INTRODUCTION
"What’s for supper?" A question that is heard millions of times each day around our world. Most people have favorite foods. I pastored people who thought a meal was not a meal without meat and potatoes. Others who were never satisfied with a supper that did not include rice. Some of my Southern friends feel cheated to sit down to a meal lacking biscuits. Others have to have bread or rolls. In some countries beans would be the most important part of the meal. For some, a meal without a cup of tea or coffee is a meal that is not complete. What do you expect in a meal?
For two centuries, every day and every hour, someplace in our world Christians are eating the Lord’s Supper. The ingredients of this meal stay the same. Bread and wine. Now the bread may be made with wheat, other grains, or rice flour and the wine may be fermented and non-fermented… But it is always the same. Bread and wine.
At the last supper that Jesus had with his disciples a full Passover meal was eaten. In the early church the Lord’s Supper of bread and wine was often a part of a church pot-luck-dinner. In fact the major reason First
Corinthians 11 addressed the Lord’s Supper was because the celebration meal had turned into a feast for the "haves" and a time when the "have nots" left the supper hungry. A time when some of the participants drank too much of the wine and became drunk. It had become a time of division instead of a unifying celebration. Some churches still practice a "love feast," but for most, the menu is only bread and wine.
Why? Because most churches no longer meet in homes, but in church buildings. Because of the logistics of feeding large church crowds. Because of time restraints. Because the only two ingredients that Jesus
commanded us to eat at this supper were bread and wine. They have for all time been the centerpiece of the meal.
What about the Lord’s Supper? Eucharist? Communion? What does it symbolize for you? Let us think about some meaningful things the supper represents for the church today.
I. AS WE EAT, WE CONCENTRATE ON JESUS CHRIST WHO WAS CRUCIFED AND DIED TO PROVIDE OUR SALVATION.
Some Americans are unhappy that we have soldiers, sailors, airmen…who are willing to give their lives in Iraq to provide freedom from the terrors that Saddam Hussein has inflicted upon his country for decades. Over a hundred military personnel have already given the ultimate sacrifice. They are heroes. In coming years they will be remembered by memorials, poetry, stories… They died to make a part of our world free. Jesus died to free all.
Jesus said, "12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command."(John 15) When we were sinners, Jesus died for us. We partake in remembrance of him. Communion is his memorial celebration—A sacrament. It illustrates grace.
Are we moved by Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice? Think about it.
II. AS WE EAT, WE CELEBRATE THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS AND HIS PRESENCE IN US THROUGH HIS HOLY SPIRIT.
Before the death of Jesus he told the disciples about the Comforter. The prophets had done the same. On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was given and the church was created. As we remember Jesus’ teachings, life, death, and resurrection today, his Holy Spirit is here in our hearts and in our church. Following Pentecost the Bible story is filled with the
"acts" of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Remember, what he did for and through the early church, he can do for and through you. "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’"(Acts 19:2) I ask, are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Have you made a total commitment to
Jesus Christ? Are you wholly committed to, by the Spirit’s cleansing power to live a life of holiness? Think about it.
III. AS WE EAT, WE EXAMINE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS AND WE RECOMMIT OUR ALL TO HIM.
We live by faith: But the symbols of bread and wine give us some insight into the life and sufferings of Jesus. He gave his all to give us all eternal life.
(Illustration: This past week, I have had opportunity to have two lunches with fellow pastors, John and Juan. About two years ago, one of the pastors had donated his kidney to the other pastor who was in need of a kidney transplant. One man was Hispanic, one Anglo. At the lunches it was easy to see the camaraderie, the love, the friendship, the concern for each other’s well being that they exhibited. It was
encouraging to see that each had a passion for lost souls. A bond of love for each other and for Jesus has bound them together. By the way—Both are healthy and the kidneys are working at levels that amaze the doctors. As I had opportunity to observe their interactions, I immediately thought of how we may bond with Jesus when we realize how much he gave up to give us salvation from eternal damnation. He gave more than a kidney. He suffered for every man. He gave his life. "How much I owe…")
Do you daily show him your love and devotion? Do you live lives of thanksgiving? Do you give your best to God and to the world because of all that has been suffered because of your sin? Have you owned up to your
sins? Have you admitted your sin, confessed it to Jesus, or tried to hid your sin? How would you characterize your current relationship with Jesus? Think about it.
IV. AS WE EAT, WE IDENTIFY WITH THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH.(See the Apostle’s Creed.)
The church is made up of all who have expressed faith in Jesus. Jesus loves all of us equally. Do we love our neighbor as we should? Do we love our brother as we love ourselves? We are not in competition with other
evangelical churches. There are more than enough sinners to go around. There is an abundance of "Pre-Christians" for us to try to win to Jesus. We are a part of something bigger than just our local church. The church at Corinth was having a problem since it was obvious that the "haves" were not loving the "have nots’ as they should.
Are we praying for the Christians on the battle fields in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the other countries of the world? Have we prayed and written our political leaders urging them to do something about Christians who are being persecuted for their faith in many world areas? Have we given our best in tithes and offerings in order for our missionaries to take the gospel to the whole world? How are we helping our brothers around the world? Are we encouraging other Christians? Think about it.
V. AS WE EAT, WE ARE REMINDED THAT THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN BREAD ALONE—MORE THAN EATING, DRINKING, AND MAKING MERRY.
We have had a couple of years of economic hardship in America. Some of you may be struggling to pay your bills.(Illustration: I remember hearing of a man who was deeply in debt. The bill collectors called constantly. One in particular was extremely harassing. The man finally told the bill collector: "When I cash my pay check, I put the name of all my creditors in my hat. I shake the hat. Then I reach in and randomly pick a name. I then pay that bill and then as long as the money lasts, I continue
picking names and paying bills until the cash is gone. He then told the collector: "If you do not stop harassing me, I will not even put your name in the hat.") You think you have it tough?
Jesus taught, "It is written: ’Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’"(Matthew 4:4) How is your Bible reading? Do you hunger to learn more about God? Is God or riches, fame, friends, promotions, good times… most important to you? What is first in your life? Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness? Think
about it.
VI. AS WE EAT, WE REMEMBER THAT ONE DAY JESUS WILL COME AGAIN.
The Apostle Paul wrote, "1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of
pleasure rather than lovers of God-- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power…"(2 Timothy 3) Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
Peter wrote, "3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this ’coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."(2 Peter 3) We are told to celebrate communion "until he comes."(v. 26) No matter what the non-believer says, Jesus is coming. For some, he will come through accidental death, for some through sickness and death, for some, maybe all of us, he will come and lift us alive off of this sin-scared earth. In him we have security. Jesus is coming again. Are you ready for the Second Coming of Jesus? Think about it.
CONCLUSION
What about the Lord’s Supper? Have you really thought about it? "THINK ABOUT IT." In conclusion, I want to simply say, REMEMBER and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. God gives us choices. The Lord’s Supper is an opportune time to examine ourselves and to ask the Lord what areas of our lives need changed by his holiness.
As you await the bread and the wine: THINK, and then DO WHAT JESUS SAYS. He is here. Listen to him. Accept him. Talk to him. Obey him. Love him. HE LOVES YOU.
(Quotes from the NIV.) (Ron Keller 4/6/2003)
