๐๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ
The Lordโs Supper is one of the most profound and significant acts we can participate in as Christians. It is not just a tradition, but a divine act that binds us to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Today we will look at four aspects of the Lordโs Supper: remembrance, fellowship, grace, and hope. (Lukas 22:7-20)
The Lordโs Supper is not for the perfect, but for those who need grace.
THE LORDS SUPPER IS A MEMORIAL MEAL
Jesus said, โDo this in remembrance of me.โ (Luke 22:19)
The remembrance of Jesusโ sacrifice is a living reality in our lives. The Lordโs Supper brings us back to the cross, where Jesus bore our sins. Just as the Passover meal reminded the Israelites of Godโs deliverance from Egypt, the Lordโs Supper reminds us of our deliverance from the slavery of sin.
HOW DO WE REMEMBER JESUS IN THE LORDโS SUPPER?
- We remember his love: โFor God so loved the worldโฆโ (John 3:16).
- We remember his suffering: โHe was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon himโฆโ (Isaiah 53:5).
- We remember his victory: โIt is finished!โ (John 19:30).
- The Lordโs Supper is a time of thanksgiving, where we not only look back on Jesusโ sacrifice, but also renew our commitment to live for him.
THE LORDS SUPPER IS A MEAL OF FELLOWSHIP
The Lordโs Supper and resurrection of Jesus.
Today we will look at four aspects of the Lordโs Supper: remembrance, fellowship, grace, and hope.
โThe cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.โ (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)
When we partake of the Lordโs Supper, we are not alone. We are together as Godโs family.
The Lordโs supper is one of the deepest and most significant acts we can participate in as Christians. It is not just a tradition, but a divine act that binds us to the life, death, and his resurrection.
THREE LEVELS OF FELLOWSHIP IN THE LORDDโS SUPPER:
- Fellowship with ChristโWe are united with Him in His death and resurrection.
- Fellowship with One AnotherโWe come together as one body, despite our differences.
- Communion with the Saints โ We participate in something that Christians have been doing for 2,000 years, and we stand in a common covenant of faith with them.
In a world marked by division, the Lordโs Supper reminds us that we are one in Christ. It also calls us to live in reconciliation. Jesus says in Matthew 5:23-24 that we must be reconciled to our brothers before we come to the altar.
โIf you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go first; be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.โ (Matthew 5:23-24)
Let the Lordโs Supper be a time to seek unity, forgiveness, and love.
THE LORDโS SUPPER IS A COMMUNMION MEAL
Some feel unworthy to take communion, but the truth is that none of us are worthy in ourselves. The Lordโs Supper is not for the perfect, but for those who need grace.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT THE LORDโS SUPPER IS A COMMUNION MEAL?
- It reminds us that salvation is a gift โ We cannot earn it. โFor by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.โ (Ephesians 2:8)
- It strengthens us spiritually โ Just as physical food strengthens the body, the Lordโs Supper strengthens our faith.
- It calls us to self-examination โ Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:28, โLet a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.โ
- Taking the Lordโs Supper by faith means coming with an open heart and allowing God to fill us with His grace.
THE LORDโS SUPPER IS A MEAL OF HOPE
โBut 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 Fatherโs kingdom.โ (Matthew 26:29)
The Lordโs Supper points forward to a greater feast โ the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven.
โAnd he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me: These are the true words of God.โ (Revelation 19:9)
WHEN WE TAKE THE LORDโS SUPPER WE LOOK FORWARD TO:
- The day when Jesus shall return.
- A new heaven and a new earth where there shall be no more sorrow or pain.
AN EVERLASTING FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
The Lordโs Supper reminds us that our life here is temporary, and that we have a heavenly inheritance waiting for us.
Therefore, when we partake of the Lordโs Supper, let us come:
- With thanksgiving, because Jesus died for us.
- With a spirit of fellowship, because we are one in Christ.
- With faith, because God gives us his grace.
- With hope, because one day we shall sit at table with Jesus himself.
