Sunday Re Cap (13th Sept 2009)

Why does Jesus say "Do not worry?"

• Because by default we always fall back to worry! When we worry we take control and God loses all control to bless us! We feel miserable but at least we are now in control! Remember, to worry is to respond and return to our flesh and works instead of resting in what Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross.
  
• Because we are choosing to trust in our own efforts, we are on shaky ground. Uncertain about God's blessings and provision.
  
• It is an indication of pride. We no longer depend on His grace. James 4:6-7. It takes humility not to worry. 1 Pet 5:6-7
  
• When we worry, we are saying God cannot be trusted. We have made Him unworthy.
  

The antidote to worry is PEACE!

Mat 11:28-30

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. When He says "Come to Me…" He's saying come to the Prince of Peace.

Labour and Heavy Laden-worried to the point of being wearied. Why? Everyone is yoked to something. If we are yoked to something that is not synchronized with us then we get tired. Ex: Ballroom Dancing with the wrong partner makes us tired.

Maybe some of us are synchronized with the wrong partner? When we are synchronized, then there's less effort and more effectiveness. Jesus is the best partner! Perfectly synchronized. That's how Jesus intends for it to be. When we're yoked with him our yoke is easy and our burden is light! We're supposed to be dancing through life, work, family, business, and ministry! Are we yoked to the right partner? He takes the lead and we follow.

How is this connected to the Holy Communion? It comes back to BELIEVING the main clause of the New Covenant.

• Every time we partake of the Holy Communion, we put ourselves back on solid ground. The New Covenant is not uncertain (based on our own efforts, works, performance) but it is on solid ground (based on Christ Character and goodness).
  
• Jesus and Paul reminds us that "this is the blood of the New Covenant" in Matt 26:27,28 and Mark 14:24 and 1 Cor 11:25
  
• 1 Cor 11:28 "Let a man examine himself" is obviously not about confessing our sins because the 4^th clause of the New Covenant says "our sins and iniquities are remembered no more" Heb 8:12. It is examining our hearts to see if we remember that it is all about what Jesus has already done for us! "Do this often in remembrance of ME" and not YOU and your sins and weaknesses. Jesus remembers it no more; why should we?
  

We are encouraged to partake of it often! The more we partake of it, the more we are reminded that we are in the New Covenant and therefore solid ground instead of the shaky and uncertain ground of being worried. Our flesh easily goes back to works and performance. We partake of it to remember that Jesus has done it all! Now we can really say, "no worries!"