Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. my sermon ideas and illustrations are often taken from many sources including those at Sermoncentral.com, there could be instances where other minister’s wording is used, or wording similar. I am not trying to steal anything from anyone else, just trying to help others proclaim the gospel. my sermons are not copyrighted and may be used or preached freely. May God richly bless you as you read these words. It is my sincere desire that all who read them may be enriched. All scriptures quoted in these sermons are copied and quoted from the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible.
CHRISTMAS COMMUNION
From the Stable to the Table [Last Supper]
as we get ready to take of communion
Tonight I want to remind all of you that Christ was ’born to die.’
Lying in the manger within a stable in Bethlehem is the first gift of Christmas, wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Over the next 33 years much would happen, leading from the stable to that table upon which the Last Supper was served.
On the front of this communion table are found the words, “This do in remembrance of Me.” When we come to observe this ordinance, it should be a time of remembrance of the difference Christ made—past, present, and future.
Now we don’t need some ghost to escort us, through christmas past, present, and future like you see in the movies
we only need God’s Word and His Holy Spirit, so that we may remember:
First
• CHRISTMAS PAST—Remember the Lord’s death
Hebrews 10:5
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
-The lords death was only made possible by His birth
There’s something special about little babies…so precious and perfect, so simple and serene. And that paper soft skin, and that smell! To watch a newborn sleep strengthens your soul, and you’d think this little one doesn’t even have a sin nature…and then, they start to cry, and the smell changes drastically, and reality sets in!
Mary’s little Lamb was the first truly spotless lamb.
The Old Testament centered on the sacrifice of unblemished lambs.
Jesus was to be the “once and for all” Lamb.
Hebrews 10:10
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Christ was God’s gift for our redemption.
Made possible by His birth…
-his death was made meaningful by His life
It was Christmas Past when that tiny gift was presented to the world, and that gift kept on giving as He kept not sinning.
Perfect was this Lamb, living the life sinful man could not live.
And He saved just as He gave gifts to all who would believe on Him—all who would unwrap God’s gift of the Savior…in Christmases Past!
as it got close to time of his death
Jesus desired to have a few last hours with His disciples to instruct them on some last things.
This do—was the way of showing forth his death. And His death was made possible by His birth, and made meaningful by His life. He was born to die, that we might live!
-This death was made monumental by His resurrection!
[birth, life, death, then breath!]
Christ conquered death, hell, and the grave…and so His gift continues giving to us eternally!
then we have
• CHRISTMAS PRESENT—Remember the Lord’s steps [and walk in them]
The word “communion” is an action word which means: “fellowship, participate in, share together, have in common.”
The observance is not simply keeping a dead memory alive. It is entering into the presence of one who lived, died, was raised from the dead by the power of God, and is alive forevermore.
Above all that He is present with us always and is represented here and now—at the table.
therefore I say that Christmas should be much more about this table than the stable pf long ago
Jesus wanted to have communion with His disciples.
He wanted them to think often of Him.
He wanted them to walk as He walked…
and He wants us to, as well.
I Peter 2:21
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.
He left us here to continue His work and legacy and He promised in…
John 14:12
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
We are a fellowship of believers.
When we sit at the Lord’s table, it is as if we were present with Jesus during that final meal.
Most definitely, He is with us.
At the Lord’s table we call to mind the high cost of our salvation.
While it is free to us, it cost Christ dearly—His very body and life’s blood.
Sometimes, in the things we do, we don’t show forth His death as much as He requires.
Instead, we live for ourselves and often crucify Him anew.
Heb. 10: 28&29
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing?
Before we finish considering Christmas Present, have you considered what will be your Christmas Present to the One Whose birthday it’s all about?
Make sure He gets the best…
make sure and spend the most on him make sure the “thoughts that count” are in place today and throughout the season, and beyond!
finally we have
• CHRISTMAS FUTURE—Remember His soon return
I Cor. 11:26
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show forth the Lord’s death till he comes.”
You proclaim the Lord’s death “Till He Comes.” Did three words ever tell more?
Jesus spoke of His coming kingdom.
He Who came into the world as a baby in Bethlehem will take us out of the world before the coming judgment!
When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are to remember the promise of His return.
you see The Last Supper wasn’t really the last, for the next supper is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and the table is already being set!
Rev. 19:7-10
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. [8] And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. [9] And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.
as we think of the 3 tenses of Christmas—past, present, and future—let us be sure to remember that our past is forgiven and forgotten [or can be!], our present is a gift of life that cannot be purchased by us but rather has been purchased for us for Christ has redeemed us,
and that our future is unwritten except for the end… we know what the back of the book says.
Take your clean slate, and walk in His steps, until He comes!
I will ask (helpers) to come at this time
As we approach the Lord’s table, let’s do as we do when we approach our own and give thanks…for the stable where it all started, for the sinless life, and for the body and the blood, sacrificed for us.
He Who was born to die didn’t stop there…
He died that we might live, and He rose to make it possible!
Just like the song says
Living He loved me, dying He saved me, buried He carried my sins far away, rising He justified, freely forever, and one day He’s coming, Oh glorious day!
as we prepare to take of this communion let's remember we are warned to first examine ourselves
first corinthians 11:28-31
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
So with that I'm going to play this song and as it plays I wan't to invite you to all examine yourselves and if there is any sin in your life make sure to put it all under the blood I'm going to and this is the opportunity for everyone else to make sure to as well
ask someone to pray in thanks for the body
As this bread is distributed just hold onto it and we will eat together
verses 23&24
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
take and eat
ask someone to pray in thanks for the blood
Again as this juice representing the blood is distributed hold onto it and we will drink together
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
take and drink
Pray final prayer of thanks
let me ask is there anyone that has anything to add to our communion service tonight
dismiss!
