Amazing Love
Today we will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper together. As I was thinking about what to share with you this morning, God’s amazing love came to mind. A love so amazing, so wonderful; beyond human comprehension. At least more than my mind can understand. John 3:16-17 never ceases to amaze me, and I never grow tired of hearing it. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” We all know and love this verse. God’s love is amazing. I often think of this verse in preparing my heart for communion. We celebrate with joy and thanksgiving Christ’s love for us, His completed work on the cross, atonement for sin, for your sins, for my sins. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
I have titled this message “Amazing Love”, based on the hymn “And Can It Be” by Charles Wesley. I always enjoy hearing hymn stories so I thought I would share some of the background of this hymn with you. Charles Wesley was said to have written an average of ten poetic lines per day for fifty years. He wrote over 8,900 hymns, some of the most memorable ones include: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, “And Can It Be”, and “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”. Charles was born in December of 1707 the 18th of 19 children and was the brother of another famous Wesley, John Wesley. He and his siblings spent six hours a day under the instruction of his mother learning Greek, Latin, and French. He attended Westminster school for 13 years and then 9 years at Oxford University where he formed the Holy Club, later to become the Methodist Church. In 1735 Charles and John traveled to the colony of Georgia as missionaries, but returned to England the following year after suffering rejection and illness. They came home questioning their faith and John is quoted as saying, “I went to convert the Indians, but oh, who shall convert me?” Charles likely shared his brother’s feelings. After returning home Charles met a Moravian named Peter Bohler who became a spiritual mentor to him. In May of 1738, Charles fell ill and suffered many struggles which drove him to seek to know Christ more and began reading Martin Luther’s book on Galatians. On May 17th, 1738 Charles had a true conversion experience and recorded in his journal, “At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleeping or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation, and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do exceedingly abundantly for me above what I can ask or think.” Two days later he began writing the hymn “And Can It Be” celebrating the joy of his conversion.
So, there is a little history on Charles Wesley and why he wrote this hymn. Let us look at what we can learn from this hymn. In the first stanza Wesley is speaking of his amazement of God’s deep love for us, that Christ the Savior died for us. Amazing love! Exclamation point! “How can it be, that thou my God should die for me?” 1 John 3:1 says, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God!” Again, behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us! Recall again John 3:16. For God so loved the world – you and me – that He gave His only begotten Son – Jesus Christ – that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. That is amazing love!
In the second stanza Wesley speaks of God’s infinite grace and mercy and Christ’s love and humility. John 6:38 reads “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” He came to do the Father’s will, to make the way of salvation through His blood. He “Emptied Himself of all but love and bled for Adam’s helpless race.” Philippians 2:5-8, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Jesus set aside His divine attributes, came down from heaven, became a bond servant, put on flesh – the likeness of men. He identified with our human needs and weaknesses yet was sinless. He humbled Himself, subjected Himself to humility, even to the point of death by crucifixion. He did this out of obedience to the Father and His amazing love for us.
In the third stanza Wesley speaks of the bondage of sin and the freedom found in following Christ. “Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin… I woke, the dungeon flamed with light, my chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth and followed Thee!” In Romans 6:16-18 Paul says “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin, leading to death, or of obedience, leading to righteousness? But God be thanked, that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” Jesus says in John 8:34-36 “Most assuredly I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Jesus Christ has the power to break our bondage from sin and set us free! Amazing love!
Finally, in the last stanza, Wesley tells of the result of Christ’s work. Believers need not fear condemnation. We are alive in Christ, clothed in righteousness, and are free to boldly approach the throne of God. We can claim the crown of righteousness. “No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine; alive in Him my living head” Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” As believers we are no longer condemned, our death penalty was paid in full by Christ Jesus! Amazing love! We are alive in Him – 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam, all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive!” Next, “Clothed in righteousness divine” Isaiah 61:10 says “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for if He clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels.” Wesley then proclaims “Bold I approach the eternal throne” Let us look at Hebrews 10:19-22. “Therefore, brethren, having Boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Because of Christ’s sacrifice we have unrestricted access to God! Again, amazing love! And finally, Wesley ends the hymn with “And claim the crown, through Christ my own.” Paul records for us in 2 Timothy 4:8 “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Charles Wesley wrote this wonderful hymn as an expression of his gratitude for God’s amazing love and the gift of salvation that is offered freely to all who call on the name of the Lord. As we prepare our hearts to celebrate the Lord’s Table today, let us remember God’s amazing love for us. Salvation is a gift; it cannot be earned. Jesus paid the price for our sins. He has broken our chains, the bonds of sin and set us free. Charles asks the question “And can it be – that thou my God should die for me?” not in doubt, but in amazement. I think he answers his own question with a resounding YES! Christ did die for him. He died for you, and He died for me. We come together with joy and thanksgiving to celebrate communion in remembrance of Christ’s Amazing Love!
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your amazing love. Thank you for sending Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to step down from his throne, to empty Himself of all but love and robe himself in flesh, to take on humanity and become a servant. Thank you that He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death on the cross to pay the price for our sin with His own blood. Thank you that He conquered death and that He is our risen Savior and provides the way of salvation to all who will call upon His name. Amen.
Remember Me
Didn’t Jeremy do a great job? He should have wrapped this up instead of me. I am sure that after hearing my portion, you would agree.
Dear Friends in Christ, there may not be a better time to celebrate the Lord’s Table than right now. I think you would have to agree with me that the times we are living in seem crazy. We have a virus that is going through our country that has put people at odds. Some people who are at high risk are stuck inside, while others dance in the street outside bars (thank God I have not seen that in Rhinelander so far). There is so much information available, yet one does not know what to believe.
The hate in this nation is worse than I have ever seen it, and I have been around since Moses. All you have to do is, turn on a political ad or go on social media to see it. We have movements that are against the family and the way God designed His creation. We are worried about some lives, while passing laws to kill others. It seems that even Christians are divided. As I said, it may be a perfect time to celebrate the Lords table and focus on what Paul told the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 11:17-21
“Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.”
Remember when the Israelites where in Egypt? The only way they could protect themselves from the death angel, who would take the firstborn in every house, was to kill a lamb, take the blood of the lamb, put it on the doorpost and the lintel, and then they ate the lamb along with some unleavened bread and herbs as the Passover meal. So, they ate a meal, and made a sacrifice to God, put blood on the door, and the angel passed over, and that was the key to the deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
Whenever an Israelite, wanted to go back and remember God as Deliverer, God as Savior, God as Redeemer, he always remembered God who delivered them out of bondage in Egypt. God instituted the Passover to be celebrated annually as a remembrance, and they still do it today, the Jewish Passover. But on the night, before Jesus’ death, while the disciples were eating the Passover meal, in the setting of that ancient feast, held in remembrance of God’s redemption of Israel from the slavery of Egypt, Jesus took that meal and transformed it into a new meal. He took a cup and bread from the Passover meal and made a remarkable transition when He said, “This cup is my blood; this bread is my body, and this is something new that you do in remembrance of Me.”
This tradition of “Breaking Bread” would continue in the early church. “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:41-42). Look what they did: they studied the word together, they fellowshipped – ministered to one another and carried out the duties of a Christian community, broke bread, they ate together which included the Lord’s Supper and then they prayed. I read that these early believers would eat together daily. I don’t know about that, but I am sure it was often.
The church at Corinth would have been no different. The believers would have come together for a potluck meal with the Lord’s Supper at the end of it. Remember a few weeks back when Pastor was going though Philippians 4:21-22 – “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.” He mentioned that “Caesar’s household” would include everyone under his command or authority. This would include the guards that were saved when Paul shared the gospel with them. The church at Corinth would also be made up of households of people. This means that rich people and slaves would be part of the church. They became a common brotherhood of the slave and the rich man, and the slaves’ needs were then being met by rich men who could meet needs. And there was a beautiful oneness. They ate in different houses. They began to mingle their lives, and part of this was the celebration of the breaking of bread commemorating the communion of our Lord.
In Corinth, they had come together on this basis. They had a full-blown dinner first, and then the Lord’s Supper. But they had absolutely made it into a disaster. It became a drunken, gluttonous, selfish exercise. The rich people would bring the food – it was supposed to be potluck, and supposed to be a common meal, where there was a symbolic kind of sharing of food which symbolized the sharing of everything in the Christian community.
But they would come together, and the rich people would run and get there real early and eat all their food before the poor had arrived. And then the poor would come, it was all gone. Some people were turning into gluttons, and others were going home hungry. So, you have rich people and the poor people; those who could bring plenty, and those who could bring hardly anything. The rich didn’t share with the poor; they ate in exclusive little groups. The result was that the social occasion that was supposed to eliminate the differences, wound up building huge walls between people.
In our passage we see several reasons why Paul could not praise them:
- “Since you come together not for the better but for the worse” – When they came together to partake in something that was to make them better, to promote their spiritual interests, it was making them worse, pulling them further apart.
- “I hear that there are divisions among you” – The Greek means “Schisma” – dissension, a difference of opinion. This was not the first time this church had a difference of opinion. Paul warned them in chapter three about the envy, strife and divisions they had then, “for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:3-9).
Not only was there a difference of opinion on who to follow, they had the rich and poor not getting along, they also apparently were having a difference of opinion on other things.
- “For there must also be factions among you” – Paul believed if there was division among them, there also need to be factions within them. I found myself asking what the difference is. The Greek word for faction is “hairesis”or heresy. John MacArthur explained it like this “The word “heresy” doesn’t mean totally what we’ve made it mean today. It comes from a root that stresses the idea of a choice, choosing. It simply means the choice of a group who hold a given opinion. It’s translated again and again in the Gospels by the word “sect.” It’s a group of people who hold an opinion. It doesn’t have to be bad; it doesn’t mean that it’s good. It’s used in a neutral sense in, say, Acts 24; it talks about the sect of the Nazarenes. It isn’t necessarily bad. It’s used in a bad sense in Galatians 5:20 where it refers to one of the works of the flesh, hairesis, or heresies, what it means is differences of opinion. And there it has to do with a selfish contention. It has to do with a self-centered, factious clique kind of thing. That’s its use here.”
Paul is saying that we should not be surprised when factions come. The ESV reads – “for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.” As I said at the beginning of my portion. We live in crazy times, in which we will all have our difference of opinions on what is going on, what the right thing to do is. Yet, we are to remain united. In the end isn’t that what Paul is really telling them. Remember what Jesus said the two greatest commandments were in Matthew 22:34-40? “But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
So how do we do that? I think one answer can be found in the words of Christ, recited later on by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 “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; 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.” 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.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
Look at this – Paul is just delivering to the people that which he received from Christ. Could there be a better source? But I want to focus on three words that Christ gave Paul, His Disciples and that He gave us, “Remembrance of Me”. How do we remember Christ? Look what Paul said in chapter 11 verse 1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ”. Although I am sure you can come up with more, I can think of three ways to remember Christ
As we come to the Lord’s table, we remember Christ for what He has done for us. As we were going through our study this last Wednesday, we discussed Matthew 18:21-30. This parable illustrates perfectly what Christ did. “Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.“ But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.”
Jesus is the first King, someday He will come to collect the debt we owe Him. At today’s rates the 10,000 talents would be $3.48 billion, take 200,000 years of labor to pay back, or 60 million working days. Yet because He went to the cross for us the debt was forgiven. I don’t know about you, but there is no way I could ever pay my debt. I am so glad that Jesus paid it for me.
On the other hand, when the servant who was forgiven his debt went to collect 100 denarii that had been owed him, which is worth roughly $50. He would not forgive the debt and threw the person in prison. I pray that I would never be like this servant. How can I be forgiven a debt I can never pay back and not forgive others their debt?
Let us remember who He was and what He gave up. ”Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus was God, yet He humbled Himself came to earth, became a man, took on our sin and put it on the cross, which was one of the worst ways to die so we could be free.
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:15-18). Jesus is the exact likeness of God, as the firstborn over all creation Christ is heir to the throne. Not only that, but everything has been made by Him and for Him. He is the One who holds all things together. The head of the church and the firstborn from the dead, so we can have eternal life. If Christ can humble himself being all of that, why should I not humble myself knowing I deserve nothing.
When Paul told the church at Corinth to “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ”, he could not have picked a better role model. Look what He told His disciples in Matthew 20:24-28, when two of them were vying for positions in heaven. “And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Jesus told them that even though the world will hold positions of authority over each other that was not what they were supposed to do. They are to follow His example and serve others. For if anyone deserved to be served, it would have been the firstborn of all creation. Yet, He laid down His life for His enemies – for you and me. Should we not imitate Christ and serve other’s even if it cost us something to do so?
The final passage we are going to look at before we take the Lord’s Table is Matthew 7:1-6.“Judgenot, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” What a fitting passage before we prepare our hearts to come together to take communion. Remember the 3.48 billion dollars in debt we owe the Lord? If anyone is justified to look at our specks it would be Christ, for He did not have anything in His eyes. If I am worried about my brother how do I have time to see the plank (sin) in my eye? I am not saying to ignore a sinning brother, the Bible talks about that. What I am saying is that we need to respect each other and strive for unity in the church, not division. Let us imitate Christ the author and finisher of our faith and proclaimthe Lord’s death till He comes.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for forgiving us our debt that we could never pay back, through Your Son. Father, I pray we that would be united during these tough times we are going through. That our love would grow for one another more each day. We thank you that your church is not a building, but each one of us, and that we can come together whether it is in this building or in our homes. Prepare our hearts as we come together now to take the Lord’s Table. May we always proclaim Christ until He comes. In Jesus name we pray, Amen