2. We also proclaim our faith in the Lord's return - 1Co 11:26b
         a. For it is to be done "till He comes"
         b. If we don't believe He is coming, then why keep the Supper?
      -- Thus the Lord's Supper looks forward as well as backward, and
         will ever be observed by His disciples who trust in His
         redemption and anticipate His return!

   C. IT IS A COMMUNION...
      1. A fellowship or sharing in the blood of Christ - 1Co 10:16a
         a. As we partake, we commune with the blood of Christ
         b. Perhaps in the sense of reinforcing blessings we enjoy
            through the blood of Christ - cf. 1Jn 1:7,9
      2. A fellowship or sharing in the body of Christ - 1Co 10:16b-17
         a. As we partake, we commune with the body of Christ
         b. Perhaps in the sense of reinforcing fellowship together in
            the body of Christ (i.e., the church), as we break bread
            together

["The Lord's Supper", which is also called "Communion" and "Breaking of
Bread" (cf. 1Co 10:16; Ac 2:42; 20:7) certainly has great significance
and should not be taken lightly.  We should therefore consider what the
Scriptures reveal about...]

II. THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SUPPER

   A. TO BE DONE WITH REVERENCE...
      1. That is, "in a worthy manner" (NKJV) - 1Co 11:27,29
         a. The KJV says "worthily", which some have misunderstood
         b. It is an adverb, describing how we take it, not whether we
            are worthy (none are truly worthy)
      2. With respect for the supreme price Jesus paid for our sins
         a. Cf. the cruel torture and humiliation of His physical body
         b. Cf. the spiritual anguish suffered as the Son of God bore
            the punishment for our sins ("My God, My God, Why have You
            forsaken Me?" - Mt 27:46)
      3. Failure to observe with proper reverence brings condemnation
         - 1Co 11:27,29
         a. One will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord
         b. One will eat and drink judgment to himself
      -- To make light of this memorial puts one in the same category
         as those who mocked Him as He hung on the cross!

   B. TO BE DONE WITH SELF-EXAMINATION...
      1. Such as reflecting upon one's spiritual condition - 1Co 11:28
      2. Are we living in a manner that shows appreciation for His
         sacrifice?
         a. By accepting the grace of God in our lives? - 2Co 5:18-6:1
         b. By living for Jesus who died for us? - 2Co 5:14-15; Ga 2:20
      3. Or are we by willful sinning, guilty of having:
         a. "trampled the Son of God underfoot"?
         b. "counted the blood by which [we were] sanctified a common
            thing"?
         c. "insulted the Spirit of grace"? - cf. He 10:26-29
      4. Do we, by refusing to repent of our sins, "crucify again for
         themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an shame"? - cf. He 6:4-6
      -- In one sense, the Supper is a very private matter between a
         Christian and his or her God; a time to reflect the past and
         to resolve for the future

   C. TO BE DONE WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS...
      1. There is ample indication the Supper is designed to be a
         communal meal
         a. The disciples "came together" to break bread - Ac 20:7
         b. When they came together, they were to "wait for one
            another" - 1Co 11:33
         c. Partaking together of "one bread", they demonstrate they
            are "one bread and one body" - 1Co 10:16
         -- We commune not just with the Lord, but with one another
      2. For this reason I personally question such practices as:
         a. Observing the Supper by one's self when camping or
            traveling
         b. Observing the Supper on Sunday night when just one or a
            couple of people in the congregation are partaking
         c. Taking the elements to the sick or shut-in who were unable
            to assemble
         -- While such issues may fall in the realm of "opinion", let's
            not forget that the Supper builds fellowship with one
            another as well as with the Lord!

   D. TO BE DONE OFTEN...
      1. The Biblical evidence is that it was done weekly...
         a. Christians came together on the first day of the week to
            "break bread" - Ac 20:7
         b. Other indications of a weekly observance:
            1) The church at Corinth was coming together to eat the
               Lord's Supper, though they were abusing it - cf. 1Co 11:17-22
            2) Instructions concerning the collection suggest their
               coming together was on the first day of the week - cf.
               1Co 16:1-2
         c. Following the divinely approved example of Christians in
            the Bible, we know God approves of a weekly observance on
            the first day of the week
      2. The earliest historical evidence outside the Bible confirms
         the day and frequency...
         a. The Didache (ca. 95 A.D.) indicates Christians were to come
            together on the first day of the week to break bread
            - Didache 14:1
         b. Justin Martyr (ca. 150 A.D.) records how Christians
            assembled on Sunday and partook of the Supper - Apology I,
            67
      3. Some believe that a weekly observance diminishes the
         importance of the Supper
         a. Which is why some do it monthly, quarterly, or annually
         b. But does the frequent practice of:
            1) Assembling diminishing its value and importance?
            2) Singing praises and offering prayers devalue their
               benefits?
            3) Preaching and studying God's Word decrease their
               significance to our lives?
      -- Our spiritual lives are dependent upon the value and benefits
         of our Lord's death on the cross; a weekly observance of the
         memorial helps us to live appreciatively and accordingly!

CONCLUSION

1. "The Lord's Supper" is a very special memorial of His death for our
   sins...
   a. Instituted by Jesus Himself, He asked His disciples to do it in
      His memory
   b. Jesus told His disciples that He would not eat of the elements
      again until:
      1) "...that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's
         kingdom." - Mt 26:29
      2) "...that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." - Mk 14:25
      3) "...it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." - Lk 22:16
      4) "...the kingdom of God shall come." - Lk 22:18
   c. There are two plausible explanations for what Jesus means:
      1) Some think it refers to Jesus having fellowship with us as we
         observe the Lord's Supper in the church, which is His kingdom
         - cf. 1Co 10:16-17
      2) Others propose that it refers to the special communion we will
         have with Jesus in His Father's kingdom, spoken often in terms
         of a heavenly feast - cf. Isa 25:6-8; Mt 8:11; 22:2-14; Lk 14:15-24;
                                   Re 19:9

2. The first Christians "continued steadfastly" in its observance...
   a. Just as they did in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship and prayer
      - Ac 2:42
   b. Coming together on the first day of the week for that very
      purpose - Ac 20:7

3. Christians today should never lose sight of its significance...
   a. A constant reminder of the sacrifice Jesus paid for our sins
   b. A communion or sharing of the body and blood of the Lord
   c. A time for self-examination and re-dedication of our service to
      the Lord
   d. A means for building fellowship with one another in the body of
      Christ

May such thoughts encourage us to never neglect opportunities we have
to observe the Lord's Supper, but to continue steadfastly and in so
doing "proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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