COMMUNION SCRIPTURES AND POEMS
COMMUNION SCRIPTURES AND POEMS
The OT points to the cross
and from Acts on refers back to the cross and the hope it provides for the
future.
Acts 2:42 - They
devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and to prayer.
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them,
and they all drank from it. Mark 14:23
Mark 15:33-41 (the
crucifixion story)
Mark 16:1-6 (the two
Marys at the tomb of Jesus)
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying,
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for
you. Luke 22:20
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons
too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons. I Cor. 10:21
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to
them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of
me." Luke 22:19
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given
thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this
in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup,
saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you
drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink
this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. I Cor. 11:23-26
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it
was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him,
"Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the
Passover?" So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into
the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to
the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where
I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large upper room,
furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." The disciples left,
went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they
prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While
they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth,
one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me." They were saddened,
and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?" "It is one of
the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me.
The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who
betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been
born." While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank
from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for
many," he said to them. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again
of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are
blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since
the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I
was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you
invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked
after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous
will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and
give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in,
or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go
to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you
did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' "Then
he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the
eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you
gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a
stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe
me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' "They also
will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or
needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' "He will
reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of
these, you did not do for me.' "Then they will go away to eternal
punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matt. 25:31-46
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matt. 26:26-28
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover
lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make
preparations for us to eat the Passover." "Where do you want us to
prepare for it?" they asked. He replied, "As you enter the city, a
man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he
enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the
guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a
large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there." They left and
found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the
hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them,
"I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For
I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God kingdom of God
On the first day of the week we came together to break
bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day,
kept on talking until midnight. Acts
20:7
I am the bread of life. John
6:48
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten
son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting
life. John 3:15 (KJV)
…and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matt. 10:38
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come
after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matt. 16:24
Matt. 27 (The
full story of Jesus’ crucifixion and the events preceding it)
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and
said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his
cross and follow me. Mark 8:34
If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. II Cor. 5:13-21
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? II Cor. 13:5
It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come,
about which we are speaking. 6But there is a place where someone has
testified:
"What is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor
and put everything under his feet."
In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to
him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus,
who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor
because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for
everyone. In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and
through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation
perfect through suffering. Heb. 2:5-10the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor
and put everything under his feet."
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
"See, I lay a stone in
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those
who do not believe,
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone," and,
"A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall."
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone," and,
"A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also
what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of
darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are
the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received
mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to
abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives
among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your
good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. I Peter 2
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:38-47
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will
be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O
God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your
presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of
your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach
transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
and sinners will turn back to you.
Save me from bloodguilt, O
God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or
I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are [c] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:7-17
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:7-17
Psalm 139 - See whole chapter
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:12-21
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that
grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any
longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism
into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the
glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with
him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his
resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the
body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to
sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with
Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since
Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has
mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life
he lives, he lives to God. In the same
way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore
do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do
not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but
rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to
life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under
grace. Romans 5:18-20-6:1-14
WHEN YOUR WILL WON’T
(Inspired by Romans 7)
The Bible contains God’s law,
Which revealed that a sinner am I.
Because of God’s Word, my sins were
exposed,
Yet I continue and don’t know why.
I don’t understand why I do what I do;
What I want to do, I do not.
Instead I do what I hate to do.
It is good that the law is taught.
How can it be I who do it?
It is sin in me, no doubt.
For I desire to do what is good,
But I cannot carry it out.
What I do is not the good I want;
The evil I hate I keep doing.
So if I do what I don’t want to do,
Then sin in me is still living.
This is the law at work in me:
Though I want to do good, I sin more.
My inner being delights in God’s law,
But my members are waging war.
On what a wretched man that I am!
I need rescued from condemnation.
Thanks be to God through Christ our Lord;
He has promised me full salvation.
I tried but I couldn’t save me from
myself,
Yet the sin was replaced in me.
I no longer do what I don’t want to do;
Christ living in me set me free.
Becky Wall
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me
free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in
that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in
the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in
sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully
met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the
Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on
what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have
their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death,
but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is
hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those
controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled
not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.
And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is
alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from
the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give
life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore,
brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live
according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die;
but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,
because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not
receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the
Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit
himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are
children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we
share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:1-17
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth
comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in
eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was
subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who
subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its
bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth
right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption
as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope
that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we
hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the
Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but
the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And
he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit
intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in
all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called
according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be
conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also
justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in
response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare
his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him,
graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God
has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who
died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is
also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall
trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:18-35
As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day
long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these
things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced
that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor
the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:36-39
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to
offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your
spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able
to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
(How to love) Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling
to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another
above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,
serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who
persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn
with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be
willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not
repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do
not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is
written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. On the
contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give
him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his
head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is
written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the
intelligent I will frustrate." Where is the wise man? Where is the
scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the
wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its
wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was
preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks
look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and
foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and
Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of
God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's
strength. Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of
you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of
noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;
God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly
things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to
nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because
of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that
is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written:
"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." I Cor. 1:18-31
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain
because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be
teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all
over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being
still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But
solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to
distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary
teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation
of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction
about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and
eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. It is impossible for those
who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have
shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and
the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance,
because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and
subjecting him to public disgrace. Hebrews
5:11-6:6
When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are
already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is
not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by
means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once
for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats
and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially
unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then,
will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself
unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so
that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a
new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal
inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins
committed under the first covenant. In the case of a will, it is necessary to
prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when
somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.
This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. Heb. 9:11-18
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? Heb. 10:19-29
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of
witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily
entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us
fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy
set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful
men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb. 12:1-3
…yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all
things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom all things came and through whom we live. I Cor. 8:6
John 19 (The crucifixion of Jesus and the preceding events)
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after
me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke
9:23
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27
This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and
foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by
nailing him to the cross. Acts 2:23
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the
gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. I Cor. 1:17
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are
being saved it is the power of God. I
Cor. 1:18
Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I
still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. Galatians
5:11
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been
crucified to me, and I to the world. Gal.
6:14
…and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God
through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. Eph. 2:16
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8
For, as I have often told you before and now say again even
with tears, many live as enemies of the cross
of Christ. Philippians 3:18
…having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:14-15
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb. 12:2
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." John 6:51-62 (We should consume Him.)
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and
without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22
Mark 14:35-37
The cup of
blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The
bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? I Cor. 10:16
PROPHECIES:
Psalm 22
Isaiah 53
Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?
Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and the name of his son?
Tell me if you know! Proverbs 30:4
Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?
Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and the name of his son?
Tell me if you know! Proverbs 30:4
And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel." Genesis 3:15
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel." Genesis 3:15
Isaiah 50, 11:10-11 (root of Jesse)
I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David;
what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. Isaiah 22:22
FUTURE PROPHECY:
Prophecy of Christ’s coming again: The revelation of Jesus
Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He
made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to
everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed
is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear
it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Rev. 1:1-3
John,
To the seven churches in the province ofAsia : Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who
was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from
Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the
ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our
sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God
and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Look, he is
coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be!
Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who
is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Rev.
1:4-8
To the seven churches in the province of
KISS OF JUDAS, KISS OF DEATH
God had devised a Master plan,
And the end was about to start.
His Son He sent to earth to die,
And Judas would play a part.
Treasurer to the twelve,
Is the position he was given
When Christ gave Judas this task, He knew,
By money he was driven.
His love for money filled his heart,
And every time he stole,
Satan would get a piece of him,
‘Til he finally had his soul.
For Satan also had a plan,
In which Jesus would have to die.
To bring his plan to fruition,
On Judas he would rely.
Thirty pieces of silver were offered,
To Judas, whose heart was cold.
By this friend, His chosen disciple,
The Son of God was sold.
The twelve were having supper,
With Jesus, it would be their last.
Christ broke the bread and poured the wine,
Then to each the communion was passed.
“Someone here will betray me,”
Said Jesus to them that day.
“Is it I,” “Is it I,” the disciples asked.
Judas then ran away.
Judas was God’s instrument,
But he still had a choice,
Though he was called to learn from Christ,
He chose to ignore His voice.
Jesus went to the garden,
With three of his friends to pray.
But guess who came with soldiers,
And gave his location away.
“Which is Jesus,” the soldiers asked,
“I’ll kiss him,” Judas said.
And so the kiss of Judas,
Became the kiss of death.
Jesus was whipped and spat upon,
They treated Him like dung.
He was forced to carry a cross up a hill,
And on it He was hung.
The devil was done with Judas.
And Judas was filled with strife.
He came to his senses, then was so distraught,
He chose to end his life.
Jesus also died,
And so the story goes,
Though he was placed in a borrowed grave,
On the third day he arose.
“The fall” of Adam and Eve,
And every person in every nation,
Was by Christ’s death forgiven;
His death brought us salvation.
Satan’s little plan was foiled.
It is now clearly understood,
What Judas meant for evil,
God meant for the good.
Becky Wall
FOR HIS BRIDE
He loved and treated his bride with devotion,
It was she he chose to adore.
He gave her many precious gifts;
How could she want for more?
He served her bread and wine;
She took them without a thought.
He paid the greatest price for them;
It was for her they were bought.
But she was wooed by others;
To their charms she was often seduced.
Her groom chose to forgive her;
Though to shame he was reduced.
He knew that his bride was unfaithful,
Yet, for her he was crucified.
No greater love has any man;
For his bride, the church, Christ died.
Becky Wall
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