1 Cor. 11:17-34 THE LORD'S SUPPER SERVICE
Intro: Today we commemorate a Christian institution that is 2,000 years
old. In our observance of the Lord's Supper, we participate in a form of worship that is
as old as Christianity itself. In fact, the Lord's Supper observance was inaugurated by
Jesus Himself on the eve of His crucifixion, Matt. 26:26-28. This morning we will gather
together around the Lord's table and worship Jesus Christ through the observance of the
Lord's Supper.
I believe that we should take a look at the Lord's Supper and talk for a
while about just what it means to us as believers. The first thing I would like to
mention, by way of introduction, is that the Lord's Supper is what we call an "Ordinance".
This is a word which means a prescribed practice or religious rite. Jesus only gave the
church 2 ordinances, or religious rites, which we are to practice. One is the Lord's
Supper and the other is Baptism. So, if you want to feel religious, this morning is a good
time to do it.
Another truth I would like to share, also by way of introduction, is how
the Lord's Supper is practiced in various churches. There are 3 basic ways that Christian
churches observe the Lord's Supper. One way is by what is called "Closed
Communion", in this, the church only allows those who are members in
good standing to participate in the observance. A second method is that of "Open
Communion". In this, everyone present is encouraged to participate in
the observance of the Lord's Supper. What we practice here is the third method and it is
known as "Close Communion". In this method everyone present is
invited to participate, but only after they have been warned of the consequences of
partaking in the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner. Everyone present is urged to
practice self-examination and then they can participate if they wish. In other words, only
those who are in close communion with the Lord are encouraged to participate.
Now, with these truths in mind, I would like to consider some ideas
given to us by the Apostle Paul in this 11th chapter of 1 Corinthians.
Hopefully, these truths will help us understand the Lord's Supper observance a little
better.
I. V. 25b IT IS A SYMBOLIC SERVICE
A. Notice what Jesus, Luke 22:19, and Paul, 1 Cor. 11:25, have to say
about the Lord's Supper service. According to these 2 passages, the Lord's Supper is a
time of remembrance.
(Ill. There are 4 basic views as to what the Lord's Supper represents.
1. Transubstantiation - The bread and wine literally
change into the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The recipient actually eats the
Lord's body and drinks His blood, because Jesus is literally being sacrificed in the mass.
This is the Roman Catholic view and it is non-biblical!
2. Consubstantiation - The bread and wine actually
contain the body and blood of Jesus, but do not literally change. Christ is actually
present "with, in and under" the elements. According to this view, the recipient
receives the forgiveness of sins and the confirmation of their faith through the elements.
This is the Lutheran view and it too is unbiblical.
3. Reformed - Christ is not literally present in the
elements, but there is the spiritual presence of Christ. The recipient receives grace
through partaking of the elements. This is the Presbyterian and Reformed Church view and
it is unbiblical as well.
4. Memorial - This view teaches that Jesus is present
neither physically or spiritually in the elements, but that the Lord's Supper stands asa
symbolic reminder of what Jesus did for man as the cross and the tomb. This is the Baptist
and Mennonite view and it alone represents the truth of what the Bible teaches about the
Lord's Supper.
B. Ill. With that in mind, allow me to share with you what the Lord's
Supper serves to remind us of.)
1. V. 24-25 We Are To Remember An Agonizing Lord - The
blood and juice represent the broken body and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we
partake of this observance, we need to remember the awful price that Jesus paid to save
our souls. Please remember that when He died on the cross, He was dying in your place, and
that He suffered greatly when He did, Isa. 52:14.
(Ill. Is the crucifixion fresh in your mind? A
certain family lived on a farm alongside a dirt road. Only on rare occasions would an
automobile pass by. But one day as one young member of the family was crossing the road on
his bicycle, a car came roaring down a nearby hill, struck the boy, and killed him. An
older brother said, "Later, when my father picked up the mangled twisted bike, I
heard him sob out loud for the first time in my life. He carried it to the barn and placed
it in a spot we seldom used. Father's terrible sorrow eased with the passing of time, but
for many years whenever he saw that bike, tears began streaming down his face." The
older brother continued, "Since then I have often prayed, 'Lord, keep the memory of
Your death as fresh as that to me! Every time I partake of Your memorial supper, let my
heart be stirred as though You died only yesterday. Never let the communion service become
a mere formality, but always a tender and touching experience.')
2. V. 26 We Are to Remember An Achieving Lord - As we
take the bread and the juice today, we need to remember that Jesus Christ died, but that
three days later, He arose from the dead. He lives, Matt. 28:1-6; Rev. 1:18!
3. V. 26 We Are To Remember An Appearing Lord - After
Jesus rose from the dead, He ascended hack to Heaven and sat down at His Father's right
hand to await the day when He will return to this earth to receive His people unto
Himself. Every time we take the Lord's Supper, we are declaring to a lost world that we
believe in a returning Lord.
(Ill. By the way, this is also an incentive to keep ourselves clean
before the Lord, 1 John 1:1-3. If we really believe that Jesus is coming again, we will
live like we are looking for Him.)
I. It Is A Symbolic Service
II. V. 26 IT IS A SACRED SERVICE
The Lord's Supper service is sacred for several reasons. By sacred, I
mean that it is to be held in high regard by those who participate in it. It possesses no
saving power, but it is still holy unto the Lord. There are 3 basic reasons why the Lord's
Supper is sacred.
A. It Was Instituted By Christ - Jesus
inaugurated the first Lord's Supper before He went to the cross and He intends for His
people to follow His example. It is sacred simply because Jesus set the example.
B. It Witnesses To Christ - Paul makes it clear
that when we participate in the Lord's Supper service that we are declaring our faith in
the death, burial, resurrection and return of the Lord Jesus.
(Ill. Please do not misunderstand me! Many lost people have taken the
Lord's Supper and they are just as lost after they swallow as they were before they
participated in the observance. There is no saving power in the Communion. However those
who are saved are proclaiming the fact that they believe in a man named Jesus Christ.)
C. It Witnesses To Christ - While the Lord's
Supper declares the faith of those who partake of it, it also points to the truth of
Gospel to those who do not know the Lord. Every time we gather at the Lord's table and
observe the Lord's Supper, we are serving up a witness to a lost and dying world that
2,000 years ago, a man named Jesus went to a cross and died for the sins of humanity, that
He rose from the dead and that He lives today and will return for His people. It is a
powerful witness.
I. It Is A Symbolic Service
II. It is A Sacred Service
III. V. 18, 28-34 IT IS A SPECIAL SERVICE
Ill. The Lord's Supper service offers the church an opportunity to come
together, v. 17, 18, 20, 33, 34. Five times in this verse, the Apostle refers to the
"coming together" of the church. Anytime the saints of God can gather themselves
together and focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, is a special time. While we are together,
there are 2 things that we should do before coming to the Lord's table. This observance is
special to the saints because it affords us the opportunity to do 2 great things.
A. We Have the Opportunity To Repent - Before
anyone takes part in the Lord's Supper, they need to search their hearts and confess and
repent of their sins. There are 2 things that need to be dealt with.
1. Our Sins - v. 27-30 - These verses paint a very
solemn portrait of the Lord's Supper service. It seems that this is something that the
Lord takes very seriously. The Corinthians were guilty of taking the Lord's Supper service
lightly and as a result, some of them were sick and others had died. Folk, God hasn't
changed His mind! Before you take from the Lord's table this morning, please take the time
to confess your sins and receive forgiveness from His hand, 1 John 1:9.
2. Of Our Selfishness - v. 17-22 - (Ill. The Corinthian
debacle.)
When we come to the Lord's table, we need to remember not just
ourselves, but also our brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling, Gal. 6:2. We
need to consider those who are outside the family of God. Those outside the faith need
someone to cast them a lifeline. God help us to remember this time is a time to remember
and to repent.
B. We Have The Opportunity To Renew - The Lord's
Supper service is a wonderful time for the child of God to his vows and his vision. It is
a great time to remember why we are here. It is a good time to renew our vows unto the
Lord. Many allow sin to creep into their lives and hinder their walk with the Lord. This
is a good time to get al of that fixed up and get back on track with the Lord.
I. It Is A Symbolic Service
II. It Is A Sacred Service
III. It Is A Special Service
IV. V. 17-22 IT IS A SOLEMN SERVICE
Ill. The Corinthian mentality surrounding the Lord's Supper service. For
them it was a time of gluttony and selfish excess. They had lost the true meaning of the
Lord's Supper and were taking the whole thing lightly. I would like to say that I believe
that the Lord's Supper may just be the highest form of worship we will ever engage in
while here on earth. In everything else we do, there is always an element of self mixed
in. Whether it be preaching, praying, praising, testifying, singing or whatever, there is
always the danger that the flesh will try and get some glory. But, when we come to the
Lord's table, there is nothing or no one to get glory but the Lord. When His Supper is
received with faith and gladness, Jesus will be glorified, the saints will be edified,
sinner will be evangelized and God the Father will be exalted! When we call to mind the
price Jesus paid for us and the fact that He lives for our justification, it will bring us
to the place of praise and worship.
I. It Is A Symbolic Service
II. It Is A Sacred Service
III. It Is A Special Service
IV. It Is A Solemn Service
V. V. 28-30 IT IS A SERIOUS SERVICE
Verse 28 tells us that we are to examine ourselves. That verb is in the
imperative mood. It is a command and not an option! Before you partake of the Lord's
Supper, be certain of a few necessary things.
1. Be Sure You Are Saved - This is a service for
Christians. If you are lost, you can neither understand nor appreciate when we are doing
here this morning. If you are lost, then I want to invite you to come to Jesus and be
saved today.
2. Be Sure You Are Right With The Lord - If you are
saved, then be sure you examine yourself and that you confess your sins before the Lord.
He will receive you and forgive you and make you ready to receive the Lord's Supper.
3. Be Sure You Take It In The Right Spirit - This is a
time of worship and not a time to take things lightly. Please focus your heart and mind on
the Lord and do your best to be in communion with Him as you receive His Supper.
Conc: After hearing all of this, some may wonder who is worthy to
partake of the Lord's Supper. The answer is simple, anyone who is saved and living for the
Lord is worthy. Not in ourselves, but made worthy through the blood of Jesus and by the
power of the Lord.
Now, if the Lord has spoken to your heart this morning through this
message, then I invite you to come before the Lord and make use of this altar this
morning. If you are saved, please examine yourself and do what you need to do. If you are
lost, then I want you to come to the ord and be saved. Will you do that right now?
