Choosing Life: The Transformative Power of the Cross
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gather not for a funeral but to celebrate life through the elements of the Lord's Supper. The bread and the cup symbolize the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and we partake in this sacred act out of obedience to His command. This practice is rooted in the story of the Garden of Eden, where two trees—the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil—represented the choices given to humanity. Adam and Eve chose disobedience, leading to sin and death. However, a third tree, the cross on which Jesus was crucified, offers redemption and eternal life.
The Tree of Life appears throughout Scripture, symbolizing wisdom and eternal life. In contrast, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil represents self-reliance and disobedience. Our choices today mirror those of Adam and Eve: we can choose to live life our way or God's way. The cross, the third tree, is where Jesus bore the consequences of our wrong choices, offering us a path to eternal life through His sacrifice.
As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we remember Jesus' sacrifice and the immense love He demonstrated. This act is not just a ritual but a profound moment of faith. When we receive the bread and the cup, mingled with our faith, something incredible can happen. Whether you need physical healing, emotional restoration, or spiritual renewal, this is a moment to connect deeply with Christ. Reflect on His sacrifice, remember His love, and let this sacred act transform you.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Significance of the Lord's Supper: The elements of the Lord's Supper—the bread and the cup—are not just symbols but profound reminders of Jesus' sacrifice. When we partake in them with faith, we connect deeply with Christ and His redemptive work. This act of obedience is a powerful moment of spiritual reflection and renewal. [00:51]
2. The Choice Between Two Trees: In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were given a choice between the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Their choice of disobedience led to sin and death. Today, we face similar choices: to live life our way or God's way. Choosing God's way leads to abundant life and eternal joy. [04:59]
3. The Cross as the Third Tree: The cross, referred to as a tree in Scripture, represents the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. On this tree, Jesus bore the consequences of humanity's wrong choices, offering redemption and eternal life. This profound act of love calls us to reflect on our own choices and align our lives with God's will. [07:46]
4. The Transformative Power of Faith: When we receive the elements of the Lord's Supper with faith, something incredible can happen. Whether we need physical healing, emotional restoration, or spiritual renewal, this sacred act can bring about profound transformation. It is a moment to connect deeply with Christ and experience His grace and power. [12:27]
5. The Importance of Remembrance: Jesus commanded us to partake in the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Him. This act of remembrance is not just about recalling historical events but about experiencing the presence and power of Christ in our lives today. It is a time to give personal thanks and renew our commitment to follow Him. [16:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:51] - Celebrating Life, Not Death
[01:37] - The Purpose of the Lord's Supper
[02:26] - The Garden of Eden and Two Trees
[03:15] - The Choice Given to Humanity
[04:07] - Adam and Eve's Disobedience
[04:59] - The Tree of Life and Abundant Life
[05:42] - The Tree of Life in Scripture
[06:16] - Choosing God's Way
[07:46] - The Cross as the Third Tree
[09:20] - Jesus' Sacrifice and the Wine Press
[11:06] - The Role of Faith in the Lord's Supper
[12:27] - The Transformative Power of the Elements
[14:10] - Reflecting on Jesus' Sacrifice
[16:02] - The Importance of Remembrance
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17 (ESV)
> "And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil... The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.'"
2. Acts 5:30 (ESV)
> "The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree."
3. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV)
> "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when 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 also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
#### Observation Questions
1. What do the bread and the cup symbolize in the Lord's Supper? [01:37]
2. What were the two special trees in the Garden of Eden, and what did they represent? [02:26]
3. How does the cross function as the "third tree" in the sermon? [07:46]
4. What does the act of partaking in the Lord's Supper signify for believers? [16:02]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How do the choices presented by the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil relate to our daily decisions? [04:59]
2. In what ways does the cross offer redemption and eternal life, according to the sermon? [07:46]
3. How can the act of remembering Jesus' sacrifice during the Lord's Supper lead to spiritual renewal? [16:02]
4. What does it mean to partake in the Lord's Supper with faith, and how can this act bring about transformation? [12:27]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between doing things your way or God's way. How did that choice impact your life? [06:16]
2. How can you more deeply connect with Christ during the Lord's Supper? What specific steps can you take to make this a profound moment of faith? [12:27]
3. In what areas of your life do you need physical healing, emotional restoration, or spiritual renewal? How can you bring these needs to Christ during the Lord's Supper? [12:27]
4. How can you better remember and reflect on Jesus' sacrifice in your daily life, not just during the Lord's Supper? [16:02]
5. What practical steps can you take to align your choices with God's will, especially when faced with difficult decisions? [04:59]
6. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude and remembrance for Jesus' sacrifice in your everyday routine? [16:02]
7. Think of a specific area in your life where you have been self-reliant. How can you surrender this area to God and trust in His wisdom and guidance? [06:16]
Devotional
Day 1: The Profound Significance of the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper is more than a ritual; it is a profound moment of spiritual reflection and renewal. The bread and the cup symbolize the body and blood of Jesus Christ, reminding us of His ultimate sacrifice. When we partake in these elements with faith, we connect deeply with Christ and His redemptive work. This act of obedience is a powerful moment where we can experience spiritual transformation and renewal. It is a time to remember Jesus' immense love and sacrifice, and to let this sacred act transform us.
[00:51]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: As you partake in the Lord's Supper, what specific aspect of Jesus' sacrifice resonates most deeply with you today? How can you let this reflection transform your daily walk with Christ?
Day 2: The Choice Between Two Trees
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were given a choice between the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Their choice of disobedience led to sin and death. Today, we face similar choices: to live life our way or God's way. Choosing God's way leads to abundant life and eternal joy. This choice is a daily decision to trust in God's wisdom and guidance rather than relying on our own understanding. By choosing God's way, we align ourselves with His will and experience the fullness of life He offers.
[04:59]
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you choose to follow your own way or God's way? How can you make a conscious effort to choose God's way in your daily decisions?
Day 3: The Cross as the Third Tree
The cross, referred to as a tree in Scripture, represents the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. On this tree, Jesus bore the consequences of humanity's wrong choices, offering redemption and eternal life. This profound act of love calls us to reflect on our own choices and align our lives with God's will. The cross is a powerful symbol of God's grace and mercy, reminding us that through Jesus' sacrifice, we are offered a path to eternal life. It is a call to live a life of gratitude and obedience to God.
[07:46]
1 Peter 2:24 (ESV): "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
Reflection: Think about an area of your life where you struggle with sin. How can you bring this struggle to the foot of the cross and seek God's help in overcoming it?
Day 4: The Transformative Power of Faith
When we receive the elements of the Lord's Supper with faith, something incredible can happen. Whether we need physical healing, emotional restoration, or spiritual renewal, this sacred act can bring about profound transformation. It is a moment to connect deeply with Christ and experience His grace and power. By approaching the Lord's Supper with a heart full of faith, we open ourselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This act of faith can lead to healing, restoration, and a renewed sense of purpose.
[12:27]
James 5:15 (ESV): "And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
Reflection: What area of your life do you need God's transformative power the most? How can you approach the Lord's Supper with faith, believing that God can bring about the change you need?
Day 5: The Importance of Remembrance
Jesus commanded us to partake in the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Him. This act of remembrance is not just about recalling historical events but about experiencing the presence and power of Christ in our lives today. It is a time to give personal thanks and renew our commitment to follow Him. By remembering Jesus' sacrifice, we are reminded of His love and grace, which empowers us to live a life that honors Him. This act of remembrance helps us to stay focused on our faith and the hope we have in Christ.
[16:02]
Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."
Reflection: Take a moment to remember a specific time when you experienced God's presence and power in your life. How can this memory encourage you to trust Him more deeply today?
Quotes
1. "We're not coming for a funeral today. Though the elements on this table are the result of a death, we're coming here to celebrate life, to celebrate life." [00:51] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The sovereign God decrees whatever he desires, and the sovereign God has a will, and he wills all of us spend eternity with him. But in order for that to happen, there has to be a choice. And for that choice to be expressed, there were two trees in the garden." [03:15] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "One tree says, do it your way. You're good enough. Be the ruler of your own faith. Invictus. Be the captain of your ship. Live life you want to. Have the band strike up a tune and sing, I did it my way. That's what that tree represents. The tree of life represents, I'll do life God's way. I'm not good enough to earn my way into Heaven. I'm not wise enough to walk in the godly way on earth right now. I need God's help." [06:16] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus cried out in heartfelt agony, 'Oh Father, if there is another path, choose that. Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.' Jesus chose the cross because it was a path for the Father's will. He was crushed, he was bruised." [09:20] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We do believe that when you receive these elements into your hand and you receive these elements into your body mingled with your faith, something incredible can happen to you today. You're here, you may need a physical touch from God, maybe an emotional touch. There's a wound in your heart. There's a hole in your heart for some reason that nobody here may even know about." [12:27] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "When you hold that wafer in your hand, it's not the actual body of Jesus, you know that. But when mingled with your faith, it can become something very, very special. Don't miss that today. When you hold that cup in your hand and you look into that fruit of the vine and you remember and reflect on the royal, ruby red, righteous blood of Jesus that was shed because we chose the wrong tree and you receive that into your body, do it mingled with your faith and watch God do something special." [14:10] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When I handle these elements, I do so with a sacredness, not because that's any different than a wafer that came out of the box, but when I handle that with faith, there's something about Jesus' nearness that can be yours today." [16:02] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "This is the command of Jesus to us, his body, to receive these elements and as often as we do it, we remember him. And at that time when he inaugurated that, he said to them around that Paschal meal that night, he said as often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me." [16:02] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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