6.08.2007

Communion Exhortation - 6/3/07

When God graciously covenanted with Abraham in Gen 17:10, he says, “This is My covenant which you shall keep, b/t Me and you and your descendats after you: every male child among you shall be circumcised.” When God pours out His Spirit in a new way at Pentecost, reconstituting Israel as the Church, He reissues the covenant promises: “Repent and be baptized… for the remission of sins… the promise is for you and your children and for those far off, as many as God will call.”

This is our protection from the accuser, and from God’s wrath.

When God directed Israel to sacrifice a lamb and display its blood before Him, He said in Ex 24:8: “This is the blood of the covenant which God has made with you.” This was their protection from the angel of death at Passover, from God’s just anger against our sin.

When Jesus Christ offered Himself as the innocent sacrifice for us all, He reconstitutes Israel’s 12 tribes as the Church’s 12 apostles; He held the cup and reissued the covenant promises, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

This protects us from the judgment of God.

Notice both baptism and this Supper are given to us as signs of the covenant, for the remission of our sins.

Speaking of sin, are you careful like Jonathan, not to eat of the table of those who revile or ridicule JC? When you see sin around you or within you, are you angry about it? Do you get up from the table of evil, and leave in disgust? Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. Commune with Christ and taste of His benefits, both now and all week. Do not switch tables, and sample the world’s dainties between Sundays, or you will soon find this table boring and empty, you will soon find Christ to be empty, and you will find your faith washed away by the world in the end. To abide in Christ means to hate sin. To abide in Christ means to eat the bread – His body; to drink the wine – His blood.

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