Gratitude and Sacrifice: Remembering Christ's Love

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude in the Face of Hardship

Jesus' act of giving thanks for the bread and wine, knowing they symbolized His impending suffering, teaches us a profound lesson about gratitude. Despite the agony He was about to endure, He chose to express gratitude, demonstrating a deep trust in God's greater plan. This act calls us to remain thankful, even when facing our own hardships, trusting that God is working through our circumstances for a greater good.

In our lives, we often encounter situations that challenge our faith and gratitude. However, Jesus' example encourages us to look beyond our immediate pain and see the bigger picture. By maintaining a heart of gratitude, we align ourselves with God's will and open ourselves to His peace and strength, even in the most difficult times. [19:10]

Bible Passage:
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of a current hardship you are facing. How can you express gratitude to God in this situation today?

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Day 2: The Sacredness of Holy Communion

Partaking in Holy Communion is a profound and sacred act where we remember Jesus' body broken and His blood poured out for us. This moment is not just a ritual but a deep reflection on His immense love and sacrifice. It covers our past sins, sustains us in the present, and secures our future hope in Him.

As we partake in Communion, we are reminded of the depth of Jesus' love and the extent of His sacrifice. It is a time to reflect on the grace that has been extended to us and to renew our commitment to live in a way that honors His sacrifice. This sacred act connects us to the heart of the Gospel and the transformative power of Jesus' love. [20:22]

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

Reflection:
How does remembering Jesus' sacrifice during Communion impact your daily life and decisions?

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Day 3: The Power of Corporate Prayer

Gathering together in corporate prayer holds immense power. When we unite in agreement, we invite God's presence and intervention in our lives and our community. This collective act of faith can bring about significant spiritual breakthroughs and foster a deeper sense of unity among believers.

Corporate prayer is a powerful expression of our faith and dependence on God. It is a time when we come together to seek His guidance, intercede for one another, and experience His presence in a tangible way. By participating in corporate prayer, we strengthen our bonds as a community and align ourselves with God's purposes. [23:04]

Bible Passage:
"Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19, ESV)

Reflection:
How can you actively participate in and contribute to your community's corporate prayer efforts this week?

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Day 4: Servolution and Impacting the World

Servolution is an opportunity to step out of our comfort zones and serve others, embodying the vision of impacting the world for Christ. It is a practical expression of our faith, showing love and compassion to those in need. By serving others, we demonstrate the love of Christ and make a tangible difference in our communities.

Engaging in acts of service allows us to live out our faith in practical ways. It challenges us to look beyond ourselves and see the needs of others. Through Servolution, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to those around us. [24:03]

Bible Passage:
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV)

Reflection:
What specific act of service can you commit to this week to impact someone in your community for Christ?

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Day 5: Offering as an Act of Worship

Giving an offering is not just a ritual but an act of worship that aligns with Micah 6:8. It is a way to do right, love mercy, and walk humbly before God, acknowledging that all we have is from Him. This act of giving reflects our gratitude and dependence on God, recognizing His provision in our lives.

When we give, we are participating in a sacred act of worship. It is an expression of our trust in God's provision and our commitment to His work. By giving generously, we demonstrate our love for God and our desire to see His kingdom advanced. [26:37]

Bible Passage:
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection:
How can you make your giving an intentional act of worship this week, reflecting your gratitude and trust in God?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to focus our hearts and minds on Jesus Christ, our beautiful Savior. We began by expressing our love, praise, and gratitude for His sacrifice and who He is to us. We then moved into a sacred time of Holy Communion, reflecting on Luke 22, where Jesus instituted the Last Supper. Despite knowing the suffering He would endure, Jesus gave thanks for the bread and wine, symbolizing His body and blood. This act of gratitude in the face of impending sacrifice is a profound example for us. As we partook of the bread and wine, we remembered Jesus' love poured out for us—past, present, and future.

Following Communion, we shared some light-hearted moments and upcoming events. We have a corporate prayer meeting on Wednesday, the 17th, and Servolution on Saturday, the 20th, where we aim to impact the world for Christ. We also have special guest speakers lined up for the coming Sundays, including Franz Cronje and Dr. Keith Warrington, who will enrich our understanding of the New Testament.

We then moved into a time of offering, reflecting on Micah 6:8, which calls us to do right, love mercy, and walk humbly before God. Giving is an act of righteousness, mercy, and humility, acknowledging that everything we have is from God. We concluded with a prayer of gratitude, recognizing that our past is forgiven, God is with us in the present, and we have a future hope in Him.

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Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude in Sacrifice: Jesus gave thanks for the bread and wine, knowing they symbolized His impending suffering. This teaches us the profound lesson of gratitude even in the face of hardship. It’s a call to trust in God's greater plan and to remain thankful, no matter the circumstances. [19:10]
2. Holy Communion as a Sacred Act: Partaking in Communion is a deep and holy moment where we remember Jesus' body broken and His blood poured out for us. It’s a time to reflect on His immense love and sacrifice, which covers our past, sustains us in the present, and secures our future. [20:22]
3. The Power of Corporate Prayer: Gathering together in prayer, as we will on the 17th, holds immense power. When we unite in agreement, we invite God's presence and intervention in our lives and our community. This collective act of faith can bring about significant spiritual breakthroughs. [23:04]
4. Servolution and Impacting the World: Servolution is an opportunity to step out of our comfort zones and serve others, embodying the vision of impacting the world for Christ. It’s a practical expression of our faith, showing love and compassion to those in need. [24:03]
5. Offering as an Act of Worship: Giving an offering is not just a ritual but an act of worship that aligns with Micah 6:8. It’s a way to do right, love mercy, and walk humbly before God, acknowledging that all we have is from Him. This act of giving reflects our gratitude and dependence on God. [26:37]
### [26:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:04] - Introduction to Holy Communion
[19:10] - Jesus' Gratitude in Sacrifice
[20:22] - Partaking of the Bread and Wine
[22:00] - Reflection and Prayer
[23:04] - Upcoming Events and Corporate Prayer
[24:03] - Servolution and Community Impact
[25:20] - Special Guest Speakers
[26:37] - Offering as Worship
[27:52] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[28:48] - Final Announcements and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Luke 22:18-20, what actions did Jesus take during the Last Supper, and what did He say about the bread and wine?
According to the sermon, why is Jesus' act of giving thanks for the bread and wine significant, especially considering His impending suffering?
What does Micah 6:8 call us to do, and how does this relate to the act of giving an offering as discussed in the sermon?
What upcoming events were mentioned in the sermon, and how do they aim to impact the community and church?

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus have chosen to give thanks for the bread and wine, knowing they symbolized His suffering? What does this teach us about gratitude in difficult circumstances?
How does partaking in Holy Communion help us remember and reflect on Jesus' sacrifice? What emotions or thoughts does this practice evoke in you?
The sermon mentioned the power of corporate prayer. How can gathering together in prayer bring about spiritual breakthroughs in our lives and community?
How does the concept of Servolution align with the vision of impacting the world for Christ? What practical steps can we take to embody this vision in our daily lives?

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. How can Jesus' example of gratitude in the face of suffering inspire you to find thankfulness in your own hardships?
During Holy Communion, we remember Jesus' body broken and His blood poured out for us. How can this reflection influence your daily actions and interactions with others?
The sermon emphasized the importance of corporate prayer. How can you make time to join the upcoming prayer meeting on the 17th, and what specific prayer requests will you bring?
Servolution is an opportunity to serve others and impact the world for Christ. What specific act of service can you commit to this week to show love and compassion to those in need?
Giving an offering is an act of worship that aligns with Micah 6:8. How can you practice righteousness, mercy, and humility in your financial stewardship and daily life?
The sermon mentioned special guest speakers who will enrich our understanding of the New Testament. How can you prepare your heart and mind to receive and apply the teachings from these speakers?
Reflect on the prayer of gratitude at the end of the sermon. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude, recognizing that your past is forgiven, God is with you in the present, and you have a future hope in Him?

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "What a wonderful opportunity to express the vision of New Life Church, that we want to impact the world for Christ. So, we'll impact the world for Christ. And I forgot to welcome you, welcome the guests, which is not really a good thing. I think it's the... My condolences. It's about the rugby that led me down there. If you're with us for the first time, either in the house or online, please, if you're in the house, drop by our guest station in the foyer. If you're watching online, please complete our Get Connected card." [24:03] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Servolution is amazing, because it's an opportunity to love others. Servolution is an opportunity for you to serve God outside of your comfort zone, outside of what you normally do on a daily basis." [28:48] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When we give an offering, we have the opportunity to do what is right, to give to God what He owns in any case, and to be right in stewarding what God gives to us. We also love mercy when we give an offering. Because a lot of the offering is to the poor, not just those who are physically poor and in need of food, but those who are spiritually poor, who need to hear the gospel." [26:37] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "And he knew at that time what the bread and the wine was. And he knew what the bread and the wine was. And his blood would be poured out. And how amazing is Jesus that he, he gives thanks for the bread, yes, but he gives thanks in that situation to Father when he knows that his body will be broken for us and that his blood will be poured out for us. So when we partake of communion, What a deep and holy moment for us to give thanks to Jesus for his broken body and his blood that was poured out." [19:10] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "This is my body given, given for you. Given freely, out of free will, out of surrender to the Father, out of love for you and for me. So take a moment and then we'll partake of the bread. Let's partake. And in the same way, after supper, Jesus took the cup and he said, This is the new covenant. My blood poured out for you. As we partake this morning of the juice, think about Jesus' love poured out for you and for me. Poured out over our past. Poured out in our present. And poured out for us. And poured out for our future. God, Emmanuel, with us through his pure and perfect blood." [20:22] (81 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And as we bring the offering, we give it humbly, acknowledging that everything we have, and everything we are, is because of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. Thank you, ushers. Father, we bring this offering, Lord, in humility, Lord, because of you, Jesus, because of what you did for us. Because, Lord, we Lord, our past is dealt with. You are with us in the present, Emmanuel. And Lord, we have a future hope in you. Lord, it's quite too big for us to grasp. But Lord, we have the opportunity, Lord, to come with an offering, yes, Lord, which is a physical substance. But Lord, we bring our hearts before you, God, as we give of our physical substance." [27:52] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We have many exciting events in the month of July. Wednesday night, the 17th, at 7 p.m. We would love to join with you in corporate prayer for the nation, for the church, various other things. There's such power in agreement, so we look forward to seeing you Wednesday night at 7 in the Kids Life building. We call it the Mineral House. We call it the Mineral Auditorium. We would love to agree in prayer with you there at 7." [23:04] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Then on Saturday, the 20th, we have our Servolution. What a wonderful opportunity to express the vision of New Life Church, that we want to impact the world for Christ. So, we'll impact the world for Christ. And I forgot to welcome you, welcome the guests, which is not really a good thing. I think it's the... My condolences. It's about the rugby that led me down there. If you're with us for the first time, either in the house or online, please, if you're in the house, drop by our guest station in the foyer. If you're watching online, please complete our Get Connected card." [24:03] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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