Untitled Sermon (6)

A Feast of Remembrance: The Lord's Supper

Bible Passage: Lk 22:14–23

Summary: In this passage, Jesus establishes the Lord's Supper during the Last Supper with His disciples, pointing to His upcoming sacrifice and the new covenant in His blood.

Application: This message can help Christians reflect on the significance of communion, reminding them of Christ’s sacrifice while encouraging them to examine their hearts and relationships with God and others before partaking.

Teaching: This sermon could teach the importance of the Lord's Supper as a communal act of remembrance and proclamation of Jesus' death, illustrating how it serves as both a memorial and a means of grace for believers.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage emphasizes Christ as the paschal lamb, whose body and blood are the fulfillment of the sacrificial system, representing the new covenant established through His death and resurrection.

Big Idea: The Lord's Supper is not only a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice but an invitation to participate in the new covenant and community of believers.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider utilizing your Logos library to explore the theological implications of the new covenant and how it contrasts with the old. Dive into commentaries on Luke 22 to find differing perspectives on the significance of Jesus' words in the Last Supper. You might also find value in examining early church practices regarding communion and how they inform our understanding today.

1. Eager Expectation of Communion

Lk 22:14-16

Maybe you can emphasize that Jesus' anticipation of this special meal with His disciples shows the deep significance He places on communion. He looks forward to it despite knowing His impending suffering. This could remind believers of the importance of gathering together to remember Christ's love and sacrifice, inspiring them to approach the Lord's Supper with reverence and gratitude.

2. Establishment of a New Covenant

Lk 22:17-18

Perhaps we can understand these verses as a declaration that Jesus is inaugurating a new era. By sharing the cup before His suffering, Jesus invites His followers into a new covenant community that will extend beyond His physical presence. Christians can find hope in the promise of the new kingdom, encouraging them to live with a forward-looking faith in the transformational power of Christ's sacrifice.

3. Elements of Participation

Lk 22:19-20

These verses could highlight the key components of the Lord's Supper: bread and wine as symbols of Jesus' body and blood. You might teach that by partaking, believers are not only remembering His sacrifice but also participating in the ongoing reality of His redeeming work. This dual emphasis on remembrance and participation can deepen one's appreciation and commitment to Christian fellowship and mission.

4. Examination Before Communion

Lk 22:21-23

In these verses, focus on how Jesus acknowledges betrayal within this sacred gathering. Perhaps this teaches Christians the need for self-examination and reconciliation before participating in communion. It underscores the Lord's Supper as a moment to align one's heart with God's grace and community, promoting genuine spiritual transformation, and fostering unity despite human failings.

How does the new covenant established by Jesus differ from the old covenant?

How does the Lord's Supper serve as an act of remembrance for Christians?

What do the symbols of bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper represent?

How can understanding the significance of the Lord's Supper deepen your relationship with God?

In what ways can the elements of bread and wine serve as reminders of Christ's love and sacrifice in your life?

How would you explain the Lord’s Supper to friends if they asked?