WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:22.260 Hi, and welcome to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:00:22.780 --> 00:00:25.880 This is where you can find audio for our current and past sermons. 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:30.420 We hope that you enjoy this week's installment, and be sure to check back next week to hear 00:00:30.420 --> 00:00:31.260 the latest message. 00:00:31.680 --> 00:00:32.460 Thanks for listening. 00:00:46.100 --> 00:00:47.120 Well, good morning. 00:00:48.140 --> 00:00:50.240 Glad that you guys are here with us. 00:00:50.240 --> 00:00:54.180 If you've got your Bibles, open them up to Luke chapter 22. 00:00:54.920 --> 00:00:59.540 As you turn there, we will be taking part and partaking in the Lord's Supper today. 00:00:59.940 --> 00:01:03.340 So hopefully you were able to get one of these little Lord's Supper cups as you came in. 00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:04.180 There I am. 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:08.860 And so if you didn't have the opportunity, or if you missed those, you can go back right 00:01:08.860 --> 00:01:10.120 now and grab one of those. 00:01:10.340 --> 00:01:12.280 We promised Pastor Dave is standing back there. 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:14.540 We won't ridicule you for not getting one earlier. 00:01:14.700 --> 00:01:17.360 We're just glad that we can do this together, all right? 00:01:17.360 --> 00:01:23.660 And so, but as you turn to Luke chapter 22, I want to talk to you guys about the rest of 00:01:23.660 --> 00:01:24.100 the summer. 00:01:24.300 --> 00:01:30.140 Now, I don't know about you, but school, you know, is out for the Bradbury house, and we're 00:01:30.140 --> 00:01:34.960 home, and it's kind of in those moments where we're thinking through what are the plans that 00:01:34.960 --> 00:01:35.960 we're going to make for the summer. 00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:37.700 And so we're talking about those. 00:01:37.800 --> 00:01:42.340 We've set plans long ago, and then as it kind of moves forward, we're kind of adapting and 00:01:42.340 --> 00:01:43.460 adjusting as we go. 00:01:43.680 --> 00:01:47.800 And so what I'd like to talk to us about, and this is going to kind of be a little bit longer 00:01:47.800 --> 00:01:53.920 than maybe a normal announcement that Beau fills in, but to kind of let you know our plans as 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:56.680 we move together as a church family this summer. 00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:01.320 And the reason why I want to take some time to talk about it, number one, I think it's very 00:02:01.320 --> 00:02:06.360 important that you know what we're going on when we feel like God's leading, but then also 00:02:06.360 --> 00:02:08.940 that you can join us with this, all right? 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:13.440 And what we're really looking at with these next two sermon series is not something that 00:02:13.440 --> 00:02:17.760 you and I, that we just show up on a Sunday morning, and it's what we talk about, and maybe 00:02:17.760 --> 00:02:22.580 there's a take-home that you really grasp a hold of, but that we're intentionally looking 00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:27.700 at what we can do together as a body, as a family of Christ, as we go through this, and 00:02:27.700 --> 00:02:29.000 as we grow together, all right? 00:02:29.060 --> 00:02:32.500 So that's why I want to take some time that I think is very important that we spend some 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:34.600 time talking about that this morning. 00:02:34.600 --> 00:02:39.460 And so the first summer series that we're going to get started on is on July 11th, and 00:02:39.460 --> 00:02:41.120 that's going to be a prayer series, all right? 00:02:41.500 --> 00:02:45.500 And what we're going to do for five weeks on Sunday mornings, we're going to gather in here 00:02:45.500 --> 00:02:48.800 together, and we're going to look at what the Bible says about prayer. 00:02:48.920 --> 00:02:53.940 We're going to look at examples of prayer in Scripture, and then challenge each other 00:02:53.940 --> 00:02:57.580 to see that how we can grow in our own prayer life, right? 00:02:57.600 --> 00:03:01.840 Like, I don't know if you're like me, but you know someone in your life who's that prayer 00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:05.660 warrior, and you always wonder, like, man, I'd like my prayer life to be like them. 00:03:05.700 --> 00:03:11.200 For me, that was my grandmother, and just seeing and knowing and her sharing with me all those 00:03:11.200 --> 00:03:12.280 things that she prayed about. 00:03:12.680 --> 00:03:17.460 And so, but sometimes I can put my eyes on my grandmother and move off of God even in that 00:03:17.460 --> 00:03:17.840 dynamic. 00:03:17.960 --> 00:03:21.500 And so what we want to really look at and do is like, God, what are you teaching us, 00:03:21.540 --> 00:03:25.040 and how can we grow together as a church family in prayer? 00:03:25.160 --> 00:03:26.920 But then here's going to be the challenge for us. 00:03:27.140 --> 00:03:30.280 Here's going to be the take home for all of us throughout this. 00:03:30.540 --> 00:03:38.320 Along with the series, we're going to have a five-week focus on prayer in our church. 00:03:38.440 --> 00:03:40.300 So here's our goal. 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:42.100 Here's what we're hoping for, all right? 00:03:42.100 --> 00:03:47.820 For those five weeks, while we are talking about prayer on Sunday morning, 24 hours a 00:03:47.820 --> 00:03:54.420 day, seven days a week for five weeks, that we've got men, women, and maybe even children 00:03:54.420 --> 00:03:59.020 of Willow Ridge Church who are committed to pray during that time. 00:03:59.100 --> 00:04:04.420 So that for five weeks straight, there's not a moment during the day or night where there's 00:04:04.420 --> 00:04:09.240 not someone from Willow Ridge crying out and interceding on behalf of us to God. 00:04:09.640 --> 00:04:12.640 And so that's going to be the challenge that we set before. 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:14.360 So here's the challenge. 00:04:14.480 --> 00:04:24.860 Can we get 168 people to commit to pray one hour a day for five weeks as we go forward with 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:25.060 this? 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:31.840 Now, that's not one hour every day during that week, but it is one hour a day per week as 00:04:31.840 --> 00:04:33.280 we go forward. 00:04:33.340 --> 00:04:34.420 So here's the example. 00:04:34.420 --> 00:04:40.420 So like for my house, I may say that I'm going to take the 3 a.m. Sunday morning slot, 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:40.680 right? 00:04:40.760 --> 00:04:41.700 Sunday's a big day for me. 00:04:41.760 --> 00:04:43.780 It'd be good for me to get up a little bit earlier anyways, right? 00:04:43.900 --> 00:04:46.240 So I'm going to take that hour for me. 00:04:46.340 --> 00:04:47.780 So I've got that locked up. 00:04:47.840 --> 00:04:53.320 But my wife may say that she's going to take the 5 a.m. Monday morning because she gets 00:04:53.320 --> 00:04:55.680 up really early and she's teaching summer school. 00:04:55.780 --> 00:05:00.000 So maybe that provides her that opportunity so that we have that. 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:04.160 So we want to invite you to join us in being a part of that. 00:05:04.220 --> 00:05:05.640 And so you can sign up. 00:05:05.700 --> 00:05:10.040 We want to be able to track and make sure that we're having every hour accounted for. 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:14.560 And you can sign up to that by going to willowridgechurch.com forward slash prayer. 00:05:14.820 --> 00:05:17.980 That's the website that we've created and you can sign up. 00:05:18.080 --> 00:05:19.520 Now, I want to go ahead and address this. 00:05:19.760 --> 00:05:23.840 If you think it's a little intimidating to do this, all right, me too. 00:05:24.640 --> 00:05:25.000 All right. 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:26.440 I'm there with you. 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:30.420 If you're like, man, this just seems too much for me. 00:05:30.500 --> 00:05:32.300 This seems too hard for me. 00:05:32.520 --> 00:05:34.900 Like, I want to be honest and open with you. 00:05:34.960 --> 00:05:37.060 Like, I understand that battle with where you're at. 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:40.980 And as I listen and think about this myself, like, I'm there too. 00:05:41.340 --> 00:05:43.680 But I just want you to think about this. 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:46.840 What's it going to be like in your life? 00:05:47.900 --> 00:05:50.700 What could it be like in the life of our church? 00:05:51.380 --> 00:05:58.940 If coming into this next season of ministry and this next season of life, if we dedicated 00:05:58.940 --> 00:06:03.800 just one solid hour a week to be on our face before the Lord. 00:06:04.440 --> 00:06:09.080 Now, with anything, right, we want to make sure that we give each other the tools and the 00:06:09.080 --> 00:06:10.400 encouragement to succeed. 00:06:10.960 --> 00:06:16.620 And so what we're going to do, what our staff has been working really hard on is a five-week 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:22.100 prayer guide that will be emailed out to all of those who sign up to be a part of this. 00:06:22.280 --> 00:06:27.220 And we even have hard copies here available at the church so that you can come alongside 00:06:27.220 --> 00:06:31.980 and you can have those tools so that when you sit down for your hour that week, we've given you some 00:06:31.980 --> 00:06:34.060 things to walk along with that, all right? 00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:37.060 Now, I want to say a couple of other things too, all right? 00:06:37.760 --> 00:06:44.260 I want to challenge you to join us, but there's only so many 8 a.m. Tuesdays, right? 00:06:45.440 --> 00:06:45.800 Okay? 00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:50.940 In order for us to do this, it's going to involve some people stepping up and saying, 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:52.820 we're going to take some really inconvenient hours. 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:55.880 And so here's the pastoral guilt moment, all right? 00:06:56.820 --> 00:07:02.660 If we can get up at 1 a.m. for Black Friday, we can get up at 3 a.m. to pray before God, 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:03.520 right? 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:09.700 And if you maybe follow along in my train of thinking, if you can get up at 2 a.m. on opening 00:07:09.700 --> 00:07:14.960 day of duck season, right, to drive an hour to sit there for five minutes, right? 00:07:15.440 --> 00:07:18.780 And then we can get up a little bit earlier, one day a week to do that. 00:07:18.880 --> 00:07:23.440 So again, willowridgechurch.com forward slash prayer, join us in there. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:26.520 I want to say this, you know, with where you are, maybe as individuals, 00:07:26.520 --> 00:07:30.260 you do this, maybe as couples, you decide to do this together, maybe as families. 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:35.020 Parents, let me kind of, let me give you some permission on some things with this, okay? 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:39.420 Because I want to fall into the heart of what we're trying to do and not into the legalism 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:40.000 of this, okay? 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:45.920 If you're like six-year-old or seven-year-old comes up to you and says, I want an hour, don't 00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:50.140 sit down and say, right, but you can't do this for an hour, right? 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:51.840 Celebrate what God's doing in their heart. 00:07:51.840 --> 00:07:57.420 Come alongside them, maybe join them within this, right, and as we move forward. 00:07:57.580 --> 00:07:59.620 And so please go sign up. 00:07:59.700 --> 00:08:01.640 I'm excited to see what God's going to do. 00:08:02.020 --> 00:08:07.220 And it's all leading and building to this, and it's really building toward what we're looking 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:10.160 and anticipating God to do through our next sermon series. 00:08:10.340 --> 00:08:16.380 After that, on August the 15th, called Family Reunion, all right, Family Reunion, we're getting 00:08:16.380 --> 00:08:17.880 the family back together again. 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:23.760 So a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away in January of 2020, right? 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:26.060 It's a long time ago, it feels like. 00:08:26.660 --> 00:08:29.380 We made a move in vision as a church. 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:33.200 We made a move in the application of what we were doing. 00:08:33.280 --> 00:08:38.400 And if you've been new to our church since then, you probably aren't aware of what we 00:08:38.400 --> 00:08:41.640 did, but we moved from two services to one. 00:08:42.160 --> 00:08:46.080 And you may say, like, oh, that doesn't seem like a big move, but it was a very strategic 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:47.240 move for us. 00:08:47.400 --> 00:08:50.100 It wasn't a strategic move because of numbers. 00:08:50.380 --> 00:08:56.540 It was a strategic move because of where we felt like how God had gifted and blessed our 00:08:56.540 --> 00:09:00.540 church in certain ways and our personality of what God was calling us to. 00:09:00.540 --> 00:09:05.720 Now, I want to say this, like, I've been a part of a mega church, multi-site church before 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:11.600 and the DNA of that, and it is great and it's good how God has used and is using those type 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:13.180 churches, but that's not who we are. 00:09:13.780 --> 00:09:18.900 And what we began to realize, what we understood is I would sit there and have conversations from 00:09:18.900 --> 00:09:23.100 somebody at the 930 service and say, do you know this person who's there every week at 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:27.320 the 11 and they have no clue, but they've been going to the same church for 10 years. 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:29.880 And we say we're a church family, but we don't know each other. 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:35.360 And so we started putting an emphasis on what does it mean to have the family be together 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:40.920 and that it's family time when the family eats together and fellowships together and builds 00:09:40.920 --> 00:09:41.620 on that together. 00:09:41.780 --> 00:09:45.740 And so we came out and that was our emphasis with where we were going. 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:49.840 And then March 15th happened, and this is the last time I'm going to talk about COVID this 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:51.800 morning, and it adjusted that, right? 00:09:51.800 --> 00:10:00.180 And we, it was very painful for me from March 15th to June to not be face-to-face and kind 00:10:00.180 --> 00:10:00.780 of have this. 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:05.160 And so as we were coming back out of that season, we just wanted to get together and get together 00:10:05.160 --> 00:10:05.840 and get together. 00:10:06.040 --> 00:10:07.480 And so that's what we've been working toward. 00:10:07.660 --> 00:10:12.040 And I'll just say this, since we've been at two services, I'm so grateful we actually 00:10:12.040 --> 00:10:12.800 started with three. 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:17.260 Since we've been at two, my heart's just not at peace because I don't believe this is who 00:10:17.260 --> 00:10:18.120 God has us to be. 00:10:19.160 --> 00:10:24.920 And so on August the 15th, we're going to move back to one service so that we can get 00:10:24.920 --> 00:10:26.940 the family back together again. 00:10:27.020 --> 00:10:27.820 It's been too long. 00:10:28.640 --> 00:10:30.940 So here's what that's going to look like for us. 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:34.540 For those of you that can remember all the way back, we're still going to have our coffee 00:10:34.540 --> 00:10:38.080 talk time before the service starts at 930 in the morning. 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:39.700 Now, I want to say this to you, right? 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:43.220 Like this time together is important, all right? 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:48.180 This time when we're going to come together and have coffee and juice and snacks for the 00:10:48.180 --> 00:10:50.120 kids and the adults and everybody together. 00:10:50.260 --> 00:10:56.480 This is important time for us as a church family because what we have in our church and our 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:59.540 dynamic is different than a lot of other places, all right? 00:10:59.640 --> 00:11:04.640 And we've got people who are in this building right now who are representing four different 00:11:04.640 --> 00:11:06.200 counties across our state. 00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:10.560 And so you begin to think about all of the different schools that are represented in towns 00:11:10.560 --> 00:11:12.560 and cities and places that are represented. 00:11:12.780 --> 00:11:19.220 And we just need a moment in time where we can come together and interact and fellowship 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:21.060 and God is glorified in that. 00:11:21.320 --> 00:11:22.500 And so that's what we do at 930. 00:11:22.540 --> 00:11:24.520 We gather together, bring the kids in here. 00:11:24.760 --> 00:11:25.920 They're going to be loud. 00:11:26.280 --> 00:11:28.560 They're going to spill things, all right? 00:11:28.640 --> 00:11:30.180 They're going to jump on chairs. 00:11:30.520 --> 00:11:33.480 Like we don't care, right? 00:11:34.380 --> 00:11:36.840 Every Christmas is a little chaotic and we love it. 00:11:37.520 --> 00:11:39.120 And that's what we want, all right? 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:44.720 So we're going to have that time together at 930 and then at 10 o'clock worship will begin. 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:49.200 Before worship begins, parents will be notified when they can get their kids to their classes 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:52.760 and their worship spaces and we'll have those as well. 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:55.260 So August 15th is where we'll begin. 00:11:55.380 --> 00:11:57.520 Now here's some other things that we're going to work on with this series. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:12:00.340 August 15th, August 22nd, August 29th. 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:02.560 It's a three-week series, family reunion. 00:12:02.560 --> 00:12:06.520 We'll come and we'll gather in here together, all of us for worship. 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:10.480 And then at night, we're going to regather, okay? 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:11.800 We're going to come back together. 00:12:11.900 --> 00:12:17.220 The entire church family, getting all of us back together again for just continuing to build 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:19.980 on that momentum of gathering everybody back. 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:24.240 Small group leaders, be a wonderful time to help connect people to your small groups, 00:12:24.380 --> 00:12:25.640 men's group, women's group. 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:26.660 Wonderful time. 00:12:26.880 --> 00:12:30.540 It's a wonderful opportunity for you to be able to sit there and meet someone that you don't know. 00:12:30.540 --> 00:12:34.480 And so that's what we're looking to for this family reunion series. 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:38.540 And so part of this, I'm going to be honest with you, as God laid on my heart this family 00:12:38.540 --> 00:12:43.300 reunion series and then brought on the prayer series, as we can be in a season and time of prayer, 00:12:43.400 --> 00:12:46.880 as we work toward this and as we move toward what God wants. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:50.680 Now, in order for this to happen, we're going to ask for a few things from you. 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:53.820 And we've already asked for you to pray. 00:12:54.380 --> 00:12:55.400 So we want you to do that. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.660 We want you to pray starting now. 00:12:57.920 --> 00:13:00.460 Like, please don't say, I ain't got to pray until July 11th, right? 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:01.100 That's what Bo told me. 00:13:01.280 --> 00:13:03.420 And if I signed up for the 14th, I ain't got to pray until then. 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:03.860 No, no, no. 00:13:03.880 --> 00:13:04.860 That's not what we're saying, right? 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:05.560 Pray now. 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:07.980 But a few more things that we're going to ask you for. 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:11.120 Number one, we need more children's ministry volunteers. 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:15.580 In order for us to do what we feel like God's doing, we need more children's ministry volunteers. 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:17.360 And so we've made it very simple for you. 00:13:17.400 --> 00:13:19.320 There's a card right here, all right? 00:13:19.340 --> 00:13:23.440 And on this card are lots of different places and opportunities where you can serve and you 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:24.060 can do that. 00:13:24.260 --> 00:13:28.600 If you want to fill out one of these and drop it out at the basket underneath the exit sign, 00:13:28.780 --> 00:13:31.580 you can do that at the end of the service. 00:13:32.020 --> 00:13:35.840 Dawn Coulter, our children's minister, she'll be in here at the end of the service as well. 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:39.640 So if you've got questions, if you don't know where you want to serve and so you just write 00:13:39.640 --> 00:13:40.640 your name down, that's cool. 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:42.400 If you've got questions, that's great. 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:44.220 We want to be able to connect you with that. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.440 I want to say this. 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:50.580 If you're a parent with a child in the children's ministry, no greater time and greater opportunity 00:13:50.580 --> 00:13:54.340 for you to invest in their discipleship than you being their small group leader, you being 00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:57.980 their worship leader, you being an assistant in the room, you being a greeter and having 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:58.780 those opportunities. 00:13:58.780 --> 00:13:59.620 That's number one. 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.880 So parents, hear me. 00:14:01.160 --> 00:14:06.100 Now, if you no longer have kids in the children's ministry, let me say this, no greater opportunity 00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:10.300 than for you to invest back into the ministry that poured into your kids, right? 00:14:10.300 --> 00:14:12.720 So they didn't get out of fifth grade and you got to say, I'm done, right? 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:14.620 Gives us these opportunities to do that. 00:14:14.700 --> 00:14:17.040 So we would love for you to be a part of this. 00:14:17.140 --> 00:14:21.280 Now, the second thing that we need from you, and I'm preaching to the choir, all right? 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:23.360 But we need you back. 00:14:24.640 --> 00:14:25.440 We need you back. 00:14:27.140 --> 00:14:32.200 Latest statistic that I read was only about 40% of the church across the United States 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:32.780 is back. 00:14:33.780 --> 00:14:37.960 And numbers of estimation only believe that the church will only get back to somewhere 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:41.100 around 70% than where they were pre-COVID. 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:42.480 Now, I'm going to be honest with you. 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.900 I don't know that that's a bad thing. 00:14:44.640 --> 00:14:50.300 As we really begin, who needs to be discipled and who needs to be evangelized, all right? 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:54.060 But we need you back and we need you here. 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:58.720 We're not the family when the family isn't here. 00:14:59.540 --> 00:15:00.520 Now, I know I'm saying this. 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:02.980 I'm preaching to the choir, right? 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:05.280 So many of you have been here. 00:15:05.400 --> 00:15:08.200 So many of you have been on your process and you're here this morning. 00:15:08.280 --> 00:15:09.240 But I want to challenge you. 00:15:09.280 --> 00:15:10.780 You know some people who aren't. 00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:16.580 And I want you to pray about how you can have conversations and lean in and press into 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:19.960 them so that they can have the opportunity to be here as well. 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:24.360 But then also, like, don't wait until August 15th if you're hearing this. 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:25.540 Don't wait. 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:31.760 And this is honestly, church, like, God's been very good to us and we've been very fortunate 00:15:31.760 --> 00:15:33.760 during this season with financially. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:38.680 We're higher than most churches on attendance and people coming back. 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:44.620 So this isn't for us, but this is what we believe, like, God's calling us to be better as a church 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.020 family. 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:52.220 The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10, 23 through 25, let us hold fast the confession 00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:53.660 of our hope without wavering. 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:56.220 For he who promised is faithful. 00:15:57.220 --> 00:16:01.840 Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. 00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:08.380 Verse 25, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another 00:16:08.380 --> 00:16:11.640 and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 00:16:12.140 --> 00:16:19.020 So it's the good, what God's calling us to in his word is the body is better when we're 00:16:19.020 --> 00:16:20.020 here together. 00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:20.940 You know? 00:16:21.280 --> 00:16:23.900 I thought about this illustration this past week. 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:26.860 We're referred to as the body of Christ. 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:32.100 And even in places in scripture, it's represented what the body looks like and how the body can 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:32.580 be healthy. 00:16:32.780 --> 00:16:36.580 And the illustration isn't just the body, but the illustration is literally describing what 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.700 the human body looks like. 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:41.840 And here's what it's like when the body's not accounted for. 00:16:42.400 --> 00:16:50.200 Now, if I were in an accident today after church service and I lost my right hand, all right? 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:54.580 Now, I can lose my right hand and still live. 00:16:55.540 --> 00:16:58.780 I can lose my right hand and it's going to be painful. 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:05.160 It's going to be a process, but I can lose my right hand and continue on. 00:17:05.320 --> 00:17:10.540 But the truth is, I'm not going to be as strong as I was before when I had the hand. 00:17:11.560 --> 00:17:12.760 And that's the body of Christ. 00:17:12.860 --> 00:17:17.560 And that's what I want people to understand, that the body is the best when you're here. 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:19.000 Please get that. 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:23.560 You, every one of you make me better. 00:17:24.620 --> 00:17:28.680 Every one of you challenge me in my faith. 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:32.620 Every one of you encourage me. 00:17:33.620 --> 00:17:34.520 I need you. 00:17:35.400 --> 00:17:36.460 And you need each other. 00:17:37.560 --> 00:17:39.160 But I also want to say this. 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:49.980 If I lose the hand and the hand is cut off from me, do you know what happens very quickly to that hand? 00:17:51.020 --> 00:17:51.980 It dies. 00:17:53.120 --> 00:17:53.980 It dies. 00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:59.180 And that's the hard part through this process. 00:18:00.280 --> 00:18:03.960 That's the hard part of seeing and having. 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:14.540 And it's why I said what I said before about maybe it's pointing to where we need to evangelize and where we need to share and where we need to share the hope of Christ with people. 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:14.860 Okay? 00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:18.680 So July 11th, our prayer series, join us. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.860 Be a part of that. 00:18:20.280 --> 00:18:22.140 Like, man, sign up for the crazy hours. 00:18:22.260 --> 00:18:29.700 Like, my hope is that we realize, like, man, everybody has signed up for all the hours except from, like, the 7 to 10 a.m. hours. 00:18:29.760 --> 00:18:29.920 Right? 00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:37.140 Like, fill those, do that, be that person that says, I'm going to do this and see what God's going to do. 00:18:37.280 --> 00:18:41.060 But then also be praying about what God's going to do for August 15th. 00:18:41.060 --> 00:18:42.540 So I've rambled on enough. 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:45.300 Let's pray and then jump into Luke 22. 00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:48.560 Lord, I just thank you so much for this church. 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.700 Lord, this body. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:55.160 Lord, and just how you are working and moving. 00:18:56.120 --> 00:19:06.220 God, I'm so grateful for this season that we're somewhat still in coming out of because, Lord, of what you've done and what we've been able to see and what we've been able to experience. 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:14.420 And, God, how you're positioning us in that capacity as we move forward for your name and for your renown. 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:17.840 And so, God, be glorified in us. 00:19:17.840 --> 00:19:26.920 Lord, today as we open your word, today as we take part in the Lord's Supper together, Lord, I pray for hearts to be changed, for eyes to be opened. 00:19:27.280 --> 00:19:30.520 Lord, and maybe even today someone might be saved. 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:34.120 And we'll give you all the praise and honor and glory. 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:36.240 And it's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:19:36.520 --> 00:19:36.840 Amen. 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:39.680 All right, so let's start verse 7. 00:19:40.800 --> 00:19:41.620 Luke 22. 00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:47.220 Then came the day of unleavened bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 00:19:47.780 --> 00:19:55.720 So Jesus sent Peter and John saying, go and prepare the Passover for us that we may eat it. 00:19:56.260 --> 00:19:59.840 And they said to him, where will you have us prepare it? 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:06.940 And he said to them, behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. 00:20:07.560 --> 00:20:19.260 Follow him into the house that he enters and tell the master of the house, the teacher says to you, where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? 00:20:19.800 --> 00:20:24.600 And he will show you a large upper room furnished, prepare it there. 00:20:25.040 --> 00:20:27.780 And they went and found it just as he had told them. 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:30.360 And they prepared the Passover. 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:34.780 And when the hour came, he reclined at the table and the apostles with him. 00:20:35.060 --> 00:20:43.240 And he said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you, don't miss this, before I suffer. 00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:48.960 For I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:54.580 And he took a cup and when he had given thanks, he said, take this and divide it amongst yourselves. 00:20:55.060 --> 00:21:01.840 For I tell you that from now on, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:08.960 And he took the bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, this is my body which is given for you. 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:11.260 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:21:11.760 --> 00:21:18.560 And likewise the cup, after they had eaten, saying, this cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:24.700 But behold, the hands of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:27.920 For the Son of Man goes as has been determined. 00:21:28.540 --> 00:21:31.940 But woe to that man by whom he is betrayed. 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:39.340 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:49.420 So what we find is here, as Jesus is getting closer and closer to the cross, as they've entered into Jerusalem, 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:52.980 is this setting that we've read about so many times. 00:21:53.340 --> 00:21:55.560 Paintings have been painted about this. 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:57.600 We've seen this be portrayed. 00:21:58.000 --> 00:22:02.440 And what we see is what we know as the instructions of the Lord's Supper. 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:08.400 What Jesus gives to the church, commands the church, and instructs the church to do. 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:14.940 So when it comes to taking the Lord's Supper together as a body, and I've been using this phrase a lot lately, 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:18.240 and I'm trying to see, like, Lord, what are you trying to just teach me? 00:22:18.320 --> 00:22:19.780 And what are you trying to teach us in this? 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:25.280 Like, this isn't a suggestion of Scripture of Jesus saying, hey, this might be a good idea. 00:22:25.520 --> 00:22:27.140 Jesus saying, no, like, do this. 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:28.140 Do this. 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:29.000 Do this. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:32.260 And so this is the setting that we walk into and that we see. 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:38.420 But there's something that happens in the first few verses that I want to spend some time this morning us talking about 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:45.700 as we've got these cups and we see the juice and we see this little wafer that's on top of what it's going to point to 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:47.900 and what Jesus is laying out. 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:50.500 In fact, look back at verse 22. 00:22:50.500 --> 00:23:01.500 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he's betrayed. 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:06.780 And so Jesus talks about the suffering that he'll face. 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:11.500 He's like, well, let's understand some things that are happening. 00:23:13.320 --> 00:23:14.440 It's been determined. 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.880 It's been set. 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:21.700 And it's not been determined and set by the guy who's going to turn me over. 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:27.820 And so what I want us to get as we think about the cross, as we take in the Lord's Supper together today, 00:23:28.060 --> 00:23:34.040 is this, is that the sovereignty of God and the sacrifice of Christ. 00:23:35.040 --> 00:23:38.680 The sovereignty of God and the sacrifice of Christ. 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:47.980 Jesus has been telling the disciples over and over and over again what will happen. 00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:50.300 Not what may happen. 00:23:50.800 --> 00:23:53.280 Not what he's looking forward to happening. 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:58.320 But Jesus is saying, no, no, this is what will take place. 00:23:58.640 --> 00:24:01.580 This is what has been determined. 00:24:01.580 --> 00:24:06.000 And the only one who can determine is God. 00:24:07.560 --> 00:24:15.760 And all through this, what Jesus is pointing to is the sovereignty of God in the suffering of Christ. 00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:20.560 When Pastor Dave preached a few weeks ago, he pointed out some of this in Luke 19. 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:22.260 If you've got your Bible, I apologize. 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.300 It's not on the screen. 00:24:23.560 --> 00:24:24.600 I added this this morning. 00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:27.680 But flip back to Luke 19, 29. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:33.100 When he drew near to Bethpage and Bethany at the mount that is called Olivet, 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:36.660 he sent two of his disciples, saying, go into the village in front of you. 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:41.900 Whereon entering you will find a colt tied on which no one has ever yet sat. 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:43.740 Untie it and bring it here. 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:46.700 If anyone asks you, why are you untying it? 00:24:46.820 --> 00:24:49.580 You shall say this, the Lord has need of it. 00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:54.520 So those who were sent away and found it, just as he had told them, 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:58.240 And as they were untying the colt, its owner said to them, 00:24:58.500 --> 00:25:00.840 why are you untying the colt? 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:04.920 Verse 34, and they said, the Lord needed it. 00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:07.840 And so Jesus has already done this before. 00:25:08.560 --> 00:25:13.540 Going into a new place for them and something that's got to happen and take place. 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:17.940 And he doesn't say, hey, go walk and see if you can find a donkey. 00:25:18.800 --> 00:25:20.800 Jesus says, no, here's what it's going to be. 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:22.380 And here's what they're going to ask. 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.840 And here's what you say. 00:25:24.360 --> 00:25:28.780 And can you imagine being the disciples in that moment of having that? 00:25:28.780 --> 00:25:31.040 So they're in Jerusalem. 00:25:31.340 --> 00:25:34.120 They're there at Passover, right? 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:36.360 Which is like going to Myrtle. 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:41.740 A few years ago, we decided to go to Myrtle Beach like two days before. 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:44.540 And we didn't know that it was senior week. 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:48.560 And we tried to find a room and we couldn't, right? 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:50.160 And it was packed. 00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:55.520 We finally found one room and really wish when we got in there that we hadn't gone to Myrtle 00:25:55.520 --> 00:25:58.280 beach for senior week with our two little kids, right? 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:01.500 Another story, another message, another time, right? 00:26:02.520 --> 00:26:04.360 But he says, go in there. 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:06.320 It's going to be, it's impossible. 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:08.100 There's no place. 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:08.640 It's Jesus. 00:26:10.100 --> 00:26:10.900 He says, no, no, no. 00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:11.400 Go. 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.220 Go. 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:13.560 There's a room. 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:14.960 It's been determined. 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:20.900 And he tells his disciples that you're going to see a man carrying a jar of water. 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:24.800 Now, I'm going to try, don't receive this offensively, ladies. 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:27.900 During the time of Jesus, men didn't carry water. 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.740 That was women's work. 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:32.880 So Jesus sets two impossible tasks in front of them. 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.100 Walk into the city. 00:26:35.360 --> 00:26:37.500 You'll see a man carrying a jar of water. 00:26:37.800 --> 00:26:38.640 No, that ain't going to happen. 00:26:38.760 --> 00:26:39.280 It happened. 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:45.840 Follow him to the house that he enters, right? 00:26:45.840 --> 00:26:47.600 Don't ask him. 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.960 Just follow him. 00:26:50.280 --> 00:26:59.300 And then when he goes in, walk in with him and not ask, but tell the owner of the house, 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:01.380 here's what we're here to have. 00:27:01.760 --> 00:27:02.680 Give it to us. 00:27:03.880 --> 00:27:05.660 And it's what happens. 00:27:07.300 --> 00:27:08.980 Why is Jesus doing this? 00:27:10.820 --> 00:27:17.060 Because I want, I believe that as Jesus is going to go into a garden and be betrayed, 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:23.320 that as Jesus is going to be led out and Jesus is going to be beaten and mocked and betrayed, 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:26.640 as Jesus is going to be nailed to a cross, 00:27:27.280 --> 00:27:34.020 that he wants all of those with him to know that God is still in control 00:27:34.020 --> 00:27:36.500 and that it's been determined. 00:27:37.760 --> 00:27:39.740 Jesus says in John 10, 18, 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:43.500 you don't take my life from me. 00:27:44.040 --> 00:27:46.240 I lay it down. 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:48.700 That changes the narrative of the crucifixion. 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:52.180 You don't take it from me. 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:54.180 It isn't yours to take. 00:27:54.520 --> 00:27:55.600 I give it. 00:27:55.840 --> 00:27:57.680 I lay it down for you. 00:27:57.920 --> 00:28:02.520 The sacrifice of Jesus was not God playing the cards he was dealt, 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:10.320 but was instead in the will and determination of God fulfilling all that he said that he would do. 00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:12.160 That's the cross. 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.980 That's good Friday. 00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:21.440 That's why there's hope for you and I because of Easter morning. 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:25.660 And so Jesus telling the disciples all this will happen, 00:28:26.020 --> 00:28:29.980 all this will take place is reminding them that in spite of what you see, 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:32.080 in spite of what you feel, 00:28:32.520 --> 00:28:34.340 in spite of what others tell you, 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:36.840 God is still in control. 00:28:38.260 --> 00:28:44.240 And it's a great picture of hope for you and for I and our salvation. 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:51.200 But it's also the great reminder of how we can trust God in our life right now. 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:54.900 No matter where you find yourself in life, 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:59.340 no matter where your decisions have led you, 00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:05.620 no matter how you feel you're working with the cards that are dealt to you, 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:08.300 no matter the battle, 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:10.820 no matter the suffering that you face, 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:13.080 church, please hear me. 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:15.600 There isn't a moment in your life, 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:19.360 not at your lowest of the lows or the highest of your highs. 00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:24.740 There's not a moment in your life where you are not in the sovereign hand of God. 00:29:26.360 --> 00:29:28.100 I can't explain the circumstances. 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:33.100 I can't explain why things are working out the way they're working out. 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.780 But God hadn't left you. 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:39.300 God hadn't released you. 00:29:40.360 --> 00:29:41.320 It's where you are. 00:29:43.020 --> 00:29:47.140 So it's so often the case to pass over. 00:29:48.540 --> 00:29:49.540 But God's saying, 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:51.740 hey, let me remind you about who I am. 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:54.720 There's a guy going to be carrying a jug of water. 00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:56.600 I know that's impossible. 00:29:57.520 --> 00:29:59.260 But there's a guy carrying a jug of water. 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:01.860 Follow him to a room. 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.820 I know all the rooms are gone. 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.220 Follow him to a room. 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.300 And say, that's ours. 00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:09.180 The teacher needs it. 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:11.200 And this is where we'll be. 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:14.540 In the sovereignty of God. 00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:16.620 In the sacrifice of Jesus. 00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:19.680 In the sovereignty of God in your life. 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:25.440 So then Jesus leads the disciples in their first Lord's Supper. 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:31.220 And they begin to take on the Passover meal. 00:30:31.560 --> 00:30:33.420 And we don't have the time today. 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.220 I wish we did. 00:30:34.320 --> 00:30:39.100 We don't have the time today to really get in and understand all about the Passover meal. 00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:42.520 But in the Jewish tradition and faith of God's faithfulness. 00:30:42.600 --> 00:30:45.540 Of the Passover that happened when the children were saved. 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:47.700 We begin to understand all of this. 00:30:48.020 --> 00:30:50.200 Which we can dive into more time with that. 00:30:50.340 --> 00:30:51.700 But they begin to take the meal. 00:30:51.820 --> 00:30:53.920 And then Jesus does something different. 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:56.160 He says, but also, 00:30:56.520 --> 00:30:59.160 Here's my body and here's my blood. 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:03.100 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:31:03.780 --> 00:31:05.460 Now again, this is the other reminder. 00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:09.040 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:31:09.280 --> 00:31:11.360 Now what is, like, remember. 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:14.240 When I'm not with you. 00:31:15.100 --> 00:31:16.480 And when you gather. 00:31:17.080 --> 00:31:22.980 There's this peace that's there that you're going to do at a celebration to remember me. 00:31:23.260 --> 00:31:26.340 Now for us, if you've been raised in a church. 00:31:26.520 --> 00:31:30.520 Then you maybe got some understanding of what this is talking about. 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:33.700 But if you haven't, then you're like the disciples. 00:31:33.840 --> 00:31:35.100 And they're like, well this is weird. 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:37.920 This is his body and this is his blood. 00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:39.840 Like what in the world is going on? 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:41.900 This is the bread and the cup. 00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:46.660 And it's going to be two pictures that Jesus gives the disciples. 00:31:47.020 --> 00:31:48.660 That Jesus gives to the church. 00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:51.320 That you and I are supposed to do. 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:55.780 Not as just a means of a moment of religion. 00:31:56.600 --> 00:31:59.520 But out of the heart that's been transformed. 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:03.220 Where we acknowledge the sacrifice of Christ. 00:32:04.260 --> 00:32:06.820 And so what I want us to do for just a few moments. 00:32:07.060 --> 00:32:09.340 Is talk about the bread and the cup. 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:11.880 And think through all that this means. 00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:13.220 And my prayer for you. 00:32:13.300 --> 00:32:14.280 And my prayer for me. 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:15.540 Has been all this week. 00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:18.020 Like God, just let it rest on us. 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.940 Like let it hit home. 00:32:24.260 --> 00:32:27.660 Sometimes we do things and we forget why we do them. 00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:31.080 Until we're redirected to the importance of it. 00:32:32.620 --> 00:32:34.040 And my hope for us. 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:36.180 For you and the Lord's Supper. 00:32:37.300 --> 00:32:39.720 If the Lord's Supper has just been something that we do. 00:32:40.860 --> 00:32:43.880 That through the illustration of the bread and the cup. 00:32:44.520 --> 00:32:45.780 That we'll be able to understand. 00:32:46.020 --> 00:32:47.640 So let's look at this. 00:32:48.540 --> 00:32:50.200 Christ's body is the bread. 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:54.980 And we look at the work of what Christ will do on the cross. 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:59.740 His body was sacrificed on our behalf. 00:33:00.080 --> 00:33:01.920 Galatians 3.13 says this. 00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:09.260 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. 00:33:09.260 --> 00:33:13.920 For it is written, cursed is anyone who is hanged on a tree. 00:33:14.060 --> 00:33:15.600 So here's what Paul is telling us. 00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:17.800 Here's what Paul is letting us know. 00:33:17.800 --> 00:33:20.600 That Christ redeemed us. 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.920 You and I. 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:25.160 Followers of Jesus from the curse of the law. 00:33:25.340 --> 00:33:30.300 Because here's what the law tells you and me and your grandma and your kid. 00:33:30.620 --> 00:33:30.680 Right? 00:33:30.840 --> 00:33:33.960 Here's what the law tells all of us. 00:33:34.040 --> 00:33:36.020 All of you who think you're really good. 00:33:36.180 --> 00:33:37.940 And all of you who think you're really bad. 00:33:38.080 --> 00:33:39.800 Here's what the law tells all of us. 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:41.480 We're all guilty. 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:45.620 Every single one of us. 00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:50.600 That apart from Christ, we are guilty. 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:58.460 And so what Jesus comes and what he does through his body that we are guilty and guilty people deserve punishment. 00:34:00.060 --> 00:34:03.560 And so we deserve the full wrath of God. 00:34:04.560 --> 00:34:09.700 The full punishment to be poured out on me for my sins. 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:13.800 Not just a spiritual punishment, but a physical punishment. 00:34:15.540 --> 00:34:16.560 And so I deserve death. 00:34:18.580 --> 00:34:28.780 I deserve death for all the horrible things and all the maybe not so big deal things that I think that are big deals because they're sin. 00:34:30.060 --> 00:34:30.900 For all of them. 00:34:32.320 --> 00:34:36.240 And so Paul says that Christ redeemed us from the curse. 00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:38.420 So he said, nope. 00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:47.140 I'm going to make a way for you to not have to stand in that full wrath of God. 00:34:47.780 --> 00:34:55.040 But because God is holy and because God is just, someone has to. 00:34:56.260 --> 00:34:58.520 And it must be a perfect sacrifice. 00:35:00.060 --> 00:35:01.860 Free from sin. 00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:06.500 And so Jesus is, it's him. 00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:09.020 It's who he is. 00:35:09.140 --> 00:35:10.360 It's what he does. 00:35:11.580 --> 00:35:14.960 So when we take the bread together. 00:35:15.680 --> 00:35:20.600 When we think of the body of what's been done for us. 00:35:21.640 --> 00:35:23.780 We're reminded of what we deserve. 00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:28.300 And we're reminded of what Christ did for us. 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:31.920 By taking the wrath of God on himself. 00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:35.880 Yesterday, I get like this sometimes. 00:35:36.180 --> 00:35:40.180 And my wife knows that I'm going to make a really big mess in our house. 00:35:40.720 --> 00:35:42.700 And I organize my closet, right? 00:35:43.240 --> 00:35:46.080 So I have everything out of my closet onto our bed. 00:35:46.160 --> 00:35:47.300 There's stacks of stuff. 00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:48.500 And I'm getting everything organized. 00:35:48.620 --> 00:35:49.340 Throwing stuff away. 00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:50.180 Goodwill pile. 00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:51.660 Oh, I didn't even know that I had that, right? 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:52.920 That's what I'm kind of doing. 00:35:53.100 --> 00:35:54.340 And I was going through my dresser. 00:35:54.520 --> 00:36:05.840 And I pulled out pieces that my grandfather had left me of patches and different things off of his military uniform from World War II. 00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:12.120 And I found them in a little box that I had stored them in in the top drawer of my dresser. 00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:25.380 And in that moment, as I sat there and just rubbed the fabric from so long ago and looked at them and honestly wondered what each thing was for. 00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:32.420 And I was reminded of the sacrifice that so many men and women made and so many men and women make. 00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:44.160 And so this morning, in a few minutes, when we take the bread, don't rush through it. 00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:51.920 Sit there for a moment and remember the sacrifice that was made. 00:36:53.040 --> 00:37:04.200 So that you and I could experience freedom and eternity because Jesus got on the cross in our place. 00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:09.500 The second element is Christ's blood is the cup. 00:37:10.980 --> 00:37:16.160 His blood that was spilled so that you and I may be clean. 00:37:18.100 --> 00:37:19.620 Revelation 7, 13. 00:37:21.180 --> 00:37:23.680 Then one of the elders addressed me saying, 00:37:24.820 --> 00:37:27.020 Who are these clothed in white robes? 00:37:27.720 --> 00:37:29.600 And from where have they come? 00:37:30.720 --> 00:37:32.740 And I said to him, Sir, you know. 00:37:32.820 --> 00:37:37.320 And he said to me, these are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. 00:37:38.060 --> 00:37:44.960 They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:52.140 Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple. 00:37:52.140 --> 00:37:58.440 And he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 00:37:58.820 --> 00:38:01.540 And so this picture, like, hey, who are they? 00:38:02.920 --> 00:38:06.220 Oh, well, they're the ones who are clean. 00:38:07.180 --> 00:38:08.620 And how are they clean? 00:38:09.440 --> 00:38:12.420 They're clean by the blood of the Lamb. 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.920 And then look back. 00:38:16.300 --> 00:38:17.400 I love therefores. 00:38:18.860 --> 00:38:25.480 Since they've had the blood of the Lamb, they are before the throne of God. 00:38:26.580 --> 00:38:29.040 You see, because it's not our works that are going to cover us. 00:38:30.080 --> 00:38:33.920 It's not what we've been able to put together that makes us acceptable. 00:38:35.060 --> 00:38:38.400 It's through the blood of Christ that makes us clean. 00:38:39.240 --> 00:38:42.640 That through his blood, he makes a way for us to be with God. 00:38:42.780 --> 00:38:45.720 That his blood covers all our sins. 00:38:46.040 --> 00:38:50.120 And his blood makes the sacrifice complete. 00:38:51.580 --> 00:38:59.360 That's why, as believers, we're covered, made new, made holy through the blood of Christ. 00:39:00.500 --> 00:39:08.740 So as his body was sacrificed and as his blood was spilled, it's what makes us clean. 00:39:10.420 --> 00:39:15.100 And so as we look at this juice that's in this cup, 00:39:17.420 --> 00:39:21.560 we're reminded of what Jesus did 00:39:21.560 --> 00:39:25.260 and the means by which it was done 00:39:25.260 --> 00:39:29.580 and the sacrifice that was made 00:39:29.580 --> 00:39:33.540 so that every sinful thought, 00:39:34.100 --> 00:39:35.560 every sinful word, 00:39:36.080 --> 00:39:37.980 every sinful action 00:39:37.980 --> 00:39:43.380 that you and I have ever done or ever will do 00:39:43.380 --> 00:39:47.300 will be washed away and made clean. 00:39:47.420 --> 00:39:50.780 And that we can stand before God 00:39:50.780 --> 00:39:53.380 not in our own merit of who we are, 00:39:53.460 --> 00:39:55.100 but we can stand before God 00:39:55.100 --> 00:39:56.560 in the merit of Christ 00:39:56.560 --> 00:39:58.320 because of who Christ is 00:39:58.320 --> 00:40:00.200 because his blood 00:40:00.200 --> 00:40:02.380 makes us clean. 00:40:15.020 --> 00:40:18.320 Thanks again for listening to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:40:18.320 --> 00:40:20.960 We hope that you enjoyed listening to this week's message. 00:40:21.580 --> 00:40:23.360 If you'd like to learn more about who we are 00:40:23.360 --> 00:40:25.000 or explore additional resources, 00:40:25.560 --> 00:40:30.020 visit us online at www.willowridgechurch.com 00:40:30.020 --> 00:40:33.580 or by searching for Willow Ridge Church on Facebook and Instagram. 00:40:45.020 --> 00:41:15.000 Thank you.