Smell the incense as Bro. Jim slowly walked the aisles gently swinging a smoking censer. Be reminded of the importance God placed on its usage during sacrifices in the Old Testament, remember the frankincense brought by the wise man and finally the ultimate sacrifice made by Christ for His bride the Church. "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour." -Ephesians 5:2
See the cross: The church sang "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" with "Oh the Wonderful Cross" (bids me come and die and find that I can truly live) as one of the Easter Pageant crosses, rough and bloody with a crown of thorns around the top, weighing heavily on the shoulder of Bro. Ted, was carefully dragged to the front and hoisted into its spot front & center of the choir then spotlighted with blue. "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:8
Hear the nails. I'm not sure what Bro. Brad was hitting with that hammer but the metal on metal sound rang through the sanctuary. Clang........Clang......Clang.... slowly pounding over and over. We were reminded that our sin was the cause, we could have driven those nails with our very hands, that He could have chosen not to pay for us but loved us to death and back. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
Pastor James encouraged us make sure we were right with God as he reminded us of 1 Corinthians 11: 27-31 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment.
Then we sang and prayed through the Lord's Supper as Pastor reminded us of the significance.
Touch the bread. Crusty loaves were broken, passed and pieces torn away. And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."Luke 22:19
Taste the juice, the new covenant of grace so we are no longer under the law! In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Luke 22:20
Then we sang "Oh What a Savior" with a side of "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe" and Pastor James took the solo verses. Most of the church were on their feet by the second verse and all were up, praising God by the end of the song.
Oh what, what a Savior, O Hallelujah
His heart was broken on Calvary
His hands were nail-scarred
His side was riven
He gave His life’s blood for even me - yes for you and me!
Pastor James reminded us that we are to "do this in remembrance of Me" UNTIL Jesus returns. The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My Body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the New Covenant in My Blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26
He has gone to prepare a place for those who love Him and is just waiting on His Father to tell Him to come get us.
ARE YOU READY?
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Admit to God you are a sinner.
Believe that Jesus is God's Son.
Confess your faith in Jesus as your Savior & Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment