We are beginning a new series that will lead us right to Easter Sunday morning.
We will be looking at different moments and people from the Lord’s Super all the way to the actual crucifixion of Jesus.
This morning, we are going to put ourselves in the place of the disciples as Jesus shared His last supper with them…
Luke 22:17-20 (NIV2011)
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you.
18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
INTRO
This is where JESUS’ “passion” begins…as He is reclining at the table with His disciples and sharing the passover meal together.
It is this moment that we get our doctrine and ordinance of communion/the Lord’s Supper…we will share in that together in just a moment.
Before we do, I want to ask us this question, “What important truths can we learn at the Lord’s table?”
I want to look at the majority of this chapter, from verses 7 - 34, and show you what I believe that Lord has to say to us today.
TRUTH #1 -- Jesus’ WORD is FIRM (vs 7-13)
Luke 22:7-13 (NIV2011)
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.
10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters,
11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’
12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”
13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
The Bible is full of incredible promises and they are ALL true!
* The Lord’s Words are true for everyone…including YOU!
* Don’t believe the lie that says you are the exception…you’re not!
TRUTH #2 -- Jesus’ WANTS His FRIENDS (vs 14-16)
Luke 22:14-16 (NIV2011)
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.
15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
* Look closely at what Jesus was saying here. He knew His time on earth was going to come to an end soon.
* Yet, He VERY much wanted to spend time with His friends!
* If you are not experiencing FRIENDSHIP with the Lord, you are missing a vital part of your walk with Jesus
* Some of us may need to approach Jesus a little differently. HE wants a friendship with you!
TRUTH #3 -- Jesus’ WISHES us to be Faithful (vs 21-23)
Luke 22:21-23 (NIV2011)
21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.
22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!”
23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
* The table is a place for some deep introspection
* Every day, we should allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts for anything that does not belong in our lives.
* I get frightened when I see the cheap grace that flows through the hearts and minds of people who claim to be Christians
TRUTH #4 -- Jesus’ WARNS against FALSEHOOD (vs 24-30)
Luke 22:24-30 (NIV2011)
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.
26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials.
29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,
30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
* Pride and an attitude of self-importance are contrary to Jesus’ plans for our lives
* The greatest people in the Kingdom are the “unnamed servants” that Jesus uses regularly.
* We need fewer celebrities and many more servants
TRUTH #5 -- Jesus’ never WASTES our FAILURES (vs 31-34)
Luke 22:31-34 (NIV2011)
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
* Jesus absolutely knew what was coming from Peter. But, with Jesus, failures are not fatal.
* Jesus knows your weaknesses and mistakes. He’s not afraid of them. He turns tragedies into testimonies!
* The Lord can take your biggest mistakes and turn them into big miracles!
CONCLUSION
WHAT TRUTH DO YOU NEED TO RESPOND TO THIS MORNING?
Jesus Word is firm — have you doubted that God’s promises are true for you?
Jesus wants His friends — Are you ready to experience a “friendship” with the Lord?
Jesus wishes us to be faithful— do you need to search your heart?
Jesus warns against falsehood — Is He leading you to function more as a servant?
Jesus never wastes our failures — have you bought the lie that your mistakes are fatal?
(Hand out communion packets)
Talk to the Lord…just you and Him. Ask Him to search your heart
Claim the truth that the Lord has for YOU today
Take communion and walk from here changed
