Today we celebrate the Lord’s Supper and as always it is my prayer that this is just not something we do on the first Sunday of the month. I hope we truly look into or hearts to make sure that we are ready to partake of the communion. As we remember that today want to encourage us to live a life that will glorify him and remember what he has done for us and at the same time to push ahead in this world and the way that He pushed ahead. We found this example in Hebrews 13.
Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
The altar from which God gives us the gift of himself is not for exploitation by insiders who grab and loot. In the old system, the animals are killed and the bodies disposed of outside the camp. The blood is then brought inside to the altar as a sacrifice for sin. It’s the same with Jesus. He was crucified outside the city gates—that is where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God’s altar to cleanse his people. 13-15So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name. 16Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.
We must
- Go Out
- Let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
- Give Thanks
- Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name
- Give Up
- But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
You can download the PowerPoint presentation: Living a Life Worthy
