WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER?
I Corinthians 11:23-33
Notice in verse 24, He says “this do”. Jesus expects every Christian to observe the Lord’s Supper. It is not something that optional but rather it is a direct command from Jesus.
Every now and then I come in contact with those who say that they love Jesus yet they want no part of His Church. I told this one individual that the Bible says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” He replied, I do. I asked him when was the last time he had took the Lord’s supper? He begins to stutter and finally said, it’s not important. Well he was wrong for Jesus said we should do it in remembrance of Him.
A new convert came up to me on a night we were preparing for the Lord’ supper. What this supper all about? Are we going on a diet? All I see is some small crackers and small glasses of grape juice.
Well today in five words, I want to attempt to give its meaning.
I-THE LORD’ SUPPER IS AN EXPRESSION: V-24
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
We are expressing our Love for Jesus, for it is a way we can say to Jesus, we love you, we remember what you did for us.
On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, 350 Japanese war planes bombed Pearl Harbor. 18 battle ships were sunk or destroyed. 200 airplanes were put out of commission. 3, 581 servicemen were either killed or wounded.
Thus America’s war cry as she entered World War II was this motto: “Remember Pearl Harbor”.
At the Lord’s table today, we too have a battle cry and it is: “Remember Jesus Christ.”
We are to remember the high cost of our salvation. Wherein it free to you and I, it cost Jesus dearly, his body and his blood. He paid it all with his very life.
In Psalms 34:20, it says that no bones of Jesus Christ would be broken. And it was fulfilled when the soldier came to break His legs and found him already dead.
Yet Jesus said, this is my body, which is broken for you. We are to remember His body was broken in many ways. His back was broken by the whip. They broke his bow with the crown of thorns. They broke His cheeks when they ripped his bread from His face. They brake his hands when they drove the nails through them. His side was broken when they thrust the spear into His side.
We must never forget that the body of Jesus Christ was broken on the cross for you and I.
II-THE LORD’S SUPPER IS AN EXPLANATION: V-26
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.
The word “show” means to tell, to explain. Thus every time we gather at the Lord’s table, we are preaching a sermon that Christ is the Saviour of the world through His death on the cross.
The owner of a large warehouse was concerned about his profit margin, and he decided to make an on site inspection. He saw a young man leaning up against a wall apparently not working. The owner said to him, "How much do you make per week?" The young man said, "$320." The owner reached into his pocket and pulled out $320 and handed the man the money and told him, "You can leave. We don’t need you around here anymore." As the young man walked away, the warehouse supervisor arrived and the owner asked him, "How long has that fellow been working for us?" The supervisor looked as the young man drove away and replied, "He doesn’t work for us; he was here making a delivery." Moral of the story: DON’T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS.
Don’t be like the little boy who said to his dad, I am glad we having the Lord’s supper tonight. I guess that means we want have any preaching?
Well he was jumping to the wrong conclusion, for the Lord’s is preaching at its best.
III-THE LORD’S SUPPER IS AN EXPECTATION: V-26B
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.
When we come to the Lord’s table, we are testifying that one-day we will be caught up together in the air by the Lord.
The Christ who was born at Bethlehem, the Christ who was crucified on the cross, the Christ who arose from the grave, the Christ who we fellowship with today; this Christ is coming again.
As we look around at the world this morning, we see some bad things. Crime is everywhere, in cities and in countryside; Alcohol and drug consumption is destroying people’s lives; Families are being torn apart by the devil; All types of sins are abounding everywhere.
But as we come to the Lord’s table today, we can still be joyous in the midst of a troubled world for Jesus one day will take us out this world to a better place in heaven.
I remember a time in my boyhood experiences when I had been visiting some of my relatives in Coy, Alabama. It was time to come home back to Lower Peach Tree, Alabama. There was no bridge across the river only a ferry. As we begin to get on the ferry a storm came upon us. As a young boy it was one of the scariest experiences I ever witnessed. The clouds were black, the winds were howling, the rain was coming down in sheets and the waves were hitting against the sides of the ferryboat. But we finally made it across, and as we did the storm suddenly was over and the sun shone through the clouds. It was a happy time to be back home and away from the storm.
In the same way one day, we will make to the other side and we will be in heaven away from the storms of this life.
IV-THE LORD’S SUPPER IS AN EXAMINATION: V-28
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
Some people say, I will not take of it, for I am not worthy. In saying that, they don’t realize that none of us are worthy. There is only one, and His name is Jesus. (Revelation 5:12)
Now I do believe there are two ways a person can take of it unworthy. One would be that a lost person should never take of for notice what verse 29 says, they “drinketh damnation to himself”.
Also I believe a Christian can be guilty if there is unconfused sins in their life. Verse 3 says, ” For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.”
But notice what verse 31 says, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”
We should be like the disciples at the first supper, when they said, Lord is it I?
When a person who is a Christian refuses to take the Lord’ s supper, they are saying, I refuse to examine my-self, I refuse to repent of my sins.
For the commandment is for all to take of it.
Now it says a man is to examine him-self, not his neighbor or any one else
Examine you self. Are you without Christ? Come to Him today and be saved Grand Canyon Rescue…Readers Digest Article-July 2000, Ken Phillips tells of a tragedy. A father was playing around, and he made like he was falling over the edge. His intentions was to jump over the edge and land on a ledge just below. He missed and fell 600 feet to his death.
Listen, if you are here today without Christ, you are standing on the brink of eternity gambling with your soul. And where you will land is a place called hell. You will plunge to your eternal death. My friend don’t gamble with your soul. Don’t guess; take the test. Receive Christ today.
Christian, what about you. Examine yourself before the table. What’s your temperature? Hot or Cold?
V-THE LORD’S SUPPER IS AN ENCOURAGEMENT: V-33
Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
In these verses, five times, Paul says, “come together.” He is saying when you come to the Lord’s table, not be only thinking what you will get out if it, but thing about others also.
Ask can I encourage someone today; can I be of help to my fellow sister and brother in Christ.
I can’t imagine taking the Lord’s Supper alone. I need every one of you. I need your presence to encourage me.
Donald Nash once wrote in the Christian Standard that he has heard of some churches that have done away with Communion as part of their Morning Worship. These churches offer the Lord’s Supper as an option in a side room, rather than making it part of the main Worship Service. Why? Because it seems these churches want to appeal to the “seeker” crowd (those who visit “seeking” a church home). These congregations apparently believe that communion is such a strange practice - and dwells so much on death – it would offend “seekers” and frighten them away.
I believe when it is taken it is not a side show but central part of worship for the whole body of believers.
CONCLUSION: Leslie Weatherhead tells of a little boy who was admitted to an orphanage after his parents were killed. One of the first items on the agenda was to find him a new set of clothes. He was given a new pair of pants, a new shirt, and a pair of shoes that shinned as he saw his face in its glow. Lastly, he was offered a new hat. But he refused to take it. He hung on to his worse- for the-wear—hat. Finally the Sister was able to coax him into trying on the new cap. He tried it on, liked it, but then did something very funny. He reached inside his old cap and tore the lining out and placed it in his pocket. Noticing the Sister had a puzzled look on her face, he said said, "The lining is a part of my mother’s dress; it’s all I’ve got left of her and somehow it seems to bring her back."
