SECTION FOUR: Make it a 'TO-GO'
Scriptures: Matthew 28:19 & Acts 1:4-8
Song of Praise: Doxology
Devotion:
Despite efforts to prevent it, Jesus'
resurrection from His grave remains the single most important part of history.
This act of redemption is the greatest act of love, display of humility, and proof of supremacy ever enacted.
Jesus died on the cross, rose from the grave, appeared to His disciples.. now what? What happens next?
Before Jesus ascended back to the Father, He gave one last command: plunder the goods.
Jesus' resurrection was evidence of the first thing to be excavated...the graves.
The saints sprung up from their dusty beds, and finally, they ascended into heaven.
Despite Jesus' crushing victory,
there are still a few remaining vagabonds and outlaws in His kingdom.
They don't want to submit to King Jesus, they seem to enjoy living a lawless existence.
Though they kick against the goads, King Jesus is just getting started.
His Kingdom building method is sort of a "take no prisoners" approach.
In His resurrection, Jesus bound the strong man (Satan), and allowed for us, His disciples, to keep pushing back the darkness.
Forging onward, we will never cease until all sense of it has been vanquished.
Though we work to that end, it's full reality isn't yet manifested. However, we see the firstfruits all around.
See, the plunder of family around your table.
See, the plunder of friends who have joined you.
You have been plundered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of light in Christ.
See, the firstfruits of a God, who often provides more than our needs. All these, and more, are signs of the rule of Christ and His battle won.
We now await our King's return so that the very last enemy, death, will be vanquished.
Though we've not yet experienced the full harvest, we do not dismay.
As long as the Lord tarries, we know that more darkness will dissipate.
So lift your glass and enjoy your feast, for until the King returns, we will carry on, and continue to plunder.
Table Talk Questions:
What did Jesus do when He rose victoriously from His grave?
What did Jesus ask His disciples to do?
Should the darkness around us make us depressed?
Benediction:
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Meal: Mongolian Beef & Rice, Butter Parsley Peas, & Nan's Refrigerator Cake
Recipes:
Erin's Mongolian Beef & Rice
Prep and Cook Time: about 45-60 minutes
Serves:6-8
2-3 cups prepared Rice
1 ½ pound Flank Steak sliced into 1/4 inch thick strips
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 Jalapeño diced
1 bell Pepper thinly sliced
1 teaspoon dried ground Ginger
1 small onion finely chopped
2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
1 Tablespoon Oil
For the sauce:
1/2 cup Soy Sauce
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
2 teaspoons Cornstarch
INSTRUCTIONS
Coat the sliced beef with corn starch. Set to the side.
Add all sauce ingredients to a mixing bowl, and stir until combined. Set aside.
In a sauce pan, add oil, jalapeño, ginger, garlic and sliced beef to the pan.
Cook and stir until the beef is cooked to your liking, about 3-5 minutes.
Stir in the sauce, mixing well until everything is evenly coated and the sauce is thick. Taste to see if your flavors are right. Add more spices if needed.
Remove the pan from heat, serve over cooked white rice.
Butter Parsley Peas
Prep and Cook Time:15-20 minutes
Serves: 6
1 bag of frozen Peas
1 stick of Butter
½ of a Lemon's juice
2 Tablespoons fresh Parsley chopped
Salt & Pepper
Instructions:
In a large Saucepan, melt butter, and add in the peas, lemon, and parsley. Add Salt and Pepper to taste.
Cook until the peas are warm. Serve Hot.
Nan's Refrigerator Cake
Prep and Cook Time: about 2 hours
Serves:16
1 package Cherry Jell-o (4 serving size)
1 package Yellow cake mix
1 package Vanilla Instant pudding mix
½ cup of cold Milk
Cake:
Dissolve Jello in ¾ cup of boiling water.
Add ½ Cup of cold water
Set aside.
Mix cake as directed, bake in a 9x13 pan until the cake is fully cooked, 35-40 minutes.
Cool cake for 20-25 minutes.
With the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes over the top of your cake.
Slowly pour Jell-O Mixture into holes of the cake.
If you have left over liquid then pour all over cake.
Refrigerator cake while preparing topping.
Topping:
Mix instant pudding mixture with cold milk thoroughly.
Add cool whip until fully mixed and immediately frost cake.
Cover the cake, and place back into the fridge to set for at least an hour before serving.