What Is the Meaning of the Lord's Supper

What Is the Meaning of the Lord's Supper?

July 31, 2005

Introduction

In 1 Cor 2:1-2, Paul says, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. {2} For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” I believe that we face a serious challenge today to preach as Paul did: To keep Jesus Christ at the very center of our attention, and of our worship.

What does it mean to preach Christ and Him crucified? I believe that it means that we exalt Christ. That we lift Him up in all that we do. We can sing songs about our Lord. We need to talk about our Lord. We need to share our faith in Him with others. These are things that we can do, but something that is harder to observe is what is really in our hearts.

In Mat 7:21-23, Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. {22} "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' {23} "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

I need to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. As Christians, we need to make sure that we know our Lord through study of the word and through our obedience to Christ’s teaching.

As we think of Christ’s crucifixion, there are two reminders that come to my mind. One is baptism, and the other is the Lord’s supper. Both of these have a physical part and a spiritual part. This morning we direct our thoughts toward the Lord’s supper. How important is it, and how are we to partake of it? This morning, we want to take a careful look at the significance of the Lord's Supper.

Body

I. Paul reviewed the Lord's Supper

(1 Cor 11:23-31 NKJV) "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; {24} and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." {25} In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." {26} For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. {27} Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. {28} But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. {29} For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. {30} For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. {31} For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged."

A. "Do this in remembrance of Me."

1. As we partake of the Lord's Supper, our minds are to be drawn back to the scenes of the crucifixion and the suffering that Jesus went through for us.

2. Even the stripes on the bread should serve as a reminder to us of the stripes that Jesus received as he was beaten before His crucifixion.

B. It is a very solemn memorial service.

We are to examine ourselves as we prepare to partake of the Lord's Supper.

I Cor. 11:27 "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. {28} But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. {29} For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

1. We are to partake in a worthy manner by thinking about the real meaning of what we are doing.

2. We are the ones, who are to examine ourselves, but it is something that is for Christians only, but we do not practice “closed communion.”

a. The Old Testament was very clear on the subject of the Passover.

(Exo 12:43 NKJV) And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat it.

b. Christ is our Passover.

(1 Cor 5:7 NKJV) Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

c. The instructions that we have for the Lord’s supper are addressed to Christians.

d. The proper partaking of the Lord’s Supper is a very serious matter.

{29} For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. {30} For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. {31} For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged."

C. As with baptism, there is a physical part, and a spiritual part.

1. The physical part is the fruit of the vine and the unleavened bread.

2. The spiritual part is the mental part that we must put with it.

D. It is to be the most solemn and serious part of our service.

Suggestions:

Basically a time of quiet, and prayer as we remember and reflect on what Christ has done for us.

As we think and pray, let's:

· Give thanks for His marvelous gift and generosity

· Reflect on what He went through.

· Ask God to help us partake in a worthy manner.

· Ask for forgiveness as we partake of the Lord's Supper.

· Forgive others.

· Be sure we are at peace with others.

(Mat 5:23-24 NKJV) "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, {24} "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

We are to partake in a worthy manner, not that we are worthy--there is a big difference.

Conclusion

I. Are you in Christ?

II. If you are not a Christian, then the spiritual blessings which are in Christ are not yours.

(Eph 1:3 NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

III. You can become a child of God today if you’re willing.

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