Three Cups Of The Lord Series

Title: Three Cups of the Lord

Theme: The Blessings of Being Under the Blood

“In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; He pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs. As for me, I will sing praise to the God of Jacob. (Psalms 75:8-9) “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John. 6:37-40)

Our Righteousness Is In Christ Alone

Today’s passage of Scripture is set in a Psalm that has the characteristics of a Hymn of Thanksgiving. Several passages of Scripture in Psalm 74 were prayers of Asaph. This particular song of Asaph, Psalm 75 is a song of deliverance, of triumph and a Psalm of faith. It is a song for the saints and a Hymn that proclaims the wonderful deeds of God.

The opening verse of Psalm 75 says, “We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 75:1)

I would propose to you that the blessings of being under the blood of Christ are many. By coming under His blood we are found righteous. His bloodshed paved the way for us to miss the wrath of God, purchased our salvation, and enables us to enjoy the blessings of God.

The Bible tells us to partake in the Lord’s Supper, “Communion,” “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians. 11:16) Biblically this is one very good way of showing our appreciation through obedience to the Word and telling others who observe us of Jesus’ sacrificial death upon the Cross.

The Word “Cup” Is Often Used In the Bible

The word “cup” is often used figuratively in the Bible for that which is portioned out and of which one is to partake. Thus, it can mean God’s Judgments, His wrath or afflictions. (Psalms 11:6; 75:8; Revelations 14:10) Jesus used this term regarding His sufferings. (Matthew 26:39) He also used the term cup in reference to what some of his saints would suffer. (Matthew 20:22) In the Old Testament the cup had also been applied to the blessedness and joy of the children of God, and the full provision made for their needs. (Psalms 16:5; 23:5; 116:13)

Dr. Dewight Jones claims there are some 32 cups mentioned in the Word of God. I would like for us consider three of them today. 1.) The Cup of Wrath, 2.) The Cup of Salvation, and 3.) The Cup of Blessing.

Just what are the blessings of being under the blood of Christ? Just what are the wonderful deeds done by Christ out of love for His Father and for us? Before we can fully enjoy those blessings we must remember just what the blood of Christ redeemed us from. Just what was the source that caused Jesus Christ to willfully lay down His life?

The Cup Of Wrath

There is a “cup of wrath” and we must recognize this truth as we come and take communion together as a Body of Christ. The beloved John gives us this insight, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)

“Wrath” (orge) here is “referring to divine judgment to be inflicted upon the unrighteous.” This wrath of God is not an uncontrolled, unthinking, or a violent reaction. It is a deep, sometimes permanent, thoughtful, controlled righteous anger that is good and deals justly with all who reject Christ.

This anger of God is aroused for several reasons. 1.) Romans 2:5 says “But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.” Unsaved people allow their hearts to become hardened and unrepentant. Thus they spurn God’s love – rejecting His truths. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 tells us “He will punish those who do not… obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord.”

2.) Romans 1:18 says “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness…” Paul’s epistle also tells us that, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to Him…” (Romans 1:21) Those who under the wrath of God, have by choice chosen to transgress God’s law.