Sermon Central
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What Is The Meaning Of The Lord's Supper?
Contributed by Evie Megginson on Aug 20, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: We see in this sermon that the Lord’s Supper is AN EXPRESSION,AN EXPLANATION,AN EXPECTATION, AN EXAMINATION, AND AN ENCOURAGEMENT.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER?
Notice in verse 24, He says “this do”. Jesus expects every Christian to observe the Lord’s Supper. It is not something that optional but rather it is a direct command from Jesus.
Every now and then I come in contact with those who say that they love Jesus yet they want no part of His Church. I told this one individual that the Bible says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” He replied, I do. I asked him when was the last time he had took the Lord’s supper? He begins to stutter and finally said, it’s not important. Well he was wrong for Jesus said we should do it in remembrance of Him.
A new convert came up to me on a night we were preparing for the Lord’ supper. What this supper all about? Are we going on a diet? All I see is some small crackers and small glasses of grape juice.
Well today in five words, I want to attempt to give its meaning.
I-THE LORD’ SUPPER IS AN EXPRESSION: V-24
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
We are expressing our Love for Jesus, for it is a way we can say to Jesus, we love you, we remember what you did for us.
On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, 350 Japanese war planes bombed Pearl Harbor. 18 battle ships were sunk or destroyed. 200 airplanes were put out of commission. 3, 581 servicemen were either killed or wounded.
Thus America’s war cry as she entered World War II was this motto: “Remember Pearl Harbor”.
At the Lord’s table today, we too have a battle cry and it is: “Remember Jesus Christ.”
We are to remember the high cost of our salvation. Wherein it free to you and I, it cost Jesus dearly, his body and his blood. He paid it all with his very life.
In Psalms 34:20, it says that no bones of Jesus Christ would be broken. And it was fulfilled when the soldier came to break His legs and found him already dead.
Yet Jesus said, this is my body, which is broken for you. We are to remember His body was broken in many ways. His back was broken by the whip. They broke his bow with the crown of thorns. They broke His cheeks when they ripped his bread from His face. They brake his hands when they drove the nails through them. His side was broken when they thrust the spear into His side.
We must never forget that the body of Jesus Christ was broken on the cross for you and I.
II-THE LORD’S SUPPER IS AN EXPLANATION: V-26
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.
The word “show” means to tell, to explain. Thus every time we gather at the Lord’s table, we are preaching a sermon that Christ is the Saviour of the world through His death on the cross.
The owner of a large warehouse was concerned about his profit margin, and he decided to make an on site inspection. He saw a young man leaning up against a wall apparently not working. The owner said to him, "How much do you make per week?" The young man said, "$320." The owner reached into his pocket and pulled out $320 and handed the man the money and told him, "You can leave. We don’t need you around here anymore." As the young man walked away, the warehouse supervisor arrived and the owner asked him, "How long has that fellow been working for us?" The supervisor looked as the young man drove away and replied, "He doesn’t work for us; he was here making a delivery." Moral of the story: DON’T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS.
Don’t be like the little boy who said to his dad, I am glad we having the Lord’s supper tonight. I guess that means we want have any preaching?
Well he was jumping to the wrong conclusion, for the Lord’s is preaching at its best.
III-THE LORD’S SUPPER IS AN EXPECTATION: V-26B
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.
When we come to the Lord’s table, we are testifying that one-day we will be caught up together in the air by the Lord.
The Christ who was born at Bethlehem, the Christ who was crucified on the cross, the Christ who arose from the grave, the Christ who we fellowship with today; this Christ is coming again.
As we look around at the world this morning, we see some bad things. Crime is everywhere, in cities and in countryside; Alcohol and drug consumption is destroying people’s lives; Families are being torn apart by the devil; All types of sins are abounding everywhere.
