Embracing Grace: A Journey of Sacrificial Love

Summary

This summer, the invitation is to embark on a journey of grace—a season dedicated to spiritual growth, family connection, and joyful living. Whether you’re gathering with your biological family or your spiritual family, everyone is welcome to participate in weekly challenges designed to foster conversation, prayer, service, and laughter. These activities are not just about fun; they are about living out grace together, making faith a tangible part of daily life.

Reflecting on John 15:13, the greatest love is demonstrated by laying down one’s life for friends. This truth is at the heart of both Memorial Day, as we honor those who have sacrificed for others, and the Christian faith, as we remember Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. Abiding in Christ requires a kind of death—first, Jesus’ death on the cross, and then our daily choice to die to self so that we might truly live in Him.

Communion is a sacred practice that draws us into this reality. It is more than a ritual; it is a command for those who trust in Jesus, a regular reminder of His body broken and His blood shed for us. Understanding the roots of communion in the Passover meal deepens its meaning. The matzah bread, specifically the middle piece called the afikoman, is a powerful symbol: striped, pierced, broken, wrapped, hidden, and then brought back—mirroring Jesus’ suffering, burial, and resurrection. The cup of redemption points to the new covenant in His blood, a promise of redemption and restored relationship.

Each time we partake in communion, we proclaim Jesus’ death until He returns. The question remains: when He comes, will He find faith in us? This is a personal decision, an invitation to ongoing fellowship—koinonia—with God. Communion is not just a moment in a service; it is a call to daily, living fellowship with the God who intricately planned redemption and invites us into His perfect plan. As we meditate on this, we are encouraged to seek Him wholeheartedly, knowing that when we do, we will find Him.

Key Takeaways

- True love is sacrificial, not sentimental. Jesus defined the greatest love as laying down one’s life for others, a standard that challenges us to move beyond comfort and self-preservation. This sacrificial love is not just for heroes or martyrs; it is the daily call for every believer to put others before themselves, reflecting Christ’s heart in practical ways. [55:51]

- Abiding in Christ requires a daily death to self. Just as Jesus’ death was necessary for us to have life, our ongoing spiritual growth depends on our willingness to surrender our own desires and agendas. This is not a one-time event but a continual process of choosing God’s will over our own, allowing His life to flow through us. [55:51]

- Communion is a living proclamation of the gospel. Each time we break the bread and drink the cup, we are not only remembering Jesus’ sacrifice but also declaring our hope in His return. This act roots us in the past, anchors us in the present, and points us toward the future, shaping our identity as people of the new covenant. [01:01:22]

- The Passover roots of communion reveal God’s intricate plan for redemption. The symbolism of the matzah—the three-in-one, the broken middle piece, the stripes and piercings, the wrapping and return—shows that God’s plan was not random but intentional, fulfilled perfectly in Christ. Recognizing these connections deepens our worship and trust in a God who orchestrates history for our salvation. [01:01:22]

- Fellowship with God is both a privilege and a pursuit. Communion is an invitation to ongoing relationship, not just a ritual to observe. As we meditate on God’s faithfulness and seek Him with our whole hearts, we discover that He desires to commune with us daily, teaching us, guiding us, and filling us with His presence. [01:02:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introducing the Summer of Grace Family Challenge
[01:45] - The Meaning of Sacrificial Love
[03:10] - Honoring Memorial Day and Ultimate Sacrifice
[04:25] - Abiding in Christ and the Call to Die to Self
[06:00] - The Significance of Communion
[07:20] - Understanding Passover and Its Connection to Communion
[09:05] - The Symbolism of the Matzah and the Trinity
[10:40] - The Afikoman: Broken, Hidden, and Returned
[12:15] - The Cup of Redemption and the New Covenant
[13:30] - Proclaiming the Lord’s Death Until He Comes
[14:45] - Will Jesus Find Faith When He Returns?
[16:00] - Preparing Our Hearts for Communion
[17:20] - Taking the Bread and the Cup
[18:30] - Prayer and Invitation to Daily Fellowship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living Out Grace Together

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### Bible Reading

- John 15:13
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."

- Luke 18:8
"…When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

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### Observation Questions

1. According to John 15:13, what does Jesus say is the greatest act of love?
2. In 1 Corinthians 11, what two elements does Paul say Jesus used to represent his body and blood during the Last Supper?
3. What is the significance of the matzah bread and the cup during communion, as explained in the sermon? [01:01:22]
4. What question does Jesus ask in Luke 18:8 about his return, and why is it important? [01:01:22]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus connect the idea of “abiding in him” with the need for someone to die, both in his own sacrifice and in our daily lives? [55:51]
2. How does understanding the Passover roots of communion deepen the meaning of the Lord’s Supper for believers today? [01:01:22]
3. What does it mean to “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” every time we take communion? How does this shape our identity as followers of Jesus? [01:01:22]
4. Why is the question “Will the Son of Man find faith on the earth?” a personal challenge for each believer? [01:01:22]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says true love is sacrificial, not just sentimental. Can you think of a recent situation where you had the chance to put someone else’s needs before your own? What did you do, or what could you have done differently? [55:51]
2. Abiding in Christ means dying to self daily. What is one area of your life where you struggle to surrender your own desires or agenda to God? What would it look like to “die to self” in that area this week? [55:51]
3. Communion is described as a living proclamation of the gospel. How can you make the act of communion more meaningful in your personal or family life, rather than just a ritual? [01:01:22]
4. The symbolism of the matzah and the afikoman shows God’s intentional plan for redemption. How does knowing this affect your trust in God’s plan for your own life, especially in times of uncertainty? [01:01:22]
5. The sermon invites us to ongoing fellowship (koinonia) with God, not just during church but every day. What is one practical step you can take this week to deepen your daily fellowship with God? (For example: setting aside a specific time for prayer, reading Scripture, or journaling.) [01:02:37]
6. When Jesus returns, will he find faith in you? What does “faith” look like in your daily choices and relationships? Is there an area where you want to grow in faithfulness? [01:01:22]
7. The Summer of Grace Family Challenge encourages conversation, prayer, service, and laughter. Which of these do you find easiest, and which is hardest for you? How can your group support each other in growing in these areas this summer? [01:02:37]

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Devotional

Day 1: The Greatest Love—Laying Down One’s Life

Jesus teaches that the highest form of love is to lay down one’s life for friends, a truth we honor as we remember those who have sacrificed for others. This sacrificial love is not just a call to physical death, but a daily invitation to put others before ourselves, to serve, and to love selflessly. As we reflect on this, we are reminded that Jesus himself modeled this love perfectly, giving his life so that we might live. Let this truth shape how you approach your relationships and the way you love those around you. [55:51]

John 15:13 (ESV)
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

Reflection: Who in your life can you serve sacrificially today, putting their needs above your own in a tangible way?


Day 2: Abiding in Christ Requires Death to Self

Abiding in Jesus is not a passive act; it requires a daily choice to die to our own desires and flesh, just as Jesus died for us. This means surrendering our will, ambitions, and comforts so that Christ can live through us, producing true spiritual fruit. Each day presents new opportunities to choose self or Christ, and in choosing Christ, we find true life and connection with God. Consider what it means to die to self today and how that opens the door to deeper fellowship with Jesus. [55:51]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender your own desires so that you can more fully abide in Christ?


Day 3: Communion—Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice and Proclaiming His Return

Communion is more than a ritual; it is a commandment and a sacred act of remembering Jesus’ body broken and blood shed for us, proclaiming his death until he returns. Each time we partake, whether at church, at home, or with friends, we are invited to reflect on the depth of Christ’s love and the hope of his promised return. This act unites us with believers across time and space, anchoring us in the story of redemption and the anticipation of Christ’s coming. [01:01:22]

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."

Reflection: As you prepare for your next communion, how can you intentionally remember and proclaim Christ’s sacrifice and coming in your daily life?


Day 4: The Passover and Communion—God’s Perfect Plan Fulfilled

The elements of communion are deeply rooted in the Passover, where the unleavened bread and the cup of redemption point to Jesus as the sinless, sacrificial Lamb who was broken, buried, and resurrected for us. The matzah, striped and pierced, wrapped and hidden, then brought back, beautifully illustrates Christ’s suffering, burial, and resurrection, revealing God’s intricate and intentional plan for our salvation. This understanding deepens our appreciation for communion and the lengths God went to bring us into fellowship with Him. [01:02:37]

Exodus 12:13-14 (ESV)
"The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast."

Reflection: How does understanding the connection between Passover and communion change the way you approach the Lord’s Table?


Day 5: Faithfulness Until Christ’s Return

Jesus promises to return, and when he does, he will be looking for faith on the earth—faith in Him, lived out daily. The question is not if he will return, but when, and each of us must decide whether he will find faith in our hearts. This calls us to a life of continual seeking, prayer, and fellowship with God, trusting in His perfect plan and responding with wholehearted devotion. Let your life today be marked by the kind of faith that Jesus longs to find when he comes. [01:01:22]

Luke 18:8 (ESV)
"I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Reflection: What is one practical way you can demonstrate your faith in Jesus today, preparing your heart for his return?

Quotes

Jesus said that's the greatest act of love that you could possibly perform. Now, Jesus made this statement right after he was talking about the true vine and the branches. It's in John 15, just a few verses after that. It's the next section. So he's trying to help us understand that in order for us to abide in him, and him in us, someone has to die, okay? Abiding requires death. [00:56:19] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

First, Jesus realized, first it required his death, right? His death on the cross. In order for him to be able to abide in us, he had to die on the cross. And in order for us to abide in him, we have to choose to die to self, death to our flesh, daily. [00:56:42] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

Unleavened bread is a picture of sinlessness. Leaven is a picture of sin in the Bible, okay? That's why it's unleavened. It's sinless bread. So you have three sinless things in one. What does that remind you of? The Trinity. Three in one, okay? You got these three sinless pieces in one. It's a picture of the Trinity. [00:59:09] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

Now, always the middle piece is taken. Always the middle piece. Not the top, not the bottom, but the middle because it's pointing to the second person of the Trinity, Christ. Now, what they do in the beginning, they still do this. They don't know why, but we know why. They take the middle bread and they break it. [00:59:27] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

Now, they take this piece, which is a picture of Jesus. Look, it's striped. It's pierced. He was beaten. He was broken. Then he was wrapped in a white cloth. And what they'll do is they put the afikom, and that's what it's called. They wrap it in a white cloth and they hide it for the remainder of the Passover dinner. [00:59:44] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

But at the end of the meal, just as Jesus was beaten, broken, and then he was wrapped in a white cloth, put in a tomb. At the end of the Passover, guess what happens? The afikoman comes back, just like Jesus was resurrected from the dead. And this is the piece of bread Jesus would have broken for communion. He's telling them, I'm the afikoman. [01:00:02] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

So when he says it, he says, this is my body that was broken for you. He's showing them the death, burial, and resurrection. This is what he would have used. So he breaks the bread, the afikoman, he separates it among his disciples, and then he drinks the cup. It would be the cup of redemption. He said, I'm going to redeem you in my blood, okay? So this is why we use the elements that we use. [01:00:21] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

Now lastly, it says there, if you look back at 1 Corinthians chapter 11, verse 26, that when we take communion, we proclaim the Lord's death till he comes back, okay? So there's a reality. It doesn't say if he's coming back. It says when, if, until he comes back, he's coming back. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when, okay? [01:00:43] (21 seconds) Edit Clip