Playing Dodge Ball With the Devil: Table Manners

Sermon Notes
September 3 and 4, 2011

Sermon: Playing Dodge Ball With the Devil: Table Manners
Sermon Text: Luke 22: 14-23 (NKJV)

14When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then He too the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them saying, “This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you. 21 But behold, the hand of my betrayer is with me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

This text talks about the Passover meal and how Jesus’ intention was to make sure the disciples could make it once he was gone. If you want to go anywhere in life, you must watch your manners, particularly your table manners.


Point 1: Don’t Talk With Your Mouth Full (vs 33)
Peter said he was ready to go with Jesus to both prison and to death, but he was really just talking with his mouth full.

If we would just think about what we are going to say before we say it, we’d be much better off. If you want to know what’s in someone’s heart, just wait for their conversation. David says in Psalm 51:10- “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” When your mouth is full its because your heart is full. You must look at your situation and speak life into your situation, not negative things.

Proverbs 18:21-“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
A.)Your words have power
B.)You are what you eat
C.)You will reap what you sow

Example: if you continue to speak hateful words, you will eat what hate produces


Point 2: Don’t Ruin a Good Meal (vs 23)
Every meal has a desired outcome. Their outcome was that they would be able to live without Jesus and be able to tackle the enemy.

The mistake we make in today’s time is that we put service with business. We always expect to get something back for our service or to be paid. Biblically speaking, the servant worked for the master for FREE.

There are some things you must understand with regards to the meal:
Recipe:
Luke 22: 28-30-“But you are those who have continued with me in my trials, 29 and I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one upon me, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

We’re usually concerned about what we’re going to eat and not how we can give our lives to serve.

Reception:
Luke 22: 26- “But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.”

We must move from a “where will I sit” mentality to a “how will I serve” mentality. You will never be as great unless you choose to get on your knees and serve.

Relationships:
Luke 22: 24- “Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.”

We need not to be concerned with who is going to be considered “number one.” Jesus was saying “I want you to be second.” He wanted to assess relationships.


Point 3: Remember Your Tenses at the Table (vs 19)
Jesus wanted them to remember the past, present, and the future.

Past: Jesus is the unblemished lamb and the sacrifice that has redeemed you. Remember that his death brought about salvation, free of charge. It doesn’t matter if other people accept you or not because you became acceptable when Jesus died for you.

Present: we can commune with Christ now. The word “communion” means fellowship, participating in, and sharing together. We don’t simply keep a dead memory alive but we keep an alive Jesus in our hearts. He is present with us now.

Future: in between the time that He leaves and when He comes back, people are to see him through us. 1 Corinthians 11:26- “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” We have to live a life of faith for Him until He comes back.