Sermon Central
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The Communion Of The Lord's Table
Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Apr 8, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: The term "communion" can appropriately be applied to "The Lord’s Supper". This outline sets forth the four-fold aspects of that communion.
THE COMMUNION OF THE LORD’S TABLE
"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? I Corinthians 10:16.
IT IS A SUPERNAL COMMUNION
Supernal: "being or coming from on high". The very concept of the "Lord’s Supper" is from on high. It is not the product of man’s design. In this sense it can appropriately be called "holy communion".
Consider Paul’s statement: "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread…" I Corinthians 11:23.
It is a time to commune with God, to reflect on His great love for us that caused Him to give His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
IT IS AN INTERNAL COMMUNION
It is a time to commune with ourselves, indeed to examine ourselves.
"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner, eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body." I Corinthians 11:28-29.
IT IS AN EXTERNAL COMMUNION
It is a time to be mindful that we are "not an island unto ourselves". As children of God we are a living part of the Body of Christ. Our lives touch others as the lives of others touch us.
Our lives touch others in the fellowship of the church:
"For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread." I Corinthians 10:17.
Our lives touch others as we witness to the world:
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes." I Corinthians 11:26.
IT IS AN ETERNAL COMMUNION
Everything about "The Lord’s Supper" has eternal significance.
"The bread" symbolizes the sinless body of Christ. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin..” Hebrews 4:15.
"The cup" symbolizes the atoning blood of our Lord Jesus. The Apostle Peter wrote: “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” I Peter 1:18-19.
We see the eternal significance of "The Lord’s Supper" in the promise Jesus gave to His disciples: “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:29.
