Untitled Sermon (12)

Unveiling Grace: The Sacred Symbolism of the Lord's Supper

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 11:26

Summary: This passage emphasizes the significance of the Lord's Supper as a practice of remembrance and proclamation of Christ's death until His return.

Application: Understanding the Lord's Supper as a symbol helps believers to engage more meaningfully with the sacrament, reflecting on grace and fostering unity within the church.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that the Lord's Supper is not merely a ritual; it is a profound reflection of our faith and community as we remember Christ's sacrifice and anticipate His return.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the context of Scripture, the Lord's Supper symbolizes the fulfillment of the Old Covenant through Christ's sacrificial death, pointing to the new covenant established in His blood, which is central to the Christian faith.

Big Idea: The Lord's Supper serves as a powerful reminder of Christ’s sacrifice, calling believers to reflect on His grace and to unite in the proclamation of His resurrection and return.

Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider exploring exegetical insights into 1 Corinthians 11:26 using your Logos library, focusing on the historical context of the Corinthian church. Examining commentaries that discuss the cultural understanding of communal meals and their significance can enhance your application of this sacrament. Pay attention to the Greek terms surrounding 'proclaiming' and how they impact our understanding of the Lord's intent during the Supper.

1. Reflect on the Bread's Breaking

1 Corinthians 11:23-24

Starting with the institution of the Lord’s Supper, you could emphasize how Jesus gave thanks and broke the bread, symbolizing His body given for us. This point highlights the remembrance aspect of the meal, encouraging believers to reflect on Christ's willing sacrifice. Christ as the fulfillment of all sacrificial systems is a core idea here, suggesting that every time we break the bread, we participate in remembering the ultimate sacrifice that nullified sin's power.

2. Rejoice in the Cup's Covenant

1 Corinthians 11:25

Focusing on the cup, perhaps stress the new covenant in Christ’s blood. This not only represents a new beginning for humanity through His sacrifice but also a communal bond among believers united in His promise. Consider how this symbolizes the washing away of sins and the establishment of a direct relationship with God, urging the congregation to appreciate the grace and forgiveness offered, and to live in a way that honors this profound covenant.

3. Proclaim the Lord's Return

1 Corinthians 11:26

Concluding with the proclamation theme, you might suggest that each participation in the Lord’s Supper declares the Lord’s death until He comes again. This underlines the anticipatory aspect of the communion, calling believers to a hopeful reminder of Christ’s promised return. Encourage the congregation to live as a witness to this hope, fostering a community that proclaims His resurrection and embodies the transformational power of His sacrifice in daily life.

The Jewish New Testament Commentary 1 Corinthians, Chapter 11

Likewise, members of the Messianic Community are to proclaim the death of the Lord as their exodus from sin and as the basis for their existence. Both proclamations look not only back toward a past redemption but also forward to a future one; hence the proclamation is until he comes the second time.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: Be Wise about … Church Order (1 Corinthians 11)

Most of us try to forget how those we love died, but Jesus wants us to remember how He died. Why? Because everything we have as Christians centers in that death.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: Be Wise about … Church Order (1 Corinthians 11)

We must remember that He died, because this is a part of the Gospel message: “Christ died … and was buried” (

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: Be Wise about … Church Order (1 Corinthians 11)

We should also remember how He died: willingly, meekly, showing forth His love for us (

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: Be Wise about … Church Order (1 Corinthians 11)

Second, we should look ahead (v. 26b). We observe the Supper “till He comes.” The return of Jesus Christ is the blessed hope of the church and the individual Christian. Jesus not only died for us, but He arose again and ascended to heaven; and one day He shall return to take us to heaven. Today, we are not all that we should be; but when we see Him, “we shall be like Him” (

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: Be Wise about … Church Order (1 Corinthians 11)

Third, we should look within (vv. 27–28, 31–32). Paul did not say that we had to be worthy to partake of the Supper, but only that we should partake in a worthy manner. At a Communion service in Scotland, the pastor noted that a woman in the congregation did not accept the bread and cup from the elder, but instead sat weeping. The pastor left the table and went to her side and said, “Take it, my dear, it’s for sinners!” And, indeed, it is; but sinners saved by God’s grace must not treat the Supper in a sinful manner.

How can and participate in an unworthy mannar?

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: Be Wise about … Church Order (1 Corinthians 11)

If we are to participate in a worthy manner, we must examine our own hearts, judge our sins, and confess them to the Lord. To come to the table with unconfessed sin in our lives is to be guilty of Christ’s body and blood, for it was sin that nailed Him to the cross. If we will not judge our own sins, then God will judge us and chasten us until we do confess and forsake our sins.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: Be Wise about … Church Order (1 Corinthians 11)

The Corinthians neglected to examine themselves, but they were experts at examining everybody else. When the church gathers together, we must be careful not to become “religious detectives” who watch others, but who fail to acknowledge our own sins. If we eat and drink in an unworthy manner, we eat and drink judgment (chastening) to ourselves, and that is nothing to take lightly.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: Be Wise about … Church Order (1 Corinthians 11)

Chastening is God’s loving way of dealing with His sons and daughters to encourage them to mature (