Evening Service for 8/14/2005
The Wedding Supper of the Lamb
Introduction:
A. (Rev 19:6 NIV) Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. (Rev 19:7 NIV) Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.(Rev 19:8 NIV) Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)(Rev 19:9 NIV) Then the angel said to me, "Write: ’Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’" And he added, "These are the true words of God."
B. At the funeral for my grandfather, I read these words and I talked about times around the dinner table. Grandma was one who made a big spread and on Sunday afternoons, my uncles, aunts and cousins and my family would get together and have a good time. Grandpa was the worlds worst at when you would have your mouth full of something (usually a drink), he would tell a funny that would cause you to fall over and you would choke on your drink. Watch out because at the wedding supper of the Lamb, Ralph Hose is going to be there and he is going to cause you to choke on something while everyone else is laughing their heads off.
WBTU:
A. One time during a particularly stressful week, I was talking with Crystal, partly tongue and cheek, and I said that I will be glad when I get to heaven because in heaven we will not sleep and we will not eat. Mr. Productivity failed to see the usefulness in sleeping and eating. 8 hours of sleep a night, what a waste. Get into some project and have to take a break to eat.
B. Crystal reminded me that in heaven there will be rest. Hebrews 3 and 4 talks about entering the rest of the Lord. (Rev 14:13 NIV) Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." We are not told about sleep in heaven, but we are told about rest. It says that we will reign in heaven with Christ but it will not be stressful and tiresome like it is here.
C. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have the account of Jesus appearing to two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24. (Luke 24:30 NIV) When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. We can gather that Jesus also took some of the bread and ate it. Then Jesus appears to his disciples in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:41 NIV) And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"(Luke 24:42 NIV) They gave him a piece of broiled fish, (Luke 24:43 NIV) and he took it and ate it in their presence.
D. In John 21, we have Jesus preparing fish on the shore of Galilee after his resurrection. (John 21:12 NIV) Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. (John 21:13 NIV) Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. Jesus probably ate with them.
E. Peter said in (Acts 10:41 NIV) He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen--by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
F. We have many fellowship meals here at the church. This is good. We are going to have a big one on September 11 for our 60th year homecoming. We are getting ready for heaven.
G. Jesus resurrected body is going to be like our resurrected bodies. Some things that are hard to comprehend like Jesus just appearing in a room that is locked, but we shall be like him. It mentions that Jesus ate. We are going to eat in heaven.
H. (Rev 22:2 NIV) down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
I. Why are we going to eat in heaven? Why do most fellowship times of the church revolve around food? What is the purpose?
J. With all the fitness experts today, they emphasis our diet. They have studied the issues of eating and they have come up with several reasons why we eat. These will help us understand why we eat at as a church, and why we will eat in heaven.
Thesis: Here are some of the more popular reasons ‘why People eat’.
Because We Are Hungry
Simply the best reason to eat!
It is a fact of life. We eat, we live. If we do not eat, we will die.
WE can survive for over a month without food.
However, the body functions much better with regular intakes of food.
The New Testament emphases that there is more to life than food. WE should eat to live, not live to eat. (Mat 4:2 NIV) After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
(Mat 4:3 NIV) The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."(Mat 4:4 NIV) Jesus answered, "It is written: ’Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’"
Jesus mentions (John 4:34 NIV) “My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
He also says that we should do more than hunger and thirst after food. (Mat 5:6 NIV) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Jesus ate. Many of the events of the gospels are centered on food. The Last Supper being one of them.
It is a physical necessity.
The church needs to be in the business of feeding the hungry. (Mat 25:34 NIV) "Then the King will say to those on his right, ’Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.(Mat 25:35 NIV) For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,(Mat 25:36 NIV) I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
In heaven everyone will be satisfied. No more hunger, no more starvation.
Entertainment
Mom cooked great meals. We kids never stopped talking. Dad used to try to trick us into looking out the window, and then pretend to steal our dessert."
There is something about sharing a meal with someone that is so special. It loosens the tongue and is usually a place to tell stories and enjoy each other.
The food gives people something to talk about. It is a natural conversation starter.
(Rev 3:20 NIV) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
(Acts 2:46 NIV) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, (Acts 2:47 NIV) praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Obligation
This is a bit similar to Entertainment. Example: Your spouse prepares their famous homemade double-fudge brownies. (I know.) You feel obligated to eat not one, not two, and certainly not just a sample of the brownie. These are ’famous’ brownies and if you don’t polish off the plate with a smile, your spouse will feel mortally wounded. It’s worse than leaving that wet towel on the bathroom floor.
I am amazed at fellowship meals how some women push their food. If they are wise, they will keep it under a lid so that it cannot be found and then they can take it home and eat it there.
However, people sacrificed to make this food; we should at least humor them. We should give thanks to God. (Rom 14:6 NIV) He, who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He, who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
In heaven, Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price so that we could be a part of the wedding supper of the Lamb.
It is not important that I go. It is a waste of time to go to church potlucks. Wonderful opportunity to fellowship. (1 Cor 9:23 NIV) I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings. One of the blessings is the fellowship with the saints.
We need to learn to practice self control at fellowship meals. Buffets the same way.
Taste
Sometimes we eat because food tastes good. In fact, I’ve never met a Chocolate that I didn’t love, or one that didn’t love my hips, have you?
Sweet, sour, bitter, salty, buttery, yeasty, fruits, vegetables, meats have different tastes.
Taste, sight and smell are so important in our day.
(1 Pet 2:2 NIV) Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, (1 Pet 2:3 NIV) now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
To Feel Physically Better
Many times we use food to help make us feel better. When we’re sick with a cold, there’s nothing quite like a warm soothing bowl of chicken soup to make it all better.
Old time remedies. Food can be used as remedy.
Revelation 22:2- And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse.
To Feel Happier
Can foods really cheer up a person? Well, I’ve never frowned at a hot fudge sundae. By the way, you can cut about 20 calories by removing that cherry on top.
There are such things as comfort foods. Foods can worsen depression and heighten happiness. However, for the Christian, (1 Pet 1:8 NIV) Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,(1 Pet 1:9 NIV) for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
(Neh 8:10 NIV) Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Yes, it is good to go to fellowship meals and to feel happier. However, it should come more from the people.
In heaven all will be happiness.
Happiness
Sometimes we eat because we are happy. So, contentment sometimes spurs our eating desires.
The problem for some people is that they eat and eat because they are so happy. In heaven, there will be no sin so this will not happen. That will be wonderful.
(Prov 23:1 NIV) When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, (Prov 23:2 NIV) and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. (Prov 23:3 NIV) Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
Loneliness & Comfort
Food can be a very good friend when one is lonely.
In heaven, there will be none of this. (Rev 22:4 NIV) They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
Fellowship meals are important so that people do not feel alone. Need to be a comfort to others who are hurting.
A problem in our day because we are always eating on the run. The food becomes a friend more than other people.
Reward
Sometimes we eat to reward ourselves for achieving something special.
(Rev 22:12 NIV) "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
Relaxation
Example: It’s late in the evening, you’re watching television and a nice buttery batch of popcorn really hits the spot. It’s time to relax.
Relaxing foods. In heaven, R & R.
Unbend the mind. (Phil 4:6 NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phil 4:7 NIV) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Audio Adrenaline Big House
I don’t know where you lay your head or where you call your home.
I don’t know where you eat your meals or where you talk on the phone.
I don’t know if you got a cook, a butler or a maid,
I don’t know if you got a yard with a hammock on the shade.
I don’t know if you got a shelter, say a place to hide.
I don’t know if you live with friends in whom you can confide.
I don’t know if you got a family, say a mom or a dad.
I don’t know if you feel love at all, but I bet you wish you had.
CHORUS:
Come, and go with me, to my Father’s house.
Come, and go with me, to my Father’s house.
It’s big, big house, with lots and lots of room,
A big, big table, with lots and lots of food,
A big, big yard, where we can play football
A big, big house, it’s my Father’s house.
VERSE(2):
All I know is a big ole house, with rooms for everyone.
All I know is lots of land, where we can play and run.
All I know is you need love, and I’ve got a family.
All I know is you’re all alone, so why not come with me?
CHORUS (x4)
