Sunday, December 31, 2023 AM
New Year’s Communion Service: Restored Through the Lord’s Supper
Mike Teel, Pastor
FOCAL PASSAGE:
1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
—John 21:1-17
THE SETTING OF OUR STUDY TODAY
1. THE COVENANT RELATIONSHIP
–When Jesus gathered the disciples together to observe the Last Supper together, He was in the process of establishing a new covenant relationship with them.
31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
—Jeremiah 31:31
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. —Luke 22:20
2. RESTORING THE COVENANT
–Peter was present that night when the Covenant Relationship was established. But before the night’s end he had betrayed the Savior three times.
–The former covenant when broken was thought to be finished.
–Jesus’ invitation of restoration:
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. —John 21:10-14
–Invitation to join for a meal / willingness to restore broken fellowship.
APPLICATION TO OUR LIVES
1. HOW HAVE YOU FAILED IN YOUR COVENANT RELATIONSHIP?
–If you have trusted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you pledged to live your life for Him!
–How well are you keeping your end of the bargain?
—-Have the things of the world captured your heart?
—-Is there a habitual sin in your life you know the Lord is not pleased with?
—-Have you allowed a relationship to cause there to be jealousy, envy, bitterness, unforgiveness?
—-Is your thought life at times plagued with un-pure thoughts?
—-Have neglected your quiet time: Reading, studying, and praying?
—-Have you failed to share Christ with others?
2. GOD HAS INVITED YOU TODAY TO JOIN HIM IN A SIMPLE MEAL OF RESTORATIONS.
–We hopefully can learn the lesson of this past year and apply them to the New Year before us.
–We can begin with a clean slate and hopefully make this New Year the best for Christ our lives have experienced in the past few years.
CLEANSING TIME:
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
—I Corinthians 11:27-30
LORD’S SUPPER OBSERVANCE:
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from 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 given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. —Luke 22:14-20