Transformative Power of Communion and Expectation
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of communion and the transformative power of expectation. As we held the elements of communion, the bread and the cup, we were reminded of the redemption that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross has secured for us. This act of remembrance is not just a ritual but a declaration of our freedom from the grip of sin and death. Through the blood of Jesus, we are redeemed, and this truth empowers us to claim healing and strength in our bodies, rejecting premature death and sickness.
We delved into the concept of two bloodlines: the blood of Adam, which condemns, and the blood of Jesus, which redeems. This distinction underscores the necessity of the virgin birth and the incarnation, where God became flesh to introduce a new bloodline that offers redemption. The tabernacle's symbolism, with its shed, sprinkled, and speaking blood, illustrates the ongoing power of Jesus' sacrifice. Every time we partake in communion, we are actively sprinkling the blood, affirming our redemption and the defeat of Satan's hold over us.
Furthermore, we examined the story of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate in Acts 3. This man, born with a condition that prevented him from taking a step forward in life, represents humanity's inherent struggle due to Adam's fall. Yet, his encounter with Peter and John, and his expectation to receive, changed his life. This narrative teaches us the power of expectation. When we expect, we position ourselves to receive God's blessings and breakthroughs.
Expectation is a force that can alter the trajectory of our lives. It is not merely wishful thinking but a confident anticipation of God's intervention. The law of expectation states that what we expect is what we will experience. Therefore, we are encouraged to raise our expectations, to ask big, believe big, and receive big. This principle is rooted in the understanding that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.
Key Takeaways:
- Communion is a powerful reminder of our redemption through Jesus' sacrifice. It is a declaration of our freedom from sin and a claim to healing and strength, rejecting sickness and premature death. [04:46]
- The distinction between the blood of Adam and the blood of Jesus highlights the necessity of the virgin birth and the incarnation. Jesus' blood redeems us, offering a new beginning and breaking the curse of sin. [07:16]
- The story of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate illustrates the power of expectation. His life changed when he expected to receive, teaching us that expectation positions us for God's blessings and breakthroughs. [19:29]
- The law of expectation states that what we expect is what we will experience. By raising our expectations, we open ourselves to God's abundant blessings and interventions in our lives. [27:12]
- Expectation is not passive but an active anticipation of God's intervention. It involves asking big, believing big, and receiving big, trusting that God can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. [36:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:46] - The Power of Communion
- [07:16] - Redemption Through Jesus' Blood
- [12:59] - The Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate
- [16:53] - The Significance of the Temple
- [19:29] - Expectation and Breakthrough
- [23:22] - The Force of Expectation
- [24:51] - Expectation and Manifestation
- [27:12] - The Law of Expectation
- [30:34] - The Law of Faith and Expectation
- [33:24] - Expectation and Experience
- [36:06] - God's Ability to Exceed Expectations
- [38:46] - Giving God a To-Do List
- [41:33] - Joy and Expectation in Adversity
- [43:40] - The Power of Expectation
- [46:04] - Understanding Expectation
- [48:41] - Expectation in Action
- [50:31] - Focus and Expectation
- [52:58] - Absorbing the Word
- [56:06] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
2. Acts 3:1-10
3. Ephesians 3:20
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#### Observation Questions
1. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, what does Paul say about the purpose of communion, and how does it relate to the concept of redemption? [04:46]
2. How does the story of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate in Acts 3 illustrate the power of expectation? [19:29]
3. According to Ephesians 3:20, what is God able to do, and how does this relate to the power at work within us? [36:06]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the distinction between the blood of Adam and the blood of Jesus highlight the necessity of the virgin birth and the incarnation? [07:16]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of expectation in receiving God's blessings and breakthroughs? [23:22]
3. How does the law of expectation, as discussed in the sermon, challenge or affirm your current understanding of faith and prayer? [27:12]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current practice of communion. How can you make it a more meaningful declaration of your redemption and freedom from sin? [04:46]
2. The sermon emphasizes the power of expectation. Identify an area in your life where you need a breakthrough. How can you actively raise your expectations in this area? [19:29]
3. Consider the law of expectation: "What you expect is what you will experience." How can you apply this principle to your daily life, especially in your spiritual journey? [27:12]
4. The sermon encourages asking big, believing big, and receiving big. What is one specific prayer request you have been hesitant to bring to God, and how can you approach it with greater faith? [36:06]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of giving God a "to-do list" in your prayer life, and what might be on that list? [38:46]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of focus, using the analogy of a horse wearing blinders. What distractions in your life need to be addressed to maintain focus on your spiritual goals? [50:31]
7. Reflect on the concept of absorbing the Word like a sponge. What practical steps can you take to immerse yourself more deeply in Scripture this week? [52:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Communion as a Declaration of Freedom
Communion is more than a ritual; it is a powerful reminder of our redemption through Jesus' sacrifice. As believers partake in the bread and the cup, they are declaring their freedom from the grip of sin and death. This act of remembrance is a proclamation of the healing and strength available through the blood of Jesus, empowering them to reject sickness and premature death. By embracing this truth, believers can live in the fullness of the redemption that Jesus has secured for them. [04:46]
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." Leviticus 17:11 (ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the truth of your redemption into your daily life, especially when facing challenges related to health or sin?
Day 2: The New Bloodline of Redemption
The distinction between the blood of Adam and the blood of Jesus highlights the necessity of the virgin birth and the incarnation. Through Jesus' blood, believers are offered a new beginning, breaking the curse of sin that originated with Adam. This new bloodline is a testament to God's plan of redemption, where Jesus' sacrifice introduces a transformative power that redeems and restores. By understanding this distinction, believers can fully appreciate the depth of God's love and the significance of Jesus' sacrifice. [07:16]
"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned." Romans 5:12 (ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace the new beginning offered through Jesus' blood in your personal journey of faith?
Day 3: Expectation as a Catalyst for Breakthrough
The story of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate illustrates the power of expectation. His life changed when he expected to receive, teaching believers that expectation positions them for God's blessings and breakthroughs. This narrative encourages believers to cultivate a mindset of expectation, where they confidently anticipate God's intervention in their lives. By doing so, they open themselves to the transformative power of God's blessings. [19:29]
"And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, 'Look at us.' And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them." Acts 3:4-5 (ESV)
Reflection: What specific area of your life can you approach with a renewed sense of expectation, trusting in God's provision and breakthrough?
Day 4: The Law of Expectation
The law of expectation states that what believers expect is what they will experience. By raising their expectations, they open themselves to God's abundant blessings and interventions in their lives. This principle is rooted in the understanding that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all they ask or think. Believers are encouraged to ask big, believe big, and receive big, trusting in the limitless power of God. [27:12]
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively raise your expectations in your prayer life, believing that God can exceed them?
Day 5: Active Anticipation of God's Intervention
Expectation is not passive but an active anticipation of God's intervention. It involves asking big, believing big, and receiving big, trusting that God can do exceedingly abundantly above all believers ask or think. This active anticipation requires a shift in mindset, where believers confidently expect God's intervention in every aspect of their lives, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises. [36:06]
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27 (ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to actively anticipate God's intervention in a specific situation you are facing?
Quotes
What you have in your hands are the elements of our redemption ladies and gentlemen this is the bread and the blood is emblematic of our redemption but it is problematic for saving because of the blood the shed blood of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross that he lost his grip on humanity and so as we stand together today I want to read one scripture 1 Corinthians chapter 11 everybody knows this this is the communion chapter 1 Corinthians chapter 11 Paul says I have received this of the Lord. [00:00:10] (48 seconds)
The blood of Adam cursed us, but the blood of Jesus redeemed us. And so when you study the tabernacle, you'll notice when you enter, you'll see the altar, which speaks to us of the shed blood. Then the priest would take that shed blood in a bucket and sprinkle the blood, sprinkle the furnitures of the tabernacle with the blood. So you start with the shed blood, then it becomes the sprinkled blood. Then the blood will be put upon the mercy seat, which becomes our propitiation, which means now the blood speaks on our behalf. [00:04:38] (40 seconds)
And every time you take communion, you're sprinkling the blood. Praise God. Can you say amen? Aren't you glad today that you're covered with the blood of Jesus? Amen. So let's lift up our elements. He took the bread. He broke it. His body was broken so that yours can't be met. Amen. Let's partake of the bread. Hallelujah. And I want you to lift up this blood that's got way up high. [00:05:34] (29 seconds)
Acts chapter 3 verse 1 says, now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer. Everybody say the hour of prayer. The hour of prayer. Being the ninth hour, and a certain man laying from his mother's womb. Now I need you to know the line in your Bible. The man was laying from his mother's womb. Meaning that before he ever got up, before he was ever born, he already had a problem. Are you listening? Just like all of us, before we were born, we already had a problem because of Adam. [00:13:19] (40 seconds)
And so this man is sitting at the gate while others are entering the gate, he is sitting at the gate and can never go into the temple to have an encounter with the glory. Ladies and gentlemen that's what many people are today. They are always on the verge of a breakthrough but never have a breakthrough. Are you listening to me? There are so many people that have been waiting for a breakthrough for years. Any moment now it's going to happen. [00:17:32] (33 seconds)
This man changed the trajectory of his life simply by tapping into the power of expectation. The force of expectation. The scripture says he gave heed. Another way of saying he gave heed is he paid attention. In other words, whatever you're paying attention to will either sharpen your, or heighten your expectation, or kill your expectation. So ask your neighbor, what you're looking at? Huh? What are you looking at? What are you paying attention to? [00:22:25] (43 seconds)
And God said, if you have high expectation from the hand of God, you will see the manifestation of the hand of God. And how many of you here this year in 2025, you want to see the hand of God? I don't know about you, but I want to see the hand of God in my finances. I want to see the hand of God in my body. I want to see the hand of God in the ministry. Praise God. I want to see the hand of God in church. Amen. I want to see the hand of God in America. [00:26:15] (29 seconds)
The law of expectation states, whatever you expect is what you will experience. Can you say amen? Yes, amen. Let me say it again. Amen. The law of experience states, whatever. Whatever. expect is what I will experience. We can say it this way, the law of expectation states whatever I expect is what I will embrace. Glory to God. Can you say amen? [00:32:25] (39 seconds)
Now unto Him that He is able. Now, who's the Him that is able? God. So lift up your head and say, God is able. God is able. Let's make the devil nervous this morning and say with me. Say, my God is able. My God is able. Right now. Amen. When is God able? Now! When can God heal you? Now! When can God heal you? Now! When can God deliver you? Now! When can God prosper you? Now! [00:36:06] (27 seconds)
And when you give God a to -do list, he will do what you have put on that list. Praise God. Come on, let's name it. Give God a to -do list. Hallelujah. On my to -do list, oh, God, give me a thousand dollars. On my to -do list, oh, God, open the doors to the nations, oh, God. On my to -do list, oh, God, this year I want at least 10,000 people filled with the Holy Ghost. Can you say hallelujah? Amen. [00:39:44] (27 seconds)
And if you're here this morning and you've had your hopes dashed, it's time to resurrect your hopes. It's time to resurrect your dreams. God wants to do big things in your life. Irrespective of your age, God wants to do great things in your life. If you're sick this morning, ask Him for healing. If you're broke this morning, ask Him to bless you. If you don't have a child this morning and you're married, ask Him to give you a child. [00:56:14] (45 seconds)
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