The Covenanting Table

Good Monday morning friends. It’s raining outside which encourages me to pray

“Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness, let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to spout; I the LORD have created it.” (Isaiah 45:8).

So, my prayer today for myself, you, Heritage and the world is that God’s salvation will produce righteousness in me and us.

There are five Sundays in November and I’m going to divide Luke 22 into five sermons:

1 – The Plot and the Passover – 1-23

2 – The Test of True Greatness – 24-38

3 – The Agony in the Garden – 39-46

4 – The Kiss and the Sword – 47-53

5 – The Disciples’ Fall & the Son’s Faithfulness – 54-71

Those working titles tell us what is transpiring in each of those texts. I’m not sure they will remain the sermon titles.

This Sunday’s sermon title could be: The Covenanting Table.

An outline might look like this –

First: The Conspiracy Against Jesus. 1-6

Second: The Preparation for the Passover. 7-13

Third: The Institution of the Lord’s Supper. 14-23

Fourth: The Meaning of the Meal

Let’s take the first point and apply the Observation, Interpretation, Correlation and Application (OICA) model to it. Here’s what I see first thing this Monday morning.

Observation – What the text says

a) The Passover draws near, and the religious leaders seek a way to destroy Jesus. 1-2

b) Judas, one of the Twelve, consents to betray Him for money. 3-6

Interpretation – What the text means.

a) Luke frames this scene with the irony that the Feast of Deliverance (Passover) becomes the backdrop for the ultimate Deliverer’s betrayal. Wow. (That is so important). His non-deliverance ensures our deliverance. It reiterates the salvation through judgement motif that runs throughout the Bible.

b) Satan’s entering into Judas proves he is not a Christian. (You can spend time on demon possession in your CG, but I won’t delve into it too much in the sermon.

c) Even so, evil plots do not frustrate God’s plan. They fulfill it. I’ll say more about that in the Correlation portion of this point.

Correlation – Where else does the Bible say something like this?

a) This is the story of the Bible (How many times do we see this in the Bible? (That’s a great CG discussion). For instance, look at just four examples -

b) Satan’s ploy in the Garden of Eden set the stage for the New Jerusalem/Haven.

c) Joseph’s brothers once sold him into slavery, yet God turned it for salvation (Gen. 50:20).

d) Haman’s plot in the book of Esther functions as another vivid example of the same redemptive irony that Joseph’s story and Judas’s betrayal reveal: evil intends destruction, but God works through it to accomplish salvation. (I may mention Haman here because my hope is to move from Psalm 119 next year to the book of Esther. Mentioning Haman here may whet the congregation’s appetite for more. That story is less well-known than Joseph’s but again, it is the basic storyline of the Bible summed up in Romans 8:28).

e) The cross is the final instance of human treachery overruled by divine sovereignty.

Application — How do I move this from text to transformation? How might the Holy Spirit apply this truth to me?

Trust God’s purpose even when you see human schemes that defy God’s will for you and the world. He is never surprised. He is always in control. He is working all things together for his glory and your good (which are synonymous).

Well friends, that’s just the outline for point one, The Conspiracy Against Jesus in verses 1-6. You can see how I could really preach four sermons just on this single point alone, and you could lead four CG discussions to fully enjoy each section of vs 1-23 over five Sundays. Wow!

Often, the hardest part in preaching and teaching is not ‘what to say,’ but, ‘what not to say,’ because there is so much to say. The Bible is so rich and so deep. It makes me think of Paul’s comment,

“Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ⁸To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things…” (Ephesians 3:7-9).

Reading even a single verse in the Bible is like standing under Niagara Falls.

But my main point this Sunday will be to emphasize the covenanting table, so I will leave those extraneous discussions to you. PS – They are extraneous to my point Sunday. They are not extraneous to discussion in your CG.

Oh, by the way, I’ve divided Luke 22 into five sermons because I think I will preach a Christmas series this year for the four Sundays of December. I haven’t taken a break from preaching through a book over the Christmas season in many years and I think the congregation will enjoy it. I wish I could start the Sunday after Thanksgiving, on November 30^th, but Luke presents chapter 22 in five sections, requiring 5 sermons.

Well, I had an early morning meeting away from the study this morning which has cut into my Monday morning Observation of our text. And, I’m using my Monday lunchtimes to listen to a Northside student read so, my Monday morning is a little shorter than normal. I have to stop now but will leave you with the Monday-Friday CG Leader Study Guide to help you think on the text each day this week while we pray Paul’s admonition to Timothy –

“Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything” (2 Timothy 2:7).

Remember, we’re using the TRAP model (Think Reflect, Apply Pray), which is just as different way of saying, OICA. My hope it will ‘trap’ the text in your mind and heart. (Yes, it may be corny but that’s because I created it).

Monday – The Shadow of Betrayal (v. 1–6)

Think: The Passover draws near, but instead of worshipping, the leaders plan murder. Judas agrees to betray Jesus for money. Evil is real, yet God’s plan is still unfolding.

Reflect: When have you seen God bring good out of human failure or injustice? How does that strengthen your faith when life feels unfair?

Apply: Choose to trust God’s providence in personal circumstances you do not understand. His purposes are never interrupted.

Pray: Lord, when darkness seems to win, remind me that You are never defeated. Give me confidence in Your sovereign grace.

Tuesday – The Preparation of the Passover (v. 7–13)

Think: Jesus gives Peter and John exact instructions, and they find everything “just as He had told them.” The one who will soon be crucified is completely in control.

Reflect: How does Jesus’ attention to detail encourage you to rest in His leadership over your life today?

Apply: Ask God to help you obey promptly and trust His direction in both small and large matters this week.

Pray: Sovereign Lord, thank You that You go before me in every detail. Teach me to follow Your word with quiet confidence.

Wednesday – The Covenant Meal (v. 14–20)

Think: Jesus transforms the Passover into the Lord’s Supper. The bread and cup now point to His body and blood, sealing a new covenant of forgiveness.

Reflect: What does it mean that Jesus “earnestly desired” to share this meal before He suffered? How does that reveal His love for you?

Apply: Last Sunday we enjoyed the Lord’s Table. Did you take time to confess sin? Perhaps you saw that ‘indulgence, addiction, anxiety’ pattern in your life? What have you decided to do about it?

Pray: Jesus, thank You for giving Yourself for me. Let the reminder of last Sunday’s bread and cup renew my daily love and gratitude for You while I seek to live for you.

Thursday – The Presence of Betrayal (v. 21–23)

Think: Even at the table of grace sits a betrayer. Judas proves that outward closeness to Jesus is not the same as inward devotion.

Reflect: In what subtle ways might we deny or betray Jesus, through compromise, silence, or divided loyalties? (Again, think about ‘indulgence, addiction, anxiety’ as a false god or idol.

Apply: Invite the Spirit to search your heart for any hypocrisy or hardness. Commit to wholehearted loyalty to Christ.

Pray: Search me, O God, and cleanse my heart. Keep me from the spirit of Judas and make me faithful to You.

Friday – The Meaning of the Meal (v. 14–23), Review & Application)

Think: The upper room shows a Savior who rules every moment. The meal proclaims His death, confirms His covenant, and anticipates His return.

Reflect: How does this text deepen your assurance that nothing can separate you from Christ’s love?

Apply: End the week with gratitude. Before Sunday worship, remember His body given and His blood poured out for you last Sunday as you prepare to gather again this Sunday.

Pray: Jesus, you are the true Passover Lamb. Thank You that Your blood covers me. Help me live each day in joyful remembrance until You come again.

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Let's Learn to Pray - Matthew 6:9-13 Friends, Good Monday morning to you. The sun is shining; the weather is going to get in the 60’s. Spring is in the air!!! But let’s turn our attention for a moment from what’s going on outside, to what’s going on inside…our hearts. This needs to be emphasized and re-emphasized. The difference between living like verses 2-4, as modeled by Janes and Jambres who have “a form of godliness (but deny its power) is Paul’s encouragement to “abide” in the Scripture; to “trace” the life of God that makes us “wise for salvation which is through Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 3). That’s it, friends. To master the word until we are mastered by it. Because the more you know the Bible, the more you will know God, the more in love with him you will be and the more closely you will follow him with your heart, mind, soul and strength. You, the elders and I, as the spiritual leaders of Heritage must live this life, model it and teach our people to thrive in the Bible. Take the doctrine of prayer, our subject matter this Sunday. Had Jesus not taught the disciples how to pray, they would not have known how to pray. Had the Gospel writers not recorded Jesus’ words on prayer, we would not know how to pray. If we do not read, study, memorize, meditate on, and practice Jesus’ words, we are not praying. This text alone teaches us the Christian life cannot be lived separate from the Bible. It is not enough for us to hold the Bible in high esteem, to talk about it or to have innumerable copies of it in our homes, on our phones, etc. We must immerse ourselves in it. We are saved by the Word – 1 Peter 1:23 We are sanctified by the Word – John 15:3 We are told how to live in the Word – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Bible is literally the answer to everything for us. So, let me encourage you to be a person of the Word, to listen to God’s command to Joshua (1:8) and to sincerely follow it – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth = The Word must not drift away from your speech or consciousness. but you shall meditate on it day and night = the word “meditate” = to prize the Bible like a lion growling over its prey, its food, its sustenance. so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it = continual meditation on and speaking God’s Word is intended to produce vigilant, comprehensive obedience to everything he has commanded. It’s the only way to “prosper” and have “success” (1:9) in the Christian life, friends. With that in mind, let’s prosper in our prayer lives. Let’s have “good success” in prayer. It begins with knowing what Jesus said about prayer and then living a life of prayer. Here’s a proposed outline for this Sunday – Let’s Learn to Pray Matthew 6:9–13 (cf. Luke 11:1) Big Idea : Jesus teaches us to pray by reshaping who we trust, what we want, and how we live. Introduction: The Request Behind the Prayer (Luke 11:1) - “Lord, teach us to pray.” The disciples had witnessed Jesus’ authority and power, and they traced it to communion with the Father. Prayer was not ornamental in Jesus’ life. It was foundational. When Jesus says, “Pray then like this,” he is not giving a script to recite mechanically, but a pattern to form disciples. IMP: We are never more the Christians our private prayer life and private Bible study reveal us to be. First: Prayer Recognizes a Father (Matthew 6:9a) - “Our Father in heaven…” Prayer is all about a relationship and relating to God. Second: Prayer Reorders Our Priorities - (Matthew 6:9b–10) Before Jesus allows us to ask for bread, he teaches us to long for glory. Third: Prayer Retrains Our Dependence (Matthew 6:11–13) As sinners, we strive for independence, but we are dependent creatures. Until we realize this and live like it, we won’t pray. Nor will we possess the life God intends us to have through prayer. Fourth: The Movement of the Whole Prayer a) Father — Identity b) Glory — Priority c) Kingdom — Mission d) Will — Surrender e) Bread — Dependence f) Forgiveness — Humility g) Protection — Watchfulness Jesus is not merely teaching words. He is forming the lives of disciples. Prayer reshapes: · Who we trust · What we want · How we live Conclusion: When the disciples said, “Teach us to pray,” they were not asking for things. They were asking about a relationship. Jesus answered not by giving them a formula to master, but by giving them a Father to trust, a kingdom to seek, and daily posture to embrace. Prayer begins in a relationship. It moves toward adoration. It ends in surrender. And the more we pray like this, the more our hearts begin to look like Heaven. Here’s this week’s TRAP devotion for you, to help the Scripture fill your mind and heart as you live prayerfully in Jesus and prepare to lead your CG to do the same. Monday - Teach Us to Pray (Luke 11:1) Think. Before Jesus gives the model prayer in Matthew 6, the disciples ask in Luke 11:1, “Lord, teach us to pray.” They had seen his miracles. They had heard his teaching. And they traced his life to communion with the Father. Prayer was not ornamental in his life; it was foundational. As such, they did not assume they knew how to pray. They asked to be taught. Prayer must be learned from Scripture. If Jesus had not taught them, they would not have known how to pray. If the Gospel writers had not recorded his words, we would not know how to pray. The Christian life cannot be lived separate from the Bible. Reflect. As a CG leader, learning to pray is a prerequisite to teaching others how to pray. How are you learning to pray? What are you learning to pray? Are you still asking to be taught? Apply. Read Matthew 6:9–13 aloud three times today. Slowly. Do not analyze it yet. Just listen. Let the words shape your thinking about prayer. Pray. Father, teach me to pray. Do not let me teach others what I am not living myself. Tuesday - Prayer Begins with a Father (Matthew 6:9a) Think. Prayer begins with relationship. Not performance. Not technique. Adoption. “Our” reminds us prayer is covenantal. We belong to a people who are being conformed to Jesus’ image. “Father” reminds us we already are reconciled and our approach to God is based on Jesus’ life and works, not ours. “In Heaven” reminds us he reigns over all our requests and should reign in our lives. Your view of God determines your prayer life. If he is distant, you will be formal. If he is harsh, you will be guarded. If he is Father, you will come. Reflect. Do you approach God as Father or as evaluator? Does your prayer life reveal intimacy and reverence? Apply. Before asking for anything today, spend five full minutes addressing God as Father. Thank him for saving you. Rehearse to him and yourself what it means to belong to him. Pray. Our Father in heaven, anchor my life and CG leadership in sonship, not performance. Wednesday - Prayer Reorders Our Priorities (Matthew 6:9b–10) Think. Glory comes before bread. God gave Israel manna in the wilderness to display his glory. God’s priorities shape how he provides for us. Can you trust him with that? In this prayer, Jesus trains our desires before he allows us to request anything. Otherwise, we are wasting our breath. To hallow his name means to treat it as weighty, the priority. To seek his kingdom means to want his reign extended, in us and the world. To pray for his will means surrender to that kingdom. Prayer is not aligning God with our agenda. It is aligning ourselves with his. Reflect. When you pray, what comes first: your crisis or his kingdom? Does your leadership in the CG reflect God-centered priorities? The difference will shape your life. Apply. Write down your current prayer requests under three headings: 1. God’s Name 2. God’s Kingdom 3. God’s Will Let Scripture reshape your prayer list. This will change your life!!! Pray. Father, reorder my loves. Make your glory weightier to me than my comfort. Thursday - Prayer Retrains Our Dependence (Matthew 6:11–13) Think. Daily dependence dismantles self-sufficiency. “Forgive us our debts.” – We all need mercy. “As we forgive…” Unforgiveness suffocates prayer. “Lead us not into temptation…” Prayer assumes our need for God. This prayer retrains the illusion that we are strong, sufficient, and secure on our own. Reflect. Where are you living independently instead of dependently? Is there someone you must forgive before you teach this Sunday? Apply. Confess one specific sin today before God. Name it. Receive forgiveness. Extend forgiveness if needed. Pray. Lord, keep me humble, dependent, and vigilant. Friday - The Word Forms the Prayer (Joshua 1:8; 2 Timothy 3) Think. Continual meditation on and speaking God’s Word is intended to produce vigilant, comprehensive obedience to everything he has commanded. We are: · Saved by the Word (1 Peter 1:23) · Sanctified by the Word (John 15:3) · Equipped by the Word (2 Timothy 3:16–17) If we do not read, study, memorize, meditate on, and practice Jesus’ words, we are not praying. The Bible should not be a prop. It is our life. Reflect. Are you holding the Bible in high esteem? Are you daily immersing yourself in it? Are you mastering the Word to be/and being mastered by it? Apply. Work on memorizing Matthew 6:9–13 before Sunday. Speak it aloud. Don’t let it depart from your mouth and heart. This will reshape every day of your life. Pray. Father, make me a person of the Word. Let your Word form my prayer and let prayer shape my life.