Easter Sermons For April 21, 2011 - Part 1 of 4 The Lord's Supper

Sermon for Today: The Lord's Supper

The first Lord's Supper was administered by Christ to His disciples prior to sundown (6 PM) on Passover Day. The Jewish day begins at sunset and traditionally only small children, elderly, and women who are with child or nursing were and still-are allowed to eat between sunset and sunrise on Passover Day. All others are to fast until sunrise (hence, the statement break fasting or better known as breakfast).

During the next 24 hours following that meal:

Jesus would go into the garden to pray,

Be betrayed,

Perform His last miracle prior to His death (replacing of the guard's ear),

Be beaten,

Be brought before the Roman Governor Pilate, Israeli King Herod and Pilate again,

Scourged,

Tied to the cross beam and forced to carry it through the streets of Jerusalem,

Nailed to the cross,

Die,

Entombed,

And began His fight against Satan,

During those 24 hours and the following 48 hours He would forever change the world and humanity's relationship with God.

"THE LORD'S SUPPER"

INTRODUCTION:

1. An act of worship in which we engage each Sunday is The Lord's Supper:

a. Known also as The Communion (1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?) and The Breaking Of Bread (Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.)

b. Today, some refer to it as The Eucharist, from the Greek eucharisteo, "giving of thanks", which Christ did at the time of its institution - Matthew 26:26-27 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

2. It is a simple act, in which those who are Christians:

a. Partake of unleavened bread

b. Drink of the fruit of the vine

3. It is an important act, one that we should understand why we do it, lest our participation be:

a. Meaningless to us

b. Displeasing to God

c. Detrimental to us - 1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

Therefore, it behooves all Christians, especially those new in the faith, to be well acquainted with the meaning and practice of the Lord's Supper. Let us begin by carefully noting…

I. THE MEANING OF THE SUPPER:

A. IT IS A MEMORIAL:

1. Note Paul's account as given by the Lord Himself - 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner, also, he took the cup, when he had supped, saying; This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

a. We eat the bread in memory of His body

b. We drink the cup (fruit of the vine) in memory of His blood

2. We therefore commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross - Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

a. Whose death makes the new covenant possible - Hebrew 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

b. Whose blood was shed for the remission of sins - Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

- As the Passover was a memorial commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lambs on the door post, so the Supper is a memorial of our Lord's death who makes our deliverance from the bondage of sin possible

B. IT IS A PROCLAMATION:

1. We proclaim our faith in the efficacy of the Lord's death - 1 Corinthians 11:26a For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup

a. That His death was indeed for our sins

b. If we don't believe He died for our sins, why keep the Supper?

2. We also proclaim our faith in the Lord's return - 1 Corinthians 11:26b: ye do show the Lord's death till he come.

a. For it is to be done "till He comes"

b. If we don't believe He is coming, then why keep the Supper?

-- Thus the Lord's Supper looks forward as well as backward, and will ever be observed by His disciples who trust in His redemption and anticipate His return!

C. IT IS A COMMUNION:

1. A fellowship or sharing in the blood of Christ - 1 Corinthians 10:16a: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?:

a. As we partake, we commune with the blood of Christ

b. Perhaps in the sense of reinforcing blessings we enjoy through the blood of Christ - 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. A fellowship or sharing in the body of Christ - 1 Corinthians10:16b-17: The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

a. As we partake, we commune with the body of Christ

b. Perhaps in the sense of reinforcing fellowship together in the body of Christ (i.e., the church), as we break bread together

"The Lord's Supper" certainly has great significance and should not be taken lightly. We do well therefore to consider what the Scriptures reveal about:

II. THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SUPPER:

A. TO BE DONE WITH REVERENCE:

1. That is, "in a worthy manner" (NKJV) - 1 Corinthians11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 1 Corinthians11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

a. The KJV says "worthily", which some have misunderstood

b. It is an adverb, describing how we take it, not whether we are worthy (none are truly worthy)

2. With respect for the supreme price Jesus paid for our sins

a. E.g., the cruel torture and humiliation of His physical body

b. E.g., the spiritual anguish suffered as Jesus bore the punishment for our sins ("My God, My God, Why have You forsaken Me?")

3. Failure to observe with proper reverence brings condemnation - 1 Corinthians11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 1 Corinthians11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

a. One will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord

b. One will eats and drinks judgment to himself

-- To make light of this memorial puts one in the same category as those who mocked Him as He hung on the cross!

B. TO BE DONE WITH SELF-EXAMINATION:

1. Such as reflecting upon one's spiritual condition - 1 Corinthians11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

2. Are we living in a manner that shows appreciation for His sacrifice?

a. By accepting the grace of God in our lives? - 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:1 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

b. By living for Jesus who died for us? - 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

3. Or are we by willful sinning, guilty of having:

a. "trampled the Son of God underfoot"?

b. "counted the blood by which [we were] sanctified a common thing"?

c. "insulted the Spirit of grace"? - Hebrew 10:26-29 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

4. Do we, by refusing to repent of our sins, "crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an shame"? - Hebrew 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

-- In one sense, the Supper is a very private matter between a Christian and his or her God; a time to reflect on the past and to resolve for the future

C. TO BE DONE WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS:

1. There is ample indication the Supper is designed to be a communal meal

a. The disciples "came together" to break bread - Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

b. When they came together, they were to "wait for one another" - 1 Corinthians 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

c. Partaking together of "one bread", they demonstrate they are "one bread and one body" - 1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

-- We commune not just with the Lord, but with one another

2. For this reason I personally question such practices as:

a. Observing the Supper by one's self when camping or traveling

b. Observing the Supper on Sunday night when just one or a couple of people in the congregation are partaking

c. Taking the elements to the sick or shut-in who were unable to assemble

-- While such issues may fall in the realm of opinion, let's not forget that the Supper builds fellowship with one another as well as with the Lord!

D. TO BE DONE OFTEN:

1. The Biblical evidence is that it was done weekly:

a. Christians came together on the first day of the week to "break bread" - Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

b. Other indications of a weekly observance:

1) The church at Corinth was coming together to eat the Lord's Supper, though they were abusing it - 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

2) Instructions concerning the collection suggest their coming together was on the first day of the week - 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

c. Following the divinely approved example of Christians in the Bible, we know God approves of a weekly observance on the first day of the week

2. The earliest historical evidence outside the Bible confirms the day and frequency

a. The Didache (ca. 95 A.D.) indicates Christians were to come together on the first day of the week to break bread - Didache 14:1

b. Justin Martyr (ca. 150 A.D.) records how Christians assembled on Sunday and partook of the Supper - Apology I, 67

c. "...the early church writers from Barnabas, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, to Clement of Alexandria, Origen and Cyprian, all with one consent, declare that the church observed the first day of the week. They are equally agreed that the Lord's Supper was observed weekly, on the first day of the week." - B. W. Johnson, People's New Testament

3. Religious scholars confirm this was the practice:

a. "As we have already remarked, the celebration of the Lord's Supper was still held to constitute an essential part of divine worship every Sunday, as appears from Justin Martyr (A.D. 150)..." - Augustus Neander (Lutheran), History Of Christian Religion And Church, Vol. I, p. 332

b. "This ordinance (the Lord's Supper) seems to have been administered every Lord's day; and probably no professed Christian absented themselves..." - Thomas Scott (Presbyterian), Commentary On Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

c. This also is an important example of weekly communion as the practice of the first Christians." - A. C. Hervey (Episcopalian), Commentary On Acts 20:7

d. "It is well known that the primitive Christians administered the Eucharist (the Lord's Supper) every Lord's day." - P. Doddridge (Congregationalist), Notes On Acts 20:7

4. Some believe that a weekly observance diminishes the importance of the Supper:

a. Which is why they may do it monthly, quarterly, or annually.

b. But does the frequent practice of:

1) Assembling diminishing its value and importance?

2) Singing praises and offering prayers devalue their benefits?

3) Preaching and studying God's Word decrease their significance to our lives?

-- Our spiritual lives are dependent upon the value and benefits of our Lord's death on the cross; a weekly observance of the memorial helps us to live appreciatively and accordingly!

CONCLUSION:

1. "The Lord's Supper" is a very special memorial of His death for our sins:

a. Instituted by Jesus Himself, He asked His disciples to do it in His memory

b. Jesus told His disciples that He would not eat of the elements again until:

1) "...that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." - Matthew 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

2) "...that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." - Mark 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

3) "...it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." - Luke 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

4) "...the kingdom of God shall come." - Luke 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

c. There are two plausible explanations for what Jesus means:

1) Some think it refers to Jesus having fellowship with us as we observe the Lord's Supper in the church, which is His kingdom - 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

2) Others propose that it refers to the special communion we will have with Jesus in His Father's kingdom, spoken often in terms of a heavenly feast - Isaiah 25:6-8 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Matthew 8:11 - And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 22:2-14 - The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son. And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they, which were bidden, were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.

Luke 14:15-24 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Revelations 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

2. The first Christians "continued steadfastly" in its observance:

a. Just as they did in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship and prayer - Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

b. Coming together on the first day of the week for that very purpose - Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.