Communion: Bold Faith and the Power of Resurrection

Devotional

Day 1: The Significance of Communion

Communion is a vivid representation of the central event in human history—the death and resurrection of Jesus. It reminds us of the immense privilege we have to live in the very presence of God, a privilege made possible only through Jesus' sacrifice. This ritual is not just a tradition but a profound act of worship and remembrance. When we partake in Communion, we are not merely performing a ritual; we are engaging in a sacred act that connects us to the pivotal moment in history that changed everything. Through Jesus' sacrifice, we have direct access to God, a reality that should fill us with awe and gratitude.

Communion serves as a constant reminder of the new covenant established through Jesus' blood. Unlike the old covenant, which required repeated sacrifices and rituals, the new covenant offers a once-and-for-all sacrifice that grants us eternal access to God's presence. This is a profound privilege that we should never take for granted. As we partake in Communion, let us remember the immense love and sacrifice of Jesus, and let it inspire us to live lives that reflect His grace and truth. [46:17]

Hebrews 10:19-20 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh."

Reflection: How does the act of Communion deepen your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice and its significance in your life today?

Day 2: Resurrection Confidence

Peter and John's confidence stemmed from their unwavering belief in the resurrection of Jesus. This resurrection confidence allows us to view life, suffering, and death through a new lens. It provides a solid foundation for our faith, enabling us to face life's challenges with hope and assurance. The resurrection is not just an event in history; it is the cornerstone of our faith that transforms our perspective on everything.

This confidence is evident in the way Peter and John boldly proclaimed the name of Jesus, even in the face of threats and persecution. Their courage was not rooted in their own abilities but in the reality of the risen Christ. This same resurrection confidence is available to us today, empowering us to live boldly and faithfully in a world that often opposes the message of Jesus. Let us draw strength from the resurrection and allow it to shape our lives and our witness. [47:41]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to embrace resurrection confidence? How can this confidence change the way you approach these areas?

Day 3: Boldness with Humility

Peter and John exhibited boldness in proclaiming the name of Jesus, yet they did so with humility. Their confidence was not in themselves but in the resurrected Christ. This combination of boldness and humility is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of Jesus in our lives. Boldness without humility can lead to arrogance, while humility without boldness can result in timidity. Together, they create a balanced and compelling witness.

The religious leaders were astonished by the courage and boldness of these unschooled, ordinary men, recognizing that they had been with Jesus. This observation highlights the source of their boldness and humility: their relationship with Jesus. As we seek to live out our faith, let us strive to be bold in our proclamation of the gospel while maintaining a posture of humility, recognizing that our strength and confidence come from Christ alone. [48:49]

Acts 4:13 (ESV): "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a balance of boldness and humility in your daily interactions and witness for Christ?

Day 4: Sincerely Caring for Real Needs

Peter and John demonstrated genuine care for the real needs of people. They gave their full attention to the lame man, recognizing his humanity and addressing his needs. This sincere care reflects the heart of Jesus and challenges us to look beyond ourselves to the needs of others. In a world that often prioritizes self-interest, this kind of selfless care stands out as a powerful testimony to the love of Christ.

Sincerely caring for others involves more than just meeting physical needs; it requires us to see people as Jesus sees them, with compassion and empathy. It means being present, listening, and responding to the unique needs of each person we encounter. As we follow the example of Peter and John, let us seek to be conduits of God's love and grace, meeting the real needs of those around us with sincerity and compassion. [01:00:16]

James 2:15-16 (ESV): "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?"

Reflection: Who in your life is in need of sincere care and attention? How can you practically demonstrate the love of Christ to them today?

Day 5: Overflowing with Good News

Peter and John couldn't help but speak about what they had seen and heard. Their lives were so filled with the love and power of Jesus that it overflowed naturally. This challenges us to cultivate a deep love for Jesus that compels us to share the good news with others, even at great personal cost. When our hearts are truly captivated by the gospel, sharing it becomes a natural outflow of our lives.

This kind of overflowing witness is not forced or contrived; it is the result of a genuine and transformative relationship with Jesus. As we spend time in His presence and allow His love to fill our hearts, we will find ourselves naturally sharing the good news with those around us. Let us seek to be so filled with the love and power of Jesus that it overflows into every aspect of our lives, drawing others to Him. [01:11:26]

Acts 4:20 (ESV): "For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."

Reflection: What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper love for Jesus that naturally overflows into sharing the good news with others?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church. Today, we reflected on the significance of Communion and why it holds such a central place in our worship. Communion is not just a ritual; it represents the pivotal event in human history—the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This event fundamentally changed how humanity relates to God, shifting from the old covenant to a new and living way through Jesus. The writer of Hebrews invites us to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus, symbolizing our direct access to God, which was previously impossible.

We then delved into the story from Acts 4, where Peter and John, ordinary men, performed extraordinary acts through the power of the Holy Spirit. This story is a continuation of the new chapter in human history that began with Jesus' resurrection. Peter and John healed a man who had been lame from birth, causing a commotion that led to their arrest by the religious leaders. Despite the threats, Peter and John boldly proclaimed the name of Jesus, demonstrating their resurrection confidence and unwavering faith.

The religious leaders were astonished by the courage and boldness of these unschooled, ordinary men, recognizing that they had been with Jesus. This story challenges us to reflect on how we, as ordinary people, can be part of this extraordinary story. We are called to sincerely care for the real needs of people, exhibit resurrection confidence, act with boldness and humility, and overflow with the good news of Jesus.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Significance of Communion: Communion is a vivid representation of the central event in human history—the death and resurrection of Jesus. It reminds us of the immense privilege we have to live in the very presence of God, a privilege made possible only through Jesus' sacrifice. This ritual is not just a tradition but a profound act of worship and remembrance. [46:17]
2. Resurrection Confidence: Peter and John's confidence stemmed from their unwavering belief in the resurrection of Jesus. This resurrection confidence allows us to view life, suffering, and death through a new lens. It provides a solid foundation for our faith, enabling us to face life's challenges with hope and assurance. [47:41]
3. Boldness with Humility: Peter and John exhibited boldness in proclaiming the name of Jesus, yet they did so with humility. Their confidence was not in themselves but in the resurrected Christ. This combination of boldness and humility is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of Jesus in our lives. [48:49]
4. Sincerely Caring for Real Needs: Peter and John demonstrated genuine care for the real needs of people. They gave their full attention to the lame man, recognizing his humanity and addressing his needs. This sincere care reflects the heart of Jesus and challenges us to look beyond ourselves to the needs of others. [60:16]
5. Overflowing with Good News: Peter and John couldn't help but speak about what they had seen and heard. Their lives were so filled with the love and power of Jesus that it overflowed naturally. This challenges us to cultivate a deep love for Jesus that compels us to share the good news with others, even at great personal cost. [01:11:26]
### [71:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[45:26] - The Significance of Communion
[46:17] - Central Event in Human History
[47:01] - Old Covenant vs. New Covenant
[47:41] - Entering the Most Holy Place
[48:13] - God's Presence and the Veil
[48:49] - New and Living Way
[49:23] - Two Chapters in Human History
[50:29] - Common Era and Jesus
[51:04] - Acts 4: Peter and John
[52:09] - The Jesus Movement
[53:15] - The Lame Man's Healing
[54:45] - Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
[55:53] - Boldness and Humility
[56:34] - Ordinary People in an Extraordinary Story
[57:11] - Acts 4:13 - Courage of Peter and John
[58:00] - Religious Leaders' Astonishment
[59:29] - Pleasing Aroma of Christ
[60:16] - Sincerely Caring for Real Needs
[63:43] - Resurrection Confidence
[68:17] - Boldness with Humility
[71:26] - Overflowing with Good News
[81:01] - Announcements and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Hebrews 10:19-20 say about our access to God and how it was made possible?
In Acts 4:1-22, what miracle did Peter and John perform, and what was the reaction of the religious leaders? ([54:15])
According to 2 Corinthians 2:15, how are believers described in their relationship to Christ and others?

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of entering the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19-20) change our understanding of worship and communion? ([47:41])
What does Peter and John's boldness in Acts 4:1-22 teach us about the importance of resurrection confidence in our daily lives? ([01:03:43])
How can the idea of being the "pleasing aroma of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:15) influence the way we interact with both believers and non-believers? ([59:29])

Application Questions

Reflect on your experience of Communion. How can you make this time more meaningful and focused on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice? ([45:26])
Peter and John showed boldness and humility in their proclamation of Jesus. How can you practice boldness in sharing your faith while maintaining humility? ([01:08:54])
Think of a time when you faced a challenge or threat because of your faith. How did you respond, and how can Peter and John's example inspire you to respond differently in the future? ([55:53])
Peter and John sincerely cared for the real needs of the lame man. Identify a person in your life who has a real need. What specific action can you take this week to show them genuine care? ([01:00:16])
Resurrection confidence allowed Peter and John to face threats with hope and assurance. How can you cultivate this same confidence in your life, especially when dealing with suffering or loss? ([01:06:39])
The religious leaders were astonished by Peter and John's courage and noted that they had been with Jesus. What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to ensure that others see Jesus in you? ([57:11])
Peter and John couldn't help but speak about what they had seen and heard. What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper love for Jesus that naturally overflows into sharing the good news with others? ([01:11:26])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The symbols on this table, the symbols of Communion, vividly represent, the central, pivotal event in human history. That's a bold claim. Listen carefully as I try to help you understand what I'm meaning by that. Because up until this event, up until Jesus' death and subsequent resurrection, humans related to the God who created them in particular ways, particularly, in accordance with the instructions that were given in the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament section of our Bibles. But immediately following the event of the death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus, immediately everything is different." [46:17](

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2. "It's frankly impossible to overstate the significance of the story of Jesus in human history. In fact, we can say quite boldly that there are fundamentally two chapters in human history. There's the part of human history that's before Jesus and there's the part of history that's after Jesus. One significant evidence for this is the fact that most countries in the world, all countries but about four, is what I understand, follow the Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian calendar was developed about 500 years after Jesus. And what it did was it divided human history according to the Jesus story." [49:23](

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3. "Peter and John are looking, they're sounding an awful lot like Jesus. They're sounding an awful lot like Jesus. And even more, I want to suggest that they're smelling an awful lot like Jesus. You know that's a biblical concept, right? Please come with me to 2 Corinthians 2, verse 15, where the Apostle Paul writes to us, and he says, we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. We are the pleasing aroma of Christ. We are the pleasing aroma of Jesus." [58:43](

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4. "Peter and John had learned from Jesus to look at people in need. What about you and I? I find this very challenging for myself. I walk the streets of Victoria and see so many people in such desperate need. I don't know where to start. But somehow, may we learn from Peter and John to be people who really look at people, who really care about real needs of real people." [01:02:54](

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5. "It's the resurrection of Jesus that gives us the power to live. It gives us the confidence to look at the whole of life through a new lens. More specifically, it's the resurrection of Jesus that gives us the confidence to look at the suffering of our lives through a new lens. It's the resurrection of Jesus which gives us the confidence to look at death through a new lens." [01:06:01](

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### Quotes for Members

1. "Peter and John are exhibiting this resurrection confidence right here in this early part of chapter two of human history. This new and living way opened up into the presence of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. They had found a solid place to stand because they were absolutely convinced that Jesus is not only author of life, but he has risen from the dead and is alive today. It's the resurrection of Jesus that gives us the power to live. It gives us the confidence to look at the whole of life through a new lens." [01:06:01](

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2. "Peter and John are looking, they're sounding an awful lot like Jesus. They're sounding an awful lot like Jesus. And even more, I want to suggest that they're smelling an awful lot like Jesus. You know that's a biblical concept, right? Please come with me to 2 Corinthians 2, verse 15, where the Apostle Paul writes to us, and he says, we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. We are the pleasing aroma of Christ. We are the pleasing aroma of Jesus. In this story, we will seek to observe what actions, attitudes, and words, what were those actions, attitudes, and words that caused this austere crowd of religious leaders to observe Jesus in them, to smell Jesus in the way that they acted." [58:43](

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3. "Peter and John are full of what I want to call resurrection contentment. Confidence. Resurrection confidence. This also comes from a part of Peter's sermon that he preaches back in chapter 3, in particular verses 15 and 16. Peter's speaking very boldly here to these religious leaders. Look at what he says to them. You killed the author of life. Let's stop there for a moment. Peter's not just saying to these people, you killed our rabbi. You killed our teacher. You can see from Peter's language here, he has come to be fully, fully convinced of the identity of Jesus. That he really was the one who changed the course of human history. He really was the one through whom everything came into existence." [01:03:43](

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4. "Peter and John are acting with boldness and yet humility. And Peter preaches sermons in both chapter two and chapter three of Acts and then chapter four, he addresses the Sanhedrin also. It's a very short statement that he gives, a short sermon. I want to read it again because I believe it encapsulates this boldness in Peter's heart. But what I want us to notice and what I want us to listen for as I read it is listen for boldness but listen also for what's not there. Notice that there is a lack of arrogance. There's no belligerence. There's no pride. There's just boldness with humility." [01:08:54](

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5. "My dear friends, let us continually remind ourselves that we we are living in the same story as Peter and John. They lived in the first chapter. The first little section of chapter two of human history. Here we are 2,000 years later, but it's the same story. The same Jesus whom they saw leave the earth and return to his father will one day return to this earth and usher in the new heavens and the new earth. And we are part of that story. So may we be those people that people take care of. We are part of that story. May they take note from our attitudes, actions, actions, words. May they take note that we've been with Jesus. May it be for his glory." [01:15:08](

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