January 22, 2017
Scripture:
Hymn 268 - There is a stream of precious blood
Prayer
We’ve started a new series looking at the last few days before the cross, and last time we saw that it was Passover time. The Passover looked forward to the cross where Jesus, the real Passover lamb, would die. However, we don’t celebrate the Passover today. Instead, Jesus started something new on the last Passover. Let’s take a look.
Luke 22:7-20
The Disciples asked Jesus, “Where do you want us to get the Passover ready?” “Go into the city,” Jesus said, “You’ll find a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him.” He told them what would happen, what to say to the people they met, and everything happened just as He said it would.
Once they were together eating the Passover, Jesus gave the disciples a loaf and a cup to all partake of. He was on His way to the cross and wasn’t going to eat of the Passover anymore; so He gave them the Breaking of Bread in its place.
Mentioning the Breaking of Bread brings up the question, why do we meet as we do? Do we have Scripture for it? We believe that we do. This is one such passage; so let’s dig into it.
Firstly, the disciples were to go into the city. You’ll find in the New Testament that the different assemblies were identified by the cities they were in. The disciples would meet a man; the assembly is the work of the Holy Spirit. We can’t see Him, but we can sense Him. He is the authority and guide of the assembly. This man was carrying a pitcher of water; this is the water of the word. How we meet is by the Spirit of God, and based on His word. The House represents the body of Christ, the house of God. The goodman is God, who lives in that house. The Master is the Lord Jesus Christ. The Passover is what is being celebrated, followed by the institution of the Breaking of Bread. The disciples are who the Lord is in the midst of. The guest chamber is the meeting room. It is large because it embraces all believers, and it is an upper chamber because it is heavenly and spiritual. The room is the place in which the remembrance happens. It is furnished, showing that we must make it ready, and have the emblems of Christ’s death there. Finally “make ready” reminds us that we must prepare our hearts to be in Jesus’ presence, and enjoy it.
We trust that we meet these requirements, and that the Lord meets with us here. This was the last real Passover; symbolically, it stopped after this. When will the Breaking of Bread stop? When the Lord returns. 1 Corinthians 11 says that we: “Do shew the Lord’s death, til He come.”
1 Thessalonians 2
The last verses of this chapter are part of the key note of this book. They are in reference to the Lord’s coming. Also, the first three chapters of this book are on what has already happened, while four and five are about what will happen. Chapter one spoke about the Thessalonians salvation. This chapter speaks of the servants who did it, and how they did it. It talks about the ways they brought the Gospel to them, but more about how they didn’t do it. Paul and his team had something precious and special, a trust, God had given them. They were out there sharing it, and God used their manner and approach.
Their entrance was also mentioned in verse nine of chapter one. Mr. Kelly says that it is obvious that they were not there just for a visit. They had a purpose. They loved these people enough to bring the truth to them. Verse two reminds us what happened in Acts when they brought the Gospel. The jailer at Philippi was a little rough before he was converted. They may have been singing, but they were also hurting. We might not have been hopping up to go to the next city if we were in their shoes. It definitely wasn’t smooth sailing, but they were bold in delivering the message.
In verse three we have three of the negatives of how they delivered the message. It was not of deceit. It wasn’t another religion. It was divine truth -pure. There was no guile - no tricks. It was delivered in sincerity and honesty. Their boldness was in God not in themselves. We don’t give out the Gospel in our own strength.
Paul was a chosen vessel, and in 1 Corinthians 13 he says it’s not of himself, but what he had received. He had a heavy burden of responsibility and trust. When giving out the Gospel we don’t want to displease people. but we are telling them what they don’t always want to hear. It is not for entertainment.
They were responsible before God, not man. There was a divine side before the human side. Darby translates “trieth” in verse four as “proves”. He knows what the motive is - to please man or God. The Gospel needs to come from the heart.
Paul’s love for people was amazing, in spite of the fact that some hated him. But they would never hear the Gospel unless there was a preacher. He didn’t use flattery or covetousness. Paul said God was his witness. He was not looking for fame or position. He wouldn’t even take anything from them for free. He made his own money.
So, these first verses seem to be more of what they weren’t. But verse seven begins to tell of what they were to them.
Hymn 40 - The gospel of Thy grace
Prayer