Grace Baptist Church

11/06/2025

November 5 2025

Greetings friend,

Last Saturday we celebrated Richard Trube’s life. A good number of people came to celebrate. Afterwards we enjoyed a warm reception with friends and family reminiscing so many memories. It’s hard for pastors to say goodbye. Richard was an elder here, but also a friend. We had worked together, and served Jesus together. He told me I was like a brother, and I felt the same about him. And now, he is receiving his reward, but there is a hole in my life where he used to be.

As believers, we are not immune to suffering. It’s part of our Christian experience. I sometimes think how great it would be to never suffer. Wouldn’t it be nice to be free of all pain and suffering until Jesus comes? I suppose my flesh would like that, but the Father thinks it better that I become more like His Son? And that won’t happen apart from some suffering. Let’s take a look at what God says in Romans 5:1-5…

“1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Paul begins this section with the word, “Therefore.” In seeing that, we have to stop and ask what that “Therefore” is there for? It tells us that what he is going to tell us is based on what he already taught. And what he taught was that Abraham was credited righteousness because of his faith. And because he was credited righteousness, we too who believe in Jesus will be credited righteousness as well. The verse before, (4:25), tells us that “Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Jesus suffered for us in order to provide for our justification. It just may be that we too will need to suffer as we walk in it?

Verse 1 says that we have been justified through faith, and as a result we have peace with God. How? Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because He purchase our peace with God through His sacrifice. He paid the price for our sins. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace because He came to make peace available for us and also to be our peace.

It is through Him whereby we have gained access into this grace in which we now stand. We have been saved by His grace through our trust in Christ. Paul says that it is a grace in which we stand. Meaning this is a permanent position. We stand, as opposed to visiting once in a while. God has made us His children, and once we become His child, we can’t become the “un-children” of God. There is permanence even as we go through trials with Him.

Paul says that we can even boast about our relationship with God. Why? Because we will receive what He has promised… eternal life in Him. We didn’t work for it. There was no suffering on our part to receive His promise. Rather, Jesus suffered for us, so that we might have that opportunity. But here is where our suffering comes in. Verse three says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance,”

Jesus suffered on a cross for us, that we who believe might be born again in Him. But, our life with Him doesn’t end there. We are to grow up in Christ and become mature. That requires some suffering on our part. Are we willing to follow Jesus? Are we willing to do what Jesus directs us? 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” To endure persecution because of Jesus is to suffer with Jesus.

So, why is suffering needed? Well, the Bible tells us that it leads to perseverance. Perseverance is important because without it we would just quit. One has to persevere in the faith in order to overcome obstacles. And for sure, the devil will put obstacles in our way. The devil would have you quit, but Jesus would have you persevere. At one point in Jesus’ ministry, He began to teach some difficult truths. Because of that, many of His disciples turned away from Him. They quit. They left Jesus. Then Jesus asked the 12, “Do you want to leave Me too?” It was Peter who answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69. Peter was persevering in his faith.

That perseverance leads to something else. What is it? It is character. Perseverance helps shape and define our character. It’s who you really are when no one else is looking. In this case, we receive godly character as we persevere with Jesus.

Daniel had godly character. He prayed regularly to the Most High God. And then one day his king declared that he couldn’t pray to anyone or anything other than the king himself. The penalty was a night in the lion’s den. Nevertheless, Daniel prayed to God. And when his enemies saw him, they reported it to the king. The king had no choice but to feed Daniel to the lions. That’s faith in God! That’s godly character! And you know what happened in that story: God closed the lion’s mouths and saved Daniel.

Persevering with Jesus, and strengthening godly character produces hope. Hope is the sure and confident expectation of receiving what God has promised us in the future. It is far more than a wish that something will take place. It is reliance upon what God said. Hebrews sees hope like an “Anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf,” Hebrews 6:19-20. You can’t get any more certain than that.

Now this hope will not put us to shame. Why? Because God will never disappoint us by not fulfilling His promises to us. It’s impossible for Him to lie, and it is impossible for Him to fail. What He says, He will bring about. So, hope, for the believer in Jesus, includes a future worth rejoicing over and a present experience that will not disappoint.
We need never worry if this was a hopeless hope, or a futile hope, or a false hope. No, this kind of hope is as sure as the ground under your feet. One way that you can know that this is a sure hope is because God has poured out His love in your heart. When you sense His love and forgiveness—you can know that your hope is secure in Him. The way that He does this is through His Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Jesus told His disciples that it was better for Him to leave them because if He didn’t go, He couldn’t send them the Holy Spirit. But if He did go, Jesus would send the Spirit to them and the Spirit would be in them. See John 16:7ff.

The very fact that we have received the Holy Spirit is a sign that we have a steadfast hope. In Ephesians 2:13 we are told that when we believed in Jesus, we were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory. In other words, once we have the “Seal, the promised Holy Spirit,” we can be assured that our hope is secure. This is cause for rejoicing and boasting in Christ.

May you experience the love of Christ in your heart today. He is a loving Savior who is at work in you and through you that we might bring glory to the Father through Him until the day of Christ Jesus. If you are suffering, take heart because God is at work in you and through you. This is what it takes to be conformed into the image of Jesus.

Benediction: “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” Jude 1:24-25 (NIV2011)
Grace Baptist Church
Pastor Russ Hilsinger
1185 E. Ellendale Avenue
Dallas, OR 97338
503-623-4858
graceplaceor.com
Sunday Services: 9:15 for Sunday School and Church Services at 10:30

P.S. I’ll be preaching on the return of Christ this coming Lord’s Day from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. I want to invite you to join us either in person, or online later in the week at www.graceplaceor.com. Service starts at 10:30 for worship, and 9:15 for Sunday School as we study through the gospel of Mark verse by verse.

10/30/2025

October 29, 2025

Greetings friend,
We were blessed to be able to get away for a week, and we needed it. I was beginning to feel pretty wrung out. We went to Long Beach Washington and stayed at the Wordmark resort. Our time was pretty boring… which was the point of the vacation. We didn’t do much sight-seeing except what was available from our balcony. We had two dinners out, and they were the result of gift certificates. For the most part, we cozied up in our room and read novels. Personally, I spent a whole day in my pajamas with a book that I couldn’t put down. I love it when I get a chance to read like that. Most of my reading is analytical in nature.

When the weather cleared a bit, I was fortunate to go for walks along the Discovery Trail which fronted the beach. This trail commemorates journal entries by William Clark, of Lewis and Clark, about a journey he took from the Port of Ilwaco and ended on the Long Beach Peninsula. It’s about 8.5 miles long, ending behind the Breakers in Long Beach with a bronze replica of the tree Clark carved his initials into over 200 years ago. I saw that tree several times last week while enjoying walks with the Lord, and sometimes a good audio book. We all need time for reflection, prayer, and relaxation.

Of course, vacation is a time for a few extra snacks and indulgences that I would normally forego. So, when I got back, I was concerned about how I would do at my weekly weigh-in at TOPS? TOPS stands for “Taking Off Pounds Sensibly.” I joined this weight-loss accountability club a few years ago. I knew I had put on some pounds and had to “work them off” for Monday’s meeting. Having a Potluck on Sunday didn’t help. (There’s always good food there at the Grace Place Potluck.) But I worked hard and to my surprise I weighed the same as before? No gain. I was happy with that. (A miracle.)

At my TOPS Club, there is a delightful lady by the name of Kay. She had sent me a picture of a chalkboard in front of a café with the anacronym: BLESSINGS on it. I made a comment about it since I often sign correspondence with “Blessings on you.” I liked it so much, I decided to share it with you today. (Of course, as a preacher, I’m going to add a few biblical insights to it—no extra charge.)
Be present
Let the day flow with grace
Expect joy. Be positive
Serve with compassion
Speak only kindness
Impart only love
Never forget you’re not alone
Give thanks for everything
See goodness in others.
Be present: Often people are living in the past, nursing regrets or struggling with difficulties they wish they could have changed. This tends to lead to depression. While others are focused on the future and what might happen—leading to anxiety and worry. But Jesus tells us to live in the present—one day at a time. Why? Jesus says, “Each day has enough trouble of its own,” Matt. 6:34. To get through your day, be present with Jesus. Or as the old adage says, “When you feel like you are hanging on by a thread… make sure that it is attached to the hem of Jesus’ robe.”

Let the day flow with grace: As believers in the Lord Jesus, we realize that we have been saved by grace. But often after we are saved by grace, we tend to try and live according to the law. We discard grace and embrace self-effort. It’s nothing new. Paul addressed the Galatian church about this saying, “Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” Gal. 3:3. We all have this tendency. Instead… let your day flow with grace. God’s grace is truly amazing. Grace=God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.

Expect joy. Be positive: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says that we are to “Rejoice always.” That is a short verse but the reality is that if followed it will have a huge impact on you. Since Jesus is our joy, and the Joy of the Lord is our strength, (Neh. 8:10), we should expect joy to accompany us each and every day. Be positive about that. The Bible says “You fill me with joy in your presence,” Psalm 16:11. We miss out on joy when we look to our circumstances and fail to remember that He is with us in the midst of them. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Expect His joy to fill your heart. That’s a blessing for sure.

Serve with compassion: As followers of Jesus, we are to become like Him. But sometimes we forget what He said about servanthood. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many,” Mark 10:45. Jesus was a compassionate servant, and He loved doing His Father’s will. He said that those who serve in the kingdom are great, and the greatest is the servant of all. Of course, that would require His compassion, for without love we are simply a resounding gong.

Speak only kindness: I remember times when I have been told the “Truth in love.” But it was anything but loving. (It may have been the truth, but it sure didn’t feel loving.) People often like to tell others off… “speaking the truth in love.” But the Bible reminds us what this really means in Ephesians 4:29 saying, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Kindness is about being helpful and benefitting others. Kindness builds others up, and it doesn’t need to say anything if it has nothing kind to say. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit… the steadfast love that maintains relationships through gracious aid in times of need.

Impart only love: On the night that Jesus was betrayed He concluded His prayer for His disciples with these insightful words. John 17:26 says, “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” Jesus wants the world to know God’s love, and that this love would be in each of His followers. He shed His love abroad in our hearts through His Holy Spirit. The only reason I can think for Him to do that is so that we might learn to impart His love to others. Jesus said, “By this the world will know that you are my disciples if you love one another,” John 13:35. Don’t waste your time imparting anything less. Impart only love.

Never forget you’re not alone: When Jesus was conceived, an angel told Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for what was conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. This was to fulfill the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). See Matthew 1:20-23. The reason to not fear? God was with them. The reason to not ever fear… God is always with us. It’s His Name and Who He Is. He never leaves us, will never forsake us. Matthew closes his Gospel account with the same affirmation… “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b. Fear should be a red flag that we should look to Jesus and remember He is with us.

Give thanks for everything: Why? Because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. See 1 Thessalonians 5:17. However, I must tweak that word, “for” a bit. The Bible says that we are to “Give thanks IN all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” God is not the author of sin, nor of evil, so we shouldn’t give thanks for evil or sin in our lives. Rather, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in, we can give thanks. Why? Because “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. Give thanks. God is good and He is working in you for your good in all things!

See goodness in others: If that other person is a Christ-follower, know that “Christ will carry them on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” He started a good work in them, Philippians 1:6 says. Look for His work. Validate that. He is good. And on the contrary, if they do not know Christ, know that Christ loves them and would love to have a relationship with them. He sees a reason He would like to call them to Himself. Look for that good reason and affirm it. You’ve never looked into anyone’s eyes that didn’t matter to God. When others look into your eyes… can they see that goodness in you? I pray they will see goodness in me and in you. Amen.
Benediction: “BLESSINGS ON YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS. AMEN!”

Grace Baptist Church
Pastor Russ Hilsinger
1185 E. Ellendale Avenue
Dallas, OR 97338
503-623-4858
graceplaceor.com
Sunday Services: 9:15 for Sunday School and Church Services at 10:30

10/09/2025

WE: VALUE THE BIBLE. VALUE PRAYER; SEEKING TO BE A PEOPLE OF PRAYER. VALUE EVERY PERSON; CHRISTIAN AND NON-CHRISTIAN ALIKE. VALUE QUALITY AND “LOVING RELATIONSHIPS” VALUE GRACE AND TRUTH   OUR CORE VALUE: HUMILITY Plan Your Visit 7 Welcome We affirm the Bible as God’s Word, and as such we fin...

10/09/2025

Greetings friend,

Yesterday, my friend Richard Trube, went home to be with Jesus. He had been enduring a long period of illness. His heart finally gave out. He was home on Hospice, surrounded by his three children, and he drew his last breath at 5:35pm. The Bible says, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be,” Psalm 139:16b. His last ordained day was October 7th.

I remember when He and Graceann first came to Grace Baptist. He was a discouraged man, and he told me that he had lost his joy. But it wasn’t long before he began to find his joy again. Shortly after they came, Graceann volunteered to serve as our church secretary, and she did so faithfully for 18 years. Richard began attending our Leadership Development Team. He was a faithful servant. We knew him as a man of prayer, and was one of our prayer warriors. As our Leadership Team matured, Richard was identified as one of our Elders. He served faithfully for us. In those days, our leadership team met each week and the guys grew spiritually by leaps and bounds. This is their thoughts about Richard: (Compiled: Jan. 2012)

Richard Trube
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

The following is a synopsis of what your peers think of you…
You are… Powerful teacher in the word, His giving is teaching, praise and virtue; Another man of great values and ethics. Good leadership skills, Always there to welcome you; Merciful, Friendly, Faithful, Devoted; Very loving, Tolerant, Non-judgmental; A prayer warrior, A true man of God with a tender heart, showing compassion for all; Rooted well in the things of the Lord from past study and experience—wants education program to go; A tender heart for others, a true trait of Christ. Your loyalty to God is admirable; Prayer warrior, Mercy; Prayer warrior, good coordinator; Servant heart, Loving, Gift of Mercy, Hardworking, Caring for God’s people, Being made righteous; You are like the setting sun—comforting and encouraging. Your dependability helps a lot of things get done… dependability being one of the greatest gifts of all. Thank you for being you!

Last Sunday I preached from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15, and in it we are told to acknowledge and esteem our leaders in the Lord. Listen to God’s Word:
“12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.”

Richard worked hard among us. He was always creating charts, and lists. He did all kinds of things for us on his computer to assist the church. He prayed and he served. He played drums on our Worship Team, and for years he oversaw our Sunday School program. Simply because of his faithful service, prayer, his character, and his availability, he was appointed an elder. Elders are acknowledged—or recognized because of their hard work among the church. Not in order to get them work for the church. We simply acknowledged his eldership.

He cared for people in the body of Christ and I think it’s one of the reasons why he was compelled to pray for folks. Caring for others is a key component for being an Elder. You can’t really teach this, rather, it’s something that is recognized by those who are being cared for. To really care for others requires first that the love of God be shed abroad in our hearts. Then that love of God compels us to carry out the kind work of God. You can tell someone to go and care for someone, and they might do it. But, if there is no love in it, then it’s little more than a resounding gong or clanging cymbal, 1Cor. 13:1. All the guys knew how Richard cared, and our church knew it as well. Even though he is with the Lord now, we miss him, and are praying for his family.

Now there is more to being an Elder than what is revealed in 1 Thess. 5:12-13. The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy about the qualifications of an Elder in 1 Tim. 3:1-7…

“1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”

Not everyone who works hard, cares for others, or is able to admonish, wants to become an Elder. But those who are called by the Spirit of God aspires to such. They want to serve in this way. They also need to be faithful to their wife and all their other relationships. We can add to that a whole list of character qualities about them that Paul enumerates so that when you see someone who resembles that in life, you know that this is a person who can be trusted with the leading and feeding of the people of God. This doesn’t make them perfect, or faultless, it just says that these are those who are well on their way to Christian maturity and can assist others in that way.

Can a church have too many Elders? I don’t think so. We can always use men like this. Whether they are serving in an official capacity or not, they are needed in the Kingdom.
At Grace Baptist Church we are running short of Elders. So please pray for more. We need a team of them to carry out the work of the ministry here. We need more in order to expand the ministry here. We need more in order to multiply the ministry here. Jesus told us to “Go and make disciples.” His implication is that we make the kind of disciple that represents the life of Christ well.

This coming Lord’s Day I will be preaching on the holy habits that characterize the Christian’s relationship with God. I hope you can join us for that, but more importantly, that we exercise these habits more and more at Grace. If you can’t be here, an audio version of this message will be posted online on our website: www.graceplaceor.com Look for the sermon tab and then click on the date to find the message.

Benediction: “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

Grace Baptist Church
Pastor Russ Hilsinger
1185 E. Ellendale Avenue
Dallas, OR 97338
503-623-4858
graceplaceor.com
Sunday Services: 9:15 for Sunday School and Church Services at 10:30

WE: VALUE THE BIBLE. VALUE PRAYER; SEEKING TO BE A PEOPLE OF PRAYER. VALUE EVERY PERSON; CHRISTIAN AND NON-CHRISTIAN ALIKE. VALUE QUALITY AND “LOVING RELATIONSHIPS” VALUE GRACE AND TRUTH   OUR CORE VALUE: HUMILITY Plan Your Visit 7 Welcome We affirm the Bible as God’s Word, and as such we fin...

10/02/2025

Greetings friend,

Once again, we celebrated our Annual Harvest Party. This has been a tradition at Grace for a many years. The Church provided hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, corn on the cobb, and a variety of drinks; with the sides, salads, and desserts provided by the congregation. There was much to be had… especially desserts! And it was good. Thank you everyone, for your participation. It gives folks a chance to have a great meal together while fellowshipping in the name of Jesus. This fellowshipping is an important aspect body life, as we shall see later.

But first I want to give a shout out to a number of people who served so well in this event. Marc Collins was a Chef of the Day. He did a great job of grilling up the dogs and the hamburger patties, while overseeing the corn on the cob. Pam Hilsinger dialed up some decorations and helped coordinate putting the luncheon together. We have to say “Thanks” to Serena Lairson, from Nana’s House, who purchased the corn for us at her cost. We had a number of people who shucked corn during Sunday School, including Vickie Trube and Betty Boldt. Brad Caster set up tables for us. Alan Minton was a great assistance in putting lunch together, and Bob and Nancy Doll helped with the cleanup. There were others that helped, I’m sure, and we want to express our gratitude to them.

Jesus did a lot of ministry around a table. The Gospels record a number of them. For example, when Jesus began His ministry, Mark chapter one has Him going to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mom was sick, so Jesus healed her. Immediately she begins to wait on them. They’re having a meal together… just starting out. In Chapter 2 Jesus calls Levi the Tax Collector. They go to his house for a meal together, and while they are there a lot of Levi’s friends join them. Later in in Chapter 2, the disciples and Jesus were eating together, and John the Baptist’s disciples were fasting? People asked, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” Mark 2:18. Eating was a big deal.

There are a number more places, including the feeding of the 5,000 where Jesus is eating with His disciples. Why? Because it is a universal sign of acceptance and fellowship. People are doing life together. But the meal that stands out to me the most is the one known as, “The Lord’s Supper.” Let’s take a look at this supper as recorded in Luke 22:14-20…

“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.”

I’m sure the disciples were thinking they were celebrating the Passover meal. They had many meals with the Messiah. This annual event celebrated God’s deliverance from bo***ge in Egypt. It was a special meal. Jesus however, was going to transform this meal into something new and much bigger. You see, the Jews celebrated the Passover Lamb which was sacrificed on the night of their deliverance. God told the people to place some of the blood from the sacrifice on the doorposts of their homes, and on the top of the doorframe. Then, when the Angel of Death passed through the land and saw the blood on the homes, he would pass over those homes and none of the firstborn would die. Their faith in God’s word saved them from the plague of the firstborn.

But now, Jesus is instituting a new celebration just before He suffers. You see, He now is the Sinless Lamb of God who will atone for the people who put their trust in Him. The following day, Jesus would be lifted up on a cross and die. He would shed His blood in order to make an atonement for sin. He said He would not eat again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God. In other words, these events in the Old Testament pointed towards His ministry and the kingdom He would inaugurate. With that kingdom, this Passover would be completely fulfilled. Why? Because God will have brought His people safely into their rest. This is the ultimate deliverance. It’s a once and for all deliverance. A covenant not made with the blood of bulls and goats, but with the precious blood of Christ. It’s a totally new covenant.

Jesus says that He was eagerly desiring to eat this Passover with them. Yet He knew that this was literally His last supper! Of all the meals He had shared with them—this was the ultimate. Why? Because it represented the fulfillment of His life and ministry.

Jesus gave thanks for the cup, knowing what it represented. Later that night in the garden of Gethsemane He prayed that, if possible, the cup might be taken from Him. As man of very man—I don’t think He relished the idea of suffering God’s wrath. So, if by chance there was any other way possible the Father might redeem His people, He asked that that might happen. Yet, He says, “Not my will, but as You will.” And, if it were possible for mankind to be redeemed in any other fashion, God would have done that. The Father loves His Son. But there was no other way so Jesus drank that cup.

In the upper room, Jesus eagerly desired the eat with the disciples. But I also find it fascinating that He speaks of another meal. In verse 18 He says, “For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” No doubt this will be the finest cuisine imaginable. You recall that His first miracle was turning plain water into wine. He did this at a wedding in Cana. They were having a wedding feast and the wine gave out. When they served this water-turned-into-wine to the guests, it was said that this was the best wine. I think that in the Kingdom of God we will get to experience some of this very best wine with Jesus. It’s the best because it represents all that Jesus did on behalf of the redeemed. It represents His love for us.
The bread and the wine were ordinary elements that were served at a standard Passover Meal in Jesus’ day. But these ordinary elements were made extraordinary by the Son of Man. That ordinary bread is no longer ordinary, because it represents His body. He was a real man… God made flesh for us. “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God,” 2 Cor. 5:21. That bread is a reminder of what He did and who He became for us. Literally, He is the bread that came down from heaven to give life for the world. We should be mindful as we eat that bread that Jesus is in us, and is with us. He is Immanuel, “God with us.”

When we drink the juice or wine, (depending on the tradition), we are to remember that there is an awful cost for sin. The wages of sin is death, the Bible says. We can’t take sin for granted. We must be cleansed in order to fellowship with a Holy God. Jesus’ sacrifice made that fellowship possible. But to maintain right-relationship with Him, we need to walk in the light as He is in the light. John says that if we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 1 John 1:6. Fortunately for us, John tells us that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. I take that to mean that in order to maintain right-relationship I need to get confess my sins. Participating in the Lord’s Supper is a reminder to keep short accounts with Him.

But one more thing. The Lord’s Supper isn’t just about a ritual of remembrance, rather it is a reminder of what is at stake. It is a reminder of holy fellowship with the Risen Lord. It is a reminder that His is with us. It is a reminder that He alone is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy. It is a reminder that eternity is a life full of the sweetest fellowship with the Savior that we could ever imagine. It’s a reminder that He is coming, and that we are to encourage one another and build each other up in the Lord. Life WITH the Savior is available now and it only gets better in the future. And… He is coming soon.

This coming Lord’s Day, I will be preaching from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15, a section about Church Family Relationships. I hope you can join us for that, beginning at 10:30. But what I’m really looking forward to is our time around the Lord’s Table. May He truly make us one.

Benediction: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Grace Baptist Church
Pastor Russ Hilsinger
1185 E. Ellendale Avenue
Dallas, OR 97338
503-623-4858
graceplaceor.com
Sunday Services: 9:15 for Sunday School and Church Services at 10:30