Believe And Receive 1Cor 11:23to32
April 03, 2026
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Maundy Thursday 2-April-2026 Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 Who receives this sacrament worthily? Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words "for you" require all hearts to believe. Sermon Theme: “Believe and Receive!” I. This Is The Lord’s Gift FOR YOU! (Vs.23-24) II. Hold To His Word Proclaiming His Redeeming Sacrifice Your Own! (Vs.25-26) III. Prepare To Feast With The King! (Vs.27-32) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert.
Episode Notes
Maundy Thursday 2-April-2026
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
Who receives this sacrament worthily?
Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words "for you" require all hearts to believe. Sermon Theme: “Believe and Receive!” I. This Is The Lord’s Gift FOR YOU! (Vs.23-24) II. Hold To His Word Proclaiming His Redeeming Sacrifice Your Own! (Vs.25-26) III. Prepare To Feast With The King! (Vs.27-32) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert.
I.N.R.I. Finally -the hour was at hand. Jesus knew. Departure time. Homecoming time. The only begotten Son of the Father from eternity humbled Himself to serve lost sinful mankind. He came to be our blood Brother in the womb of the Virgin Mary through the life giving power of the Holy Spirit in His Word.
Jesus the Son of God and the Son of Man did not consider it robbery to be equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He did not come pride, as the fallen angel cast out of Heaven strode upon earth. He came in humility not to be served, but to serve and give His life as the only ransom from sin, death, hell, and the devil. Obedient to the Father’s loving will to save sinners and die as our Substitute upon the cross.
The Promised Seed - Head Crusher would now once and for all stop Satan’s accusing lying deceiving mouth. He would crush the Serpent’s head allowing all his venomous true accusations of our sins to be injected into His innocent flesh. Our hell became His hell as the darkness of God’s just judgment against all sin stopped the sun from shining for three full hours. It was the only way to save us.
There is no other Savior. No other path through death to life everlasting. Jesus’ flesh and blood alone save. As Passover soon would find its fulfillment in His sacrifice. The Good Shepherd lays down His perfect innocent Life for sheep who loved to stray. The Shepherd humbles Himself to be the Lamb of God bearing all the sins of humanity from Adam to me to you.
He loved His own. He loves you to the end! Hear your Shepherd’s voice. Emmanuel is with us tonight. He washes your feet clean of all your sin saying, “I forgive you of all your sins.” He is present in preaching saying, “Fear not, I am here with you!” Hear Him inviting you to His Feast saying, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins!”
““Believe and Receive!” I. This Is The Lord’s Gift FOR YOU! (Vs.23-24) II. Hold To His Word Proclaiming His Redeeming Sacrifice Your Own! (Vs.25-26) III. Prepare To Feast With The King! (Vs.27-32)
I. The Passover was God’s gift to protect the children of Israel from the final plague to fall on Egypt - the death of every firstborn male. The blood of the spotless year old male lamb painted on their doorposts marked them spared of judgment. The flesh of the Passover lamb strengthened them to march forth from slavery to freedom. Once a year they were to repeat this feast remembering God’s great rescue. Israel would prove unfaithful neglecting to celebrate this feast four hundred years from the prophet Samuel until it was rightly restored by King Josiah. The Passover wasn’t their work - it was always about God’s gift and rescue pointing forward to the Christ.
The Church at Corinth neglected the Lord’s Supper. In its place they had potluck meals, but not really. They called them love meals or agapes. The love they showed was only for themselves. Everyone brought their own food and wine but not to share. The rich were gluttons and drunkards. The poor starved. They boasted of their fellowship, but it was a lie - Paul calls his congregation to repent!
He admonishes them that they have lost the Lord’s Supper fracturing the body of Christian fellowship. (Vs.23-24) It is the Lord’s Supper - not yours. Jesus’ Word alone set the table and brings about the feast. Paul only repeats the word he received from our crucified and risen Savior. It was on this night, Jesus breaks from the Passover liturgy to proclaim it’s fulfillment by Him alone. Taking bread He gives thanks. Then breaking the large round unleavened loaf - He commands His disciples to “Take eat, this is My body for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
The Sacrament of the Altar is Jesus’ gift FOR YOU! Pure justification - declaring you “not guilty.” “Forgiven.” It is never something you do for Jesus! (LSB. 327 “Who receives this sacrament worthily?”) Fasting isn’t a work that you do to earn God’s pity. It is fine outward training. When you surrender a good gift of God to discipline your body this is done for you by you. It exposes the false idols of your heart. Set aside a meal for a day, and suddenly your belly god groans. Turn off your smart phone and all your screens for a day, and suddenly your itching ear and eye demon grows restless. Fasting only exposes our fleshly weaknesses that we ignore, excuse, or hide. It shows us that our spirit is indeed willing, but our flesh is weak. We groan giving up God’s good gifts. We scream surrendering our sins. We don’t need Jesus to wash our feet!
II. We can prepare our bodies outwardly to come to the Supper. Jesus washes even Judas Iscariot’s feet. Our Lord’s act of love doesn’t change his heart that he handed over to greed and Satan.
Don’t allow Satan, the world, or your own sinful flesh to keep you from the Lord’s Supper. The devil and world encourage us to sin, our flesh loves their lies. Then when we fall the devil quickly turns to accuse us; “Jesus doesn’t want a sinner like you at His table. Stay away. Wait until you get your life in order - then you can come again.” Deceived that we must earn Jesus’ grace, we walk away from the True Light into the darkness of despair. A path that only ends in hell.
Whom does Jesus invite to His table? (Vs.25) He blesses the final Passover cup of wine - now a new covenant of grace will flow from His side for you! Why does He give us His Life’s blood? Matthew 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Only the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. Who then is this cup for? (LSB. 327 “Who receives this sacrament worthily?”) This cup is for us who know that we are poor miserable sinners. We cannot save ourselves. Jesus has! He gives us His body and sheds His blood that we might receive His gift of forgiveness of sins.
Learn to never cling to your preparations, but only to Jesus’ promise - His body and blood are present and given “FOR YOU” to forgive all your sins! Here is pure Gospel - not a new law of list of things for you to do - No! Here it is all placed upon your lips with the assurance -ALL IS DONE! You are redeemed! You are forgiven! Taste it upon your lips! Let it strengthen and free you as you journey in His strength to the life of the world to come! The Sacrament is purely Christ Jesus’ work, the Father’s gift, and the Holy Spirit’s comfort within the Church - FOR YOU - lost and condemned sinners - reclaimed in baptism to be His own!
Kneeling at the altar you preach a sermon (vs..26) Here you confess that you are one body with Jesus, but more! You are one body united in Jesus’ teaching with your congregation - closer than brothers and sisters to one another, but more! You are one body with dear Christians who now rest from their labors in Jesus’ arms awaiting the resurrection and eternal family reunion of believers.
Here you confess that Jesus suffered and died for your sins. He rose again to declare you forgiven. He ascended and is preparing your place in the New Jerusalem. He is coming again- soon - to take you Home to our Heavenly Father in your body and soul.
III. Prepare to feast with the King of Creation. A greater marvel than Artemis II blasting off on a 10 day mission to the moon yesterday, is the table soon to be set before us. On the altar the King of all Creation now draws near to Feast you with forgiveness, life, and salvation, given and shed for you upon Calvary! Our crucified, risen, and ascended King is present feeding us at His Table. Do you believe it? (Vs.27) Many at Corinth ate and drank unworthily. They refused to believe Jesus’ Word. They thought they could justify themselves and had no need of Jesus feeding them. They desecrate Jesus’ body and blood - thinking it a common thing. Mocking it as the crowds did at the foot of His cross.
Prepare to feast with The King! (Vs.28-29) Examine yourself. How? (LSB. 327 “Who receives this sacrament worthily?”) Beware of doubt and unbelief. Satan, the world, and your own fallen flesh will do all to drag you from Jesus. Take up the sword of the Spirit - the Word of God and battle them daily. How? Use your Catechism as your daily prayer book. Monday - read out loud, meditate, and pray the Ten Commandments with their explanations. Tuesday - The Apostle’s Creed. Wednesday - the Lord’s Prayer. Thursday - The Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Friday - Confession and the Office of the Keys. Saturday - The Sacrament of the Altar. You will never finish praying and learning your catechism -for our God never tires teaching it.
Saturday as part of your evening family devotions use the Christian Questions and Answers (LSB pg. 329, 30 - )n - then joyfully come every Sunday to the King’s Feast!
Finally the hour has arrived! All things are ready! Come eat and drink with King Jesus! Amen.
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
Who receives this sacrament worthily?
Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words "for you" require all hearts to believe. Sermon Theme: “Believe and Receive!” I. This Is The Lord’s Gift FOR YOU! (Vs.23-24) II. Hold To His Word Proclaiming His Redeeming Sacrifice Your Own! (Vs.25-26) III. Prepare To Feast With The King! (Vs.27-32) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert.
I.N.R.I. Finally -the hour was at hand. Jesus knew. Departure time. Homecoming time. The only begotten Son of the Father from eternity humbled Himself to serve lost sinful mankind. He came to be our blood Brother in the womb of the Virgin Mary through the life giving power of the Holy Spirit in His Word.
Jesus the Son of God and the Son of Man did not consider it robbery to be equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He did not come pride, as the fallen angel cast out of Heaven strode upon earth. He came in humility not to be served, but to serve and give His life as the only ransom from sin, death, hell, and the devil. Obedient to the Father’s loving will to save sinners and die as our Substitute upon the cross.
The Promised Seed - Head Crusher would now once and for all stop Satan’s accusing lying deceiving mouth. He would crush the Serpent’s head allowing all his venomous true accusations of our sins to be injected into His innocent flesh. Our hell became His hell as the darkness of God’s just judgment against all sin stopped the sun from shining for three full hours. It was the only way to save us.
There is no other Savior. No other path through death to life everlasting. Jesus’ flesh and blood alone save. As Passover soon would find its fulfillment in His sacrifice. The Good Shepherd lays down His perfect innocent Life for sheep who loved to stray. The Shepherd humbles Himself to be the Lamb of God bearing all the sins of humanity from Adam to me to you.
He loved His own. He loves you to the end! Hear your Shepherd’s voice. Emmanuel is with us tonight. He washes your feet clean of all your sin saying, “I forgive you of all your sins.” He is present in preaching saying, “Fear not, I am here with you!” Hear Him inviting you to His Feast saying, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins!”
““Believe and Receive!” I. This Is The Lord’s Gift FOR YOU! (Vs.23-24) II. Hold To His Word Proclaiming His Redeeming Sacrifice Your Own! (Vs.25-26) III. Prepare To Feast With The King! (Vs.27-32)
I. The Passover was God’s gift to protect the children of Israel from the final plague to fall on Egypt - the death of every firstborn male. The blood of the spotless year old male lamb painted on their doorposts marked them spared of judgment. The flesh of the Passover lamb strengthened them to march forth from slavery to freedom. Once a year they were to repeat this feast remembering God’s great rescue. Israel would prove unfaithful neglecting to celebrate this feast four hundred years from the prophet Samuel until it was rightly restored by King Josiah. The Passover wasn’t their work - it was always about God’s gift and rescue pointing forward to the Christ.
The Church at Corinth neglected the Lord’s Supper. In its place they had potluck meals, but not really. They called them love meals or agapes. The love they showed was only for themselves. Everyone brought their own food and wine but not to share. The rich were gluttons and drunkards. The poor starved. They boasted of their fellowship, but it was a lie - Paul calls his congregation to repent!
He admonishes them that they have lost the Lord’s Supper fracturing the body of Christian fellowship. (Vs.23-24) It is the Lord’s Supper - not yours. Jesus’ Word alone set the table and brings about the feast. Paul only repeats the word he received from our crucified and risen Savior. It was on this night, Jesus breaks from the Passover liturgy to proclaim it’s fulfillment by Him alone. Taking bread He gives thanks. Then breaking the large round unleavened loaf - He commands His disciples to “Take eat, this is My body for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
The Sacrament of the Altar is Jesus’ gift FOR YOU! Pure justification - declaring you “not guilty.” “Forgiven.” It is never something you do for Jesus! (LSB. 327 “Who receives this sacrament worthily?”) Fasting isn’t a work that you do to earn God’s pity. It is fine outward training. When you surrender a good gift of God to discipline your body this is done for you by you. It exposes the false idols of your heart. Set aside a meal for a day, and suddenly your belly god groans. Turn off your smart phone and all your screens for a day, and suddenly your itching ear and eye demon grows restless. Fasting only exposes our fleshly weaknesses that we ignore, excuse, or hide. It shows us that our spirit is indeed willing, but our flesh is weak. We groan giving up God’s good gifts. We scream surrendering our sins. We don’t need Jesus to wash our feet!
II. We can prepare our bodies outwardly to come to the Supper. Jesus washes even Judas Iscariot’s feet. Our Lord’s act of love doesn’t change his heart that he handed over to greed and Satan.
Don’t allow Satan, the world, or your own sinful flesh to keep you from the Lord’s Supper. The devil and world encourage us to sin, our flesh loves their lies. Then when we fall the devil quickly turns to accuse us; “Jesus doesn’t want a sinner like you at His table. Stay away. Wait until you get your life in order - then you can come again.” Deceived that we must earn Jesus’ grace, we walk away from the True Light into the darkness of despair. A path that only ends in hell.
Whom does Jesus invite to His table? (Vs.25) He blesses the final Passover cup of wine - now a new covenant of grace will flow from His side for you! Why does He give us His Life’s blood? Matthew 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Only the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. Who then is this cup for? (LSB. 327 “Who receives this sacrament worthily?”) This cup is for us who know that we are poor miserable sinners. We cannot save ourselves. Jesus has! He gives us His body and sheds His blood that we might receive His gift of forgiveness of sins.
Learn to never cling to your preparations, but only to Jesus’ promise - His body and blood are present and given “FOR YOU” to forgive all your sins! Here is pure Gospel - not a new law of list of things for you to do - No! Here it is all placed upon your lips with the assurance -ALL IS DONE! You are redeemed! You are forgiven! Taste it upon your lips! Let it strengthen and free you as you journey in His strength to the life of the world to come! The Sacrament is purely Christ Jesus’ work, the Father’s gift, and the Holy Spirit’s comfort within the Church - FOR YOU - lost and condemned sinners - reclaimed in baptism to be His own!
Kneeling at the altar you preach a sermon (vs..26) Here you confess that you are one body with Jesus, but more! You are one body united in Jesus’ teaching with your congregation - closer than brothers and sisters to one another, but more! You are one body with dear Christians who now rest from their labors in Jesus’ arms awaiting the resurrection and eternal family reunion of believers.
Here you confess that Jesus suffered and died for your sins. He rose again to declare you forgiven. He ascended and is preparing your place in the New Jerusalem. He is coming again- soon - to take you Home to our Heavenly Father in your body and soul.
III. Prepare to feast with the King of Creation. A greater marvel than Artemis II blasting off on a 10 day mission to the moon yesterday, is the table soon to be set before us. On the altar the King of all Creation now draws near to Feast you with forgiveness, life, and salvation, given and shed for you upon Calvary! Our crucified, risen, and ascended King is present feeding us at His Table. Do you believe it? (Vs.27) Many at Corinth ate and drank unworthily. They refused to believe Jesus’ Word. They thought they could justify themselves and had no need of Jesus feeding them. They desecrate Jesus’ body and blood - thinking it a common thing. Mocking it as the crowds did at the foot of His cross.
Prepare to feast with The King! (Vs.28-29) Examine yourself. How? (LSB. 327 “Who receives this sacrament worthily?”) Beware of doubt and unbelief. Satan, the world, and your own fallen flesh will do all to drag you from Jesus. Take up the sword of the Spirit - the Word of God and battle them daily. How? Use your Catechism as your daily prayer book. Monday - read out loud, meditate, and pray the Ten Commandments with their explanations. Tuesday - The Apostle’s Creed. Wednesday - the Lord’s Prayer. Thursday - The Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Friday - Confession and the Office of the Keys. Saturday - The Sacrament of the Altar. You will never finish praying and learning your catechism -for our God never tires teaching it.
Saturday as part of your evening family devotions use the Christian Questions and Answers (LSB pg. 329, 30 - )n - then joyfully come every Sunday to the King’s Feast!
Finally the hour has arrived! All things are ready! Come eat and drink with King Jesus! Amen.
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