The Lord's Supper

Introduction

There has been a bit of conflict around communion in Christendom for centuries. Sometimes it is called the Lord’s Supper. Some churches view it as a sacrament, others merely a symbol. Whose interpretation of Scripture is correct? In this message we desire to let the Word of God speak for itself within the context in which it was spoken.

However, communion is one of the most special times for the local church to corporately worship and give thanks to God.

D. God’s Word directs us on what to believe about communion.

P. As Christians we must be willing to submit to the details of how this important ordinance is to be practiced.

T. This morning we will consider five truths about the Lord’s Supper.

1. The elements of the Lord’s Supper are symbolic.

Luke 22:19 “19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:24–25 “24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Explain

Transubstantiation - the belief that when the priest blesses the bread and wine it becomes the body and blood of Jesus Christ even though in appearance it has not changed.

Historical Development

Formulated and substantiated in the 9th century by Pachasius Radbert (790-860)

1215 Lateran Council

16th century Council of Trent

Practice

The priest when he consecrates the bread and wine the look does not change, but it becomes the body and blood of the crucified Lord Jesus,

Each particle contains all his divinity.

A true and proper sacrifice to God of Christ’s body, soul, and divinity

secures propitiation

favor with God

The elements are to be worshipped and adored as Christ with the same worship offered to God.

The whole Christ is in each particle and thus the administration of the cup is granted only to the clergy lest the blood be spilt.

Justification: Literalness divorced from contextual explanations and metaphorical language

John 6:53 “53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.”

Jesus did not refer to cannibalism as eating and drinking literal blood is forbidden. (Gen 9:4;

John 6:63 “63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

Matthew 26:26 “26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.”

Matthew 26:26–28 “26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

If this was used consistently Christ is also a door and a rock.

1 Corinthians 11:26 “26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”

The sacrificing Christ afresh every mass contradicts Scripture

Hebrews 7:27 “27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.”

Hebrews 9:28 “28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

The Catholic’s take on this commands idolatry: the sacred elements ought to be worshipped and adored.

31% only believe this view, but official church doctrines admit. People may misunderstand and believe that the Eucharist is only a symbol of the body and blood of Christ. It is much more than that. The Catechism says, “By this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his body and blood to form a single body” (1331).

Catholic Answers states - Jesus offered his body and blood on the cross to save humanity. We don’t repeat or multiply his one sacrifice at Mass, but we do powerfully offer it anew.The Eucharist re-presents Christ’s one sacrifice. When the priest speaks the special words, he makes present—and we join ourselves in offering anew to our Father in heaven—Jesus’ redemptive sacrifice. This participation makes the Eucharist a holy and saving action.

Titus 3:5 “5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

Ephesians 2:8–9 “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Romans 10:13 “13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Consubstantiation - the belief that when the clergy blesses the bread and wine the elements stay the same, but the blood and body of Christ are in the elements.

Luther stated, “in, with, and under the consecrated bread and wine are the true and essential body and blood of Christ are imparted to the communicant, and are received by him though in a manner inexplicable by us and altogether mysterious.” Hiscox, 217.

Thus, Lutherans teach that the elements are bread and wine but are mystically joined by Christ’s body and blood by divine power.

Those who partake receive the body and blood of Christ.

Worthy to salvation

Unworthy to condemnation

Mystical presence - the belief when the clergy blesses the bread and wine that their is a mystical presence of Christ that is in the elements although Christ’s blood and body are not reoffered to God.

Calvin insisted on a non-corporeal presence, a dynamic presence of Christ, in the elements.

Special divine influences radiate from the sacrament as sun gives heat to the earth.

Those who receive the sacrament in faith are made partakers of the proper substance and body of Christ, the human nature of Christ.

Interpretation is less consistent than the Catholic position and unwarranted by the Scriptural context. The influence of Catholicism is present in that Calvin is unwilling to allow Scripture to speak for itself and he imposes his own take on the text that was foreign to the intent of author and understanding of it’s original audience.

Symbolic - the belief that communion is a memorial to remember Christ’s broken body and shed blood symbolically represented in the elements of bread and wine. Nothing sacramental is in the elements.

Bread and wine are divinely appointed to represent Christ body and blood.

They remind us vividly of Christ’s sacrifice.

Partaking shows faith in the salvation already provided by Christ.

The elements are symbolic of what has already been offered and is done in remembrance of what was offered nearly 2,000 years ago. There is no resacrificing of Christ.

Argue

Christ was either being literal or symbolic. The context reveals he was being symbolic.

The repulsiveness in John 6 of the multitudes show that a literal eating of Christ was against their law and sensibilities.

The disciples do not view themselves as eating Christ. John 6:63 “63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

Illustrate

Apply

There are no saving graces in communion. It is an opportunity to gratefully worship God.

We go to the Scriptures for authority not for traditions that developed into doctrine 9 centuries and more after the completion of Scripture.

Since communion is symbol, not a sacrament, how does God want us to practice this symbolic ordinance?

2. The Lord’s Supper is a time of celebration and confession.

Matthew 26:29 “29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

1 Corinthians 11:26 “26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”

1 Corinthians 11:27–28 “27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

Explain

While chronologically the celebration is mentioned first, I am going to discuss the importance of confession first, for if we practice communion with known sin in our lives we bring condemnation of God upon ourselves.

Confession

Those participating of communion ought to do so with pure mind.

Psalm 66:18–19 “18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me: 19 But verily God hath heard me; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer.”

Proverbs 21:27 “27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?”

Psalm 139:23–24 “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

Matthew 5:23–24 “23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”

We announce communion beforehand, so you have time to ask forgiveness beforehand.

We celebrate communion on the second Sunday evening of the month in general.

Those participating in communion should come confessing their sin and turning away from it.

1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Micah 7:18 “18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, And passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, Because he delighteth in mercy.”

Psalm 130:4 “4 But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared.”

Because of these promises of God we can celebrate.

Duplicity is not allowed.

1 Corinthians 10:21 “21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”

You must be loyal to Christ alone. Matthew 6:24 “24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Celebration

Forgiveness in Christ - Ephesians 4:32 “...God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Redemption - While communion is a somber time to remember Christ’s death, it is also a joyous time because our redemption was purchased through Christ’s blood. We celebrate Christ’s atoning death on the cross to purchase our redemption. Ephesians 1:7 “7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Second Coming - We celebrate anticipating his the rapture of his saints and then the marriage supper of the Lamb. John 14:1–3 “1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Argue

Fearful. It may be if you have unconfessed sin in your life.

Come believing the promise of forgiveness and seeking a changed heart to desire to obey.

Illustrate: The prodigal Son

Apply

Keep a short list of sins. By doing so you are ready for communion and you are maintaining open fellowship with God.

Do not tolerate sin in your life. Isaiah 59:1–2 “1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

Be joyful in Christ’s sacrifice for you. Romans 5:11 “11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”

T. While we know communion is symbolic and a time for celebration and confession, where is it to be administered?

3. The Lord’s supper is to be administered by a gathered local church.

1 Corinthians 11:20 “20 When ye come together therefore into one place...”

Most references to breaking of bread such as Acts 2:42; 46 & 20:7 cannot be undoubtedly be used to reference communion.

Explain

Christ gave the ordinance of the Lord’s supper in the context of the church.

Paul is clear that the ordinance is practiced in the church assembled. 1 Corinthians 11:20 “20 When ye come together therefore into one place...”

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Context

1 Cor. 11:17 - ye come together

1 Cor. 11:18 when ye come together in the church

1 Cor. 11:20 - When ye come together therefore into one place

1 Cor. 11:22 - what have ye not houses to drink in - implied not privately, but an assembled church setting

1 Cor. 11:33 - when ye come together to eat

1 Cor. 11:34 - if any man hunger, let him eat at home, that ye come not together unto condemnation

1 Cor. 11:34 - when I come (Shows Paul is talking specifically to a local congregation, the Corinthian church)

Preceding Context indicators of a local church

1 Corinthians 11:2 - Now I praise you brethren (Whom is Paul is writing? The Corinthians 1 Cor. 1:2 which shows its primary focus is the local church at Corinth, but that there is family ties in Christ by calling on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:13 - Judge in yourselves - speaking to a church, not the whole body of Christ contextually.

Cases for 2 person pronouns speaking of the local church at Corinth can be made in 11:1, 2, 3, 13. 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 34 (16 you or ye pronouns)

1 Cor. 11:16

If any man - a member of the church of Corinth

neither the churches of God - plurality of churches acknowledged (Case for a singular church in context)

Argue

To who is a local church to administer communion? Close or closed communion.

When the church gathered - assumes believers who have joined a NT church through baptism are the participants.

Close communion - those who are of like faith and practice and are members at another local church of like faith and practice.

Closed communion - those who are members of Lake Baptist only.

We’ve been hybrid as we have allowed Christians who are unwilling to join any church participate. Frankly, I feel we may need to tighten up on this a bit, because I believe to not be committed to join a church, the Christian is in disobedience to God by not joining as a member at a local Bible believing church.

Don’t you have a church wherever two or more Christians are gathered?

No. A church is composed of believers who have organized to establish a local NT church.

Meeting my pastor friend at Tim Hortons doesn’t constitute a church when we drink coffee together and fellowship.

A church has a unified membership around the Scriptures, a pastor, and deacons as possible. They meet to worship, hear the Word of God, sing, and observe communion, learn to observe all Christ commanded, serve one another, and fulfill the great commission in their Jersualem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost part of the world. (Acts 1:8)

Communion by definition of our Baptist distinctives is a church ordinance, to divorce it from the context of the church to a simple gathering of believers is to make it a non-church ordinance.

Illustrate: The Corinthian church celebrated communion when they were assembled together as does Lake Baptist Church.

Apply

I will not do bedside communion, as it is not a church assembled.

Exception would be is to call a church meeting at the hospital or nursing home.

But otherwise I will not administer communion to an individual in their home. It is without Scriptural precedent and Scripture is actually against it. 1 Corinthians 11:34 “34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.” Obviously the context of communion is in a gathered body of believers for corporate worship.

So when he is not at home where is he gathered to meet? Other places in a location to worship. It isn’t a church building per say. The individual saints make up the building of the church not mortar and blocks.

Communion should, therefore, be held in the church assembled. Location is not the issue, but the gathering of the church is.

T. Since Christ commands believer’s baptism, any Christian who refuses believer’s baptism is living in disobedience. They have refused to take the first step of obedience and also join the local church which was an unsaid expectation of the first century church: believe, baptize, and join the membership.

4. Participation in the Lord’s Supper follows the administration of believer’s baptism.

1 Corinthians 11:20 “20 When ye come together therefore into one place...”

Acts 2:41–42 “41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Explain

Who does the “ye” refer to? The members of the Corinthian church. 1 Corinthians 1:2–3 “2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Only those who joined the church by believing and being baptized continued in the apostles doctrine in Acts 2:41-42. Part of the apostles doctrine entailed observing communion.

To observe communion one needs to be in right standing with God and not be in open disobedience to any of God’s commands. For instance, if you know you shouldn’t be holding a grudge against another sister in Christ and you are. You shouldn’t partake of communion until you are willing to forgive that person as Christ forgave you. (Eph. 4:32)

Argue

What about a Christian baptized as a baby? They shouldn’t participate because they have not been baptized when they were aware of what they were doing. They need to be scripturally baptized as a believer before participating.

How come any Christian can’t participate? Baptism is a command. If a Christian is unwilling to be baptized they are in disobedience to God. To participate would be to eat and drink unworthily of the communion table and bring upon them God’s just condemnation.

Illustrate: After being baptized at Lake Baptist Church you are qualified to take communion.

Apply

If you haven’t been baptized, and know you are saved. Come forward after church and let me know and the deacons and I will hear your testimony and make sure you understand it scripturally. Then we will set up a time for you to be baptized in the near future.

Even if you have been saved a long time, we won’t hold it against you if you have been hemming and hawing about it. You be a follower of God as a dear child and just tell God, “I haven’t obeyed you in this area, I want too. I’m humbling myself and I am going to obey you and be baptized.”

T. Until you obey God in believer’s baptism you are missing out on God’s blessing in your life for obedience, but also the corporate worship of God’s people with God through observing this special ordinance.

5. Observance of the Lord’s Supper is a united act of worship of the congregation with God.

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 “16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”

1 Corinthians 11:24–25 “24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Explain:

Faith - We by faith are partakers of Christ’s offering for us through the remembrance of his sacrifice for us.

communion - fellowship or participation of the body of Christ. Just as the OT offerers of sacrifices put their hands on the head of the sacrificial lamb, we participate in communion as we by faith have accepted Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. The elements reminds us of that and rekindle our love for Christ.

one body - when you joined Lake Baptist Church you became part of the body of this local church. Body’s work best when they are local.

Gratitude - We have reignited gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice for us.

That is why one preacher described communion as God’s instrument of revival for the church.

When we are unwilling to participate as commanded or do what is necessary so we can participate in communion we are shooting ourselves in the foot spiritually. God never blesses disobedience, in fact, he chastens those who continue in their sin. I

Fellowship - We observe communion tonight, and it is a time of sweet fellowship together worshipping Christ in Spirit and truth.

We don’t do it as the Catholics, Lutherans and Presbyterians asserting their is some corporal or dynamic presence of Christ in the elements.

We worship God in truth. We know that Jesus only had to be offered once, but we remember that offering and worship and praise God for the sacrifice of his son.

Philippians 2:6–8 “6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Argue

What about observing it anywhere? Isn’t there a universal church. No. We find all local churches united with Christ in Hebrews.

Thomas Strouse does a skillful job of defending the local church position. If you are interested I ask me about his article. I will share it with you.

Illustrate

My body works best when all it’s members are connected. So the church works best when it is connected together with Christ as its head in a local church.

Apply

When we observe communion, make an effort to be here.

Be preparing your heart before the nights we have communion. NOTE: We should always prepare our hearts before any church service.

Rejoice in what Christ has done for you. Don’t let it become a ritual, but ask it to be fresh and meaningful revival of your heart to worship and serve God in your church, family, and life.

Conclusion

Communion is symbolic reminding us of our gracious God’s sacrifice of himself in our behalf for our sins.

Communion is not a time for self-whipping, but of thankful confession and faith-filled celebration.

Communion is not done at the “Y” or the beach. It is done with your church family where they choose to meet.

Communion is only participated by those who have followed the Lord in believer’s baptism.

Communion is a corporate act as one body in Christ worshipping God.

You can only be a partaker of communion if you have first been a partaker of salvation. Ephesians 3:6 “6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:” You can be apart of God’s family through asking Jesus to be your Savior and believing he died for your sins and rose from the dead.