As part of a perception project arranged by The Washington Post, a man emerged from the Metro train in Washington, DC. He positioned himself against a wall beside a trashcan. He was a normal looking white male in jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and a Washington Nationals baseball cap. He removed a violin from a small case. He placed the open case at his feet, and he threw in a few dollars as seed money. And then he began to play. For the next 45 minutes, he played Mozart and Schubert on the train platform. It all took place when an estimate of over 1,000 people would have normally passed through the station. But most of people didn’t even notice him there playing.
Now, if some of them were attentive, they might have recognized who he was or his work. He was Joshua Bell a world-renowned violinist. Maybe they would have noticed the violin he played—a rare Stradivarius worth over $3 million dollars.
It was just three days earlier that Joshua Bell played at a sold out crowd at the Boston Symphony Hall—the least expensive seat went for $100. In the subway, Bell collected about $32 from the 27 people who stopped long enough to give a donation.
Would more people have stopped had they known who was playing that violin? Would they have listened and paid more careful attention if they knew it was Joshua Bell?
Would we this morning pay attention to Jesus before we celebrate communion.
In Hebrews chapter 1, the writer tells us that we need to worship and adore Jesus Christ because of who He is. Hebrews 1:1-2 “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.”
In chapter 1 we learn that Jesus owns everything v.2. He made everything v.2 . He is Lord of all v.2 , He is the Heir of all things v.2, He is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe v.3. He is the Revealer of God v.3. He is The Redeemer of mankind v.3, and High Priest v.3.
In chapter 2 the writer of Hebrews states that we need to worship and adore Jesus Christ because of what He has done.
The writer of Hebrews tells us in 2:1 we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, verse 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation,
What was that great salvation Jesus provided for us that we shouldn’t neglect?
What is this great salvation the writer is referring to? Well, the word salvation means “deliverance.” Sometimes the word is used to describe physical deliverance such as being rescued from your enemies. Often the word “salvation” is used in the Old Testament as a way of physical deliverance. However in the book of Hebrews the word “salvation” refers to our spiritual deliverance.
Notice in Hebrews Chapter 2:9-11 of what Jesus has done. “We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,”
This passage in Hebrews and then considering the phrase in 2:3 “so great a salvation,” reminds us that the main theme whenever we celebrate communion is about “our great salvation.”
There are three aspects of Jesus’ salvation. Past—I have been delivered from the penalty of sin; Present—I am being delivered from the power of sin; and Future—I will be delivered from the presence of sin.
There is initial salvation, which is past; progressive salvation, which is present; and final salvation, which is future. Let’s take a moment to consider each of these.
First, there is initial salvation. This is deliverance from the penalty of sin. When a person trusts in Jesus Christ as Savior, they experience this aspect of salvation. God forgives them of their sin and makes them a child of God. Because of this, they will not experience God’s wrath in hell. They are justified—which means that God declares them right in His sight. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” That’s past salvation—I have been delivered from the penalty of sin.
Now, as we are to move forward in our Christian life by experiencing progressive salvation. This is deliverance from the power of sin. As a Christian walks in obedience to Jesus Christ, he experiences sanctification—victory over sin. Philippians 2:12 says, “Continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” That’s present salvation—I am being delivered from the power of sin.
Then God will ultimately bring all believers to complete salvation. They will experience deliverance from the very presence of sin itself. We will experience this aspect of salvation because we will be glorified— we will receive our glorified bodies, no longer will sin touch or taint us.
For this reason, Hebrews 2:12 says “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
When we participate in communion we declare Jesus as our Savior and praise Him for what he has done.
(Moment of Mediation)
Would the servers come forward at this time please … and as they come I would remind you that the elements on this table, the bread and the cup that you will soon hold in your own hands, is a tangible reminder, both of our forgiveness found in Jesus sacrifice, and God’s grace in extending that forgiveness to others.
Please take the double cup. The top has the fruit of the vine and the bottom cup has the bread.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 11:23:
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
To conclude our communion we take a collection. This offering is for needs for our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is a voluntary offering and we ask that you give as you are led. We base our giving on the Scriptural text:
I John 3:17-24 “But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
And this is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”