Explore the profound meaning of Jesus' sacrifice, the significance of communion, and the transformative power of remembering Jesus.
Good morning, church family!
As I stand before you today, I am reminded of a quote from A.W. Tozer. He once said, "God wants the whole person and He will not rest until He gets us in entirety." This sentiment leads us directly into our discussion today about the profound meaning of Jesus' sacrifice, the deep significance of communion, and the transformative power of remembering Jesus.
Let's take a moment to read from 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26,
"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."
The meaning of Jesus' sacrifice is a topic that is both deeply personal and universally significant, touching on the very heart of our faith. When we speak of Jesus' sacrifice, we are referring to the crucifixion, an event that is simultaneously tragic and triumphant, a paradox that underscores the depth and complexity of God's love for humanity.
A spiritual act of redemption: Jesus, the Son of God, willingly laid down his life on the cross, bearing the weight of our sins. This was not a passive act, but an active choice, demonstrating the depth of Jesus' love for us. He chose to endure unimaginable suffering, not because he was compelled to, but because he desired to set us free from the bondage of sin. This act of self-sacrifice is a testament to the extent of God's love for us, a love that is willing to give everything, even life itself, for our salvation.
The concept of atonement: In the Old Testament, atonement was achieved through the sacrifice of animals. This was a symbolic act, a way of acknowledging one's sins and seeking God's forgiveness. But these sacrifices were temporary, a stopgap measure until the arrival of the Messiah. When Jesus died on the cross, he became the ultimate and final sacrifice, the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. His death marked the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new, a covenant marked not by the blood of animals, but by the blood of Christ himself.
Reconciliation: Sin creates a barrier between us and God, a chasm that we cannot bridge on our own. But through Jesus' death and resurrection, that barrier has been removed. We are now reconciled to God, brought back into a relationship with Him. This is the heart of the gospel message, the good news that we are no longer estranged from God, but are now His beloved children.
A model for us: It’s a call to selflessness and sacrificial love. As followers of Christ, we are called to take up our own cross, to die to ourselves and live for Christ. This is not a call to physical death, but to a spiritual death, a death to our own selfish desires and ambitions. In this way, Jesus' sacrifice is not just a historical event, but a present reality, a daily challenge to live out the gospel in our own lives.
Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper, is a sacred act of worship that Christians have been partaking in for centuries ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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