Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God! Isn't it a joy to gather together on this fine day that the Lord has made? We are not here by chance, but by divine appointment. We are not here for a casual gathering, but for a divine encounter with the Word of God. We are here to meet with our Savior, Jesus Christ, and to hear His voice speaking to us through His Word.

Today, we're going to look at a passage from the Gospel of Matthew. It's a familiar passage, but one that never loses its power or its relevance. It's a passage that takes us to the very heart of the Gospel message, to the very core of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 26:26-28 reads, "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'"

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "The Lord's Supper is a feast of remembrance, of communion, and of hope." Indeed, in this passage, we see all three of these aspects. We see Jesus commanding us to remember His sacrificial service on the cross. We see Him inviting us into communion with Him and with each other. And we see Him pointing us forward in hope to the day when we will drink the fruit of the vine anew with Him in His Father's kingdom.

As we meditate on this passage today, let's focus on three main points: Sacrificial Service, Symbolism in the Supper, and Salvation through Selflessness. Each of these points will help us to understand more deeply the significance of the Lord's Supper and the call to follow Jesus in sacrificial service.

Let's pray together as we begin. Heavenly Father, thank you for this day and for your Word. Open our hearts and minds to receive what you have to say to us today. Help us to understand the depth of your love and sacrifice for us. And may we be moved to respond in love and service to you and to our neighbors. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Sacrificial Service

In the heart of the Gospel, we find the essence of service. The kind of service that is not about self-glorification, but about self-giving. This is the kind of service that Jesus demonstrated when He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples. He was not just serving bread; He was serving His very self. His body, given for us.

This act of service was a profound declaration of love and commitment. It was a demonstration of a love so deep, so wide, so high, and so long that it led Jesus to the cross. It was a commitment so strong that it overcame the grave. This is the kind of service that Jesus calls us to. A service that is willing to give everything, even life itself, for the sake of others.

The first aspect of this service that we need to understand is its sacrificial nature. When Jesus broke the bread and said, "This is my body," He was pointing to His impending death on the cross. He was about to give His body, His life, for us. This was not a service of convenience or comfort. It was a service of sacrifice. It was a service that cost Him everything.

This is the kind of service that we are called to! Not a service that is easy or comfortable, but a sacrificial service. A service that is willing to give up personal comfort, personal desires, and personal ambitions, for the sake of others. A service that is willing to lay down one's life for one's friends.

Next is its communal nature. When Jesus gave the bread to His disciples, He was not just giving it to one person. He was giving it to all of them. He was serving a community. His service was not a private act, but a public one. It was a service that brought people together, that built community, rather than in isolation.

The third aspect of this service that we need to understand is its transformative nature. When Jesus gave the bread and the wine to His disciples, He was not just giving them food and drink. He was giving them symbols of His body and blood. He was giving them a new understanding of who He is and what He was about to do. His service was not just about meeting physical needs, but about transforming hearts and minds.

Finally, understand its eternal significance. When Jesus gave the bread and the wine to His disciples, He was not just giving them a meal. He was giving them a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. This is the kind of service that we are called to. Not a service that is just for the here and now, but a service that has eternal significance. A service that points people to Jesus, the bread of life, the one who gives eternal life. A service that helps people to see and grasp the eternal hope that we have in Jesus.

Transition. In these four aspects of service - sacrificial, communal, transformative, and eternal - we see the heart of the Gospel. We see the heart of Jesus. And we see the heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. It's all about service. A service that is sacrificial, communal, transformative, and eternal. A service that is all about Jesus, and all for Jesus.

Symbolism in the Supper

Amid the Last Supper, Jesus takes simple, everyday elements - bread and wine - and infuses them with profound meaning ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO