sf824 - THE BREAKING OF BREAD - THE SECRET TO STEADFAST FAITHFULNESS - THE LORDS SUPPER (Acts 2 42)
Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2, 23-32
Introduction
How many Christians stop to consider the importance of the Lord’s Supper in relation to spiritual maturity? Yet, the Scriptures make it plain that this feast of remembrance is indispensable to steadfast continuance in the Christian life.
Having said this, however, it must be made clear that the Lord’s Supper is not a means of obtaining salvation or merit. In fact, as we shall see a little later, participation in this feast is restricted to believers only.
Another misconception which must be cleared up is that of associating the Lord’s Supper with transubstantiation (the whole substance of the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ) or consubstantiation (that the body and blood of Christ are mysteriously present in the elements). Nowhere in the Word of God are we taught that the Lord’s Supper is a continuance of the one sacrifice offered forever upon the cross, or that those who partake of the bread and wine eat and drink the actual body and blood of Christ. Such notions as these only serve to rob this simple remembrance service of its essential meaning, purpose, and blessing.
Let us understand that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by the Master himself in order to provide a means whereby we might uniquely demonstrate our Christian faith, hope, and love to the audiences of heaven, earth, and hell until Jesus comes again. It has been well stated that life’s most significant truths are not spoken, but are acted out. In the communion service we act out what we believe.
1A. The Breaking of Bread Is an Act of Obedience
We are commanded to observe the ordinance.
1 Corinthians 11:2, 24-25
1B. Obedience Means a Willingness to Observe the Ordinance (26)
We should cherish the opportunity to partake of the Supper
Acts 2:46 (NKJV) 46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
Acts 20:7 (NKJV) 7Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, ….
2B. Obedience Means a Worthiness to Observe the Ordinance (27-28)
There is the matter of our relationship
There is the matter of our discipleship
There is the matter of our fellowship
3B. Obedience Means a Watchfulness to Observe the Ordinance (29)
Ø To discern the Lord’s body, means that we understand what the elements represent.
Ø We understand the deep symbolic meaning of each element.
2A. The Breaking of Bread is an Act of Remembrance
Remembrance = to call to mind
Ø The exact word “remembrance” appears only four times in the New Testament and three of these occasions occur in connection with the Lord’s Supper.
Ø This is a specific activity whereby the whole personality is committed to a given purpose, a living encounter with Christ Himself.
1B. The Spirit is given over to Adoration
We are to give thanks (24)
Ø Thanksgiving and adoration are an activity of the spirit.
John 4:24 (NKJV) 24God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
2B. The Soul is given over to Contemplation (24)
“This do in remembrance of me”
We are reminded of Christ…
Ø Through the meaning of the symbols (Luke 24:30-35)
Ø Through the ministry of the Scriptures (the greatest teaching; compare John 13-16; also Acts 20:7-12)
Ø Through the miracle of the Spirit (John 16:13, 14).
3B. The Body is given over to Dedication (26)
His sacrifice calls us to sacrifice.
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3A. The Breaking of Bread Is an Act of Allegiance
Every time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we show our allegiance to Christ, we declare our allegiance in a threefold way.
1B. We Show Allegiance to Christ in our Fellowship in Him (26) – “you proclaim”
Ø Participation in this feast of remembrance is a testimony to the fact that we are one in Christ
1 Corinthians 10:17 (NKJV) 17For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
Galatians 3:28 (NKJV) 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
We are one in the bond of love….
2B. We Show Allegiance to Christ by our Faith in Him (26) – “the Lord’s death”
The death of Christ is central to all we believe.
Ø The Jew at Passover looked forward to it.
Ø The Christian at the Lord’s Supper looks back on it.
Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV) 22… without shedding of blood there is no remission.
3B. We Show Allegiance to Christ by our Future in Him (26) – “till He comes”
Ø The breaking of bread is the link between the cross and the crown, the first advent and the Second Advent.
Ø His coming should motivate us to be pure.
1 John 3:3 (NKJV) 3And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Application
We must be obedient to the Lord’s commands.
There is the matter of our relationship
There is the matter of our discipleship
There is the matter of our fellowship
We must be mindful of the Lord’s cross.
We must be faithful to the Lord’s cause.
THE BREAKING OF BREAD
The Lord’s Supper – Sunday, March 28, 1999
Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2, 23-32
Introduction
This feast of remembrance is indispensable to a steadfast continuance in the Christian life. It was instituted by our Lord as a demonstration of our Christian faith, hope and love to the audiences of heaven, earth and hell “till He come.”
1A. The Breaking of Bread Is an Act of ___________________________
1B. Obedience Means a ________________________ to Observe the Ordinance (26)
We should cherish the opportunity to partake of the Supper
Acts 2:46
Acts 20:7
2B. Obedience Means a ________________________ to Observe the Ordinance (27-28)
There is the matter of our __________________
There is the matter of our __________________
There is the matter of our ___________________
3B. Obedience Means a Watchfulness to Observe the Ordinance (29)
2A. The Breaking of Bread is an Act of _____________________________
1B. The Spirit is given over to ____________________
We are to give thanks (24)
2B. The Soul is given over to Contemplation (24)
We are reminded of Christ…
Ø through the meaning of the ______________
Ø through the ministry of the _________________
Ø through the miracle of the __________________
3B. The Body is given over to Dedication (26)
His sacrifice calls us to ______________________.
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3A. The Breaking of Bread Is an Act of Allegiance
1B. We Show Allegiance to Christ in our _________________ in Him (26) – “you proclaim”
1 Corinthians 10:17 (NKJV) 17For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
Galatians 3:28 (NKJV) 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
2B. We Show Allegiance to Christ by our ______________ in Him (26) – “the Lord’s death”
The death of Christ is central to all we believe.
Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV) 22And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
3B. We Show Allegiance to Christ by our _________________ in Him (26) – “till He comes”
1 John 3:3 (NKJV) 3And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.