Pikes Peak Church of Christ

The Lord's Supper (26:26-30)

INTRODUCTION

1. During His last week, Jesus observed the Passover for the last
time...
a. The Passover was a Jewish feast, observed annually - Deut 16:1-8
b. Commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt - Exo 12:1-28,43-49

2. This last Passover was very special to Jesus - Lk 22:14-15
a. His knew His death was imminent ("before I suffer")
b. He was with those he loved - Jn 13:1 ("He loved them to the end")

3. On this occasion Jesus instituted what we call the Lord's Supper...
a. Read our text - Mt 26:26-30
b. As recorded by Luke, Jesus wanted His disciples to do this in His
memory - Lk 22:19

4. The importance of properly observing the Lord's Supper should not be
underestimated...
a. The church at Corinth was guilty of abusing it - 1Co 11:20-22
b. Such misuse has serious consequences - 1Co 11:27,29

I. THE MEANING OF THE SUPPER

A. IT IS A MEMORIAL...
1. Note Paul's account as given by the Lord Himself - 1Co 11:
23-25
a. We eat the bread in memory of His body
b. We drink the cup (fruit of the vine) in memory of His blood
2. We therefore commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross
- Mt 26:28
a. Whose death make the new covenant possible - He 9:16
b. Whose blood was shed for the remission of sins - Ep 1:7
As the Passover was a memorial commemorating Israel's
deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lambs on the
door post, so the Supper is a memorial of our Lord's death who
makes our deliverance from the bondage of sin possible

B. IT IS A PROCLAMATION...
1. We proclaim our faith in the efficacy of the Lord's death
- 1Co 11:26a
a. That His death was indeed for our sins
b. If we didn't believe it, why keep the Supper?
2. We also proclaim our faith in the Lord's return - 1Co 11:26b
a. For it is to be done "till He comes"
b. If we don't believe He is coming, then why keep the Supper?
Thus the Lord's Supper looks forward as well as backward, and
will ever be observed by His disciples who trust in His
redemption and anticipate His return!

C. IT IS A COMMUNION...
1. A fellowship or sharing in the blood of Christ - 1Co 10:16a
a. As we partake, we commune with the blood of Christ
b. Perhaps in the sense of reinforcing blessings we enjoy
through the blood of Christ - cf. 1Jn 1:7,9
2. A fellowship or sharing in the body of Christ - 1Co 10:16b-17
a. As we partake, we commune with the body of Christ
b. Perhaps in the sense of reinforcing fellowship together in
the body of Christ (i.e., the church), as we break bread
together



II. THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SUPPER

A. TO BE DONE WITH REVERENCE...
1. That is, "in a worthy manner" (NKJV) - 1Co 11:27,29
a. The KJV says "worthily", which some have misunderstood
b. It is an adverb, describing how we take it, not whether we
are worthy (none are truly worthy)
2. With respect for the supreme price Jesus paid for our sins
a. Cf. the cruel torture and humiliation of His physical body
b. Cf. the spiritual anguish suffered as the Son of God bore
the punishment for our sins ("My God, My God, Why have You
forsaken Me?" - Mt 27:46)
3. Failure to observe with proper reverence brings condemnation
- 1Co 11:27,29
a. One will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord
b. One will eat and drink judgment to himself
To make light of this memorial puts one in the same category
as those who mocked Him as He hung on the cross!

B. TO BE DONE WITH SELF-EXAMINATION...
1. Such as reflecting upon one's spiritual condition - 1Co 11:28
2. Are we living in a manner that shows appreciation for His
sacrifice?
a. By accepting the grace of God in our lives? - 2Co 5:18-6:1
b. By living for Jesus who died for us? - 2Co 5:14-15; Ga
2:20
3. Or are we by willful sinning, guilty of having:
a. "trampled the Son of God underfoot"?
b. "counted the blood by which [we were] sanctified a common
thing"?
c. "insulted the Spirit of grace"? - cf. He 10:26-29
4. Do we, by refusing to repent of our sins, "crucify again for
themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an shame"? - cf. He
6:4-6
In one sense, the Supper is a very private matter between a
Christian and his or her God; a time to reflect the past and
to resolve for the future

C. TO BE DONE WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS...
1. There is ample indication the Supper is designed to be a
communal meal
a. The disciples "came together" to break bread - Ac 20:7
b. When they came together, they were to "wait for one
another" - 1Co 11:33
c. Partaking together of "one bread", they demonstrate they
are "one bread and one body" - 1Co 10:16
We commune not just with the Lord, but with one another
2. For this reason I personally question such practices as:
a. Observing the Supper by one's self when camping or
traveling
b. Observing the Supper on Sunday night when just one or a
couple of people in the congregation are partaking
c. Taking the elements to the sick or shut-in who were unable
to assemble
While such issues may fall in the realm of "opinion", let's
not forget that the Supper builds fellowship with one
another as well as with the Lord!

D. TO BE DONE OFTEN...
1. The Biblical evidence is that it was done weekly...
a. Christians came together on the first day of the week to
"break bread" - Ac 20:7
b. Other indications of a weekly observance:
1) The church at Corinth was coming together to eat the
Lord's Supper, though they were abusing it - cf. 1Co
11:17-22
2) Instructions concerning the collection suggest their
coming together was on the first day of the week - cf.
1Co 16:1-2
c. Following the divinely approved example of Christians in
the Bible, we know God approves of a weekly observance on
the first day of the week
2. The earliest historical evidence outside the Bible confirms
the day and frequency...
a. The Didache (ca. 95 A.D.) indicates Christians were to come
together on the first day of the week to break bread
- Didache 14:1
b. Justin Martyr (ca. 150 A.D.) records how Christians
assembled on Sunday and partook of the Supper - Apology I,
67
3. Some believe that a weekly observance diminishes the
importance of the Supper
a. Which is why some do it monthly, quarterly, or annually
b. But does the frequent practice of:
1) Assembling diminishing its value and importance?
2) Singing praises and offering prayers devalue their
benefits?
3) Preaching and studying God's Word decrease their
significance to our lives?
Our spiritual lives are dependent upon the value and benefits
of our Lord's death on the cross; a weekly observance of the
memorial helps us to live appreciatively and accordingly!

CONCLUSION

1. "The Lord's Supper" is a very special memorial of His death for our
sins...
a. Instituted by Jesus Himself, He asked His disciples to do it in
His memory
b. Jesus told His disciples that He would not eat of the elements
again until:
1) "...that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's
kingdom." - Mt 26:29
2) "...that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." - Mk
14:25
3) "...it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." - Lk 22:16
4) "...the kingdom of God shall come." - Lk 22:18
c. There are two plausible explanations for what Jesus means:
1) Some think it refers to Jesus having fellowship with us as we
observe the Lord's Supper in the church, which is His kingdom
- cf. 1Co 10:16-17
2) Others propose that it refers to the special communion we will
have with Jesus in His Father's kingdom, spoken often in terms
of a heavenly feast - cf. Isa 25:6-8; Mt 8:11; 22:2-14; Lk
14:15-24; Re 19:9

2. The first Christians "continued steadfastly" in its observance...
a. Just as they did in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship and prayer
- Ac 2:42
b. Coming together on the first day of the week for that very
purpose - Ac 20:7

3. Christians today should never lose sight of its significance...
a. A constant reminder of the sacrifice Jesus paid for our sins
b. A communion or sharing of the body and blood of the Lord
c. A time for self-examination and re-dedication of our service to
the Lord
d. A means for building fellowship with one another in the body of
Christ

May such thoughts encourage us to never neglect opportunities we have
to observe the Lord's Supper, but to continue steadfastly and in so
doing "proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."

April 12 PM

The Garden Of Gethsemane (26:36-46)

INTRODUCTION

1. The last supper of Jesus with His disciples was finished...
   a. He predicted the betrayal by Judas - Mt 26:21-25
   b. He observed the Passover, instituting the Lord's Supper - Mt 26:
      26-30
   b. He then foretold Peter's denial of Him, as they made their way to
      the Mount of Olives - Mt 26:31-35

2. Jesus and His disciples then came to a place called Gethsemane...
   a. A garden outside the city, across the Kidron brook and on the
      Mount of Olives
   b. It's name means "olive press", and was possibly a remote walled
      garden
   c. A place where Jesus often went with His disciples - Jn 18:1-2

3. Note the contrast between the Garden of Eden, and the Garden of
   Gethsemane...
   a. In the first garden, the first man fell by yielding to temptation
   b. In the second garden, the Second Man (cf. 1Co 15:47) conquered
      by yielding to the will of God



I. THE GARDEN WAS A PLACE OF SUFFERING

   A. WHERE JESUS EXPERIENCED GREAT DISTRESS...
      1. He went to pray, accompanied only by Peter, James, and John 
         - Mt 26:36-37
      2. Before He began praying, He was "deeply distressed" - Mt 26:37
      3. Mark records that He was "troubled and deeply distressed" - Mk
         14:33
      4. Later, Luke records that He was "in agony", and His sweat
         became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground 
         - Lk 22:44
      5. He was likely troubled for He knew that His hour had come 
         - cf. Jn 12:27
         a. He knew what was imminent, for He had told His disciples
            three times - Mt 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19
         b. There was not only physical pain to endure, but also the
            burden of our sins and separation from His Father as He
            bore our sins on the cross! - cf. Isa 53:6; Mt 27:46

   B. WHERE JESUS ENDURED INTENSE SORROW...
      1. He described Himself as "exceedingly sorrowful, even to death"
         - Mt 26:38
      2. The writer of Hebrews refers to His "vehement cries and tears"
         - He 5:7
      3. Again, His grief and sorrow was partly due to the fact that He
         was taking upon Himself our own griefs and sorrows! - cf. Isa
         53:4-5

   C. WHERE JESUS ENCOUNTERED SOLEMN LONELINESS...
      1. He wanted His closest disciples to watch with Him - Mt 26:
         37-38
         a. Those who had been with Him from the beginning - Mt 4:18-22
         b. Those who were privy to one of His greatest miracles - Mk
            5:37-43
         c. Those who saw Him transfigured on the mountain - Mt 17:1-2
         d. Including the disciple "whom He loved" - Jn 13:23; 19:26;
            20:2; 21:7,20,24
      2. Yet after each episode of praying, He found them sleeping - Mt
         26:40-41,43,45
         a. When He desired fellowship for comfort, there was none to
            be found
         b. The Psalmist foretold this would happen - cf. Ps 69:20



II. THE GARDEN WAS A PLACE OF STRENGTH

   A. WHEN JESUS EXPRESSED AGONIZING PRAYER...
      1. The agony in His prayer is:
         a. Seen by His posture:  "He...fell on His face" - Mt 26:39
         b. Heard in His words:  "O My Father, if it is possible, let
            this cup pass from Me" - Mt 26:39,42,44
      2. It was "godly fear" Jesus expressed, and for such His prayer
         was heard - He 5:7
         a. Not that the cup (of suffering) was removed
         b. But that He would be able to drink it

   B. WHEN JESUS EXTENDED ENTIRE RESIGNATION...
      1. As evidenced by His words:
         a. "Not as I will, but as You will." - Mt 26:39
         b. "if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it,
            Your will be done." - Mt 26:42
      2. When man first said "My will, not Thine be done..."
         a. It opened the flood gate of sin
         b. It turned man out of the Paradise of God
      3. But when Jesus said "Not as I will, but as You will..."
         a. Victory over sin and access to the Tree of Life became
            possible
         b. For it prepared Jesus to go to the cross to make it 
            possible

   C. WHEN JESUS ENJOYED SPECIAL COMFORT...
      1. Jesus received an answer to His prayer - cf. Lk 22:43
         a. Not the answer He requested (let this cup pass from Me)
         b. But strength from an angel!
      2. Like the apostle Paul would pray later - cf. 2Co 12:7-10
         a. Asking the Lord to remove his thorn in the flesh
         b. Receiving an answer different than requested, but more than
            sufficient to meet the need!

   D. WHEN JESUS EVINCED RENEWED RESOLVE...
      1. Strengthened, Jesus was ready to face the hour at hand - Mt
         26:45
      2. He was ready to meet His betrayer and those with him - Mt 26:
         46-47

CONCLUSION

1. So "The Garden Of Gethsemane" was a place of both suffering and
   strength...
   a. Jesus entered the garden suffering
   b. He left the garden strengthened in His resolve

2. Notice what turned the place of suffering into a place of strength:
   prayer!
   a. Prayer that is fervent and persistent
   b. Prayer in which one submits to the will of God
   c. Prayer in which one is strengthened
   d. Prayer that enables one to face the cup of life given them

3. There will be times when we must enter our "Garden of Gethsemane"...
   a. Times of distress, sorrow, loneliness
   b. But such times can also be a time of comfort and strength
    Provided we spend them in prayer, and be willing to accept the
      Father's will

Jesus found prayer to be the key for turning a garden of suffering into
a garden of strength.  As Christians we have a similar blessing in
prayer:

   "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
   supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known
   to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
   will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Php 4:6-7

May we never neglect to utilize this wonderful gift, especially since
we now have Jesus Himself to intercede on our behalf!

   "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed
   through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast
   our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot
   sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted
   as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to
   the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace
   to help in time of need." - He 4:14-16

   "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who
   come to God through Him, since He always lives to make
   intercession for them." - He 7:25

April 19 AM

The Betrayal Of Jesus (26:47-50)

INTRODUCTION

1. Certainly one of the saddest moments in the life of Jesus was His
betrayal by Judas...
a. One of Jesus' closest disciples, even one of His twelve apostles
- Mt 26:47-50
b. Who had been privileged to a part of Jesus' ministry here on
earth - Ac 1:17

2. What led Judas to betray his Lord and Savior? How could one who had
been with Jesus...
a. Seen His miracles
b. Heard His teachings
...betray Him with a kiss?

3. What about us, who claim to be Jesus' disciples today?
a. Could we be guilty of betraying Jesus in some way?
b. Are there things that misled Judas that could have a similar
effect on us?



I. JESUS WAS BETRAYED BY A CLOSE FRIEND

A. JUDAS WAS NO STRANGER TO JESUS...
1. As already mentioned, he was one of the apostles - Mt 10:2-4
2. He was among those whom Jesus loved - Jn 13:1
3. Yet as prophesied, Jesus was betrayed by "a familiar friend"
- Ps 41:9

B. BEING CLOSE TO JESUS IS NO GUARANTEE...
1. Just being His disciples is no assurance we could not betray
Him
2. Like several of the churches in Asia Minor, we could...
a. Leave our first love - Re 2:4-5
b. Begin to tolerate false doctrine - Re 2:14-16
c. Permit false teachers to spread their doctrines - Re 2:20
d. Fail to perfect our works, and not be watchful - Re 3:1-3
e. Become lukewarm - Re 3:15-16
3. Yes, we can betray Jesus by denying Him who bought us - 2 Pe
2:1


II. JESUS WAS BETRAYED BY A LOVER OF MONEY

A. MONEY WAS A PROBLEM FOR JUDAS...
1. He often pilfered from the money box - Jn 12:4-6
2. The opportunity to make money led him to betray Jesus - Mt 26:
14-16

B. MONEY CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR US...
1. The deceitfulness of riches can render us unfruitful - Mt 13:
22
2. The desire for riches and the love of money can lead us to
stray from the faith and drown in destruction and perdition
- 1Ti 6:9-10
3. The Laodiceans' preoccupation with wealth made them lukewarm
- Re 3:16-17



III. JESUS WAS BETRAYED BY A SHOW OF AFFECTION

A. JUDAS BETRAYED JESUS WITH A KISS...
1. He could have simply pointed...perhaps by kissing he sought to
soften the blow of betrayal - Mt 26:48-49
2. Jesus noted the obvious contradiction - Lk 22:47-48

B. DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION DON'T ENSURE FAITHFULNESS...
1. Many people are very emotional in their religion
a. As displayed in their worship
b. Believing it to be evidence of being "Spirit-filled"
2. Yet emotions alone are not a reliable guide
a. They can easily mislead us - cf. Pr 16:25; Jer 10:23; 17:9
b. They are often present in the unstable believer - Mt 13:
20-21
3. This is not to discount the place and value of emotions
a. We are to love God with all our heart and with all our mind
- Mt 22:37-38
b. The Spirit does produce fruit in our lives that affects our
emotions - Ga 5:22-23
b. But we must keep them in the proper order:
1) Our emotions must come from faith, not faith coming from
emotions
2) Otherwise we are led by emotionalism, not faith
  And true faith comes from the Word of God - Ro 10:17;
Jn 20:30-31



IV. JESUS WAS BETRAYED BY A MISTAKEN DISCIPLE

A. JUDAS MISTOOK THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS ACTION...
1. He evidently didn't think Jesus would be condemned - Mt 27:3-4
2. This has prompted some to think that Judas was motivated by
more than money
a. That perhaps his betrayal would force Jesus to act, show
His true power
b. That in such a way it would demonstrate who Jesus truly was

B. WE CAN BE GUILTY OF MISTAKEN SERVICE...
1. Thinking our service is acceptable, when it is not - Mt 7:
21-23
2. Thinking we can improve on God's way, when we can't know what
He wants unless He reveals it - Isa 55:8-9
3. We need to head the Preacher's advice - cf. Ec 5:1-2
a. Come to hear and do what He says
b. Not presume to know what pleases God and offer what we
think is best



V. JESUS WAS BETRAYED BY AN OVERWROUGHT FOLLOWER

A. JUDAS REACTED TO HIS SIN THE WRONG WAY...
1. He was overcome with grief - Mt 27:3
2. He took the wrong course of action and hung himself - Mt 27:5

B. WE CAN REACT TO OUR SINS THE SAME WAY...
1. There are two kinds of sorrow - 2Co 7:10
a. Sorrow of the world that produces death
b. Godly sorrow that produces repentance
  The first is sorrow where one is preoccupied with self; the
other is sorrow due to sinning against God
2. It is natural to be sorrowful for our sins
a. But we should not wallow in our grief
b. But repent, as did Peter who denied Christ
3. Paul provides another example of one who did not let his sins
of the past hinder his service in the present
a. He focused on God's grace which gave him another chance
- 1Co 15:9-10
b. He directed his attention on striving for the upward call
of God - Php 3:12-14

CONCLUSION

1. While Jesus was betrayed by all these things, let's not forget the
influence of Satan...
a. Satan used Judas to betray Jesus - Lk 22:3-4
b. Satan put it in Judas' heart to betray Jesus - Jn 13:2
  For this reason Jesus referred to Judas as "a devil" - Jn 6:70-71

2. Yet how did Satan influence Judas? By some of the very things we've
noticed...
a. Through his love of money
b. Through his emotionalism
c. Through his mistaken ideas
d. Through his preoccupation with self
  Even Peter was influenced by Satan through some of these things
(cf. Mt 16:23)

And so while we may decry the treachery of Judas, we should humbly
learn from his mistakes, taking to heart the words of Peter:

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks
about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist
him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings
are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."
- 1Pe 5:9-10