THE CUP OF SALVATION Psalm 116:12-14 There are many kinds of cups. Each society uses its own type or style of cup Some are delicate -- Some are sturdy. Some are meaningful conveying a message others say nothing. There is one cup, that upon looking at it, appears very insignificant. Though we have many different cups, types and styles, when we come to the Lord s Table, we share a common cup. Our purpose today is to understand the MEANING, MESSAGE, AND MINISTRY that are represented by this cup. We will look at 3 aspects of this cup. Though it is a common cup, this cup is filled with MEANING. This common cup relates to us a MESSAGE. This cup we take represents MINISTRY. In PSALM 116, a psalmist writes of the cup of salvation.. It is this cup the cup of salvation, that we want to talk about today. Psalm 116:12-14 Psalms 116:12-14 12 What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? 13 I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD. 14 I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people.
THE CUP OF SALVATION Page 2 of 8 The overall purpose of this psalm is to praise and give appreciation, praise and thanksgiving to God for all He has done for the protection He has provided. Through tough times of the pains of death (v.3) Trouble and sorrow. Through God s preserving of the simple. (v.6) Being delivered from death, fear, from falling. Having great afflictions. Sounds like a soap opera doesn t it? No it is REAL LIFE. Many of us could read this psalm and identify with the suffering, pain, and tears. (Just don t read it right now, please.) This psalmist is praising God for all He has done in the midst of his troubled life, and the climax comes in verses 12-14. v. 12 What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? What do we owe God for all He has done? What can we do? We can accept Him and believe in Him. Trust v. 13 I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I. THIS COMMON VCUP IS A CUP WITH A MEANING v. 13
THE CUP OF SALVATION Page 3 of 8 Psalms 116:13 I will take up the cup of salvation, The MEANING of the cup at the Lord s table is SALVATION. The juice represents the blood of Christ blood which saved us. In the book of Leviticus as the offerings and sacrifices were being explained, we read Leviticus 17:11 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.' Only the blood of Jesus can atone for your sins. It is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. ÁTONEMENT (kaw-far');to cover, to placate or cancel: Only the blood of Jesus can atone for your sins. Hebrews 9:12 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. HYMN #195 NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD Matthew 26:28 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. One must real the lost-ness of your life without the Lord Jesus Christ.
THE CUP OF SALVATION Page 4 of 8 It is by understanding that Christ died on the cross, shedding His precious blood, that God has provided a way of salvation He has provided atonement for your soul. CAN YOU DRINK FROM THIS CUP? Have you accepted Christ, or are you condemned because of unbelief? I. THIS COMMON CUP IS A CUP WITH A MEANING II. THIS COMMON CUP IS A CUP WITH A MESSAGE ONE OF SUBISSION v. 13b I will CALL upon the name of the Lord SUBMISSION is the submission to the LORDSHIP of Christ. There are many things that people trust in for salvation: Job, family, friends, church membership, charitable contributions, Works being a good person. Living by the 10 commandments, or the Golden Rule Do unto others as yow old have them do unto you. The list could go on and on. But, the bible says,... whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. (Acts 2:21) You must call upon Jesus Christ to save you, No other name will do. CONFUCIOUS came died was buried. HONG KONG MAN 78 generation descendent. BUDDHA came died was buried. MOHAMMED came died was buried.
THE CUP OF SALVATION Page 5 of 8 JESUS came died was buried AND AROSE!! Only Jesus can say, I AM the way, the truth, and the life. NO one comes to the Father but by me> The MESSAGE of the cup is SUBMISSION submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Psalmist said, I will call upon the name of the Lord. How will I remember the day as an 8 year old boy I called upon the name of Jesus. Have you called upon Him? Have you called upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? Only He can save you. There is none other. CAN YOU DRINK FROM THIS CUP? I. THIS COMMON CUP IS A CUP WITH A MEANING II. THIS COMMON CUP IS A CUP WITH A MESSAGE ONE OF SUBISSION III. THIS COMMON CUP IS A CUP WITH A MINISTRY (v. 14) To all who believe, God has gifted you to SERVE Him This common cup is a cup with a ministry SERVICE Psalms 116:14 14 I will pay my vows to the LORD
THE CUP OF SALVATION Page 6 of 8 There is salvation submission, the SERVICE. Psalm 100:2 Serve the Lord with gladness We say this, we KNOW it is Scripture, but do we DO this? Could it be that there is no gladness because there is not service? There is no service because there has been no submission. There is no submission because there is no salvation? Jesus said if you want to be my disciple, take up your cross and be continually following me. John 12:26 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. You are aware that SERVING is what believers are going to be doing in heaven for ALL ETERNITY, aren t you? Revelation 7:15 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. Revelation 22:3 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. Our MINISTRY our SERVICE is to take place here and NOW the effects of this SERVICE will carry over into eternity. Let me ask you, How are you serving Christ now? With JOYFULNESS? RESERVEDLY? OR NOT AT ALL?
THE CUP OF SALVATION Page 7 of 8 How is it that you think you will make it to heaven or be happy there where we will be serving Christ day and night for all eternity? Jesus said, Why do you call me LORD LORD, when you do not do the things I told you to do? CAN YOU DRINK FROM THIS CUP? This common cup is a cup with a meaning, a message, and a ministry. The blood of Jesus offers SALVATION through SUBMISSION leading us into SERVICE. Can you drink from this cup? Many of you can and have said yes, I CAN. I have seen my need of forgiveness. I realized I was a sinner and invited Christ into my life. I submitted to Christ, I am serving Him. But o some of you here now cannot say that. You realize you have sinned. You see your need to ask Christ into your life. You know you cannot drink from this cup. When the son of God stepped down from his throne to become a man, the finest of heaven s wines funneled itself into the common earthen vessel of a Palestinian Jew. For thirty years this vintage from heaven was cellared away in a carpenter s shop in Nazareth. But now the time has come for the seal to be broken, the cork extracted, and the fragrant bouquet of deity to fill the earth so that, for a fleeting but festive moment, the world s parched lips might taste the kingdom of God. p. 69
THE CUP OF SALVATION Page 8 of 8 When the son of God stepped down from his throne to become a man, the finest of heaven s wines funneled itself into the common earthen vessel of a Palestinian Jew. For thirty years this vintage from heaven was cellared away in a carpenter s shop in Nazareth. But now the time has come for the seal to be broken, the cork extracted, and the fragrant bouquet of deity to fill the earth so that, for a fleeting but festive moment, the world s parched lips might taste the kingdom of God. p. 69 And the way he revealed his glory with a quiet miracle,. No fanfare. No footlights. No theatrics. Just the mighty hand of God working silently behind the scenes in an hour of need. And the purpose of the miracle performed not to quench his own thirst, but to satisfy the needs of others. To ease a dear woman anxiety. To save a couple of starry-eyed newlyweds from embarrassment. And to provide a little pleasure for a work-worn community. p. 71,MOMENTS WITHTH SAVIOR, Ken Gire FILE: SERMONS/LORDS SUPPER/THE CUP OF SALVATION/10.30.11