Experiencing the Fullness of the Lord’s Supper
June 6, 2004
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Sunday AM
Intro: Initially I had intended for our series on the “I am” statements of Jesus to have concluded last Sunday so that together this AM we might partake of this special meal together in the full awareness that Jesus, our Savior and Lord, was the great I am of the O.T. who became flesh for us – shedding His precious blood on Calvary’s cross to make a satisfactory atonement for our sin. Yet as you are fully aware, we are in the middle of the series.
Trans: Nonetheless, this AM I want to invite you to reflect upon the sacred and revealing statements of our Savior as we come to this sacred table to remember the gift of His life broken and spilled out for each of us. I hope to assist you understanding the importance of this ordinance that each of us might experience the fullness and blessing found in this meal.
I The CONTINUITY of Communion vs. 17-19
Verse: 17 Now in giving the following instruction I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, to begin with, I hear that when you come together as a church there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 There must, indeed, be differences among you, so that the approved among you may be recognized.
Idea: Communion had degenerated in Corinth resulting in division and discord. Why? B/c the people were divided by truth and untruth – belief and unbelief. Yet while there is a marked difference b/w the saved and the lost, w/in the body we must never allow our differences to divide us. We are one body – called to serve our Lord, our world, and one another.
Note: As we gather each week, our objective must be to worship our Lord and to edify His people (Great Commission) – it’s not about you. You and I are apart of something bigger than ourselves. And when we put the body first, then all together, we minister and care for one another as others minister to us. The Corinthians had lost sight of this truth – it’s not about you.
Note: Communion is a time to reflect on our purpose in Christ.
II The COMMUNITY of Communion vs. 20-22
Verse: 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not really to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others, and one person is hungry while another is drunk! 22 Don’t you have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you look down on the church of God and embarrass those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I do not praise you for this!
Note: Communion is a time to remember what Christ did for us and to force us to make sure that we are in a right relationship w/ Him and w/ our brother.
Note: Problem is, communion was anything but sacred to the Corinthians – it was self-centered gluttony. It was about self instead of about the Savior.
Note: It is a meal of remembrance of what Christ has done for all of us – which is a point of community. We who have received His grace by faith are family – we are a community of faith asked to remember what Jesus has done for us. We are united through His blood – we have a common DNA.
Note: Teaching children to wait to eat as a family.
Note: Communion is a time to be a family – encouraging and sharing w/ one another as one body – remembering our common call to be salt and light.
III The COVENANT to Communion vs. 23-25
Verse: 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: on the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He also took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Idea: When we partake of the elements, we symbolically eat His body and drink His blood as we remember the spiritual and eternal redemption we received when we accepted God’s forgiveness purchased through the work of Christ on the cross where His was broken and spilled for each one of us.
Idea: Jesus told the disciples to do this in remembrance of His sacrifice. Communion is not an option, but a privilege – as we remember God’s grace covenant w/ us.
Note: In the O.T., God offered a sacrifice on behalf of Abraham and then He walked through the pieces to seal His promise w/ Abraham. In the same way, Jesus was our sacrificial lamb allowing us to walk through the Holy of Holies into the promise of God’s redemption.
Note: We’ve been brought into a promised relationship w/ God which requires a committed life response to the sacrifice He offered on our behalf.
Idea: Every time we come to the table we should conscientiously contemplate and call to mind the sacrifice offered on our behalf. Communion reminds us that we are in a living relationship w/ our Creator.
V The CALLING of Communion vs. 26
Verse: 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes
.
Idea: We are to proclaim as we partake the declaration of our faith. When we partake we are testifying and giving witness of our certain belief in God.
A His Person I’m convinced of His deity. (Certain)
B His Sacrifice I’m convinced of His work. (Grateful)
C His Return I’m convinced of His return. (Ready)
Note: We must never forget the emptiness of our lostness or the joy of salvation. It should motivate and send us into all the world to tell of His great love.
Note: Communion is a time to remember our responsibility in God’s mission.
VI The CONSECRATION of Communion vs. 27-32
Verse: 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks w/out recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged, 32 but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned w/ the world.
Idea: We’re to be certain we have a proper vertical and horizontal relationship.
A Take a Personal Relationships Inventory
• Who is eligible? People who have trusted Christ for salvation
B Take a Personal Ministry Inventory
• Who is worthy? All sin must be confessed and your brother unified.
Note: Communion is not just a time to get things straight b/w you and God, but it is also a time for you to get right w/ others.
Note: Communion is a time of re-dedication and re-commitment to the Savior who died for us. It is a time to make certain that we are in a right relationship w/ Him.
Poem: Come to this sacred table, not b/c you must, but b/c you may;
Come not to testify to your righteousness, but that you sincerely love our Lord Jesus Christ and desire to be His true disciple;
Come not b/c your goodness gives you a right to come, but b/c in your frailty and sin you stand in need of heaven’s mercy and help;
Come b/c you love the Lord a little and want to love Him more;
Come b/c He loved you and gave Himself to you;
Lift up your hearts, above your cares and fears;
Let this bread and juice be a sign of God’s grace to you and a pledge of your love to the Lord Jesus Christ;
Receive the love of God and consecrate your life new and afresh to Christian obedience and service, to discover and do the will of God in humble faith.
