Participants:
Series Code: PME
Program Code: PME250322S
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00:12 ♪ 00:22 >> Good morning, everyone. 00:24 Welcome to worship. 00:27 We're glad you came, 00:29 and we pray that it'll be 00:30 a blessing to you. 00:32 How was your week? 00:34 Did it leave you weak? 00:36 [ Laughs ] 00:38 If it did, 00:39 you've come to the right place 00:41 and the right time. 00:43 Worshiping in the presence of 00:44 the Lord gives strength, 00:46 spiritual uplift, 00:48 and everything you really need. 00:50 So we're glad you're here. 00:52 Would you stand as we invite 00:55 the Lord's presence? 00:56 And then, please remain standing 00:59 as we sing our opening hymn. 01:06 Father in Heaven, 01:08 we have gathered here 01:09 to worship you this morning. 01:12 We pray 01:13 that your Holy Spirit would be 01:15 here, come upon us, and empower 01:18 us to offer you our hearts, 01:21 our lives, our selves. 01:23 Thank you. 01:23 Bless the music, 01:25 the spoken word, 01:27 the prayed thoughts, 01:29 and each one of us here. 01:32 We thank you, in Jesus' name. 01:34 Amen. 01:36 [ Organ plays ] 01:39 ♪ 05:44 >> If you have a Bible, 05:46 would you turn, please, 05:46 to Matthew 26:26. 05:51 Matthew 26:26. 05:53 It's on page 669, 05:55 in the red pew Bible 05:56 that's somewhere near 05:57 where you're sitting. 05:58 Page 669. 06:00 Matthew chapter 26, 06:02 beginning with verse 26. 06:04 And we're going to read 06:05 through verse 30. 06:07 The scene is this. 06:09 Somewhere in an upper room 06:10 in Jerusalem, 06:11 Jesus has gathered 06:12 with his disciples 06:14 to engage in something 06:15 which came to be called 06:16 the Last Supper, 06:19 which has a little bit of irony 06:20 to it, because actually, 06:21 it wasn't the last supper. 06:22 It is a supper 06:23 that's been celebrated probably 06:24 millions of times since then. 06:26 And today, 06:27 we are going to celebrate 06:29 that last supper yet again. 06:32 Notice what Jesus says here 06:35 towards the end of the meal. 06:36 Let's set some context here. 06:37 Verse 26. 06:39 "While they were eating, 06:40 Jesus took bread, gave thanks, 06:43 and broke it, 06:44 and gave it to his disciples, 06:46 saying, 'Take and eat. 06:48 This is my body.' 06:51 Then he took the cup, 06:52 gave thanks, and offered 06:54 it to them, saying, 06:55 'Drink from it, all of you. 06:57 This is my blood 06:59 of the covenant, 07:00 which is poured out for many 07:01 for the forgiveness of sins. 07:04 I tell you, 07:05 I will not drink of this fruit 07:07 of the vine from now on 07:09 until that day 07:10 when I drink it anew with you 07:12 in my father's kingdom.' 07:15 When they had sung a hymn, 07:16 they went out 07:18 to the Mount of Olives." 07:21 Verse 29, one more time, please. 07:23 "'I tell you,' Jesus says, 07:25 'I will not drink of this fruit 07:26 of the vine from now on 07:28 until that day 07:30 when I drink it anew with you 07:32 in my father's kingdom.'" 07:39 If I didn't know better, 07:42 I would be tempted to think 07:43 that Jesus' words in verse 29 07:46 don't carry much meaning. 07:50 I mean, they're almost kind of 07:50 like an addendum here at the end 07:52 of a meal together, right? 07:53 You know, they have 07:54 this meal together. 07:55 Jesus says these words 07:56 about his body and the bread 07:57 and his blood 07:58 and the juice there. 08:00 And then he says, 08:01 "And I'm not going to do this 08:02 again until I come 08:03 into the kingdom." 08:04 And there's no record 08:05 of the disciples responding. 08:07 There's no "oohs" 08:07 and "ahs" from them, 08:08 you know, "Praise the Lord. 08:09 This is so wonderful." 08:10 None of that. 08:11 Instead, they just go -- 08:12 they go out. 08:13 They're done with the meal. 08:14 It's like Jesus said, 08:16 "I'm not gonna drink this 08:17 again until the kingdom comes. 08:18 Ciao for now. Let's go," 08:19 and off they go to the garden. 08:20 No one thinks 08:21 anything more of it. 08:26 But if we read the writings 08:28 that many 08:29 of these same disciples 08:30 later wrote, 08:32 it becomes very clear 08:34 that Jesus' words in verse 29, 08:37 far from being trite, 08:38 were extraordinarily 08:40 important to them. 08:41 In fact, they were so special 08:44 that those words in verse 29 08:46 might just have been 08:47 something like this. 08:54 In the early 1980s, 08:57 my family came into possession 09:00 of a brand-new 1983 09:03 Dodge Aries K station wagon. 09:08 Now, I know that most of you 09:09 know exactly 09:10 what that looks like, 09:11 but just in case you don't, 09:13 here's a -- this is 09:14 actually a 1988 example, 09:15 but in those days, 09:16 models didn't change that much 09:17 from year to year, 09:18 so our '83 looked 09:20 pretty much like this. 09:20 It was white. 09:21 It had the black stripe 09:22 down the side, same wheels, 09:23 et cetera, all of that almost 09:26 identical to this picture. 09:27 And I tell you what -- 09:29 this was thrilling 09:31 because no one in my in my blood 09:34 family had ever purchased 09:36 a new car before. 09:39 And that's because we're cheap, 09:40 right? 09:41 We want someone else 09:42 to take the depreciation hit. 09:43 So we're going to wait one 09:45 or two years, somebody else 09:46 is going to take that big drop. 09:47 And in my case, 09:48 I wait 20, 25 years 09:49 before I purchase a vehicle, 09:51 and then I'll have it, right? 09:52 Because all the depreciation 09:52 has gone out of it. 09:54 This was a brand-new car, 09:57 and it was incredibly exciting. 09:58 Now I know what some 09:59 of you are thinking. 10:00 Some of you are thinking, 10:01 "Wow, we just 10:03 don't see thoroughbred classics 10:05 like that on the road 10:06 very much anymore, do we?" 10:08 Right? 10:09 And you're absolutely right. 10:10 And the reason 10:11 why you don't see more of these 10:13 is because the entire Aries 10:14 series of cars 10:15 that Dodge built in the 1980s, 10:18 the engines and transmissions 10:19 were decent, 10:20 but the bodies were made of 10:21 tin foil and paper-maché. 10:23 And if they got near moisture 10:24 of any kind, 10:25 they would begin to melt. 10:26 All right? 10:27 So they didn't last 10:28 terribly long, 10:28 but I didn't know any of that 10:30 in 1983, and frankly, 10:31 I didn't care. 10:33 This was a new car, 10:34 and because of that, 10:35 it was awesome. 10:38 The list of features and 10:39 amenities in this car -- 10:40 I mean, 10:41 it was the length of your arm. 10:42 It was incredible. 10:43 They had, for instance, 10:44 fresh tan velour seats. 10:47 Does any of you 10:48 remember what velour is? 10:49 I mean, it has a smell to it. 10:50 It smelled new to me. 10:51 It was incredible. 10:53 It had chromed plastic door 10:55 handle surrounds and stereo 10:56 knobs and a shifter knob. 10:58 And I mean, there's all kinds 10:59 of plastic chrome 11:00 all throughout the car. 11:01 There was a hideaway cover 11:03 to go over 11:04 the cargo bay in the back, 11:05 for all the secret -- 11:06 top-secret stuff 11:07 that you carry in 11:08 a Dodge station wagon. 11:09 Okay? 11:10 And there was a chrome roof rack 11:12 for extra luggage. 11:13 Under the hood, 11:15 nothing less than 11:16 2.2 liters of raw fury. 11:19 And the brochure said 11:20 it made 100 horsepower. 11:24 Now, we later came 11:25 to realize that, 11:27 of that 100 horsepower, 11:28 there were probably 11:29 20 or 30 of those horses 11:30 that were not feeling well. 11:31 They were sick. 11:32 Some of them were actually 11:33 just dead, all right? 11:35 And so it wasn't a terribly 11:36 fast car, but still, 11:37 that's what the brochure said. 11:39 And for me, 11:40 in my 12-, 13-year-old mind, 11:41 the crowning feature of that car 11:44 was the electronic green-fonted 11:46 space-age digital clock 11:48 on the dash that glowed proudly. 11:50 I mean, it would light up 11:51 the whole front of the car 11:51 at night, 11:52 and it was as if to say, 11:54 "The owners of this new car 11:56 are the most technologically 11:58 advanced family on planet 11:59 Earth." 12:04 Now, you should know, 12:04 I'm not exaggerating 12:06 in my excitement about this car. 12:07 It really was that exciting 12:09 to me, and maybe 12:10 if you know a little bit 12:12 of the background, 12:13 you might understand why. 12:16 This was 1983. 12:18 The previous 10 to 12 years 12:20 of my life had been very chaotic 12:24 and very unpredictable. 12:26 There had been broken 12:27 relationships by many of them 12:30 in my family. 12:31 And on top of that, 12:33 we were very poor. 12:34 We were genuinely poor. 12:36 Now, we were not so destitute 12:37 that we did not have food. 12:39 I don't remember ever going 12:40 without a meal. 12:42 And we usually had clothes 12:44 either that we had purchased 12:45 or that somebody else 12:46 had purchased for us. 12:48 We didn't have a car. 12:49 We didn't have a car. 12:50 My mother was -- 12:51 praise the Lord. 12:53 There was a situation. 12:53 She worked for 12:54 the public health department, 12:56 and because of that, 12:57 there was a car 12:57 that she could use 12:59 for work-related activities. 13:01 So the key was to plan 13:02 the dropping-off 13:04 and the picking-up from school, 13:05 for instance, or doctor's appo-- 13:06 something like that, 13:07 based on going to and 13:09 from work-related things, 13:11 because then she would have 13:11 transportation, 13:12 and she could take us there. 13:15 And then, my first stepfather 13:17 came along, 13:19 and he had an amazing job 13:21 and a big paycheck to prove it. 13:23 And we went from zero to 60, 13:25 financially, in about 2 seconds 13:26 flat, and we bought a new house. 13:28 I'd never seen a house 13:29 like that, especially one 13:30 that I was going to live in. 13:30 We had a corner lot there. 13:31 It was incredible. 13:33 And we bought a brand-new car! 13:37 And stability seemed to be 13:40 coming back into my life, 13:42 and that 1983 Dodge Aries 13:46 station wagon seemed 13:47 to embody all 13:48 of those good things. 13:52 So, given all of that, 13:55 you can perhaps understand 13:57 that when I sat down in that car 13:59 to go somewhere, the message 14:01 I received was clear -- 14:03 "You're safe. 14:07 You're comfortable. 14:09 There's nothing broken 14:10 or malfunctioning here. 14:12 Life is looking good, 14:14 and, oh, the places you'll go." 14:19 All because that car was new. 14:30 You know, very often, 14:32 the communion service 14:34 is conducted in such a way 14:37 that it focuses exclusively 14:39 on two general periods -- 14:42 the past and the present. 14:46 And that's understandable. 14:48 The past, 14:49 of course, is the cross. 14:50 You know, 2,000 years ago, 14:51 Jesus died on the cross, 14:52 making our salvation possible. 14:55 The present is the new life 14:57 in Jesus today that was 14:58 purchased back 2,000 years ago. 15:00 That's represented by the loaf 15:02 of bread and the cup of juice. 15:03 All of those things 15:05 speak to the reality in the here 15:07 and now of Jesus, the new life 15:09 in Jesus Christ today. 15:10 Amen and amen. 15:14 But when we carefully review 15:15 the words of Jesus 15:17 in Matthew 26:29, 15:19 we see that there is more 15:20 than just the past 15:21 and the present 15:22 symbolized in this meal. 15:24 The past and the present in him, 15:26 make no mistake, are awesome, 15:28 but the best is yet to come 15:30 in the not too distant future. 15:33 I mean, the old song 15:34 is still true. 15:35 This world is not our home. 15:36 We are just passing through. 15:38 Heaven is on its way, 15:40 and the communion meal 15:41 that we're going to share today 15:42 is a guarantee of that 15:45 soon-coming reality. 15:48 A reality 15:50 that will far outstrip anything 15:52 that we have here. 15:54 It will even be better 15:55 than a brand-new 15:56 Dodge station wagon. 15:59 For instance, 16:01 there's going to be far more 16:02 than tan velour seats in heaven. 16:04 There's going to be mansions, 16:05 each one prepared for us 16:06 personally by our Savior, 16:08 custom made just for us 16:10 by the master architect himself. 16:13 There won't be any chrome 16:14 in heaven, 16:15 because who needs chrome 16:16 when there's massive city gates 16:17 made of a single pearl, 16:18 streets made of pure gold, 16:20 and crowns on our heads, 16:21 placed there by 16:22 Jesus Christ himself. 16:25 There's no hideaway covers 16:26 over the cargo bay in heaven. 16:28 No, no, no, no. 16:29 Because in heaven, transparency 16:31 will be the order of the day. 16:32 No more secrets. 16:34 Eden will be restored in heaven. 16:36 And while our bodies, 16:37 we are told, will be clothed, 16:39 our consciences 16:40 and our characters will, 16:41 as it were, go naked, 16:43 for all that we are on 16:44 the outside 16:45 will, at last, match all that 16:46 we really are on the inside. 16:49 Chrome roof rack 16:50 for extra luggage. 16:51 Well, that's 16:52 gonna be up to Jesus. 16:53 But I suspect that 16:54 with all the trips 16:55 that we'll be able to take, 16:56 you know, trips to other worlds, 16:58 trips to see the wonders 16:58 of the universe, 17:00 that trips with all the saints 17:01 and the angels 17:01 and the unfallen beings, 17:03 these immense concerts 17:04 and special programs 17:05 in honor of God, our king, 17:07 all of that just might require 17:08 an extra bag or two. 17:11 I suspect we'll 17:12 carpool quite a bit. 17:14 We like to be with one another 17:15 in heaven. 17:17 And under the hood, what source 17:19 of power will we run on? 17:21 Well, in heaven, 17:22 we're gonna run on Jesus. 17:24 And that means we're gonna be 17:25 in pretty good shape, I think. 17:27 Those aches and pains 17:28 that you're feeling right now, 17:29 they're gonna be gone. 17:31 The sickness that laid you 17:32 low a few days or weeks ago, 17:33 that's gonna be long gone, too. 17:35 The disease that took your 17:36 mother, your father, your child, 17:37 that special friend, 17:38 all of it will be receding fast, 17:41 quickly, into the eternity 17:43 rearview mirror. 17:46 And when you and I 17:46 finally stroll 17:47 down those streets of gold, 17:49 and we find a golden park bench 17:50 and sit 17:52 and sink into that new seat, 17:55 the message we receive then 17:56 will be crystal clear. 18:00 At long, long last, we're safe. 18:05 At long, long last, 18:07 we are beyond comfortable. 18:09 [ Chuckles ] 18:10 There's nothing broken 18:11 or malfunctioning here. 18:13 Life is looking good. 18:15 And, oh, the places we'll go. 18:20 All because, in God's kingdom, 18:22 everything, every last thing, 18:25 including us, 18:27 will always and forevermore be 18:29 100% completely new. 18:32 >> Amen. 18:34 >> And again, the loaf 18:37 and the cup that we will take 18:38 part in today guarantee this. 18:40 Because when Jesus said, 18:41 and I quote, 18:42 I will not drink from this fruit 18:44 of the vine from now on 18:45 until that day 18:46 when I drink it new with you 18:48 in my father's kingdom. 18:49 It wasn't just a random 18:51 statement to close out 18:52 an evening, it was a promise. 18:54 "This is going to happen," 18:55 he said. 18:56 "This dark world 18:57 will come to an end. 18:58 The new kingdom 18:59 of light is coming, 19:00 I guarantee it," Jesus says. 19:05 So may the loaf 19:06 that we eat today remind us, 19:09 yes, of the price 19:10 of our salvation 19:11 that Christ paid in the past. 19:14 May the cup that we drink 19:16 of today remind us of 19:18 the new life Christ lives 19:19 to give us in the present. 19:22 And may our time 19:24 at this divine table 19:26 serve as a fresh reminder 19:28 of Christ's guarantee 19:31 that the brand-new, safe, 19:33 secure, beyond comfortable, 19:35 never-to-fade best 19:38 is soon to come. 19:42 Let me pray with you. 19:47 Jesus, we are beyond honored 19:48 to be able to partake 19:49 of this meal because, 19:51 indeed, it is a promise. 19:53 It is a voucher. 19:55 It is a guarantee 19:57 that the better world is coming. 20:00 I pray that as we eat 20:01 of this loaf, Lord, 20:02 as we drink of this cup, 20:04 that these things will be driven 20:05 home to us, 20:06 that we may know for certain 20:08 in our hearts the deep reality 20:10 that you are coming soon 20:11 and that we can be with you 20:13 in that new place. 20:16 May each of us be ready, 20:17 for we ask it in your name. 20:19 Amen. 20:27 ♪ 20:37 ♪ 20:45 >> Arriving at the place 20:47 of execution, 20:49 the prisoners were bound 20:51 to the instruments of torture. 20:55 The two thieves wrestled 20:57 in the hands of those 20:59 who placed them on the cross, 21:01 but Jesus made no resistance. 21:06 The Mother of Jesus, 21:08 supported by John, 21:10 the beloved disciple, 21:12 had followed the steps 21:14 of her son to Calvary. 21:17 With the disciples, 21:18 she still cherished the hope 21:21 that Jesus would manifest 21:23 his power and deliver himself 21:26 from his enemies. 21:28 Again, her heart would sink 21:32 as she recalled the words 21:34 in which he had foretold 21:35 the very scenes 21:37 that were then taking place. 21:40 As the thieves 21:41 were bound to the cross, 21:43 she looked on 21:44 with agonizing suspense. 21:48 She saw his hands stretched 21:51 upon the cross. 21:53 The hammer and the nails 21:54 were brought, 21:55 and the spikes were driven 21:58 through the tender flesh. 22:01 The heart-stricken 22:02 disciples bore away 22:04 from the cruel scene, 22:06 the fainting form of the mother 22:09 of Jesus. 22:12 While the soldiers were doing 22:14 their fearful work, 22:17 Jesus prayed for his enemies. 22:21 "Father, forgive them, 22:24 for they know not what they do." 22:28 His mind passed 22:30 from his own suffering 22:32 to the sin of his persecutors 22:34 and the terrible retribution 22:36 that would be theirs. 22:38 Christ pitied them 22:41 in their ignorance and guilt. 22:43 He breathed only a plea 22:46 for their forgiveness, 22:48 for they know not 22:50 what they do. 22:53 To Jesus, in his agony 22:55 on the cross, 22:57 there came one gleam of comfort. 23:00 It was the prayer 23:02 of the penitent thief. 23:04 Both the men 23:06 who were crucified with Jesus 23:08 had, at first, railed upon him, 23:10 and one under his suffering 23:13 only became more desperate 23:15 and defiant, 23:18 but not so with his companion. 23:22 Turning to his fellow criminal, 23:23 he says, 23:25 "Dost not thou fear God, 23:28 seeing thou art 23:30 in the same condemnation?" 23:34 The dying thieves have 23:35 no longer anything 23:37 to fear from man. 23:40 But upon one of them 23:41 presses the conviction 23:43 that there is a God to fear, 23:46 a future 23:48 to cause him to tremble. 23:51 And now, all sin-polluted 23:54 as it is, his life history 23:57 is about to close. 24:00 "And we, indeed, justly," 24:02 he moans, "For we receive 24:05 the due reward of our deeds. 24:08 But this man 24:11 hath done nothing amiss." 24:16 There is no question now. 24:19 There are no doubts, 24:20 no reproaches. 24:23 The Holy Spirit illuminates 24:25 his mind, 24:27 and little by little, 24:28 the chain of evidence 24:30 is joined together in Jesus, 24:35 bruised, mocked, 24:38 hanging upon the cross. 24:41 He sees the Lamb of God 24:44 that taketh away 24:45 the sin of the world. 24:48 Hope is mingled with anguish 24:50 in his voice 24:51 as he cries, helpless, 24:54 and casts himself 24:56 upon a dying savior. 24:58 "Lord, remember me 25:01 when thou comest 25:03 into thy kingdom." 25:07 Quickly the answer came, 25:10 soft and melodious the tone, 25:12 full of love and compassion, 25:15 and the power of the words, 25:18 "Verily I say unto thee 25:21 today, thou shalt be 25:23 with me in Paradise." 25:29 For long hours of agony, 25:32 reviling and mockery have 25:34 fallen on the ears of Jesus. 25:37 As he hangs upon the cross, 25:39 there floats up to him 25:41 still the sound 25:42 of jeers and curses. 25:46 With longing heart, 25:47 he has listened 25:49 for some expression of faith 25:51 from his disciples. 25:53 He has heard only 25:54 the mournful words, 25:57 "We trusted that it had been he 26:00 which should 26:00 have redeemed Israel." 26:04 How grateful, then, 26:06 to the Savior 26:08 was the utterance 26:09 of faith and love 26:11 from the dying thief. 26:14 The bystanders caught the words 26:17 as the thief called to Jesus. 26:19 The tone of the repentant man 26:22 arrested their attention. 26:25 Those who, at the foot 26:26 of the cross, 26:28 had been quarreling 26:29 over Christ's garments 26:31 and cast lots upon his vesture, 26:34 stopped to listen. 26:38 As he spoke the words 26:40 of promise, the dark cloud 26:44 that seemed to enshroud 26:45 the cross was pierced 26:48 by a bright and living light. 26:51 To the penitent thief 26:53 came the perfect peace 26:56 of acceptance with God. 26:59 Christ, in his humiliation, 27:02 was glorified. 27:05 He who in 27:06 all other eyes appeared 27:08 to be conquered was a conqueror. 27:12 He was acknowledged 27:14 as the sin-bearer. 27:17 Men may exercise power 27:19 over his human body, 27:21 they may pierce the holy temples 27:23 with crown of thorns, 27:25 they may strip from him 27:27 his raiment and quarrel 27:28 over its division, 27:30 but they cannot rob him 27:32 of his power to forgive sins. 27:36 In dying, he bears testimony 27:39 to his own divinity 27:42 and to the glory of the father. 27:48 Upon Christ as 27:50 our substitute and surety 27:52 was laid the iniquity of us all. 27:57 Now with the terrible weight 27:59 of guilt he bears, 28:02 he cannot see the father's 28:04 reconciling face. 28:06 The withdrawal 28:08 of the divine countenance 28:10 from the Savior 28:11 in this hour of supreme anguish 28:14 pierced his heart with a sorrow 28:17 that can never 28:18 be fully Understood by men. 28:21 So great was this agony that his 28:24 physical pain was hardly felt. 28:28 Satan, with 28:29 his fierce temptations, 28:31 wrung the heart of Jesus. 28:34 It was the sense of sin 28:37 bringing the father's wrath 28:39 upon him as man's substitute 28:42 that made the cup 28:43 he drank so bitter and broke 28:47 the heart of the Son of God. 28:50 With amazement, 28:51 the angels witnessed 28:54 the Savior's despairing agony. 28:56 The son refused 28:58 to look upon the scene. 29:00 Complete darkness, 29:02 like a funeral pall, 29:04 enveloped the cross. 29:07 There was darkness 29:09 over all the land 29:11 unto the ninth hour. 29:15 It was a miraculous testimony 29:16 given by God 29:18 that the faith of 29:19 after generations 29:21 might be confirmed. 29:24 In that thick darkness, 29:27 God's presence was hidden. 29:31 God and his holy angels 29:33 were beside the cross. 29:36 The father was with his son, 29:40 yet his presence 29:42 was not revealed. 29:44 Had his glory flashed forth 29:46 from the cloud, 29:48 every human beholder would 29:49 have been destroyed. 29:52 And in that dreadful hour, 29:54 Christ was not to be comforted 29:57 with the father's presence. 30:00 He trod the winepress alone. 30:04 And of the people, 30:06 there was none with him. 30:11 The silence of the grave 30:14 seemed to have fallen 30:16 upon Calvary. 30:18 A nameless terror held 30:21 the throng that 30:22 was gathered about the cross. 30:25 The cursing and reviling 30:27 ceased in the midst 30:29 of half-uttered sentences. 30:31 Men, women, and children 30:34 fell prostrate upon the earth. 30:37 Vivid lightnings occasionally 30:39 flashed forth from the cloud 30:41 and revealed the cross 30:44 and the crucified Redeemer. 30:47 Priests, rulers, scribes, 30:49 executioners, and the mob all 30:52 thought that their time 30:54 of retribution had come. 30:59 At the ninth hour, 31:02 the darkness 31:03 lifted from the people 31:06 but still enveloped the Savior. 31:10 The angry lightnings seemed 31:11 to be hurled at him 31:13 as he hung upon the cross. 31:16 Then Jesus cried 31:17 with a loud voice, 31:19 saying, "Eloi, Eloi, 31:22 lama sabachthani? 31:25 My God, my God, 31:28 why hast thou forsaken me?" 31:33 As the outer gloom settled 31:35 about the Savior, 31:36 many voices explained, 31:39 "The vengeance 31:40 of heaven is upon him! 31:42 The bolts of God's wrath 31:44 are hurled at him because 31:45 he claimed to be 31:46 the Son of God!" 31:48 Many who believed on him 31:50 heard his despairing cry. 31:53 Hope left them. 31:56 If God had forsaken Jesus, 31:59 in what could 32:00 his followers trust? 32:04 When the darkness lifted 32:06 from the oppressed spirit 32:08 of Christ, 32:10 he revived to a sense 32:11 of physical suffering. 32:14 He said, "I thirst." 32:19 One of the Roman soldiers 32:21 touched with pity 32:22 as he looked at 32:23 the parched lips, 32:25 took a sponge on a stalk 32:27 of hyssop, 32:28 and dipped it in a vessel 32:30 of vinegar, 32:32 offering it to Jesus. 32:35 But the priests 32:36 mocked his agony. 32:38 When darkness covered the earth, 32:40 they had been filled with fear. 32:43 But as their terror abated, 32:45 the dread returned that Jesus 32:47 would yet escape from them. 32:50 His words, "Eloi, Eloi, 32:53 lama sabachthani?", 32:56 they had misinterpreted. 32:58 The last opportunity 33:00 to relieve his sufferings, 33:02 they refused. 33:06 The spotless Son of God hung 33:09 upon the cross, 33:11 his flesh 33:12 lacerated with stripes. 33:15 Those hands, so often 33:17 reaching out in blessing, 33:18 nailed to the wooden bars. 33:21 Those feet, so tireless on 33:24 ministries of love, 33:26 spiked to the tree. 33:28 That royal head 33:31 pierced by the crown of thorns. 33:35 Those quivering lips shaped 33:38 to the cry of woe. 33:41 And all that he endured, 33:43 the blood drops 33:45 that flowed from his head, 33:46 his hands, his feet, 33:48 the agony 33:49 that wracked his frame, 33:51 and the unutterable anguish 33:54 that filled 33:54 his soul at the father 33:56 hiding his face, 34:00 speaks to the guilt of humanity, 34:04 declaring, "It is for thee 34:08 that the Son of God 34:09 consents to bear this burden 34:12 of guilt, 34:14 for thee he spoils 34:16 the domain of death 34:18 and opens the gates of Paradise, 34:22 he who stilled the angry waves 34:25 and walked 34:26 the foam-capped billows, 34:29 who made devils tremble 34:31 and disease flee, 34:33 who opened eyes and called 34:36 forth the dead to life, 34:38 offers himself 34:40 upon the cross as a sacrifice. 34:45 And this from love to thee." 34:50 ♪ 35:00 ♪ 43:23 ♪ 43:26 >> And all God's people said... 43:27 >> Amen. 43:28 >> Amen and amen. 43:30 We have so much 43:30 to be grateful for. 43:32 We're told in the spirit 43:33 of prophecy 43:34 that after the foot-washing 43:35 service, we stand in the light 43:36 of its cross, and no -- 43:37 light of the cross, 43:38 no longer in its shadow. 43:41 Ladies and gentlemen, 43:42 that's the best place to be. 43:44 The best place to be. 43:45 In the light of what 43:46 Jesus has done for us, 43:47 we can rejoice in life made new 43:50 and in new life 43:51 that is yet to come 43:52 in the new kingdom. 43:54 I've asked two 43:55 of our elders to be with us 43:56 here to help lead out today. 43:57 Elder Gallos will be reading 43:58 a scripture for us, 44:00 and then Elder Giddings 44:00 will lead us 44:02 in prayer for the emblems. 44:04 >> The scripture reading 44:05 is taken from Revelation 21:1-5 44:08 in the NIV translation. 44:10 "Then I," 44:11 meaning John the Revelator, 44:12 "saw a new heaven 44:14 and a new earth, 44:15 for the first heaven 44:16 and the first earth 44:17 hath passed away, 44:19 and there was no longer any sea. 44:22 I saw the holy city, 44:23 the New Jerusalem, 44:24 coming down out of heaven 44:25 from God, 44:27 prepared as a bride beautifully 44:29 dressed for her husband. 44:31 And I heard a loud voice 44:33 from the throne saying, 'Look! 44:35 God's dwelling place is now 44:37 among the people, 44:38 and He will dwell with them. 44:40 They will be His people, 44:41 and God himself 44:43 will be with them 44:44 and be their God. 44:46 He will wipe 44:47 every tear from their eyes. 44:50 There will be no more death 44:52 or mourning or crying or pain, 44:55 for the old order 44:56 of things has passed away.' 44:59 He who was seated on 45:01 the throne, said, 45:02 'I am making everything new.' 45:05 Then he said, 'Write this down, 45:07 for these words are 45:08 trustworthy and true.'" 45:11 >> Amen. Amen. 45:14 Please remain seated as 45:16 the elders kneel for the prayer. 45:23 >> Great Father, before us, 45:28 the broken bread, 45:32 your broken body, 45:36 we recognize also 45:39 that you are omnipotent, 45:44 omniscient, omnipresent. 45:47 You are truly a type O, 45:52 a universal donor 45:53 for the blood transfusion 45:55 that you have given 45:57 to redeem humanity. 46:00 Continue to infuse us 46:02 with your graces and your mercy. 46:05 Bless these symbols 46:07 that we will not forget 46:09 that this is pre-heaven. 46:11 Thank you once again 46:13 for this opportunity. 46:15 In Jesus's name 46:16 we do humbly pray. 46:19 Amen. 46:22 ♪ 46:32 ♪ 46:42 ♪ 46:52 ♪ 46:56 >> ♪ On a hill far away 47:01 stood an old rugged cross ♪ 47:05 ♪ The emblem 47:08 of suffering and shame ♪ 47:14 ♪ And I love that old cross 47:18 where the dearest and best ♪ 47:23 ♪ For a world of lost sinners 47:27 was slain ♪ 47:32 ♪ So I'll tell cherish 47:35 the old rugged cross ♪ 47:41 ♪ Till my trophies 47:43 at last I lay down ♪ 47:50 ♪ I will cling 47:52 to the old rugged cross ♪ 47:59 ♪ And exchange it 48:01 someday for a crown ♪ 48:07 ♪ 48:17 ♪ Oh, that old rugged cross 48:22 ♪ So despised by the world 48:27 ♪ Has a wondrous 48:29 attraction for me ♪ 48:36 ♪ For the dear Lamb of God 48:40 left his glory above ♪ 48:45 ♪ To bear it to dark Calvary 48:54 ♪ So I'll cherish 48:56 the old rugged cross ♪ 49:03 ♪ Till my trophies 49:05 at last I lay down ♪ 49:12 ♪ I will cling 49:15 to the old rugged cross ♪ 49:22 ♪ And exchange it someday 49:26 for a crown ♪ 49:31 ♪ 49:39 ♪ To the old rugged cross 49:44 ♪ I will never be true 49:49 ♪ Its shame and reproach 49:52 gladly bear ♪ 49:58 ♪ Then He'll call me someday 50:03 to my home far away ♪ 50:08 ♪ Where his glory forever 50:12 I'll share ♪ 50:17 ♪ So I'll cherish 50:20 the old rugged cross ♪ 50:27 ♪ Till my trophies 50:29 at last I lay down ♪ 50:35 ♪ I will cling 50:38 to the old rugged cross ♪ 50:45 ♪ And exchange it someday 50:51 for a crown ♪ 50:58 ♪ 51:03 [ Song ends ] 51:05 >> Amen. 51:12 >> The Lord Jesus, on the night 51:14 he was betrayed, 51:16 took bread, 51:18 and when he had given thanks, 51:19 he broke it and said, 51:21 "This is my body, 51:23 which is for you. 51:25 Do this in remembrance of me." 51:35 ♪ 51:45 ♪ 51:53 In the same way, 51:55 after supper, he took the cup, 51:57 saying, "This cup is 52:00 the new covenant in my blood. 52:02 Do this whenever you drink it 52:04 in remembrance of me, 52:07 for whenever you eat this bread 52:08 and drink this cup, 52:10 you proclaim the Lord's 52:11 death until he comes." 52:20 ♪ 52:30 ♪ 52:39 And again, all God's 52:40 people said... 52:41 >> Amen. 52:42 >> Amen and amen. 52:44 We are privileged above -- 52:45 Well, it's hard 52:48 to imagine who has more. 52:49 The Son of God Himself came here 52:51 and gave himself for us. 52:52 And because of that, 52:53 we have new life and the promise 52:55 of new life to come. 52:57 Makes me want to sing. 52:58 I hope it does you, too. 53:00 The Bible says 53:01 that they sung a hymn 53:02 and then they went out. 53:02 Would you please stand with me 53:04 as we sing our closing hymn? 53:06 ♪ 55:42 >> As is our custom here 55:43 at Pioneer, as you leave 55:45 the sanctuary today, 55:46 there will be ushers at the door 55:47 with offering plates. 55:49 All of the offering collected 55:50 at this time goes to 55:51 the Assistance Fund 55:52 to help those that need it. 55:55 Would you pray with me, please? 55:58 Jesus, what a celebration. 56:00 You have lavished 56:02 your love upon us. 56:03 Of all the places in 56:03 the universe 56:04 that you could have made 56:06 the center of your focus, 56:07 you've chosen here. 56:08 Thank you. 56:09 Thank you for the gift 56:10 of the cross. 56:11 Thank you for the gift 56:12 of new life now. 56:13 And thank you, Lord, 56:15 for the gift of new life 56:17 that is yet to come. 56:18 May we, Lord, live 56:19 better lives because of this. 56:21 And may our witness shine clear 56:23 that others might 56:24 find you, as well. 56:26 We ask this Lord in your name. 56:29 Amen. 56:30 >> Amen. 56:31 ♪ 56:46 >> Thank you for joining us 56:47 today. 56:48 You know, 56:49 our goal with every worship 56:50 service at Pioneer Memorial 56:52 is that our listeners will come 56:53 to know Jesus Christ as their 56:55 personal friend and savior. 56:57 Have you taken this step 56:58 in your life, 56:59 or would you like to know more 57:00 about what this step looks like? 57:02 If so, I have a special gift 57:04 that I would love 57:05 to put in your hands. 57:06 It's this little book, 57:07 called "Steps to Christ." 57:10 Now, it's not a very long book. 57:11 As you can see, 57:12 it's only this thick. 57:14 But don't let the size fool you. 57:16 This is one powerful book. 57:18 In fact, 57:19 this book is so powerful, 57:20 so life-transforming 57:21 that it's become a favorite 57:23 for millions all over the world, 57:24 making it one of the most 57:25 translated and most published 57:26 books in history. 57:28 It can be yours for free 57:30 by calling the number 57:31 on your screen, 877-HIS-WILL. 57:33 That's 877, 57:35 the two words "his will." 57:37 Call today. 57:38 You can also download 57:39 a free copy at 57:40 pmchurch.org/stepstochrist. 57:43 That's 57:44 pmchurch.org/stepstochrist. 57:47 Don't wait. Get your copy today. 57:49 A forever friendship with Jesus 57:51 is waiting for you. 57:53 ♪ 57:58 ♪ 58:08 ♪ 58:18 ♪ |
Revised 2025-04-14