The Proclamation

The last supper here that Jesus celebrated with his disciples, we find that he made a

declaration that took the disciples kind of off guard a little bit along the way. But we know that

the planning and the preparation for the Passover was completed, and that Jesus had made provision

for all that was needed, just as we consider for the meal he had everything planned and prepared,

just like God had our salvation planned and prepared for what was going to come to pass,

and to make a provision for us. And this Passover, though, we know was going to be very different

for the disciples. Though it would be similar, it would stand very distinct in many ways,

because it's going to reveal the true picture of what it was and who it pointed to in that.

But the first Passover, if you remember, we talked a little bit last week about that,

that that was in Egypt, as the Israelites were slaves, and how at the end of the Passover,

they were set free from Egypt, set free from bondage. And we find that the Passover,

when Jesus celebrates, he was about to set us free from sin, what has enslaved us. And we're going to

see those similarities as we continue through this. But when we understand that that last Passover

was going to reveal that new covenant or testament provided by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ

himself. And we need to realize this was God's plan all along. For God promised that he would send a

redeemer, a savior, one that would set us free from sin. And it would come to finally was coming to

fruition. It was right on the edge of that fulfillment as we find, as we come into this

supper here, that Jesus is speaking here to the last Passover. And so we find here the Lamb of God

that takes away the sin of the world would soon be killed. You know, that final atonement paid in full

and available to whosoever would believe. You know, I like that whole, that song we sang this morning,

whosoever meaneth me. You know, that's a wonderful truth in that old song, that the whosoever means

exactly that, whosoever. You know, and the whosoever there meaneth you and me and anybody who calls

upon him. But we find here as Jesus has made ready the Passover, he's had a place and everything

prepared. He sent Peter and John, as we saw last week, tasked with making that ready, the

Passover. Remember they sent him in and he followed the guy carrying the pitcher instead of a water bag.

The guy was carrying a pitcher and followed him to the house that they were supposed to, and where

they found that the master of the house had an upper room already prepared and furnished for what

was needed. All Peter and John had to do was make sure the meal was ready, that things were in place.

And now the day is drawing to a close, and the twelve arrive here to eat the evening meal. And so

let's take a look here. If you found Mark chapter 14 this morning, let's stand together in the honor of

Mark 14 · chapter mention

the reading of the Word of God, and we'll read down here for a few verses and get into the message here

this morning that the Lord would have for us. But look here in verse 17. It says,

And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you,

One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him,

One by one, Is it I? And another said, Is it I? And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve

that dippeth with me in the dish. The Son of Man indeed goeth as is written of him. But woe to the

man by whom the Son of Man be betrayed. Good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Let's pray. Heavenly Fathers, we come before you this morning. Lord, we just thank you for the

opportunity. Lord, we just pray for even, you have strength to my voice here today to be able to

speak forth the truth of your word. Lord, that it might be able to be heard and understand,

understood. And Lord, help us just to think and to process your word clearly and concisely here this

morning, Lord. And we just love you and thank you. And we just give you all the praise in Jesus' name.

Amen. You may be seated. You know, as we see here in verse 17, we see here that the evening he cometh

with the twelve. You know, the twelve disciples and Jesus arrive at the house there in Jerusalem

that had been prepared for the meal. And it was a private meal. You know, that's one of the things

that's important to note here. Jesus wanted this to be a time with just him and his disciples. It was a,

you might say it was a closed session with the disciples. It was just the twelve and Jesus as they

enter in to the meal. And we're going to see that I think there's a lot of things we'll find in the

text this morning that reveals to us why Jesus did that. And even how it applies in his picture of

things today, even in our own lives and the things that we need to be careful of in our own heart and

our own mind when it comes to the Lord. Because as we find here, this is one of the events you'll find in

every gospel. You know, the events of this Last Supper is in every gospel. Every one of them covers

it though a little different of a perspective. You know, that's one thing that we need to understand

that I'll just a side note a little bit here for a moment. But you know, one of the things to get

valid validity to the Word of God is the fact that it gives different perspectives that are all the same

and can be correlated and it's perfect. But it helps us understand it's just not word for word.

Somebody didn't just copy something down and then somebody else repeat it.

These are real life testimonies that God has moved and God has given to them that we might know

the details and the things there. And we know that they have our truth in what is being spoken

about. Because you know, each of the gospels provide a little different perspective. You know,

if you, the gospel of John, when it comes to this, he gives a perspective, Jesus washing the feet of the

disciples. You know, when you understand the washing the feet of the disciples, it's, as you read through

the gospel of John, you'll find out the perspective is Jesus here, they're at the dinner, he's washing

their feet. And if you read a little longer, a little farther there in John, it tells you a little bit

what their conversation was, is Jesus is washing the disciples' feet. They're talking about who's

going to be greatest. Let that soak in for a moment. When Jesus said, as the master, I'm going to wash

your feet, and you guys are discussing who's going to be greater. You know, we can sometimes miss the

very things that the Bible teaches us. And overlook, John gives us some insight about, he talks about

specifically inquiring regarding the betrayer of who Jesus speaks. You know, Luke, we know, gives the

details gathered from the disciples, and noting names of the disciples of things and details that

were there, because it was kind of an eyewitness testimony gathering. You know, Luke, you might

look at it this way, is more kind of like a good investigative reporter that puts together all the

right information. He goes out and interviews everybody, and gets all the things, and then puts

it together. That's Luke's perspective there, is he's one that took all the information, he says,

hey guys, these are the things most assuredly believed among us. That we can get a full picture.

You have Matthew, who records Judas's inquiry about himself. Unique perspectives. And here we're

going to see Mark gives us some details and specifics also, because while the specific details of each is

painting for us a picture of the evening, that we have a full picture of it. Not just a one

perspective or one thought, but a full perspective of what was happening, and what was taking place here.

Because these events are recorded for a purpose, and the first is the proclamation that Jesus has. I

want you to think for a moment as they sit down for the supper, and here look at verse 18 with me for a

moment. Think about how they're excited about the supper. They're excited about what's happening here.

To get all this stuff ready. I imagine that it was, they probably walked to the dinner that night.

They probably had a little brisk walk to them, saying, we're looking forward to this.

They were excited about what was going to happen. And we see here, look at verse 18. It says,

Verily I say unto you, one of you which eateth with me shall betray me. I don't imagine that was

what the disciples thought was going to come out. You know, not exactly dinner conversation.

They're sitting there, and they're listening to what Jesus has as he goes through the meal.

But the mere thought that one of the disciples would betray him caught them all off guard.

It was a shocking declaration. You know, think about, here's a group of 12. They've been together

over three, some three and a half years, some three years, you know, as the disciples kind of came on

board with Jesus, you know, and they really sold out to follow him. These are men that they'd traveled

together, they'd ate together, they'd sweat together, they'd worked together, they'd done all

these things together. They'd served the Lord together. They're looking, hey, all of us went out.

We saw the miracles. We saw the wonders. We were there at all these things. We saw how God used us.

You know, when we understand they all went out two by two, and they served the Lord,

and God did great things through them. And Peter, as you think about Peter, in his remark that he made,

you know, back in Mark chapter 10, in verse 28, Peter, when Jesus was talking to him there,

Mark 10 · chapter mention

Peter looks at him and says, Lo, we have left all to follow thee. Peter was making a declaration,

not only about himself, but the other 11 also. He's saying, Jesus, we gave up.

We turned away from what we had to follow you. That's a dedication. That's a decision that these

men had made to serve the Lord. So when Jesus looks at him and says, Hey, guys, I want to let you know

there's going to be one here that's going to betray me. You see the reaction of the individuals here.

Each one was there by their own choice. Jesus didn't force them to follow him. I want you to

understand that they chose to follow him. Just like today, he invites you and I to follow him.

One thing about it, you can't force somebody to do something very long. When it comes to serving the

Lord, it's a choice of a priority that you place. Look back into Mark chapter 8 for a moment as Jesus was

Mark 8 · chapter mention

speaking to his disciples earlier. Verse 34 in Mark chapter 8 says, And when he had called the

Mark 8 · chapter mention

people unto him with his disciples, and he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny

himself and take up his cross and what? Follow me. It was a decision that he challenged them to.

He said, Whosoever will come after me. He didn't command them. He said it's a choice. It's just like

salvation cannot be commanded or directed to a person. It's whosoever chooses to call upon the name of the

Lord. It's not something you can make somebody do. You know, it's one of the important realities that we

need to understand. You cannot make somebody love God. You can make people go through actions, but you

can't change the heart of an individual. That's a choice. And we see here when they hear that one in

the group would betray Jesus. I can just imagine them looking around because the statement caught

them all off guard. They had no clue. They had no idea what was about to happen. Who could it be?

You know, you think about what they were going through their mind. And, you know, I talked about

the gospels giving us a little different perspective. Turn over to John for a moment. John chapter 13.

John 13 · chapter mention

Because John gives us this little glimpse of insight into what happened at that moment.

You know, John chapter 13 and verse 22, it says, Then the disciples looked one on another,

John 13 · chapter mention

doubting of whom he spake. In other words, when they looked around the table, they're going,

Is it Matthew? No, no, it can't be Matthew. It can't be him. I mean, you think about it as they're

going around the room looking at one another going, I don't think it could be you. It caught

them totally off guard. But you know what? Jesus presented the question in a good way because what

resulted is a very important thing too. Because I want you to see what takes place here. As we go back

and look in our text here, notice what it says in verse 19. In Mark chapter 14, it says,

Mark 14 · chapter mention

And they began to be what? Sorrowful. And to say unto him one by one,

Is it I? Is it I? You know, the reality is here the disciples did something we often need to do.

That's to take a hard look at ourselves. To take a hard look inside ourselves. And they did. They

began looking and examining themselves. It was a question, you know, is it I? They looked and

examined themselves trying to grab a hold of how I don't understand. You know, is there something in

my heart? Is there something I need to deal with? Is there something Jesus knows that I need to walk

through or to confess or to deal with? I find this a great illustration of what you find later

in Scripture tied to the Lord's Supper. Look over to 1 Corinthians chapter 11 for a moment.

1 Corinthians 11 · chapter mention

1 Corinthians chapter 11. When speaking of the Lord's Supper, we find here

1 Corinthians 11 · chapter mention

that the church of Corinth is challenged with something when regards to the Lord's Supper.

Look what it says here in verse 28. It says, but what? Let a man do what?

What? Examine who? Himself. And so let him eat that bread and drink that cup that he that

eateth and drinketh unworthy eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's

body. You know, it's interesting. We're told that before you partake in the Lord's Supper,

you ought to examine yourself. It's interesting before God celebrated and turned what was the Passover

over into the Lord's Supper that he had the disciples take some time to examine themselves.

To look at who they were. They had to look at who am I before God? What is my relationship like?

What's going on in that? Is it I? You say, well, how, why would Jesus do that? You know what the reality

is? It keeps us, when we examine ourselves, it keeps us in a right perspective. Because sometimes you can

look at somebody else and say, yeah, I can, I can see him doing that. I can do this. And oftentimes we

don't think, you know, there's, we're only a few decisions ourselves away from being in the same

place somebody else is. If you don't think you're just a couple of bad decisions away from destroying

your life, you're, you're wrong. The Old Testament's filled with great examples of individuals. Think about

David. He was a man after God's own heart, but made a few wrong choices in a rapid period. And he ended up

in adultery with a woman. I guarantee when they looked at David, nobody would have said, hey, David's

up for that one. But you know where it started was in the heart. He needed to look at himself. We get

in trouble when we don't look at ourselves and consider there were just a few short choices

away from falling. You know, look over to 2 Peter chapter 3. 2 Peter chapter 3. Look here at verse 17.

2 Peter 3 · chapter mention 2 Peter 3 · chapter mention

Peter gives us a good insight here. He says, ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before,

beware, lest ye also being led astray with the error of the wicked fall from your own steadfastness.

Now I want you to know today we have to be careful because the spirit of deception

is running rampant just as it was in their day.

People can present things. The spirit of deception takes things and twists it. It takes scripture and

people will take one scripture, they'll take one verse out of context or even out of a sentence

and make it say something that it doesn't say. And you'll look at it and say, well, it's the word of

God and it sounds good, but it can take you down a path totally counter to what God has said.

You know, one of the famous ones, judge not. You know, that's one gets used a lot, isn't it?

My thing is, read the rest of the passage. Now I want you to understand that we can get led astray

with things that sound good. If we don't examine or even ourselves, we can convince ourselves that

things are okay when it's not. We need to be aware of the sin in our life. You know, we can fall into

sin very easily. It's a decision that you can make. It says, they began to be sorrowful. Is it I? And

another said, is it I? But notice what Jesus says. He helps them out here. As I read this and I've

looked at it and studied it, it's kind of an interesting statement because Jesus is almost

reflecting it back to themselves also when you understand the custom and what's going on.

notice here in the next verse, he said, is one of the 12 which dippeth with me in the sop or in the

dish here. John calls it the sop, which is, it's the same element that we're looking at here.

Now the irony is all 12 of them would have participated in it. I imagine the disciples were

looking at Jesus going, well, that's no help. You know, you said, well, it's going to betray you.

And then you say, what am I going to dip in the sop with you? The sop was a bowl that was mixed with

fruit and some other things. And they would take a piece of the unleavened bread and stick in there

and they would eat. And we understand that they would do that as they were around the table.

They're thinking, you know, that doesn't help us at all who that is. You know, we're all going to be

doing that. Uh-oh. But we find here that as he refers there to dips in the dish and the disciples

didn't know who it was, but Jesus did. You know, he understood what was going to happen.

Look at verse 21. He says, the Son of Man indeed goeth as it is written of him. But woe to that man

by whom God, by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. You know, Jesus already knew what was going to happen.

While it shocked the disciples, the fact that one would betray him, I want you to understand it was

no surprise to Jesus. Matter of fact, what was taking place here was foretold.

And we're going to talk about that a little bit, but turn over to Psalm 55 for a moment.

Because Psalm 55 gives us a glimpse into what was happening here. It was foretold.

These things that were going to happen. It says here in verse 12, it says,

for it was not an enemy that reproached me when I would have borne it. You know, you think about

oftentimes what Jesus is having happening here? We say, how does Jesus understand what I'm feeling

in life? I tell you what, if anybody's ever betrayed you, Jesus understands what betrayal feels like.

When you have one that he's walked beside that you've helped, you've encouraged, you've done

everything you can for him, then they walk out the door. And in this case, sell him out for 30 pieces

of silver for his life. Notice what he says here. He says, then I could have borne it. You know,

if it was somebody that don't know, that I didn't know, or wasn't attached to, you know,

when somebody you don't know very well betrays you, it really doesn't bother you terribly.

But when it's somebody close to you, somebody you've walked with, worked with,

had a connection with, he says, neither was it he that hated me that didn't magnify himself against

me. Then I would have hid myself from him. But it was thou, a man, mine equal, my guide,

mine acquaintance. He took sweet counsel together and walked into the house of God in company.

I mean, think about that. Judas had sat there, they'd worshiped together, they'd done all the

things in the temple together, they'd served alongside. Jesus had sent him out. He had given

him abilities to do miraculous works in the name of Jesus. Jesus had done everything for Judas. But

Judas was going to turn on him. Verse 15 there in Psalms says, let death seize upon them and let them

go down quick into hell, for wickedness is in their dwelling and among them. Now I want you to see here

that Jesus understood what was going to take place, but it wasn't going to change what was going to

happen. Jesus would fulfill what had been written. He would be betrayed and he'd be crucified. But look

over to John chapter 13 for a moment. John chapter 13 and verse 18. John gives us another little glimpse

John 13 · chapter mention John 13 · chapter mention

of insight. Because Jesus also made note, I speak not of you all. I know whom I have chosen, but that the

scripture may be fulfilled, he that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you

before it come, that when it has come to pass, you may believe that I am he. Now I think this was

important. Jesus understood us as a person. Because he said, hey, the disciples are going to be caught off

guard by what Judas is going to do. It may even make them question my choice in Judas. But he said, I did

this. I want you guys to know because afterwards when you look back, you're going to say, yes, Jesus is

everything and all that he said he is. He already knew what was going to happen.

Wasn't caught off guard. Jesus was going to say, this is what's going to happen. This is how it's going to

happen. None of these things were catching him by surprise. You know, matter of fact, Acts chapter 2

Acts 2 · chapter mention

in verse 23 tells us this, it says, him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge

of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. We don't have a lot of time

this morning to get into it, but I want you to understand that God has a determinate counsel of

how things are going to end, how things are going to be provided. God has accomplished those things.

He has set a plan in place and nobody's choice is going to alter the outcome of the plan.

I want you to understand that God is above you and my and your choices.

We have a loving God that gives us the ability to choose, but your choice doesn't supersede

God's plan. What God says, do you want to be a part of my plan? Are you going to stand opposed to

my plan? What a desire. God has the foreknowledge of understanding what's going to take place.

Judas made a choice to betray Jesus. And what I want you to make it emphasize here a little bit,

I want you to understand that God didn't make Judas betray him. The heart of Judas betrayed Jesus.

It was his choice. Judas betrayed Jesus by his own will. Look back to our text for a moment. Look in

verse 21. It says, the Son of Man indeed goeth as it is written of him. In other words, I want you

to understand that yes, what happened with Judas was important. It was foretold, but God is basically

telling us there, he says, I'm going to the cross to pay for sin no matter what. I'm going to accomplish

what I came to do. Why did Jesus come? Jesus didn't come the first time just so we could have Christmas.

He didn't come so people could have cute little plays. You know, we always love Christmas. You

always got the, you know, the two to three year olds are always the best, right? Unpredictable. You never

know what's going to happen, you know? You know, we might enjoy those things, but that's not the reason

Jesus came. Jesus didn't come just to give us a good example. When he stepped into this world as a babe in

the manger, he already understood. He had set his eyes forth and directed exactly what he was going to do

and to accomplish. The road didn't begin when they left Galilee a few months earlier from this point.

This began, it didn't even begin when he was born. This plan was put in place, the Bible tells us, from the

foundation of the world. These things were put in place. Read Galatians chapter 4. We won't go there

Galatians 4 · chapter mention

this morning, but I want you to understand it's very clear that at the appointed time, you know, God has

things that he has appointed. You know, it's kind of like getting your appointment book or your calendar.

God has a big calendar and he says, yep, that's when it's going to take place. But I want you to

understand here, Judas betrayed Jesus by his own will. God chooses to disclose what was going to happen.

Instead, we find this whole evening presented an opportunity for Judas to repent. You know,

consider that Jesus, the picture we see here, Jesus is washing the disciples' feet, explaining that

they're not all clean. And he wasn't talking about their feet. Jesus was still displaying love to Judas.

I want you to understand, he might understand, I don't know how Jesus balances or how God balances that in

his mind. But he gives us a great picture of the loving God. He says, I know you're going to betray

me, but I want you to know I love you still. That's a powerful picture. John 13 11 says, for he knew whom

he should betray him. Therefore, he said, you're not all clean. And that's the wonderful thing about the

Lord. You always have a chance to turn to him by your drawing breath in this life. Then we look later

and Jesus offers Judas the sop that he had been, that he had dipped. You know, when you understand

the picture of where Judas was around the table. Now, first thing I want to tell you is get the famous

painting of the Last Supper. Just put that away. If you want one of them, get one with the dogs because

it's as accurate as the rest of them. Matter of fact, I think the dog picture might be more accurate.

They did not have the Last Supper at a long table. You know, that's the reason we need to be careful

because sometimes we try to interpret scripture through people's ideas that put into our head.

And it leads us to a wrong understanding of what's happening. When you read through this, I want you

to know something. As you read through the account, they would have been eating at a low table.

They would have been sitting on pillows laying on their side eating. That would have been the custom of the day.

John, as Jesus would have been laying there on his left hand to support him on his left elbow.

John, he could have reached out and touched.

Because remember, it says John leaned back on Jesus' breast. Well, how could he do that? Because John was at his back to Jesus.

And so if he wanted to talk to Jesus, he had to lean back.

But the interesting thing is, you know, he's on the other side? Judas.

When you understand the culture, we don't have time to get into it all,

but it says that Jesus did dip in the sop and pass it to Judas.

You know why? Because Judas was the one that was right behind him.

You say, well, why wouldn't that include everybody?

Because it was a custom.

The disciples had no idea that that was a signal of what was happening at the time.

That's the reason they were looking at themselves going,

I don't know who it is, and I don't think it's me.

Lord, is it me?

Is there something I need to deal with?

He offers Judas the sop.

And Judas, Matthew records something.

A little conversation between Judas and Jesus.

Look over in Matthew chapter 26.

Matthew 26 · chapter mention

Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said,

Master, is it I?

And he said unto him, Thou hast said.

Now this has a lot of implications here,

because now Judas knows that Jesus knows

what had been going on behind the scenes we talked about a few weeks ago.

Because remember what Judas had done?

He'd went to the scribes and the high priests and the priests

because they'd put out a declaration,

Hey, who's willing to sell Jesus out for some cash here?

Judas being upset that he didn't get the money in the bag that he could steal,

goes and sells Jesus out.

And then comes back and waiting for a convenient time.

I want you to understand, this had been brewing for days.

And Jesus looks at Judas and he says, Thou hast said.

In other words, basically he's telling Judas,

I know what you got going on.

He gently confronts Judas with his sin.

I don't think Jesus could have confronted him any gentler

with any greater tone of love

than to just speak kindly the truth.

Jesus wasn't just guessing, Jesus knew.

But he still didn't repent.

You know, I think Judas is like many today.

We have deceived ourselves rejecting a chance after chance.

When it comes to the Lord,

oftentimes people, they read this,

Oh, next time.

Or we can look past this.

Or, no, I don't want to deal with that.

I'll tell you, just as Jesus said in Luke chapter 13,

Luke 13 · chapter mention

He says,

I tell you nay, but except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.

Because look at verse 21.

The Son of Man indeed goeth as is written of him,

but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.

Good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.

You know, the Bible tells us it was better off if he'd never lived.

You know, the reality is,

is the same is true for us today.

It's better off not to have lived

than to live and die by rejecting Jesus.

Because the same is true of anybody who dies without Christ.

You know, it kind of amazes you sometimes

because you say, well, I wouldn't be like that.

You're not exempt from anything when you consider Judas

walked alongside Jesus, saw his miracles,

heard his teaching, witnessed his character,

saw his mercy and his grace,

and still rejected him.

To live without Jesus is a terrible thing,

but to die without him is an even greater tragedy.

All the way to the end,

Judas made a decision to neglect so great a salvation.

You know, sadly today, many are doing the same.

They have an opportunity to call upon the Lord,

but they walk away.

Their sin holding them firmly in where they want to go.

They want to hold on to their sin

when simply they have to let go and let God.

Let God step in.

You know, it's amazing how we can hold on to things

that hold us down.

I remember as a kid and learning how to trap different animals.

You know, a raccoon is a very coy animal.

I mean, it's very smart,

but a raccoon is also very dumb

because you can catch a coon with a shiny coin.

All you got to do is put it down someplace

where they can get in and get a hold of it,

and the stupid animal won't let go.

You know what?

Sometimes it's just like us when our sin,

all we got to do is let go of it to be set free.

But yet we sit there and hold on to it.

When Jesus says, come unto me,

just as Judas and his betrayal and his greed

in his heart, his own corruption,

he held on to it instead of turning to Jesus.

To reject salvation is to secure your place

in a place called hell.

You know, Jesus is calling out today

He has done everything that you need to be saved.

He died on the cross to pay for your sin,

to settle the debt we all owe.

He rose again victorious,

allowing all those that turned to Him

to live eternally in the presence of a holy God.

Jesus was providing everything that was needed.

Yet you still got to do something.

That says you got to make a choice.

Are you going to let go of your sin and come to me?

Are you going to let your sin take you to a place

that wasn't prepared for you,

but was made for the devil and his angels?

It's a place you go of your own choice.

I want you to understand,

we don't have an angry God that says,

I want you to go to hell.

We have a loving God that says,

I've made a way that you don't have to.

What about you today?

As the Lord spoke to you about some things

in your heart and your life,

maybe you're here today and you're holding on to sin.

Instead of saying,

Jesus, I repent, I turn to you.

Maybe you need to understand the reality

of what it means to trust Christ as your Savior today.

It's not something somebody gives to you.

It's something that God has offered.

He offers it to you today.

Heads are bowed and eyes are closed this morning.

What about you today?

What's keeping you from the Savior?

What's keeping you from serving God?

Whatever that is,

I want you to understand the necessity of coming to Him.

Heavenly Fathers, we come before you this morning, Lord.

We just thank you for your word.

We're thankful for the reality

that you made a way of salvation for us.

Lord, we pray just have your hand upon each heart,

each life here today.

Lord, there's one that doesn't know for sure

the reality of your salvation, Lord.

Understand the reality of what it means to be saved, Lord,

that it's not a ritual or a rite that you perform.

It's not something that's outward,

but it's something that happens inwardly.

It comes from the inside out.

Lord, I pray just have your hand upon each one today.

Lord, you know the need.

Lord, if there's one today that is not sure

of where they stand with you,

that today might be the day

they'll call upon you in faith.

Lord, we just ask it all in your precious name.

Amen.

As we sing...