Sermon for August 6, 2017
Presented by Rev. Dr. Daniel Stegeman
Title: The Lord’s Supper
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible, Copyright © 2001 by Crossway
Why do we celebrate communion? Obedience to Jesus
1. Two ordinances found in scripture: Baptism & Communion
a. Baptism: Done after conversion to publically declare allegiance to Christ
b. Communion: Done periodically as an ongoing reminder of Christ’s death & resurrection.
2. What is an ordinance or sacrament? A visible form of an invisible grace.
3. Three levels of meaning to Lord’s supper: past, present, and future references.
4. Paul did not invent this tradition, but was given to him by Jesus. (1 Cor. 11:23)
5. Bread represents Jesus broken body, Cup represents Christ’s shed blood. (1 Cor. 11:24-25)
The Past: Remembering Jesus life and death. (1 Cor. 15:1-5)
6. Scripture constantly exhorting us to remember God’s faithfulness.
a. God brought the Jews out of captivity. (Duet 6:10-13)
7. His body is the bread of life. (1 Cor. 11:24)
a. Jesus is a gift which can be rejected. (John 1:9-13)
c. Jesus is a life giver – first birth and second birth or regeneration. (John 1:4)
b. Jesus will satisfy hunger and quench thirst. (John 6:35)
c. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)
8. His blood is the new covenant (1 Cor. 11:25; Jeremiah 31:31)
a. Why the blood? Old covenants were ratified with animal blood. (Heb. 9:11-14)
b. Full assurance of faith (Heb. 10:19-22)
c. Ransomed with precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:17-19)
The Present: Communion with Christ
a. The holy spirit is present and feeds our soul.
b. Jesus is alive today and speaks to us though scripture.
c. Are we willing to receive him?
The Future: (1 Cor. 11:26)
a. Jesus is coming again; We must be ready.
b. Whoever believes in him will have eternal life.
The sacraments themselves (bread & cup) do not save, Christ alone has the power to save us. Jesus defeated death and rose again to give everlasting life to those to believe. Spread the Word!
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