Embracing Servanthood at the Lord's Table

Devotional

Day 1: The Inclusive Grace of the Lord's Table

The Lord's table is a powerful symbol of the inclusive nature of God's grace. It is open to all, inviting everyone to partake in the bread and juice, which represent the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This sacred meal is not just a ritual but a profound reminder of our need for God's presence and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to grow as disciples. As we gather around this table, we are called to remember and experience God's grace anew, recognizing that we are all equal recipients of His love and mercy. This open invitation challenges us to reflect on our own inclusivity and how we extend God's grace to others in our daily lives. [24:59]

Luke 14:13-14 (ESV): "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who might feel excluded or marginalized. How can you extend an invitation of grace and inclusion to them today?

Day 2: Servanthood as True Greatness

Jesus teaches us that true greatness is found in servanthood, not in seeking status or recognition. During the Last Supper, even as He faced imminent betrayal and suffering, Jesus served His disciples, demonstrating that the greatest must become like the least and the leader like a servant. This call to servanthood is a reminder that none of us is greater than another; we are all equal recipients of God's grace and are called to serve one another in humility. By following Jesus' example, we embody the humility and love He demonstrated, challenging our understanding of leadership and greatness. [29:44]

Mark 10:43-45 (ESV): "But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Reflection: Identify one way you can serve someone in your community today without seeking recognition. How can this act of service help you grow in humility and love?

Day 3: Living in the Light of the Resurrection

As believers, we are called to live as "Easter people," embracing the hope and power of the resurrection every day. This belief in the resurrection empowers us to face life's challenges with hope and to share the message of Jesus' victory over death with the world. It is a call to live out our faith with the assurance of eternal life, embodying the hope and joy that comes from knowing that Jesus' sacrifice and victory over death offer us salvation. This daily living in the light of the resurrection transforms our perspective and actions, encouraging us to be beacons of hope in a world that desperately needs it. [31:02]

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: How can you share the hope of the resurrection with someone who is struggling today? What specific actions can you take to be a beacon of hope in their life?

Day 4: The Importance of Community Support

Celebrating our graduates highlights the vital role of community support and recognition. As we acknowledge their achievements and pray for their future endeavors, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing and guiding each member of our community. This support is a tangible expression of God's love and grace, helping individuals to grow and flourish in their faith journey. By coming together as a community, we create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive, reflecting the unity and love that God desires for His people. [50:49]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Think of someone in your community who needs encouragement. How can you offer them support and recognition today to help them feel valued and loved?

Day 5: Experiencing God's Presence Through Remembrance

Partaking in Holy Communion is not just about remembering a historical event but about experiencing God's presence and empowerment. This act of remembrance strengthens our faith and equips us to be disciples, growing in our relationship with God and serving others. As we remember Jesus' sacrifice and the new covenant established through His blood, we are reminded of the profound love and grace that God extends to us. This remembrance is a source of spiritual nourishment, empowering us to live out our faith with renewed strength and commitment. [27:19]

1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV): "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Reflection: During your next time of prayer or reflection, meditate on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice. How does this remembrance empower you to live out your faith more fully in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

Tonight, we gathered to celebrate Holy Communion, a sacred tradition that invites us to the Lord's table. This table, open to all, symbolizes the grace of Jesus Christ and our need for God's presence in our lives. As we partake in the bread and juice, we remember the Last Supper and the new covenant Jesus established through His sacrifice. This act of remembrance is not just about recalling a historical event but about experiencing God's presence and empowerment through the Holy Spirit to grow as disciples.

Reading from Luke 22, we revisited the moment when Jesus shared the Passover meal with His disciples, expressing His deep desire to eat with them before His suffering. He spoke of the bread as His body and the cup as the new covenant in His blood, urging them to do this in remembrance of Him. Despite the solemnity of the moment, the disciples began to argue about who among them was the greatest. This human tendency to seek status and recognition is something we all share, yet Jesus teaches us that true greatness lies in servanthood.

Jesus contrasted the worldly view of leadership with His own, stating that the greatest must become like the least and the leader like a servant. He exemplified this by serving His disciples, even as He faced imminent betrayal and suffering. This call to servanthood is a reminder that none of us is greater than another; we are all equal recipients of God's grace and are called to serve one another in humility.

As we reflect on this, we are reminded that we are "Easter people," living in the light of the resurrection every day. This belief in the resurrection empowers us to live out our faith with the understanding that Jesus' sacrifice and victory over death offer us salvation and eternal life. We are called to embody this hope and share it with the world through our actions and service.

In addition to our communion, we also celebrated our graduates, acknowledging their achievements and praying for their future endeavors. This community support and recognition are vital as we send them forth to continue their journey with God's guidance and blessings.

Key Takeaways

1. Open Invitation to the Table: The Lord's table is open to all, symbolizing the inclusive nature of God's grace. This meal, prepared by Jesus, reminds us of our need for God's presence and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to grow as disciples. It is a call to remember and experience God's grace anew. [24:59]
2. True Greatness in Servanthood: Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in servanthood, not in seeking status or recognition. By serving others, we follow Jesus' example and embody the humility and love He demonstrated. This challenges us to reevaluate our understanding of leadership and greatness. [29:44]
3. Living as Easter People: Believing in the resurrection means living in its light every day. This belief empowers us to face life's challenges with hope and to share the message of Jesus' victory over death with the world. It is a call to live out our faith with the assurance of eternal life. [31:02]
4. Community and Support: Celebrating our graduates highlights the importance of community support and recognition. As we pray for their future endeavors, we acknowledge the role of the community in nurturing and guiding each member. This support is a tangible expression of God's love and grace. [50:49]
5. Remembrance and Empowerment: Partaking in Holy Communion is not just about remembering a historical event but about experiencing God's presence and empowerment. This act of remembrance strengthens our faith and equips us to be disciples, growing in our relationship with God and serving others.

** [27:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:46] - Introduction to Holy Communion
[24:59] - Open Invitation to the Table
[26:20] - Reading from Luke 22
[27:19] - Jesus' Words at the Last Supper
[28:25] - Disciples Argue About Greatness
[29:44] - True Greatness in Servanthood
[31:02] - Living as Easter People
[50:24] - Celebrating Graduates
[50:49] - Prayers for Graduates
[52:03] - Wesley Pins for Graduates
[53:28] - Special Moment for Graduates
[54:18] - Prayer for Graduates
[55:18] - Announcements and Benediction
[56:24] - Doxology and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What did Jesus express to His disciples about His desire to eat the Passover meal with them before His suffering? ([26:20])
How did Jesus describe the bread and the cup during the Last Supper? ([27:19])
What argument broke out among the disciples after Jesus shared the meal with them? ([28:25])
How did Jesus redefine greatness and leadership to His disciples? ([29:44])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasized the importance of remembering Him through the bread and the cup? ([27:19])
What does the disciples' argument about who is the greatest reveal about human nature and our own tendencies? ([28:25])
How does Jesus' teaching on servanthood challenge the common views of leadership and greatness in today's society? ([29:44])
In what ways does the belief in the resurrection empower believers to live out their faith daily? ([31:02])

Application Questions

Reflect on the open invitation to the Lord's table. How can you personally embrace and extend this inclusive grace in your daily interactions? ([24:59])
Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in servanthood. Identify a specific way you can serve someone in your community this week. ([29:44])
As "Easter people," how can you live out the hope of the resurrection in a practical way in your workplace or school? ([31:02])
Think about a time when you sought recognition or status. How can you shift your focus to serving others instead? ([28:25])
How can you support and encourage someone in your community who is going through a significant life transition, such as graduation or a new job? ([50:49])
During Holy Communion, we remember and experience God's presence. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence in your daily life? ([27:19])
Reflect on the role of community support in your faith journey. How can you contribute to building a supportive and nurturing community within your church? ([50:49])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for outreach

1. "This is a meal that is prepared by Jesus Christ, and it is through his grace in which we are able to come to the table. And yet again, acknowledge that we are individuals who need God's grace. And we are individuals that need a remembrance, not only of the meal that is shared in scripture, but also that it's imparting of God's presence in this space for us, with us. And it will empower us through some way of the Holy Spirit to be disciples, to grow in our faith." [24:59] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We are all welcome to the table. We all are hands and feet of Jesus Christ in this world today. Not a single one of us is better than another to go out and share the grace of Jesus Christ." [28:25] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We are people who believe in the resurrection. It is something that happened. And Jesus is saying to us tonight, we are all to be servants. None of us is greater than another. And we are welcome to the table to obtain salvation. We are all to receive sustenance and nourishment from a simple, simple bread and simple juice because of the beautiful act of Jesus Christ and the meal that it that he instituted for us." [31:02] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "The greatest among you must become like a person of lower status and the leader like a servant. So which one is greater, the one who is seated at the table or the one who serves at the table? Isn't it the one who is seated at the table? But I'm among you as one who serves. You are the ones who have continued with me in my trials. And I confer royal power on you. Just as my father granted royal, royal power on me. Thus, you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones overseeing the 12 tribes of Israel." [29:44] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus has just said these things to them. They have been following him for three years. He has foretold what is coming next. And now after partaking this meal and the Passover meal, they begin to argue which one of them is the greatest disciple amongst themselves. Now we may look at that and think, well, how dumb. Well, I think we need to look at ourselves and we too can say, how dumb. Because not a single one of us is greater than the other." [28:25] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We are all to receive sustenance and nourishment from a simple, simple bread and simple juice because of the beautiful act of Jesus Christ and the meal that it that he instituted for us." [31:02] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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