The Lord's Supper Service

Today is a fifth Sunday, which means that ordinarily we would be celebrating the Lord's Supper. However, since we just had the Lord's Service Christmas Eve night, this morning is a normal service. It gives me the opportunity to actually preach on the Lord's Supper.

The Lord's Supper commemorates a Christian memorial that was instituted 2,000 years ago by our Lord Jesus. In our observance of the Lord's Supper, we participate in a worship practice that is as old as Christianity itself. In fact, the Lord's Supper observance was inaugurated by Jesus Himself on the eve of His crucifixion. “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26–28, ESV)

As a people called Baptist, we believe that Communion is an "Ordinance". This is a word which means a prescribed practice or religious rite. Jesus only gave the church two ordinances, or religious rites, which we are to practice. One is the Lord's Supper and the other is Baptism.

I would like to share some biblical guidelines concerning the Lord's Supper, given to us by the Apostle Paul in this 11th chapter of 1 Corinthians. Hopefully, these truths will help you understand the Lord's Supper observance a little better.

I. IT IS A SYMBOLIC SERVICE

“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”” (1 Corinthians 11:23–24, ESV)

ILLUS. Over the last 500 years — since the days of the Reformation — Protestants have been unified on most of the major doctrines of the bible. All that is, except the Lord's Supper. There was a significant break between the churches in Germany, largely under the leadership of Martin Luther, and the churches in Switzerland, which were under the leadership of Ulrich Zwingli. In 1529, in order to bring the Reformed churches of Switzerland together with the Lutheran churches in Germany, church leaders held a conference at Marburg. Luther and Zwingli quickly agreed on fourteen of fifteen theological points. But when it came to Communion, they could not agree. Both of them agreed that the Roman Catholic view of the Eucharist was unbiblical. But that was all they agreed on. Luther and Zwingli could not come to terms over the meaning of the Lord's Supper. Neither could accept the other's viewpoint, and the debate became harsh. In the end, Luther would not even shake Zwingli's hand in Christian fellowship. They left Marburg and went their separate ways, and unity never came.

1. the meaning of the Lord's Supper essentially comes down to what the meaning of the word "is" is

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:19–20, NIV84)

a. Martin Luther believed Jesus was being literal — when Jesus said “This is my body” he meant “The bread really IS my body.”

b. Ulrich Zwingli believed Jesus was using metaphor — when Jesus said “This is my body” he meant “The bread merely SIGNIFIES my body.”

2. 500 years later Baptists would agree with Zwingli

A. JESUS DEFINES THE MEANING FOR US

1. according to Luke 22:19-20 and, 1 Corinthians 11:25 the Lord's Supper is a time of remembrance

a. this is the key to what Jesus was instituting during that last Passover meal with his disciples

b. after he was gone, the Lord’s Supper would be a way to remember his sacrifice on their behalf, just as the Passover was a way to remember what God had done for Israel in Egypt

1) when God gave Moses instructions concerning the Passover He told Moses

“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.” (Exodus 12:14, ESV)

“And when you come to the land that the LORD will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service. 26 And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’ ” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.” (Exodus 12:25–27, ESV)

c. Zwingli and other Protestant Reformers saw this connection, and it convinced them that Jesus was not being literal, but metaphorical when he said this is my body

2. Jesus used metaphor all the time

a. an example is found in what we call Jesus’ I Am statements ... (all in John’s gospel)

1) I am the bread of life

2) I am the light of the world

3) I am the door of the sheep

4) I am the good shepherd

5) I am the true vine

b. Jesus was none of those things literally, but he used those expressions to teach important theological truths about himself and his redemptive ministry

3. Jesus knew that people often learn best when they are able to move from what is familiar to what is unfamiliar

a. by using metaphors Jesus showed that He was the master teacher by using comparisons and contrasts of things that were familiar to His audience

b. he made the complex simple and easy to understand

4. while the disciples may not have fully understood what Jesus was teaching at that moment, until after the resurrection, they clearly understood the metaphorical nature of His language

B. FOUR HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

1. Transubstantiation — the belief that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ when they are consecrated even though they still look like bread and wine

a. this is the Roman Catholic and Christian Orthodox view ... at the moment of consecration, when the priest lifts the bread and says “This is my body,” at that moment, bells are rung and all eyes turn to the elevated host, which magically transforms into Christ’s body

b. thus, during Communion the recipient actually eats the Lord's body and drinks His blood, because Jesus is literally present in the bread and wine

ILLUS. Many superstitions developed because of this. Laypeople began to worship the bread and wine from afar or superstitiously carry pieces of bread back home to plant in the garden for good crops or to give to an ailing animal for good health. To avoid an accidental spilling of the wine — which would mean spilling Christ’s blood — the priests began giving only the bread to parishioners, keeping the cup for themselves. By the 1500’s, even the bread was withheld in most churches. The mass had turned into a show.

c. the idea that a priest could sacrifice the body and blood of the Lord was especially appalling to Luther, and he and other Reformers considered this belief the most non-biblical of Roman errors

1) ... and we would agree with them

2. Consubstantiation — the belief that the bread and wine actually contain the presence the of Jesus, but do not literally change into his body and blood

a. this is the Lutheran view of Communion though Lutherans use the term sacramental union rather than consubstantiation

b. Luther believed that Christ is physically present "with, in and under" the elements

ILLUS. Luther explained his this view by using the analogy of an iron rod placed into a fire: both are united in the red-hot iron, yt both are also distinct.

c. according to this view, the recipient receives the forgiveness of sins and the confirmation of their faith through the elements

d. Baptists consider Luther’s view as Transubstantiation lite and also consider this view as non-biblical

3. Reformed — Christ is not literally present in the elements, but there is the spiritual presence of Christ

a. this is the view of the Protestant Reformer John Calvin and is what Reformed and Presbyterian congregations believe

b. when a worshiper receives the bread and cup by faith they receive the actual body and blood of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the recipient receives grace

c. while closer to the Baptist view, it is still — we believe — an unbiblical view

4. Memorial — this view teaches that Jesus is present neither physically or spiritually in the elements, but that the Lord's Supper stands as a symbolic reminder of what Jesus did for believers on the cross and at the tomb

a. this is what Ulrich Zwingli taught, and is the Baptist and Mennonite view and it alone represents the truth of what the Bible teaches about the Lord's Supper

C. JESUS’ REDEMPTIVE WORK IS MEMORIALIZED IN THE SERVICE

1. allow me to share with you what the Lord's Supper serves to remind us of

a. We Are To Remember An Agonizing Lord

“and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”” (1 Corinthians 11:24–25, ESV)

1) the bread and the juice represent the broken body and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ given as a propitiating sacrifice for sinners

2) as we partake of this observance, we need to remember the awful price that Jesus paid to save our souls

3) remember that when He died on the cross, He was a vicarious sacrifice — meaning he died in your place, and that He suffered greatly when He did

b. We Are to Remember An Achieving Lord

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV)

1) when we eat the bread and drink the juice we need to remember that Jesus Christ died, but that three days later, He arose from the dead

2) Christ Jesus lives!

c. We Are To Remember An Appearing Lord

1) after Jesus rose from the dead, He ascended back to Heaven and sat down at His Father's right hand to await the day when He will return to this earth to receive His people unto Himself

2) every time we take the Lord's Supper, we are declaring to a lost world that we believe in a returning Lord

2. The Lord’s Supper Is a Symbolic Service

II. IT IS A SACRED SERVICE v. 26

"For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26, NIV84)

1. the Lord's Supper service is sacred for several reasons

a. by sacred, I mean that it is to be held in high regard by those who participate in it

b. it possesses no saving power, but it is still holy unto the Lord

A. IT IS SACRED BECAUSE IT WAS INSTITUTED BY CHRIST

1. Jesus inaugurated the first Lord's Supper before He went to the cross and He intends for His people to follow His example

2. it is sacred simply because Jesus set the example

B. IT IS SACRED BECAUSE IT WITNESSES OF CHRIST

1. Paul makes it clear that when we participate in the Lord's Supper service that we are declaring our faith in the death, burial, resurrection and return of the Lord Jesus

2. the Lord's Supper reminds us of the means by which God's salvation was secured on our behalf

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:21–26, ESV)

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (1 Peter 3:18, ESV)

a. the bread and the cup symbolize the substitutionary, propitiatory, covenantal and vicarious redemptive work of Christ

C. IT IS SACRED BECAUSE IT WITNESSES TO CHRIST

1. while the Lord's Supper declares the faith of those who partake of it, it also points to the truth of Gospel to those who do not know the Lord

a. every time we gather at the Lord's table and observe the Lord's Supper, we are serving up a witness to a lost and dying world that 2,000 years ago, a man named Jesus went to a cross and died for the sins of sinners, that He rose from the dead and that He lives today and will return for His people

2. it is a powerful witness

3. The Lord’s Supper Is a Sacred Service

III. IT IS A SPECIAL SERVICE

“For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part,” (1 Corinthians 11:18, ESV)

“Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.” (1 Corinthians 11:28–34, ESV)

1. the Lord's Supper service offers the church an opportunity to come together, vs. 17, 18, 20, 33, and 34

a. five times in this passage, the Apostle refers to the "coming together" of the church

b. anytime the saints of God can gather themselves together and focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, is a special time

2. when we come together to celebrate Communion, there are three things that we should do when coming to the Lord's table

A. WE NEED TO REPENT OF SIN

1. before anyone takes part in the Lord's Supper, they need to search their hearts and confess and repent of their sin

a. the Apostle paints a very solemn portrait of the Lord's Supper service

b. some believers at Corinth were participating in the Lord’s Supper without examining themselves

2. if the Communion is a memorial of remembrance where believers recall the redemptive work of Christ on their behalf, then it behooves us to remember what sent him to the cross

a. namely our sin ... if we forget that we trivialize the Lord’s Supper

b. the Corinthians were guilty of taking the Lord's Supper service lightly and as a result, some of them were sick and others had died

3. God hasn't changed His mind on this!

a. before you participate in Communion believers need to confess their sins and repents of them

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

ILLUS. this is why at almost every Lord’s Supper service we hold at this church we build in a congregational confession of sin.

B. WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE SAINTS

“But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.” (1 Corinthians 11:17–22, ESV)

1. when we come to the Lord's table, we need to remember it’s not just about you

a. it’s about being in fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling with sin just like we are

2. the Lord’s Supper celebrates not only our oneness with Christ, but our oneness with each other

a. we are a family!

3. the early church was a fellowship of love the took seriously the command of Jesus in John’s gospel

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” (John 13:34–35, ESV)

C. WE TO EXPRESS OUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS AFRESH

1. for all believers there is that one point-in-time moment when the Holy Spirit entered your life, regenerated your dead soul, and gave you the gifts of repentance and faith after which you called upon Jesus

2. but the Lord’s Supper is an opportunity to remember why we are here

a. it is a good time to renew our faith in the Lord.

ILLUS. this is why at almost every Lord’s Supper service we hold at this church we build in a congregational confession of faith.

3. The Lord’s Supper Is a Special Service

IV. IT IS A SOLEMN SERVICE

1. for many believers in the Church at Corinth their attitude toward the Lord's Supper service was sinful

a. for some it was a time of gluttony and selfish excess

1) they had lost the true meaning of the Lord's Supper and were taking the whole thing lightly

2. I believe that the Lord's Supper may just be the highest form of worship we will ever engage in while here on earth

a. in everything else we do, there is always an element of self mixed in

b. whether it be preaching, praying, praising, testifying, singing or whatever, there is always the danger that the flesh will try and get some glory

c. but, when we come to the Lord's table, there is no one to get glory but the Lord

3. when His Supper is received with faith and gladness, Jesus will be glorified, the saints will be edified, sinners will be evangelized and God the Father will be exalted!

a. when we call to mind the price Jesus paid for our salvation it will bring us to the place of humility

4. The Lord’s Supper Is a Solemn Service

Before you partake of the Lord's Supper, be certain of a few necessary things. As I close let me say that we can sum all of this up in three statements. The next time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper …

1. Be Sure You Are Saved — This is a service for Christians. If you are lost, you can neither understand nor appreciate what the church is remembering in the Lord’s Supper. If you are lost, then I want to invite you to come to Jesus and be saved today.

2. Be Sure You Are Right With The Lord — If you are saved, then be sure you examine yourself and that you confess your sins before the Lord. He will receive you and forgive you and make you ready to receive the Lord's Supper.

3. Be Sure You Take It In The Right Spirit — This is a time of worship and not a time to take things lightly. Please focus your heart and mind on the Lord and do your best to be in communion with Him as you receive His Supper.

Conc: After reading all of this, some may wonder who is worthy to partake of the Lord's Supper. The answer is simple, anyone who is saved and living for the Lord is worthy. Not in ourselves, but made worthy through the blood of Jesus and by the power of the Lord.

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