PT.3

Are we there yet?•Indicates a destination (THERE)

Are we there yet?•Indicates a destination (THERE)•Indicates a community of people (WE)

Community:•Appears 86 times in the bible – 85 times in OT and only once in NT.

Community:•Appears 86 times in the bible – 85 times in OT and only once in NT. •Community” has been replaced by the word “Church” (>100 reference in the NT).

Community:•Appears 86 times in the bible – 85 times in OT and only once in NT. •Community” has been replaced by the word “Church” (>100 reference in the NT). •Church is “Ekklesia” – gathering of God’s people.

Community:•Appears 86 times in the bible – 85 times in OT and only once in NT. •Community” has been replaced by the word “Church” (>100 reference in the NT). •Church is “Ekklesia” – gathering of God’s people. •Church is all about community living and the relationships of His people – never has been about institution, structures, programs

Community:•Appears 86 times in the bible – 85 times in OT and only once in NT. •Community” has been replaced by the word “Church” (>100 reference in the NT). •Church is “Ekklesia” – gathering of God’s people. •Church is all about community living and the relationships of His people – never has been about institution, structures, programs •Church is also known as the body of Christ (1 Corin 12)

The greatest commandment:•Christianity is a relationship– A call to relate with God and with one another

The greatest commandment:•Christianity is a relationship– A call to relate with God and with one another

Matthew 22:36-4036 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments

The greatest commandment:•Jesus greatest commandment is a relational command

The greatest commandment:•Jesus greatest commandment is a relational command•Loving God and loving others cannot be separated

Back to the beginning (Genesis):•God created man not because He need to, but He want to

Back to the beginning (Genesis):•God created man not because He need to, but He want to•Relational bliss – enjoyment of relationship with God and one another

Back to the beginning (Genesis):•God created man not because He need to, but He want to•Relational bliss – enjoyment of relationship with God and one another•Sin came into the picture and corrupted everything – including relationships

The Last Supper:•Background

The Last Supper:•Background•Recorded in all 4 Gospels: – Matthew 26– Mark 14– Luke 22– John 13-17

The Last Supper:•Background•Recorded in all 4 Gospels: – Matthew 26– Mark 14– Luke 22– John 13-17

•All gospels talks about communion, predicting Peter’s denial and Judas betrayal, but John shared in much detail on the conversation

John 131It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress …

1. EAT TOGETHER / HAVE FUN TOGETHER

1. EAT TOGETHER / HAVE FUN TOGETHER•When is the last time you eat together / have fun together?

… and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”

11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

2. SERVE EACH OTHER SACRIFICIALLY

2. SERVE EACH OTHER SACRIFICIALLY When was the last time you serve sacrificially?

31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. 33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” 37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

3. FORGIVE EACH OTHER GENEROUSLY

3. FORGIVE EACH OTHER GENEROUSLY •Forgiveness is God’s provision for restoring relationships

3. FORGIVE EACH OTHER GENEROUSLY •Forgiveness is God’s provision for restoring relationships•The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies (forgiveness) never come to an end, there are new every morning – Lamentation 3:22

3. FORGIVE EACH OTHER GENEROUSLY •Forgiveness is God’s provision for restoring relationships•The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies (forgiveness) never come to an end, there are new every morning – Lamentation 3:22•“Forgiveness is God’s invention for coming to terms with a world in which, despite their best intentions, people are unfair to each other and hurt each other deeply. He began by forgiving us. And he invites us all to forgive each other” “Lewis Smedes”

3. FORGIVE EACH OTHER GENEROUSLY •Are there people that you needed to forgive?

3. FORGIVE EACH OTHER GENEROUSLY •Are there people that you needed to forgive? •Are there people that you needed to ask forgiveness from?

Matthew 2626 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

4. REMEMBERINGTHE BIG PICTURE

4. REMEMBERING THE BIG PICTURE•We partake the body of Christ and blood of Christ – the only thing we have in common, holding us together, in this bond

4. REMEMBERING THE BIG PICTURE•We partake the body of Christ and blood of Christ – the only thing we have in common, holding us together, in this bond•Fight together privately, Stand together publically

4. REMEMBERING THE BIG PICTURE•We partake the body of Christ and blood of Christ – the only thing we have in common, holding us together, in this bond•Fight together privately, Stand together publically •Is God bigger than us? Is God’s purpose bigger than us?

4. REMEMBERING THE BIG PICTUREJohn 1334 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

CAN YOU IMAGINE?