What do you do With the Pieces?

Pericope:  Matthew 26:26–30 - 26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

Sermon Text: Matthew 26: 26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples,

Sermon Title: What Do You Do With The Pieces?

Deuteronomy 28:67 - In the morning you shall say, ‘If only it were evening!’ and at evening you shall say, ‘If only it were morning!’ because of the dread that your heart shall feel, and the sights that your eyes shall see.

Matthew 26:17–19, 26a - 17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. 26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it…

Point 1: Pieces multiply John 6:12a - 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples,

Point 2:  Pieces can’t be wasted.  John 6:12b - “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.”

1 Cor. 10:13 - He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation.

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Point 3:  Pieces can be difficult.  John 6:60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”

Vs. 56, 61, 66, 67 - 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”

Vs. 67-68 - 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,

Point 4:  Pieces do reconnect.  1 Cor. 11:24-25 - 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

1 Cor. 3:4 - 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

1 Cor 11:28-30 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

Life Application:

1.   Try never to miss communion it your opportunity to get your pieces reconnected.

2.  Reconnecting with other LifeChangers – clear the air…bury the hatchet…forgive

3.  Examine your pieces and bring them to Jesus – be purposeful about it.