2006-11-05 Communion Dedication – Baldwin Christian Church 

Luke 9:26-27 

For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.  But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. 

Death is something we all have a hard time understanding, but there are two deaths. 

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 

Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. 

The power of death is greatest the second time around, not the death of my body (that’s the first death), but the death of me, the death that happens when my name is not found in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev 20:15). 

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

When the Kingdom of God comes, things that are cloudy will become clear.  Suddenly, everyone will understand what Jesus meant when He said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.  For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (Luke 9:23-25) 

The power of the second death will not be truly understood until we see Jesus.  That could be today, tomorrow, or years from now.  It is a risk too dangerous to take.  If we care more for this life than the next, we will lose it, but if we put our lives in His hands, He will save us from the second death.  Out of His love for you, Jesus tasted of this second death so you would not have to.  He experienced an indescribable emptiness, that separation from our heavenly Father, so we would not have to.  In that place of separation there is always weeping and gnashing of teeth, and no comfort can be found, but at this table we can celebrate the hope He has given to us through His death and resurrection. 

1 Corinthians 15:54-57  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

When we swallow this bread and wine, we have God the Father to thank, for the death of His Son defeated the power death has over us (Heb 2:14).  We can swallow the first death because He tasted the second death for us. 

Romans 14:10-12  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 

Our tongues will surely confess, but we don’t have to taste death.  Let’s thank Him for this immeasurable gift.