Scripture: Exodus 12:21-24; Luke 22:14-16

C.I.: “The Victory Dinner”

When we began this series – we said that the closest thing to heaven - is the worship of God by His saints.
Today we are going to conclude this series – be observing the meaning behind the Lord’s Supper.

I. A Celebration of Victory

A. Introduction:

1. When I was involved in sports – we would frequently have a “Victory Meal” at the end of the season.
a. The coaches would usually remind all of us of the worthwhile efforts and achievements.
b. Awards were handed out and accolades given for superior endeavor during the year.

2. The Passover meal for the Jews was much like this – it was a time to remember & reflect.
a. They had been enslaved in Egypt for 430 years – great privations & sufferings had been endured.
b. Then God came through Egypt and in a day – the people plundered their captors & left Egypt!

3. Perhaps that is why Jesus chose the Passover – for the time He would inaugurate the Lord’s Supper.
a. For as Passover was a reminder of deliverance – so too this Communion reminds us of ours.
b. For in the participation of this meal – we are reminded weekly of the victory – Jesus won for us!!
c. Let us now notice two areas - in which we as God’s people – are given victory by our Lord!!!

B. Victory over Satan

1. In the book of Revelation – there is only one verse about our Lord’s earthly ministry
a. (Rev. 12:5), “And she [God’s people] gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.”
b. The Gospels are about Jesus Earthly ministry – Revelation tells of His heavenly ministry for us.
c. Once Jesus ascended into heaven – things got exciting – (Rev. 12:7-9), “There was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. – And the dragon and his angels waged war, - and they were not strong enough, - and there was no longer a place for them in heaven, - The great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil & Satan.”

2. There was victory over Satan in heaven – because of Jesus victory on earth.
a. (Col. 2:15), “When Jesus had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through the cross.”
1) So each week, as we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded that God has made us “more than conquerors” over Satan and all His designs – through Jesus & the cross.
2) (Rom. 8:37-39), “…we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. – For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons … shall be able to…!”

C. Victory over Self

1. “Do enough Good Deeds and You Go to Heaven” (Oh, Really?!)
1) (Rom. 7:18), “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of good is not.”
2) (Rom. 3:23; 6:23a), “For we have all sinned…,” – “The wages of sin is death.”

b. Even our “Best Efforts” at being “good”– are not good enough;
1) (Gal. 3:10), “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by ALL THINGS written in the book….”
2) (Jms. 2:10), “For whoever keeps the whole law and stumbles in 1 point, is guilty of all.”

c. The intent of God’s law – was to show us that we could NOT save ourselves;
1) (Rom. 3:20), “…through the law comes the knowledge of sin.”
(i) (Rom. 7:7), “I would not have come to know about sin except through the law; for I….”
(ii) (James 4:17), “The one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it; to him it….”

d. So the victory Christians enjoy – is the one God won for us – that we could not win ourselves!
1) (Rom. 8:3), “For what the law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh.”

2. So the Lord’s Supper reminds us - that Jesus did what we could not!
a. (Matt. 26:26), “And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘Take, eat; this is MY body.’”
b. Only a sinless body would do…
1) (Heb. 4:15), “For we do not have a great high priest who cannot sympathize with our….”
2) (I Pt. 2:22), “He committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth.”

3. It is the Lord’s Supper that reminds us of what Jesus did for us;
1) (Rom. 3:24-25), “Being justified as a gift by God’s grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood.”
2) (Matt. 26:27-28), “And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them saying, ‘Drink from it all of you; for this is MY BLOOD.’”

CONCLUSION:

1. Regarding those sports dinners – the only people invited were those who participated. – The ultimate
Victory Meal is only for those who were part of God’s team – (Rev. 19:9), “And the angel said to me,
‘Write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me,
“These are the true words of God.”’”

2. Those on God’s team are those who chose to be saved through their obedience to God – (Acts 2:40-41)!