The Proclamation Of Communion

1 Corinthians 11:26-29

“The Proclamation of Communion”

I. We Proclaim the Lord’s Death (26a)

• It is a memorial, so that we will not forget the great sacrifice that Christ made for us.

John 15:13 (NASB95)

13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

o The fact that we even have memorials shows that we are a people who will forget, maybe not the event itself, but the significance of the event.

• Not only is it a memorial, but it is also a declaration of our salvation.

o This ordinance was given by Christ specifically to be observed by His Church, and should only be taken by those who have been saved by faith in the sacrifice we proclaim here.

Romans 5:8-10 (NASB95)

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

o While the universal Church is made up of all born again believers, Christ’s Church is manifest through the local church, or ecclesia, “called out assembly.”

o While we don’t require a person to be a member of this local body to participate, I believe that doesn’t take away from the importance of local church membership.

II. We Proclaim the Lord’s Return (26b)

• “Until He comes.”

o Much like the Passover feast was observed to look back at how delivered His children from bondage.

o But as the same time looked forward to, and was a picture of, the coming of Christ who would become that Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world once and for all.

• Communion also looks back at Christ’s sacrifice, but also looks forward to the time when Jesus will return and we will sit down with Him in fellowship and truly celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

Luke 22:15-18 (NASB95)

15 And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”

o We find that Jesus’ words will be fulfilled at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Revelation 19:9 (NASB95)

9 Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ ” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.”

o The great celebration of Jesus and His Bride, the Church, how blessed are we to know that we will be there with our Savior.

III. We Proclaim Ourselves Worthy (27-29)

• This is where we as believers must begin to examine ourselves before God.

• We must come with the right attitude and in the right manner.

o To be observed by the church body, as we are doing here.

o For the purpose of declaring those things just mentioned.

o With the desire to draw closer to God, but not through actions, but through remembrance and repentance.

• We must also come clean.

• “But let a man examine himself.”

o Are we saved? (Importance of a relationship with God)

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NASB95)

5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

o Do we have any unconfessed sin? (Importance of a right relationship with God)

1 John 1:8-9 (NASB95)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

o Do we have anything unresolved between another brother or sister in Christ? (Importance of unity)

Romans 15:6 (NASB95)

6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• So if the answer is no to any of these questions we either need to correct them or excuse ourselves from participating.