Generosity for the Help of the World

Lord's Supper meditation

Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

We are instructed, “…walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.”

Christ is the sacrifice. Christ is the One who gives up Himself to see to the needs, burdens and cares of others.

The meal of the Lord’s Supper by being a meal—a provision, a help, and the sustenance of food puts the spotlight on the needs of others. Christ is for others. It is food as generosity.

Will you practice generosity this week? It might be justice….. intervention…. brother-keeping (being a brother’s keeper), physical care, consideration of others… comfort..., and sometimes, it’s confrontation…being a guide, a friend, a help. They all stem from the Lord’s provision of a meal.

Our redemption involves learning how to become a gracious, generous expression for good in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods and communities…. The Table is the Lord’s feeding aimed at providing enabling help by the Spirit’s working to not merely look to our own interests but the interests of others. The Table summons us to life-change, to transformation in our homes and in our community. This is Christ's gracious work.

Who is admitted to the Lord's Supper? It is my privilege as a minister of Christ to invite all Christians—those in Christ, who are in good and regular standing with His people, the church, to come to the Lord’s Table.

This means two things. First, it means you have been baptized and are a professing member of His church, under the care of elders or a church’s leadership, either here or in another Christ preaching church—for that to be the case, you and they have spoken together and there’s knowledge of your credible profession of faith in Christ Jesus alone. Second, as you have confessed Christ, you are trusting in Him, that is, you are living humbly before God—to be sure, you are not free from sin, but you are seeking to do His will. If so, come today and receive nourishment.

It is my solemn duty as a minister of Christ to warn those who are not trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation, who are not baptized, who are not members under the care of the local church, or who are living in unrepentant sin; such are not to come to the table and partake unworthily, not discerning the Lord’s body, and so eat and drink condemnation to themselves. The Bible tells us we are to examine ourselves. In summary, let us come, as we’ve been taught just now-----to receive nourishment for our faith and our daily life together. We know that apart from Christ we are without hope; we come resting and trusting in Him for His life, death and resurrection. We partake to grow in the grace of Christ.

G. Mark Sumpter

Lord's Supper Meditation

God's favor due to the righteousness of Christ, by faith alone

John 19:28-30 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.


It is finished…. Jesus did not say, “it has started…” He did not say, “I did my part, now you do yours….”

It is finished…. His life, His death, ---for Him at that point, His coming resurrection…. It is finished… that means favor, that means blessing, that means hope…. The Lord's Supper seals hope… confirms God’s favor…. He eats and drinks with you!

Who is admitted to the Lord's Table? It is my privilege as a minister of Christ to invite all Christians—those in Christ, who are in good and regular standing with His people, the church, to come to the Lord’s Table.

This means two things. First, it means you have been baptized and are a professing member of His church, under the care of elders or a church’s leadership, either here or in another Christ preaching church—for that to be the case, you and they have spoken together and there’s knowledge of your credible profession of faith in Christ Jesus alone. Second, as you have confessed Christ, you are trusting in Him, that is, you are living humbly before God—to be sure, you are not free from sin, but you are seeking to do His will. If so, come today and receive nourishment.

It is my solemn duty as a minister of Christ to warn those who are not trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation, who are not baptized, who are not members under the care of the local church, or who are living in unrepentant sin; such are not to come to the table and partake unworthily, not discerning the Lord’s body, and so eat and drink condemnation to themselves. The Bible tells us we are to examine ourselves. In summary, let us come, as we’ve been taught just now-----to receive nourishment for our faith and our daily life together. We know that apart from Christ we are without hope; we come resting and trusting in Him for His life, death and resurrection. We partake to grow in the grace of Christ.

G. Mark Sumpter

Lord's Supper October 18

Luke 18:15-17 for the Lord's Table

Jesus welcomed the children. He said: Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

Babies and young children teach us many things. 1. It’s natural to be hungry. 2. It’s common to need rest. 3. It’s expected that they will communicate using cries, expressing frustrations and insecurities. 4. It’s to be expected that they will be bold around others, perhaps brash, adventuresome and uninhibited.

Whoever doe not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

You are children….be who you are. Are you hungry? Come and eat. Need rest? Come to the Table for refreshment. Frustrated, facing trials—come to Christ, He is our Host, and He is here to minister with food and drink.

Who is admitted to the Lord’s Table? Those who have been baptized, those who are under the care of local elders or the care of a church’s leadership—that means that you and they have spoken together, and you have a credible testimony of faith that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. If so, come today, and receive nourishment. If you have not been baptized; if you are not under the care of local elders or local church leadership, and there’s no knowledge about your spiritual condition or interests, then wait; speak to an elder first before partaking today. Or maybe right now, you’re being a rebellious child. It is my solemn duty to warn the disobedient, the scandalous, and those who secretly live in unrepentant sin, not to approach the Table lest they partake unworthily, not discerning the Lord’s body, and so eat and drink condemnation to themselves.

You see, the Bible tells us to examine ourselves, so that we might partake of the Lord being the children he has made us to be. Jesus said: receive the kingdom, enter into it being a child.

G. Mark Sumpter