The Cost of Fellowship with God

Matthew 26:26-30

The Bible says we are called into fellowship with God.

I Cor. 1:9, “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."

We are not to take our fellowship with God lightly because it cost God a lot, so much that there is not a number big enough exhibits our fellowship with God true cost
  • Trillion or zillion I believe is our highest number, but our salvation which is our fellowship with Christ cost far more.

Today is the first Sunday in which we observe the Lord’s Supper, the Communion.

The Lord’s supper is the last meal that Jesus served and ate with his disciples.
  • But it was more than just eating, it was the initiation and consummation of the New Covenant that would replace the Old Covenant which was given through Moses, “Law.”
  • Roman 8:3-4a, “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled is us…”

The word communion indicates relationship, fellowship, being in a holy union with God and God’s people.

Isa. 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

But God loves us too much to let us stay on the road to a burning hell!

Isa.1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool.”

So listen, we must not take our fellowship with God lightly because it is costly.
 
  1. Jesus’ body is the cost of our fellowship with God - vs.26
  2. Jesus’ blood is the cost of our fellowship with God - vs. 27-28
  3. The communion is a reminder and anticipation of a greater fellowship with Jesus on the other side - vs.29

The Lord’s Supper is a memorial meal of the cost of our salvation and fellowship with God

It is an act of faith demonstrating we believe what Jesus taught the disciples on that night.

It is an act of worship, celebrating God's power that brings us out of darkness into the marvelous night.

It is a fellowship meal showing our love for God and each other on display.

The cost of fellowship with God!
 
  1. Jesus’s body is the cost of our fellowship with God- vs. 26

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to the disciples and said take, eat; this is my body.”

  1. The breaking and blessing of the bread is preparation before serving the bread.
    • Symbolically, sometimes God has to break us before he will bless us.
  2. The breaking and blessing of the element is a spiritual ceremony indicating that Jesus was broken by our sin and blessed by our God and his Father.
  3. Giving to the disciples is Jesus' ministry to the disciples.
    1. Jesus instructed them to take it, eat all of it, this is my body.
  4. To eat of his body is to partake of his life, his suffering and his death, which is the cost of our relationship with God.
    1. To eat of his body is to be in fellowship with Jesus, it is to commune with Him on a spiritual level.
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  1. Jesus’ blood is the cost of our fellowship with God- vs. 27-28.

“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying drink ye all of it; for this my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

  1. The cup represents his blood as the bread represents his body.
  2. Notice, Jesus blessed the bread and gave thanks for the blood that the cup represents.
  • Jesus instructed them to eat the bread and drink of the cup.
  • Eat all of the bread and drink all of the cup.
  1. Jesus said this is my blood of the New Testament.
  • This is my blood is significant and of vital importance
  • Israel sacrificed the blood of goats and bulls which could never take away sin.
Jesus’ blood is precious, priceless and powerful and it will never lose its power! It reaches to the highest mountain, it flows to the lowest valley, the blood that gives me strength from day to day, it will never lose its power!

Jesus’ blood is wonder working blood, that’s why he said this is my blood, not the blood that Moses sprinkle of the post.
  1. The blood of the New Testament is New Covenant that Jeremiah 31:31-33, “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts; and will be their God and thy shall be my people.”
Listen, the Lord’s Supper is ushering out the law entered into the dispensation of grace.

Moving from rules and regulation to a relationship with God loving and obeying because of his love for us!
 
  1. The communion is a reminder and anticipation of greater fellowship with Jesus on the other side- vs. 29.

“But I say unto you I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

  1. Every time we observe the Lord’s Supper our minds and hearts should be stayed of Jesus.
  • What He did for us!
  • What he promised us!
  1. Jesus says I will not eat and drink with you again until that day.
  • That day is when Jesus comes back to get us to take us home.
  • He is not sending the chariot that picked up Elijah
  • He is not sending the angel Gabriel or Michael
  • Jesus is coming himself; every eye shall see him; every tongue shall confess, and every knee will bow.
  1. The anticipation of seeing Jesus, holding and hugging Him, eating and drinking at his table.
  • What a time, what a time of celebration!