Nothing But The Blood

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD

1 Corinthians 11:23-32

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Intro: a very wealthy old man who had an elaborate collection of Van Gogh and Monet paintings. His only son shared his father’s interest in the rare paintings. They traveled around the world buying these painting wherever they could find them.

The son enlisted in the army and was placed in the medical corps. In a severe battle, while carrying a wounded soldier to safety, the son was seriously wounded himself and died. The mother was dead already and the news of the tragedy devastated the old father. He grieved in loneliness for months.

One day a knock came at his door and when he responded he found a young man with a package. The young man explained that he was one of the several soldiers that the son had carried to safety. Knowing of his interest in paintings he had painted a picture of the son and presented it to the father.

The painting was not rare but was very precious to the old man because it was a good resemblance of his son.

The man moved a very valuable painting from the mantle and placed the picture of his son in its place. Hour after hour he sat in a rocker and gazed up at the image of his beloved son.

When death came the art collection was put up for sale by auction. Hundreds of collectors came to bid. The auctioneer announced that the will stated that the picture of his son was to be auctioned first. A moan of disappointment could be heard from the crowd. “Let’s get on with the real paintings,” one was heard to say.

The son’s picture was held up and the auctioneer cried, “Who will give $100.00, $50.00, $25.00. There was no response. A kind old gentleman in the back asked, “Will you take $10.00.” “Sold,” said the auctioneer. “Good”, cried the crowd. “Now we can get on with the auction.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes the auction,” announced the auctioneer. The crowd was puzzled and upset. Then the statement was given. The will declared that the son’s picture was to be sold and the person who took it would get all the rest. The old man who paid $10.00 for the picture of the son was suddenly amazed at the fact that he now owned all the valuable paintings.

When a person takes the Son of God, everything God has is included. We become heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus. The precious blood of Jesus has made it all possible.

. There is an old song we sing and these are the words:

“What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

Oh, precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow

No other fount I know

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.

. This morning we are going to share in the Lord's Supper or communion as many call it.

. We are going to celebrate and remember what Jesus has done for us.

. Our scripture this morning outlines what we are to do during the Lord's Supper.

. It gives us three ways to look during our celebration this morning.

1 Corinthians 11:23-32:

23For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread

24and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”

25In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.”

26For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

27So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

28That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.

29For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself.

30That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.

31But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.

32Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

. As we prepare ourselves for communion, let's take a look at three things.