Untitled Sermon (2)

Introduction

Have you ever shared a meal that reminded you of a special promise or memory? How does that compare to Jesus' last supper with His disciples?"Hook: 

Briefly introduce the Lord's Supper as one of two ordinances (with baptism) instituted by Christ for His church. Reference Keach's Catechism Q. 95: It is an "outward and ordinary means" of grace, alongside the Word, prayer, and baptism, made effectual by Christ's blessing and the Spirit's work (Q. 98). Tie to the 1689 Confession Ch. 30, Par. 1: Instituted the night Jesus was betrayed, for perpetual remembrance until His return.Overview: 

V. Main Lesson Body

Divide into 4 key sections, with teaching, Scripture reading, and interactive elements. Use the whiteboard to outline points as you go.

The Institution and Purpose (8 minutes)

Jesus instituted the Supper as a memorial of His death, confirming believers' faith, providing spiritual nourishment, fostering engagement in duties, and symbolizing communion with Christ and one another (1689 Ch. 30, Par. 1). It represents New Covenant benefits through visible signs (Keach's Q. 99).Teaching Point: 

Read 1 Cor. 11:23-26 aloud.Scripture: 

Quick pair-share: "What 'benefit' of Christ's death (e.g., forgiveness, unity) does this ordinance remind you of most?" (2 min)Activity: 

Proper Administration and Elements (7 minutes)

Ministers bless and distribute bread and wine; elements remain bread and wine but figuratively represent Christ's body and blood (1689 Ch. 30, Pars. 3, 5). Errors like adoring elements or denying the cup contradict Christ's command (Par. 4). To illustrate the unchanging substance of the elements: Just as painting a chair red does not alter its wooden core—it remains a chair, now signifying something more (e.g., a warning or decoration)—so the bread and wine retain their substance while signifying Christ's body and blood through faith, without any mystical change (drawing from covenant sign analogies in Waters, emphasizing signs that point beyond themselves without transforming the sign itself).Teaching Point: 

Matthew 26:26-28.

Demonstrate with props (if available): Show breaking bread/pouring wine while explaining symbolism. Ask: "Why do you think Jesus chose everyday elements like these?"Activity: 

Spiritual Meaning and Errors to Avoid (10 minutes)

It's a spiritual feeding on Christ by faith, not a repeated sacrifice or transubstantiation (1689 Ch. 30, Pars. 2, 6-7; Keach's Q. 107). The Supper shows forth His death for nourishment and growth in grace. Waters illustrates the Supper's elements as covenant signs that "point the recipient to Christ and the benefits of his salvation," much like Old Testament signs (e.g., circumcision or Passover) confirmed promises without becoming the promise itself— the bread's substance remains ordinary, yet it vividly recalls the extraordinary reality of Christ's sacrifice.Teaching Point: 

1 Cor. 10:16.Scripture: 

Group brainstorm (1 min): "What modern misunderstandings (e.g., 'magic' in elements) might we guard against?"Discussion: 

Use a whiteboard table to compare perspectives, emphasizing the Reformed Baptist view (memorial with spiritual nourishment by faith). Highlight how these shape observance and warn against errors.Historical Views and Differences (5 min): TraditionView on Christ's PresenceKey Differences from Baptist ViewRoman CatholicTransubstantiation: Bread/wine become literal body/blood; a sacrificial re-offering of Christ (Council of Trent).Adds real presence in substance (not just sign); treats as propitiatory sacrifice—contradicts once-for-all atonement (Heb. 10:14) and figurative language.LutheranSacramental union (consubstantiation): Christ in, with, under elements; real oral presence for all receivers (Luther's Small Catechism).Emphasizes objective presence regardless of faith—Baptists stress reception by faith alone, avoiding "eating damnation" for unbelievers (1 Cor. 11:29).Zwinglian (Reformed Memorialist)Purely symbolic/memorial: No real presence; a remembrance sign, like a flag for a nation (Zwingli's debates with Luther).Closest to Baptist but lacks emphasis on spiritual nourishment; Baptists affirm dynamic grace through faith-union with Christ.Calvinistic (Reformed)Spiritual presence: Christ spiritually present, fed upon by faith (not physical); elevates to heavenly communion (Calvin's Institutes 4.17).Aligns closely with Baptists (both see faith as key); differs in viewing Supper as more "mystical" union vs. Baptist focus on ordinance as simple memorial.Baptist (1689)Memorial with spiritual feeding: Figurative signs; nourishment by faith, no physical change (Ch. 30, Par. 7).Guards against idolatry/real presence errors; stresses personal faith and church discipline for worthy partaking.

These views arose from Reformation debates (e.g., Marburg Colloquy 1529). Baptists follow Calvin/Zwingli blend but prioritize Scripture's figurative intent ("This is my body" = represents).Tie-Back: 

Worthy Participation and Self-Examination

Only professing believers examine themselves regarding knowledge of Christ's body, faith, repentance, love, and obedience (Keach's Q. 108; 1689 Ch. 30, Par. 8). Unworthy partaking brings judgment. Waters emphasizes the Supper as a "covenant meal" for the new covenant community, where "baptism and the Lord’s Supper are alike... Each is to be observed only within the new covenant community" (Waters, 102). Participation requires prior acceptance of Christ, covenant membership, and avoidance of sin: "Because the Supper is a covenant meal, entrusted to the covenant community and administered by Christ’s ministers, it is left to the elders to admit or exclude individuals for this Table" (Waters, 100). Yet, the primary burden falls on the participant: "It is wrong for one who knowingly and willingly gives himself to a particular sin to seek to commune in this ordinance with the Lord Jesus Christ" (Waters, 100). This self-examination guards against hypocrisy, ensuring the meal fosters true communion rather than judgment—much like preparing one's heart for a family feast by reconciling relationships first, lest the meal become a source of division.Teaching Point: 

1 Cor. 11:27-29.Scripture: 

Silent reflection (3 min): Hand out an expanded self-exam checklist inspired by Waters and Keach (e.g., "Have I accepted Christ and been baptized as a covenant member? Do I trust in Christ's sacrifice alone? Am I repenting of known sin? Am I walking in love toward the church?"). Guide with a prompt: "Consider: Is there unconfessed sin that would make this meal a 'covenant breach'?" Follow with optional pair-sharing for accountability (2 min). Stress: Examination is not for perfection but for humble reliance on grace.Activity: