At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we gather to remember and celebrate the profound sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Yet, as Tyler reminded us in his sermon, our reflection does not end with His sacrifice. It extends to the victory of our King—a King who conquered death and is coming again. This victory compels us to share the Gospel with everyone we encounter.
The Sacrifice and Victory of Jesus
The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is the cornerstone of our faith. It is through His blood that we are redeemed and reconciled to God. As we partake in communion, we remember the words of Jesus in Luke 22:19-20, “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.’ 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.'”
However, our remembrance does not stop at the cross. We celebrate the victory of Jesus as our risen King. Revelation 1:5-6 proclaims, “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.” This victory assures us of His return and motivates us to live out our faith boldly.
A Call to Share the Gospel
The victory of Jesus is not just a personal triumph; it is a message of hope for the world. As Tyler emphasized, because of His act and His blood, we are compelled to share the Gospel with everyone we meet. This aligns with our mission at Lakeview Christian Church: “Be the Change as Jesus Has Changed Us.” We do this through our “Just 3” approach—Study, Share, and Serve.
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commissions us, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This Great Commission is a call to action, urging us to share the transformative power of the Gospel with others.
A Heart of Gratitude and Readiness
As we approach communion, let us do so with hearts full of gratitude for all that Jesus has done for us. We acknowledge our unworthiness, yet we receive His grace and the mission He entrusts to us. In 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Let us be ready to go wherever He calls us, knowing that we are equipped with His authority to spread the Gospel. As we remember His sacrifice and celebrate His victory, we eagerly anticipate His return and commit to being His ambassadors in the world.
Conclusion
At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we are called to be the change as Jesus has changed us. Through studying His Word, sharing His love, and serving others, we live out the victory of our King. As we partake in communion, let us renew our commitment to this mission, knowing that with God, all things are possible. May our lives be a testament to His grace and a beacon of hope to those around us.
