Embracing Faith: The Power of Communion and Trust
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of meals, both in our personal lives and in the biblical narrative. We began by reflecting on the anticipation and joy that comes with sharing special meals, such as those during holidays or birthdays. This led us to consider the Last Supper, where Jesus expressed his deep desire to share the Passover meal with his disciples, not for the food itself, but as a prelude to his impending crucifixion. This meal marked the transition from the Old Testament covenant to the new covenant, symbolized by communion, which we continue to observe as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the promise of eternal life.
We then delved into the reliability of the Bible, addressing the skepticism surrounding its miraculous claims. The story of Jericho's walls falling after the Israelites' shouts was highlighted as an example of a biblical account that seemed fantastical yet has been supported by archaeological evidence. This evidence aligns with the biblical narrative, demonstrating that the Bible's claims, though extraordinary, are grounded in historical reality.
The sermon emphasized the importance of trusting the Bible as the infallible word of God. It challenged us to not only believe in the Bible's historical accuracy but also to trust in its teachings about Jesus. The message encouraged us to live with confidence in our faith, recognizing that the absence of evidence is not proof of absence. We were reminded that faith involves trusting in God's promises, even when they seem beyond our understanding.
As we concluded, we were invited to reflect on our personal faith journeys and consider the transformative power of embracing a life devoted to Christ. The call to action was clear: to live boldly for Jesus, trusting in the authority of Scripture and sharing our faith with others.
Key Takeaways:
- The Significance of Communion: Communion is more than a ritual; it is a profound reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the new covenant established through his death and resurrection. It invites us to reflect on the freedom and eternal life offered through Christ. [14:33]
- Trusting the Bible's Reliability: The Bible's historical accounts, such as the fall of Jericho, are supported by archaeological evidence, reinforcing its reliability. This challenges us to trust in the Bible's teachings, even when they seem miraculous. [41:41]
- Faith Beyond Evidence: Faith requires trusting in God's promises, even when evidence seems lacking. The absence of evidence is not proof of absence, and we are called to live with confidence in God's word. [49:25]
- The Transformative Power of Jesus: Embracing a life devoted to Christ brings purpose and connection to our Creator. Through Jesus, we find life, both now and eternally, and are empowered to overcome life's challenges. [01:00:10]
- Living Boldly for Christ: We are encouraged to live boldly for Jesus, trusting in the authority of Scripture and sharing our faith with others. Our faith should be evident in our daily lives, influencing our actions and interactions. [01:03:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Anticipation of Special Meals
- [02:15] - The Last Supper and New Covenant
- [05:00] - Communion's Significance
- [07:45] - Reliability of the Bible
- [10:30] - Miraculous Claims and Skepticism
- [14:33] - Jesus' Sacrifice and Resurrection
- [18:00] - The Story of Jericho
- [22:15] - Archaeological Evidence
- [26:00] - Trusting God's Promises
- [31:44] - Faith Beyond Evidence
- [37:19] - Joshua and the Fall of Jericho
- [41:41] - The Role of Archaeology
- [49:25] - Living with Confidence in Faith
- [56:24] - The Date Debate
- [01:00:10] - The Transformative Power of Jesus
- [01:03:25] - Invitation to Faith and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 22:15 - "And he said to them, 'I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.'"
2. Joshua 6:20 - "When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city."
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of the Last Supper for Jesus and his disciples, as mentioned in Luke 22:15? How did this meal serve as a prelude to Jesus' crucifixion? [14:33]
2. In the story of Jericho, what specific actions did the Israelites take that led to the walls falling down, according to Joshua 6:20? [37:19]
3. How does the sermon describe the archaeological evidence that supports the biblical account of Jericho's walls falling? [41:41]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between faith and evidence, particularly in the context of biblical miracles? [49:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the transition from the Old Testament covenant to the new covenant through Jesus' sacrifice impact the way Christians view communion today? [14:33]
2. What does the story of Jericho teach about the nature of faith and obedience to God's commands, even when they seem illogical or impossible? [37:19]
3. How does the sermon address the skepticism surrounding the miraculous claims of the Bible, and what role does archaeological evidence play in reinforcing faith? [41:41]
4. In what ways does the sermon challenge believers to trust in the Bible's teachings about Jesus, despite the absence of evidence for some miraculous events? [49:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal experience with communion. How does understanding its significance as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the new covenant influence your participation in this ritual? [14:33]
2. Consider a situation in your life where you felt called to act in faith, even when it seemed illogical. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [37:19]
3. How do you handle skepticism or doubt about the Bible's miraculous claims in your own faith journey? What steps can you take to strengthen your trust in Scripture? [41:41]
4. The sermon emphasizes living boldly for Christ. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate your faith in your daily interactions? [01:03:25]
5. Identify a promise from God that you find difficult to trust fully. What practical steps can you take to deepen your faith in this promise? [49:25]
6. How can you use the story of Jericho as a conversation starter to share your faith with someone who may be skeptical about the Bible's reliability? [41:41]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt disconnected from your faith. How can embracing a life devoted to Christ bring purpose and connection to your spiritual journey? [01:00:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Communion as a Covenant Reminder
Communion is a profound reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the new covenant established through his death and resurrection. It invites believers to reflect on the freedom and eternal life offered through Christ. The Last Supper was not just a meal but a pivotal moment marking the transition from the Old Testament covenant to the new covenant. This act of sharing bread and wine symbolizes Jesus' body and blood, given for the salvation of humanity. As believers partake in communion, they are reminded of the depth of Jesus' love and the promise of eternal life. [14:33]
"For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:28, ESV)
Reflection: How does participating in communion deepen your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice and the new covenant? What personal significance does it hold for you today?
Day 2: Trusting the Bible's Historical Reliability
The Bible's historical accounts, such as the fall of Jericho, are supported by archaeological evidence, reinforcing its reliability. This challenges believers to trust in the Bible's teachings, even when they seem miraculous. The story of Jericho, where the walls fell after the Israelites' shouts, is one such account that has been corroborated by archaeological findings. This evidence aligns with the biblical narrative, demonstrating that the Bible's claims, though extraordinary, are grounded in historical reality. Believers are encouraged to trust the Bible as the infallible word of God, recognizing its historical accuracy and spiritual authority. [41:41]
"So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city." (Joshua 6:20, ESV)
Reflection: What biblical account have you found difficult to believe? How can you seek understanding and trust in its historical reliability today?
Day 3: Faith Beyond Evidence
Faith requires trusting in God's promises, even when evidence seems lacking. The absence of evidence is not proof of absence, and believers are called to live with confidence in God's word. Faith is not solely based on what can be seen or proven but involves a deep trust in God's character and promises. Even when circumstances seem uncertain or God's presence feels distant, faith calls believers to hold onto the assurance of things hoped for. This trust in God transcends human understanding and invites believers to live boldly, confident in the truth of Scripture and the reality of God's promises. [49:25]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust God's promises? How can you practice living with confidence in His word today?
Day 4: The Transformative Power of Jesus
Embracing a life devoted to Christ brings purpose and connection to our Creator. Through Jesus, believers find life, both now and eternally, and are empowered to overcome life's challenges. A relationship with Jesus transforms lives, offering hope, peace, and strength in the face of adversity. This transformation is not just about personal change but also about aligning one's life with God's purposes. As believers grow in their relationship with Christ, they experience a deeper sense of identity and belonging, empowered to live out their faith in meaningful ways. [01:00:10]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: How has your relationship with Jesus transformed your life? What steps can you take to deepen this transformation today?
Day 5: Living Boldly for Christ
Believers are encouraged to live boldly for Jesus, trusting in the authority of Scripture and sharing their faith with others. Faith should be evident in daily lives, influencing actions and interactions. Living boldly for Christ means embodying His teachings and love in every aspect of life. It involves taking risks for the sake of the gospel, standing firm in one's beliefs, and being a light in a world that often opposes Christian values. This boldness is rooted in a deep trust in God's word and a commitment to sharing the hope found in Jesus with others. [01:03:25]
"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27, ESV)
Reflection: What does living boldly for Christ look like in your daily life? How can you share your faith with someone today?
Quotes
When Jesus gathered with his disciples to observe the Passover He spoke of his eager desire to share that meal with them We read about that in Luke 22 15 But the focus of that meal that they shared Was not on the delicious food that they were about to enjoy together In fact, for Jesus The meal was only a prelude [00:11:13] (24 seconds)
This meal was the last Passover that Jesus observed under the Old Testament covenant system. Jesus was instituting a new type of covenant meal to accompany the establishment of a new covenant through which God by the sacrifice of Jesus the gap that sin had created between God and humanity. Paul highlights Jesus as our Passover lamb that has been sacrificed. [00:12:35] (39 seconds)
Communion is a meal that is not really filling to our bodies. After all, we just take a small piece of bread and a small cup of juice together. It is, however, fulfilling. As part of that kingdom, the church, Christians can take this new covenant meal while aware of Jesus' presence with us. For us, the observance of communion is never a last supper. [00:12:50] (42 seconds)
Jesus eagerly desired to eat his last Passover and his first communion with the disciples before he suffered. And we eagerly desire to eat this meal with gratitude because he suffered so that we can find freedom. Heavenly Father, today I ask that you would bless these elements that we're about to receive. [00:13:41] (24 seconds)
It was probably about six months ago I spoke on the reliability of the Bible. And in that message I brought across to you all, not only the fact that there are eyewitness accounts and things and that contemporaries to the time that these books of the Bible were written would have been able to verify the things that were written, but also I had talked about the way in which the Bible is the single most verified closest to the source text from its time period. [00:30:45] (33 seconds)
I think, especially when we come to our New Testament texts, like, man, I read that stuff and I read up on the history of it all and I'm like, this stuff is, this is solid, man. But at the same time, I also understand the Bible makes some pretty big claims, doesn't it? And some of them maybe are a little bit outlandish. [00:30:56] (22 seconds)
Fortunately, as time has gone on, more and more scholars have begun to realize like, no, these things are exactly what they say they are. And I mean, even in my life, you know, I've seen amazing miracles. As frequent as I wish? No. But I've seen amazing things. I was on a school missions trip when I was in grade 11, and there was this elderly gentleman that came up to us in the middle of the streets in, I think it was Ayacucho, Peru. [00:32:34] (29 seconds)
And so for me, I gotta say, I believe the Bible. I really do. And I truly believe that many of you, probably most of you, believe that what the Bible says is true, that these things actually happened. But I've noticed a problem in my life, and looking around at the church in general, is that so many of us, we say we believe what the Bible says, but we still live like miracles aren't real. [00:33:45] (30 seconds)
It is easy to doubt when trusting God is all you have, but remember that the absence of evidence is not proof. In fact, this is something that we need to understand too. When somebody sits there and they're like, well, science can't prove God, so I don't believe in God. Science can never prove that something doesn't exist. [00:42:52] (20 seconds)
And so here's how I want to bring it all in together, okay? If you can trust that the Bible is the infallible word of God, that it is accurate and true, and I think this is just more evidence to that point, then I believe that you must allow yourself to trust or at least consider trusting in what the Bible says about Jesus. [00:59:38] (27 seconds)
But if we believe that the Bible is what it claims to be, then you must allow yourself to trust in what it says about Jesus, that he is the son of God, that God loved the world so much that he came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, born without sin, as fully God and fully man, that he taught amazing things, did miracles while he was on earth, predicted the way that he would die and when his resurrection would occur, and that it all happened according to what he had said, that in his death he paid the price that all humanity owes for the rejection of God. [01:00:58] (40 seconds)
And so right now, I'm just going to ask if everyone would bow their heads and close their eyes. We create a private space for people. And just right now, let me just ask you today, if you're in this place and you're saying, yeah, you know what? I'm not a follower of Jesus. Jesus, but I think I just did become one. I believe. [01:03:39] (19 seconds)
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