EASTER 2013
SELECTED VERSES
TAKING TIME TO UNDERSTAND THE LORD’S SUPPER.
PROPOSITION: WE NEED A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER!
INTRODUCTION: FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE OBSESSED WITH THE CALENDAR AND HOLIDAYS, MARCH IS THE MONTH OF EASTER. THE LAST SUNDAY OF THIS MONTH IS EASTER SUNDAY. IT COMES EARLY THIS YEAR, ALMOST BY SURPRISE. SO, IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS WONDERFUL HOLIDAY OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEND THESE NEXT FEW WEEKS IN PREPARATION FOR EASTER, AND I CAN NOT THINK OF ANY BETTER PLACE TO START THAN TO MELD TOGETHER OUR CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER WITH OUR SPIRITUAL PREPARATION FOR EASTER.
TRANSITION: A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER HELPS US PREPARE OURSELVES
OPENING ILLUSTRATION: COMMUNION IS A MEAL; AN ACT OF REMEMBERING THAT SHOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF CAUSING US TO PONDER, REMEMBER, AND ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL THAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US. PRESIDENT LINCOLN WAS ONCE ASKED HOW HE WAS GOING TO TREAT THE REBELLIOUS SOUTHERNERS WHEN THEY HAD FINALLY BEEN DEFEATED AND RETURNED TO THE UNION OF THE UNITED STATES. THE QUESTIONER EXPECTED THAT LINCOLN WOULD TAKE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR VENGEANCE. TO THE CONTRARY, LINCOLN REPLIED, “I WILL TREAT THEM AS IF THEY HAD NEVER BEEN AWAY.” SO IT IS WITH COMMUNION. COMMUNION IS THAT SYMBOLIC ACT WHICH REMINDS US THAT GOD, THROUGH THE SHED BLOOD OF CHRIST TREATS US AS IF WE HAD NEVER SINNED!
I. THE INSTITUTION OF COMMUNION
Matthew 26:26-29 -- Mark 14:22-25
Luke 22:15-20 And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
a. COMMUNION WAS INSTITUTED BY JESUS
b. LITERALLY THE TEXT SAYS, “WITH DESIRE I HAVE DESIRED.”
i. LAST WORDS OF CHRIST TO THOSE WHO BE ENTRUSTED TO CARRY ON AFTER HIS DEATH
ii. HE COMMUNICATES THE FUTURE FULFILLMENT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING WILL COME WITH THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
c. PASSOVER REMEMBERED A PAST EVENT WHEN GOD DELIVERED THE PEOPLE FROM EGYPT AND THE PROTECTION OF THE BLOOD.
d. PASSOVER WAS A FORESHADOW OF WHAT WAS TO COME THROUGH THE WORK OF CHRIST
i. JESUS WAS THE SPOTLESS LAMB
ii. THE BLOOD OF CHRIST WOULD BE SPILT FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE THOSE LOST IN SIN AND SEPARATED FROM GOD.
iii. THE APPLICATION OF THAT BLOOD WOULD BE THE PROTECTION – THEN AND NOW!
e. JESUS WILL SIT DOWN AT THIS MEAL AGAIN WHEN THE PLAN OF GOD IS COMPLETE
Revelation 19:7-9 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) 9 Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God."
II. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF COMMUNION WAS TAUGHT BY PAUL
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not! 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.
a. PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE CHURCH AND COMMUNION
i. WHAT THEY WERE DOING CONCERNING COMMUNION WAS DETRIMENTAL TO THE CHURCH
1. PAUL WAS REBUKING THE CHURCH
a. REBUKING THEIR SERVICE – WHEN YOU COME TOGETHER VERSE 17
i. THE WAY IN WHICH THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION WAS CONDUCTED WAS DOING MORE HARM THEN GOOD.
ii. THE INFERENCE IS THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER IF SUCH A SERVICE WERE NOT HELD AT ALL.
iii. BUTLER WRITES IN HIS COMMENTARY ON 1 CORINTHIANS -- That is not an uncommon result of many worship services today. Such services are so dishonoring to God that it would be better if the services had not been held.
Analytical Bible Expositor – 1 & 2 Corinthians.
1. THIS IS SOMETHING THE CHURCH NEEDS TO BE VERY MINDFUL OF TODAY, HOW ARE WE CONDUCTING OUR SERVICES?
2. HOW DO WE APPROACH THE WORSHIP SERVICE?
3. WHAT GOES ON BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE SERVICE?
4. DO WE COME IN PREPARED TO MEET GOD, OR DO WE HAVE “OTHER THINGS” THAT NEED TO GET DONE BEFORE WE CAN GIVE GOD HIS DUE?
ANNE ORTLUND IN THE BOOK, “UP WITH WORSHIP” WRITES THAT CHRISTIANS CAN BE GROUPED INTO TWO CATEGORIES – MARBLES AND GRAPES. MARBLES ARE SINGLE UNITS THAT DO NOT AFFECT EACH OTHER ACCEPT IN COLLISION. GRAPES, ON THE OTHER HAND, MINGLE JUICES, WITH EACH ONE BEING PART OF THE WHOLE. THE BELIEVERS OF THE EARLY CHURCH WERE MEANT TO BE GRAPES, NOT MARBLES. THEY BECAME THOSE GRAPES THROUGH PERSECUTION. SHE CONTINUES – GENUINE CHRISTIANITY IS FREELY SHARED AMONG EACH MEMBER IN GOD’S FAMILY. THE CHURCH TODAY IS MISSING THIS FOR THE MOST PART. SERMONS AND SONGS PROVIDE ONLY PART OF THE VITAL ENCOUNTER, WE NEED INVOLVEMENT WITH EACH OTHER. IF WE HAVE NOT ROLLED INTO CHURCH AND ROLLED OUT OF CHURCH WITHOUT ACQUIRING A FEW GRAPE JUICE STAINS, WE HAVE MISSED THE SWEET WINE OF FELLOWSHIP.
b. PAUL WAS REBUKING THEIR SCHISMS – THEY WERE A DIVIDED CHURCH VERSE 18
i. THEIR CHARACTER
1. THEY WERE DIVIDED
2. THE PEOPLE DID NOT MIX WELL BUT SEPARATED THEMSELVES BY GIFTS, WEALTH, RACE, AND FEELING, BUT NOT DOCTRINE.
ii. THEIR CAUTION
1. PAUL SAYS THAT HE PARTIALLY BELIEVED IT!
2. IN HERE THERE IS THE CAUTION OF QUICKLY JUMPING TO A CONCLUSION. AS BAD AS IT WAS IN THE CHURCH, PAUL WAS CAUTIOUS!
a. PAUL WAS REBUKING THEIR SECTS – THERE WERE DIFFERENCES IN THE CHURCH VERSE 19
i. IF THE DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH DID ONE THING IT WAS TO MANIFEST THOSE WHO WERE GOOD.
ii. EVIL PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY PROPER CONDUCT AND BELIEF.
iii. TRIALS OFTEN PRODUCE GOOD FOR US—SO IT IS IN THE CHURCH. IT TAKES TRIALS TO SEPARATE THE MEN FROM THE BOYS.
b. “DO MORE HARM THEN GOOD”
i. THE OBVIOUS QUESTION IS MORE HARM TO WHO OR WHAT?
ii. MORE HARM TO THEMSELVES – PERPETUATED THE DIVISION THAT PAUL REBUKED.
iii. HARM TO THE CHURCH – DID NOT REPRESENT THE BODY OF CHRIST.
iv. HARM TO THE GOSPEL. WHO WANTS TO BE INVOLVED WITH A GROUP THAT IS NOT IN HARMONY WITH ITSELF
v. HARM TO THEIR SPIRITUAL GROWTH – GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD!
I. PAUL WAS CORRECTIVE TEACHING FOR THE CHURCH
a. THE CHURCH SHOULD COME TOGETHER WITH GRACE AND CONSIDERATION
i. THE ACTIVITY OF CHRIST REPRESENTED IN COMMUNION WAS THE HIGHEST ACT OF SELFLESSNESS ONE COULD EXPERIENCE
ii. THE CORINTHIANS HAD TURNED THIS AROUND
1. INSTEAD THE CORINTHIANS HAD TURNED THE MEMORIAL OF SELFLESSNESS INTO AN EXPERIENCE OF SELFISHNESS AND HAD MADE A RITE OF UNITY A RIOTOUS DISUNITY. WHILE ONE BROTHER WENT HUNGRY BECAUSE HE LACKED THE MEANS TO EAT WELL, ANOTHER BROTHER DRANK TO EXCESS.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.
2. PRIVATE PARTIES HAVE NO PLACE IN THE CHURCH.
a. THE CORINTHIANS WERE USING THE “MEAL” BEFORE THE LORD’S SUPPER TO HAVE A PARTY WITH THEIR FRIENDS, INCLUDING SOME AND EXCLUDING OTHERS.
b. THEN THEY WOULD COME TOGETHER FOR COMMUNION.
c. HEIGHT OF HYPOCRISY!
THE LORD’S SUPPER IS NOT ABOUT SELF-INDULGENCE AND DIVISION. IT IS ABOUT THE DEATH OF CHRIST.
LEFT UNCHECKED THE CORINTHIANS WERE TURNING A REMEMBRANCE OF SELFLESSNESS TO SELFISHNESS AND UNITY TO RIOT!
b. THE CHURCH SHOULD REMEMBER THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER – “IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME”
i. THE BREAD
1. SYMBOLIZED THE INCARNATE BODY OF JESUS
Philippians 2:6-7 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
2. SYMBOLIZED THE UNSELFISH GIVING OF JESUS
Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
3. REMINDED THE CHURCH OF THE BENEFIT THIS GIVING WAS FOR OTHERS
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
ii. THE CUP
1. SYMBOLIZED THE SHED BLOOD OF CHRIST
2. WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD THERE IS NO REMISSION OF SIN
Hebrews 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
3. SYMBOLIZED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND MAN
Hebrews 9:14-15 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! 15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
a. THE OLD COVENANT WAS BASED ON THE WRITTEN WORD
Exodus 24:1-8 Then he said to Moses, "Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, 2 but Moses alone is to approach the LORD; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him." 3 When Moses went and told the people all the LORD's words and laws, they responded with one voice, "Everything the LORD has said we will do." 4 Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey." 8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words."
b. THE NEW COVENANT IS BASED ON THE LIVING WORD
John 1:14-18 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'" 16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.
iii. THE MEAL ITSELF -- A REPRESENTATIONAL SERMON
1. THE REALITY OF THE DEATH OF CHRIST
2. THE CERTAINTY OF THE RETURN OF CHRIST (UNTIL HE COMES)
3. THE CELEBRATED ITS MESSAGE OF HUMILIATION AND SUBSEQUENT EXALTATION.
I. PAUL’S POIGNANT WARNING TO THE CHURCH – DO NOT TAKE COMMUNION LIGHTLY!
a. TAKING THE COMMUNION MEAL IN AN UNWORTHY MANNER
i. WITH A DISREGARD FOR SERVICE, SCHISM, AND SECT
b. SINNING AGAINST THE VERY ACT OF CHRIST THIS MEAL REPRESENTS AND PROCLAIMS
c. EXAMINE YOURSELVES BEFORE
i. SELF EXAMINATION ALLOWS GOD TO REVEAL HIS APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL
ii. SELF EXAMINATION ALLOWS FOR CONFESSION
iii. CONFESSION ALLOWS FOR FORGIVENESS
WE ARE LEFT WITH A CHOICE AT THIS MEAL
1 Corinthians 11:31-32 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
GOD WOULD RATHER US COME TO THIS MEAL PREPARED AND CLEAN
GOD WILL DISCIPLINE OUR ACTIVITY NOW SO THAT WE ARE NOT JUDGED LATER
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEAL IS TO REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE THE ULTIMATE ACT OF CHRIST ON OUR BEHALF!
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
