SF897 - The First Lord's Supper (Matthew 26 26-30)
Matthew 26:26-30
Introduction
Few Christian worship experiences carry the weight and meaning that the Lord’s Supper does. Regardless to the denominational or theological stripe, all Christians view the Lord’s Supper with great reverence and love and well we should.
My purpose today is not to debate or even attempt to communicate the various views of this sacred meal. Today I simple want to set before us the purpose for the Supper. Why do we gather around the Lord’s Table?
At least four reasons come to mind.
1A. The Lord’s Supper Speaks of Our Relationship with God (26:28)
The word Jesus uses here and Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 11:25 is covenant
The covenant or testament is a central, unifying theme in Scripture, God’s covenants with individuals and the nation Israel finding final fulfillment in the new covenant in Christ Jesus. (Holman Bible Dictionary)
1B. God has always related to His people by means of a covenant
We see an example of this set forth in Exodus 24.
Exodus 24:8 (NASB) 8So Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
2B. The shedding of blood is essential for the Covenant to be in effect. (Hebrews 9:16-18, 22)
Jesus’ death brought about a new and better covenant.
It is of this New Covenant that Paul writes.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (NASB) 4Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. 5Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2A. The Lord’s Supper Calls Us to Remember Our Lord’s Death (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
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.
1B. We are to remember the Lord’s suffering (Isaiah 53:1-3, 7-9)
2B. We are to remember the Lord’s sacrifice (Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-12)
1 Peter 3:18 (NASB) 18For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB) 21He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
3B. We are to remember our sin (Isaiah 53:4-6)
Notice the repeated use of the second person plural pronoun.
3A. The Lord’s Supper Calls Each Believer to Self-Examination and Repentance (1 Corinthians 11:27-31)
1B. The call is to self-examination
The text tells us to examine ourselves and calls us to judge ourselves not others.
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NASB) 5Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?
Galatians 6:4-5 (NASB) 4But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5For each one will bear his own load.
2B. The call is to godly repentance
1 John 1:8-10 (NASB) 8If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
4A. The Lord’s Supper Calls Us to Look to the Future and Rejoice (26:29)
1 Corinthians 11:26 (NASB) 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Titus 2:11-14 (NASB) 11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Application
Are you “in the faith?”
Take time to remember what Christ has done for you.
Take time to examine yourself.
Take time to think about “the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”
THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Matthew 26:26-30
1A. The Lord’s Supper Speaks of Our __________________________ with God (26:28)
1B. God has always related to His people by means of a ______________________________
Exodus 24:8
2B. The shedding of blood is essential for the Covenant to be in effect. (Hebrews 9:16-18, 22)
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
2A. The Lord’s Supper Calls Us to ________________________ Our Lord’s Death (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
1B. We are to remember the Lord’s _____________________ (Isaiah 53:1-3, 7-9)
2B. We are to remember the Lord’s ___________________ (Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-12)
1 Peter 3:18
2 Corinthians 5:21
3B. We are to remember our ______ (Isaiah 53:6)
3A. The Lord’s Supper Calls Each Believer to _________-____________________________ and Repentance (1 Corinthians 11:27-11)
1B. The call is to self-examination
2 Corinthians 13:5
Galatians 6:4-5
2B. The call is to godly repentance
1 John 1:8-10
4A. The Lord’s Supper Calls Us to Look to the Future and _______________________________ (26:29, 1 Corinthians 11:26)
Titus 2:11-14 (NASB) 11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.