Centennial Park Baptist Church – Sunday, June 1^st, 2008 – 10:30 am

COME JOYFULLY TO THE LORD’S TABLE

Acts 2: 46-47 – And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

A. LOCATION

- in the temple – The believers continued to use the temple for their place of assembly and ministry.

- From house to house – They also met in various houses

B. CELEBRATION

- “breaking bread….taking their meals together.”

- Reference to regular meals, and at the close of each meal, they paused to remember the Lord by observing what we call the Lord’s Supper. Bread and wine were the common fare at a Jewish table.

C. REPETITION - “ day by day….day by day”

- The early Christians were not content to meet once a week! They:

· met daily – 2: 46

· broke bread daily – 2:46

· won souls daily – 2:47

· cared daily – 6:1

· increased in number daily – 16:5

· searched the Scriptures daily - 17:11

- Their Christian faith was a day to day reality. Why? Because the risen Christ was a living reality, and His resurrection power was at work in their lives through the Spirit.

D. EMOTION

“gladness” + “sincerity of heart” + “praising” = JOY

1. Joy is FUNDAMENTAL to life

- Christianity is a JOYFUL faith – John 15:11; 17: 13

- Joy is the EVIDENCE that we are Christians

- Joy is different from HAPPINESS

- The early church was characterized by a deep sense of joy

- Remember Paul and Silas in jail? – Acts 16

2. Joy and the LORD’S SUPPER

- Luke 24 – meal linked with RESURRECTION

- Acts 2:42 – broke bread with “glad and generous hearts”

-I Corinthians 15:19 – we remember Christ at the table is the Risen One

- Charles Wesley – 166 hymns for the Lord’s Supper – 79 = Joy

“Glory to God who reigns above, but suffered once for man below!

With joy we celebrate his love, and thus His precious passion show.

Till in the clouds our Lord we see, and shout with all His saints – Tis He!

3. Joy and THANKSGIVING at the Table

- I Corinthians 10: 16 – “when we bless the cup”

- Blessing, Thanksgiving – same Greek root – EUCHARISTIA

- What can we thank the triune God for?

FATHER – Source of all good gifts – James 1:17

- CREATION

- Plan of SALVATION

SON – Redeemer

- Giver of the Holy Spirit

- Victory over death à we as believers will ultimately overcome death

SPIRIT – Continuing presence in our lives

- guidance and understanding of the Word of God

- renews and sustains our joy

IV CONCLUSION

- Central emotion at the table: THANKSGIVING

- Holy Spirit is present: joy, gladness, generosity

- How can we live joyfully in a fallen world? Jesus is SEATED on the throne!!!

“ saved” 2: 47 – Here’s the promise – “ whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:25, Romans 10:13

Have you called?

Have you trusted Jesus to save you?