Approach the Lord's Table with a Humble Heart
June 4, 2023 · 53:19 · Watch on YouTube ↗
These notes - summary, key points, and highlighted thoughts - were generated by AI from the recording and are not the preacher’s exact words.
Summary
The preacher opens with Jesus' words that His true family is everyone who does the will of God, then turns to a sobering example - Judas Iscariot. Christ chose him, gave him authority to preach and even cast out demons, yet inside he never became sincere. Outward ministry without an honest heart led him to ruin, a warning to serve God truthfully rather than for what we hope to gain.
He calls the church to humility through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee fasted, tithed, and lived uprightly, but pride disqualified him - no flesh may boast before God. On our own we can do nothing; only by coming to Jesus in repentance and confessing our guilt do we receive forgiveness, and we need the Holy Spirit to convict us and open our hearts.
The heart of the service is communion. Reading 1 Corinthians 11, he reminds the congregation that the bread and cup are holy - the body and blood of Christ given for us, opening the way to heaven. Because we all share one bread, we are one body. Forgiveness flows only through the blood, so we too must forgive one another and go and sin no more.
Key Points
- Jesus' true family is everyone who does the will of God.
- Judas was given real ministry yet betrayed Christ - outward service without a sincere heart leads to ruin.
- Like the proud Pharisee, we cannot boast before God; He receives the humble, repentant heart.
- We can do nothing without Christ - come to Him, confess your sin, and receive forgiveness.
- Only the Holy Spirit convicts us and opens our hearts to God.
- Communion is holy: the bread and cup are Christ's body and blood, given for us.
- Forgiveness flows from the blood of Christ, so forgive one another and sin no more.
Devotional
Take a moment to look honestly at your own heart before God. It is possible to do everything right outwardly, like Judas or the proud Pharisee, and still miss Him because of pride or a divided heart. Today He invites you to come humbly, confess what you have hidden, and receive the cleansing of His blood. As you are forgiven, release every grudge and forgive others freely. Then rise from the table renewed, and go and sin no more.
Outward service without a sincere heart could not save even Judas.
No flesh may boast before God; only the humble heart is received.
Where there is no blood, there is no forgiveness.
