The Purpose & Power of the Lord’s Supper

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Topic # 0394 (Lord’s Supper)

Introduction:

A.     Psa 96:1-9 – worship is an eternally important and challenging subject.

1.      Worship is to be performed so as to please God.

2.      Worship is a VERB & involves action on our part.  It is not associated with passiveness.

3.      In worship, we participate, we are active & involved.

B.     One of the acts of worship we engage in is the Lord’s Supper.

1.  It is difficult to overestimate the importance or significance of the LS.

2.      Thomas Campbell:  NT Worship ceases when the LS is not observed every Lord’s Day.

C.    Mt. 26:26-30 – Jesus observed the Passover for the last time.

1.      Passover was a Jewish feast observed annually.  Deut. 16:1-8.

2.      It commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Ex. 12:1-28, 43-49.

D.    Lk. 22:14-15 – this last Passover was extremely important & very special to Jesus.

1.      Before I suffer – he knew his death was imminent.

2.      John 13:1- he was with the ones he loved –He was with them to the end.

E.     Mt. 26:26-30 – the record – when the LS was instituted.

1.      Lk. 22:19 – this was to be done in the memory of Jesus Christ.

F.     The importance of properly observing the LS cannot be overemphasized.

1.      1 Cor. 11:20-22 – Corinthians abused it.

2.      1 Cor. 11:27, 29-30 – misuse was serious consequences.

I.  The purpose of the Supper.

A.     It is a Memorial – Lk. 22:19 – This Do in Remembrance of Me.

1.      Paul’s writing: 1 Cor. 11:23-25

a)     Eat the bread in memory of His body.

b)     Drink the FOV in memory of the blood He shed.

2.      We therefore commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross.

a)     Jesus’ death made the new covenant possible.

b)     The blood He shed was done for the remission of sin.

3.      Just as the Passover was a memorial commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt through the blood of lambs on doorposts...

a)     So the supper is a memorial to the death of Jesus whose shed blood makes the deliverance from sin possible.

B.     It is a communion. 1 Cor. 10:16-17

1.      It is a sharing in the blood of Christ.

a)     It is a vital sharing & vital communication.

b)     In the LS, each week, we have a fresh & loving encounter with Jesus.

2.      We pause to reflect on the blessings we enjoy through Christ.

a)     because of His blood, we can walk in the light – 1 John 1:7

b)     because of His blood, we have forgiveness of sin – 1 John 1:9

3.      10:17 – it is a time when we reinforce the blessings of our fellowship together while we break bread.

a)     We bear witness to the unity of the body of Christ.

b)     No superiors/inferiors at the Lord’s Table.

c)      The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

4.      This bond was so strong in the early church that:

a)     They shared 1 heart & 1 mind.

b)     1 suffered; all suffered.

c)      1 weakened; all weakened.

d)     1 strengthened; all built up.

5.      Lord’s Table should prevent all bitterness & back biting among those who share a place in the body of Christ.

a)     It should promote a greater love among us.

b)     Pettiness is beneath the dignity of those redeemed in the blood of the lamb.

 

II. The observance of the Supper.

A.     1 Cor. 11:27, 29 – it is to be done with reverence.  In a worthy manner.

1.      Describes HOW we partake of it.  KJV problem: worthily.

2.      Whether or not we’re worthy is NOT under discussion here.  Who’s worthy?

3.      It is to be partaken with respect for the supreme price Jesus paid for our sins.

4.      11:29 – discern literally means to “look through.”

a)     People use microscopes & telescopes to bring into view something otherwise invisible.  We look through them to discern these objects.

b)     The LS is intended by God to bring before us in clear spiritual vision our Savior & His sacrifice.

5.      It is human nature to forget.

a)     Greeks said time wipes all things out of memory as if the mind was a writing slate and time was the eraser.

b)     At times facts are only partially remembered. 

c)      So it is the place & significance of the LS to keep our memory clear, straight, and focused.

d)     What we discern serves as an anchor to our faith!

6.      As we discern this action in worship:

a)     We are connected to the past.

b)     We are given meaning for the present.

c)      We are inspired with hope for the future.

7.      It was because of the Corinthian’s immaturity in failing to discern that Paul urged them to partake in a manner worthy.

a)     Any thoughtless, careless participation at the Lord’s Table is a failure to discern!

8.      Remember the cruel humiliation & torture He suffered. 

a)     Remember the spiritual anguish He suffered as He bore the punishment for our sins.

b)     Mt. 27:46

9.      11:27, 29 – failure to observe w/reverence brings condemnation.

B.     1 Cor. 11:28 – it is a time of self examination.

1.      Am I living in a manner that shows appreciation for this sacrifice?

2.      Am I living for Jesus who died for me? Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:14-15

3.      Have I accepted His grace into my life? 2 Cor. 5:18-6:1

4.      Am I engaging in willful sin? Heb. 10:26-29

5.      Is there sin I am unwilling to repent of? Heb. 6:4-6

C.    In this aspect, the LS is a very private matter between Christians and their God.

1.      It is a time to reflect on the past & to resolve for the future.

 

III. the Power of the Lord’s Supper

A.     1 Cor. 11:26 – as we partake of the LS – we preach a powerful sermon – we proclaim the Lord’s death.

B.     Participation in the LS proclaims:

1.      the vital fact of the gospel – 1 Cor. 15:1-4

2.      While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5:8

a)     If we didn’t believe it, why keep the supper?

3.      It affirms that our faith is alive and well.

4.      It testifies that Jesus is not dead, but is alive & well.

5.      11:26b - It declares that He is coming

a)     Our faith in His return.

b)     We partake till He comes.

6.      It states that judgment is sure – Acts 17:30-31

C.    The LS looks forward as well as backward – and will ever be observed by those who trust in His redemption & anticipate His return!

 

Conclusion:

A.     The LS is a very special memorial of His death for our sins.

1.      Was instituted by Jesus Himself, He asked His disciples to do it in His memory.

2.      The first Christians continued steadfastly in its observance.

3.      Acts 2:42; 20:7

B.     Christians today should never lose sight of its significance.

1.      It should serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifice Jesus paid for our sins.

2.      It is a time for self examination & rededication of our service to God.

3.      It is a means of building fellowship with one another in the body of Christ.

C.    Do you have fellowship with Christ?

D.    If, why not?

E.     I N V I T A T I O N