Transformative Power of the Lord's Table

Devotional

Day 1: Stay Awake and Vigilant

In these times, it is crucial for the church to remain alert and ready for the return of Jesus. We are on the cusp of the greatest revival and outpouring of the Spirit. As the world grows darker, the church must shine brighter, staying awake and vigilant. This means being spiritually aware and discerning, not allowing ourselves to be lulled into complacency by the distractions and temptations of the world. Our readiness is not just about waiting passively but actively engaging in prayer, worship, and service, preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of the Lord. [02:43]

1 Thessalonians 5:6 (ESV): "So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."

Reflection: What are some distractions or temptations in your life that might be causing spiritual complacency? How can you actively engage in practices that keep you spiritually awake and vigilant?

Day 2: Communion as Union with Jesus

Communion is not just a religious tradition but an invitation to enter into a deeper union with Jesus. It is both a natural and supernatural act, where we participate in the presence of God. This union brings us closer to Jesus, allowing His presence to dwell within us. When we partake in communion, we are reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made for us and the intimate relationship He desires to have with each of us. This sacred act is a powerful reminder of our connection to Christ and the transformative power of His love. [12:49]

John 6:56 (ESV): "Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him."

Reflection: How does understanding communion as a union with Jesus change your perspective on this practice? In what ways can you deepen your relationship with Jesus in your daily life?

Day 3: Gratitude Opens the Door to God's Presence

When we approach the Lord's Table with thankfulness, we open the door to God's presence. Gratitude is the pathway to experiencing God's love and faithfulness. It shifts our focus from our problems to God's past faithfulness, strengthening our trust in Him. By cultivating a heart of gratitude, we become more aware of God's presence in our lives and more receptive to His blessings. This practice of thankfulness can transform our spiritual lives, drawing us closer to God and deepening our faith. [17:19]

Colossians 3:15-16 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: Think of three specific things you are grateful for today. How can you express this gratitude to God and others in a way that opens your heart to His presence?

Day 4: Wholeness Through Jesus' Broken Body

Jesus' body was broken so that we could be made whole. This wholeness extends beyond physical healing to include emotional and relational restoration. Communion unifies us as a church, breaking down divisions and fostering unity among believers. When we partake in communion, we are reminded of the healing and restoration that Jesus offers us. This act of remembrance helps us to seek and experience the wholeness that comes from being in Christ, not just individually but as a community of believers. [21:58]

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need Jesus' healing and restoration? How can you seek unity and wholeness within your church community?

Day 5: Hope Through Jesus' Shed Blood

The blood of Jesus, shed for us, speaks a better word over our lives, offering forgiveness, redemption, and the promise of eternal life. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the hope we have in Jesus and the future we will share with Him. This hope is not just for the future but impacts our present, giving us strength and courage to face life's challenges. The blood of Jesus assures us of our salvation and the eternal life that awaits us, filling us with hope and joy. [30:05]

Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Reflection: How does the hope of eternal life through Jesus' shed blood influence your daily life and decisions? What steps can you take to live more fully in this hope today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone! Today, we delved into the profound significance of the Lord's Table and how it can transform our spiritual lives. We began by reflecting on the importance of staying awake and vigilant in these times, as we anticipate the return of Jesus. The church must remain alert and ready, for we are on the brink of the greatest revival and outpouring of the Spirit the world has ever seen.

We then transitioned to the heart of today's message: the power and provision of the Lord's Table. Many of us have taken communion countless times without fully grasping its depth. Today, we explored Mark 14:22-26, where Jesus instituted the Lord's Table during the Last Supper. This was a pivotal moment for the disciples, as they realized that the Passover they had celebrated all their lives was ultimately about Jesus. The bread and wine were not just symbols; they represented Jesus' body and blood, given for our salvation.

Communion is not merely a religious tradition; it is an invitation to enter into a deeper union with Jesus. It is both a natural and supernatural act, where we participate in the presence of God. When we approach the Lord's Table, we do so with thankfulness, recognizing the sacrifice Jesus made for us. This gratitude opens the door to God's presence, allowing us to experience His love and faithfulness.

Moreover, the Lord's Table brings wholeness to our lives. Jesus' body was broken so that we could be made whole. This wholeness extends beyond physical healing to include emotional and relational restoration. The act of communion unifies us as a church, breaking down divisions and fostering unity among believers.

Finally, communion allows us to look forward with hope. The blood of Jesus, shed for us, speaks a better word over our lives, offering forgiveness, redemption, and the promise of eternal life. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the hope we have in Jesus and the future we will share with Him.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Stay Awake and Vigilant: In these times, it is crucial for the church to remain alert and ready for the return of Jesus. We are on the cusp of the greatest revival and outpouring of the Spirit. As the world grows darker, the church must shine brighter, staying awake and vigilant. [02:43]
2. Communion as Union with Jesus: Communion is not just a religious tradition but an invitation to enter into a deeper union with Jesus. It is both a natural and supernatural act, where we participate in the presence of God. This union brings us closer to Jesus, allowing His presence to dwell within us. [12:49]
3. Gratitude Opens the Door to God's Presence: When we approach the Lord's Table with thankfulness, we open the door to God's presence. Gratitude is the pathway to experiencing God's love and faithfulness. It shifts our focus from our problems to God's past faithfulness, strengthening our trust in Him. [17:19]
4. Wholeness Through Jesus' Broken Body: Jesus' body was broken so that we could be made whole. This wholeness extends beyond physical healing to include emotional and relational restoration. Communion unifies us as a church, breaking down divisions and fostering unity among believers. [21:58]
5. Hope Through Jesus' Shed Blood: The blood of Jesus, shed for us, speaks a better word over our lives, offering forgiveness, redemption, and the promise of eternal life. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the hope we have in Jesus and the future we will share with Him. [30:05]
### [30:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:43] - Stay Awake and Vigilant
[04:02] - Jesus' Last Supper
[05:21] - The Institution of Communion
[06:22] - First Experience with Communion
[07:47] - The Significance of Passover
[09:23] - Jesus Reveals the True Meaning
[10:27] - The Disciples' Revelation
[11:51] - Communion: Union with Jesus
[12:49] - Natural and Supernatural Elements
[14:08] - Participation in God's Presence
[17:19] - Gratitude and God's Presence
[18:48] - Wholeness Through Jesus' Broken Body
[21:58] - Healing and Restoration
[23:26] - Unity Among Believers
[25:09] - The Significance of Gathering
[28:12] - Hope Through Jesus' Shed Blood
[30:05] - The Power of Jesus' Blood
[31:39] - Preparing for Communion
[32:48] - Examining Ourselves
[34:02] - Partaking in Communion

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What did Jesus do with the bread and the cup during the Last Supper according to Mark 14:22-26?
How does Isaiah 53:3-5 describe the suffering servant, and what was the purpose of his suffering?
According to 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, what does the bread and the cup represent, and how does it relate to the unity of believers?
In the sermon, what are the three things that happen to us because of the Lord's Table? ([15:29])

Interpretation Questions

How does the act of communion help believers stay awake and vigilant in their faith? ([02:43])
What does it mean to enter into a deeper union with Jesus through communion, and how is this both a natural and supernatural act? ([12:49])
How does gratitude at the Lord's Table open the door to experiencing God's presence, and why is this important for our spiritual lives? ([17:19])
In what ways does the broken body of Jesus bring wholeness to our lives, and how can this extend to emotional and relational restoration? ([21:58])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you need to stay more awake and vigilant in your faith? How can you practically do this in your daily routine? ([02:43])
How can you make your next experience of communion more meaningful and less of a routine? What steps can you take to enter into a deeper union with Jesus during this time? ([12:49])
Think of a time when you approached the Lord's Table with a heart full of gratitude. How did this change your experience? How can you cultivate a habit of thankfulness in your daily life? ([17:19])
Are there areas of brokenness in your life—whether physical, emotional, or relational—that you need to bring to Jesus for healing? How can you use the act of communion as a step towards seeking this wholeness? ([21:58])
How does the hope offered through Jesus' shed blood impact your outlook on the future? Are there specific fears or anxieties you need to surrender to Jesus? ([30:05])
In what ways can you foster unity within your church community, especially when coming together for communion? Are there any relationships that need mending? ([23:26])
How can you make the practice of communion a regular part of your spiritual life, not just in church but also in your personal or family devotions? ([15:29])

Sermon Clips

1. "Right now, we're living in a generation that's closer to the return of God. We're living in a generation that's closer to the return of Christ than ever before. What we're seeing in culture, what we're seeing around the world, there's signs pointing to the return of Jesus. And we look forward to the hope of the return of Jesus, because when Jesus returns, all that is wrong will be made right. He will restore. He will make whole." [02:43] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus is inviting you to a similar table. He's inviting you into relationship with him. So he's about to go to the cross. It says this. Verse 22. And it says, And as they were eating, he took the bread. And after blessing it, he broke it. And he gave it to them. And he said, This is my body. And he took the cup. And when he had given thanks, he said to them. He gave it to them. And they drank of it. And they all drank of it. And he said to them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." [05:21] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Communion brings us into union with Jesus. That's the purpose of it. Seated at the table, in God's presence, not just in his presence, but his presence living on the inside of us. Have you experienced the reality of the presence of Jesus? Because that's what communion's all about. It's all about being in Jesus's presence. It's all about being close and near to him." [12:49] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "It's natural bread. Yes, this is physical natural bread and wine, although this is diet cranberry juice. It's natural. This is bread, but it's supernatural. It's also the body. This is wine, natural, but supernatural. It's the body. It's the blood of Jesus. You see, participating and being in union with Jesus and being in communion with God is both natural and supernatural." [13:27] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Because of the Lord's table, we can look back in thankfulness. Just like we were singing today, God, you've been so, so good to me. I always knew there was a better way, but you love me. You love me like you do. God's been so faithful. Guys, I don't know about you. I've not been perfect. I've made mistakes. I've turned my back at times, but God has never done that to me. He's been faithful every step of the way." [17:19] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Jesus's body was broken. Why? So that we could be made whole. So what did Jesus do? He grabbed the bread. He took it. blessed it. He broke it. He gave it and said, this is my body. Do you understand what the broken body means to you? I love what Pastor Bill Johnson says. He says, every time he takes communion, he gets that little styrofoam wafer that we have in the cups and he just breaks it. He breaks it in his hands to remind himself, this is what Jesus did for me." [20:19] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "What I believe today is that when we come to the Lord's table, some of you have brokenness in your body. You have disease. You have sickness. You have pain. What I believe is that because of the brokenness of Jesus's body, we can experience healing and wholeness. Why do I believe this? Because the Bible says it. And I believe that in faith, something supernatural is going to happen today. I believe that miracles are going to break out in the room." [21:58] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "It's impossible to come into union with Jesus and be in disunity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we come to the table, what it does, is it unifies us as the church. Man, if the church is going to accomplish all that God wants us to do in this season, we have to be unified. The world will do everything it can to divide us, separate us based off of our differences, our point of views, but what the table forces us to do is come together in unity." [23:26] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The blood of the spotless lamb that cleanses all sins. That's what the blood means to you. You were once a sinner, separated from God, but Jesus invites you in. He invites you in. Why? Because he shed his blood for you. He gives us life. His blood is salvation. His blood washes us clean of the filth of sin and shame. His blood removes guilt. His blood forgives sins past, present, and future. His blood gives us hope that if he forgave me then, he can forgive me now." [28:12] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Jesus' blood speaks a better word over your life. Some of you have believed the lie of shame and guilt and condemnation. Jesus' blood speaks a better word. It speaks a word that you are forgiven. You are loved. You are redeemed. You are set free. You are a part of the family. You're welcome to the table. This is what the blood of Jesus does for us. Past, present, and future. When we partake of this cup, we are receiving the forgiveness of sins." [30:05] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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