The Significance of the Lord's Supper in Faith

 

Summary

The focus of our gathering today is the profound significance of the Lord's Supper, a sacrament recognized alongside baptism in the Protestant tradition. This sacrament has been a subject of considerable debate and controversy, particularly since the Protestant Reformation. However, much of this controversy stems not from biblical teachings but from additional doctrines introduced by the Roman Catholic Church, such as transubstantiation. This doctrine suggests that the bread and wine used in the Eucharist become the literal body and blood of Christ, a belief that even the Roman Catholic Church admits cannot be directly proven from Scripture.

In contrast, the Protestant understanding, particularly from a Reformed perspective, views the Lord's Supper as both a sign and a seal. It signifies the death of Christ, our participation in His crucifixion, and the benefits of the New Covenant. The bread and wine are not merely symbols but are means through which God assures us of His promises. They remind us of our union with Christ and with one another, emphasizing the communal aspect of our faith.

The Lord's Supper also serves as a reminder of our need to live by Christ, drawing spiritual nourishment from Him as we partake of the elements. This spiritual feeding is not a literal consumption but a profound reminder of our dependence on Christ for life and strength. Furthermore, the sacrament underscores the unity of believers, as we are all part of one body in Christ.

Participation in the Lord's Supper is reserved for believers, as it requires faith to truly receive the grace it signifies. It is not a ritual that works automatically but one that depends on the faith of the participant. It is a time for self-examination, repentance, and thanksgiving, as we remember the sacrifice of Christ and the benefits it brings to us.

Key Takeaways:

- The Lord's Supper is a profound declaration of Christ's death and our participation in it. It is a reminder of the New Covenant and the promises God has made to us through Christ. This sacrament is not just a memorial but a means by which God assures us of His grace and love. [12:55]

- The doctrine of transubstantiation, which suggests the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ, is not supported by Scripture. Instead, the elements are signs that point to spiritual realities, reminding us of our need to live by Christ. [21:59]

- The Lord's Supper emphasizes the unity of believers. As we partake of the bread and wine, we are reminded that we are one body in Christ, called to live in communion with one another. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel. [24:56]

- Participation in the Lord's Supper requires faith. It is not a ritual that works automatically but one that depends on the faith of the participant. It is a time for self-examination, repentance, and thanksgiving, as we remember the sacrifice of Christ and the benefits it brings to us. [31:39]

- The Lord's Supper does not confer any new or additional grace beyond what is available through the Word. It is a means of grace that intensifies and makes more effective the grace we receive through the preaching and teaching of the Word. [38:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Sacraments
- [00:26] - The Challenge of Teaching
- [00:40] - Historical Controversies
- [01:13] - Biblical vs. Systematic Theology
- [02:14] - Focus on Biblical Doctrine
- [03:16] - Catholic and Protestant Views
- [04:07] - Transubstantiation Explained
- [06:03] - Substance and Accidents
- [07:21] - Scriptural Arguments
- [09:25] - Historical Context
- [10:27] - Consubstantiation
- [12:09] - Reformed Doctrine
- [12:55] - Significance of the Lord's Supper
- [14:31] - Union with Christ
- [18:20] - New Covenant Benefits
- [22:19] - Spiritual Nourishment
- [24:56] - Unity of Believers
- [30:40] - Faith and Participation
- [37:20] - No Additional Grace
- [39:26] - Conclusion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Lord's Supper

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
2. John 6:56-57
3. Hebrews 8:8-12

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Observation Questions:

1. According to 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, what are the key elements and actions involved in the Lord's Supper? How do these elements symbolize Christ's death? [12:39]

2. In John 6:56-57, what does Jesus mean when He says, "He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me, and I in him"? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual nourishment? [20:19]

3. How does the sermon describe the Protestant view of the Lord's Supper as both a sign and a seal? What does this mean for believers? [12:09]

4. What is the significance of the New Covenant mentioned in Hebrews 8:8-12, and how is it related to the Lord's Supper? [16:16]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the Protestant understanding of the Lord's Supper as a sign and seal differ from the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation? What implications does this have for how believers view the sacrament? [12:09]

2. In what ways does the Lord's Supper emphasize the unity of believers, and why is this unity important for the church's witness to the world? [24:56]

3. How does the concept of spiritual nourishment from John 6:56-57 challenge believers to depend on Christ for their daily strength and life? [20:19]

4. What role does self-examination and repentance play in participating in the Lord's Supper, and why is faith essential for receiving its benefits? [31:39]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal experience with the Lord's Supper. How has it served as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and your participation in His death? How can you deepen this understanding in future observances? [12:55]

2. Consider the unity of believers emphasized in the Lord's Supper. Are there any relationships within your church community that need reconciliation? How can you take steps toward healing and unity? [24:56]

3. The sermon highlights the importance of spiritual nourishment from Christ. What practical steps can you take to "feed" on Christ daily and draw strength from Him? [20:19]

4. Before participating in the Lord's Supper, believers are encouraged to examine themselves. What specific areas of your life require repentance and renewal? How can you prepare your heart for the next communion service? [31:39]

5. The Lord's Supper is a time of thanksgiving. What are you most thankful for in your relationship with Christ, and how can you express this gratitude in your daily life? [30:04]

6. How can you ensure that your participation in the Lord's Supper is not just a ritual but a meaningful encounter with God's grace and love? What changes might you need to make in your approach to this sacrament? [28:17]

7. Reflect on the New Covenant promises mentioned in Hebrews 8:8-12. How do these promises impact your understanding of God's relationship with you, and how can you live out these truths in your daily walk with Christ? [16:16]

Devotional

Day 1: The Lord's Supper as a Declaration of Christ's Death
The Lord's Supper is a profound declaration of Christ's death and our participation in it. It is a reminder of the New Covenant and the promises God has made to us through Christ. This sacrament is not just a memorial but a means by which God assures us of His grace and love. As believers partake in the bread and wine, they are reminded of the sacrifice of Christ and the benefits it brings. This act of remembrance is not merely symbolic but serves as a spiritual assurance of the grace that God extends to His people. The Lord's Supper is a time to reflect on the depth of Christ's love and the reality of His sacrifice, which brings believers into a new relationship with God. [12:55]

Hebrews 9:15 (ESV): "Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant."

Reflection: How does participating in the Lord's Supper deepen your understanding of Christ's sacrifice and its implications for your life today?


Day 2: The Elements as Signs of Spiritual Realities
The doctrine of transubstantiation, which suggests the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ, is not supported by Scripture. Instead, the elements are signs that point to spiritual realities, reminding us of our need to live by Christ. The bread and wine are not merely symbols but are means through which God assures us of His promises. They serve as a tangible reminder of our union with Christ and the spiritual nourishment we receive from Him. This understanding emphasizes the importance of faith in the sacrament, as it is through faith that believers receive the grace signified by the elements. [21:59]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: In what ways can you seek to live more fully by Christ, drawing spiritual nourishment from Him in your daily life?


Day 3: Unity of Believers in the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper emphasizes the unity of believers. As we partake of the bread and wine, we are reminded that we are one body in Christ, called to live in communion with one another. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel. The sacrament serves as a reminder that believers are not isolated individuals but part of a larger community of faith. It calls us to live in harmony with one another, reflecting the love and grace of Christ in our relationships. The unity experienced in the Lord's Supper is a foretaste of the eternal communion believers will share with Christ and each other. [24:56]

Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV): "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the unity of your church community, reflecting the oneness in Christ that the Lord's Supper signifies?


Day 4: Faith as a Requirement for Participation
Participation in the Lord's Supper requires faith. It is not a ritual that works automatically but one that depends on the faith of the participant. It is a time for self-examination, repentance, and thanksgiving, as we remember the sacrifice of Christ and the benefits it brings to us. The sacrament invites believers to reflect on their relationship with Christ, acknowledging their need for His grace and forgiveness. It is an opportunity to renew one's commitment to live according to the teachings of Christ, relying on His strength and guidance. The Lord's Supper is a moment of spiritual renewal, where faith is both tested and strengthened. [31:39]

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"

Reflection: What areas of your life need self-examination and repentance as you prepare to participate in the Lord's Supper?


Day 5: The Lord's Supper as a Means of Grace
The Lord's Supper does not confer any new or additional grace beyond what is available through the Word. It is a means of grace that intensifies and makes more effective the grace we receive through the preaching and teaching of the Word. The sacrament serves as a visible sign of the invisible grace that God imparts to His people. It is a reminder of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, drawing them closer to Christ and conforming them to His image. The Lord's Supper is a means by which believers are strengthened in their faith, encouraged in their walk with Christ, and equipped for service in His kingdom. [38:22]

Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."

Reflection: How can you allow the grace received through the Lord's Supper to influence your daily actions and decisions, living a life that reflects the teachings of Christ?

Quotes


The first thing that is signified is the Lord's death now Paul states that explicitly in that paragraph in that statement in 1 Corinthians 11 he says as often as he eat this bread and drink this cup you do show proclaim the Lord's death till he come the breaking of the the of the bread and the drinking or the pouring and the drinking of the wine are a representation of our Lord's death his broken body his shed blood. [00:12:49]

The Lord's Supper has still gone on declaring proclaiming preaching the Lord's death and often there has been that great in congruity not to say contradiction between the preaching of men and the preaching of the bread and the wine upon the community table it sets forth it portrays the Lord's death but not only that it also is a declaration of and a sign of the believer's participation in the crucified Christ. [00:14:10]

It is a reminder to us and a declaration that we participate in all the benefits of the New Covenant you notice how that again came out in these words which are written by the Apostle in verse 25 in that 11th chapter of First Corinthians after the same manner also he took the cup when he had St saying this cup is the New Testament yes the New Covenant in my blood this do ye as of as you drink it in remembrance of me. [00:15:26]

The communion service is a reminder to us of all that that in and through our Lord Jesus Christ God has made a new Covenant with Believers he is the mediator of the New Covenant he is the head and representative of men in this new covenant this new agreement this marvelous New Covenant that God makes with men and you remember that in that eth of Hebrews you get that striking contrast drawn between these two covenants. [00:16:48]

We as Believers also receive life and strength to live this Christian Life from the Lord Jesus Christ himself now let me take you to the statement the verses which tell us that there to be found in the sixth chapter of The Gospel According to St John but before I read them let me say this this section in the sixth chapter of The Gospel According to St John has been a matter of con considerable dispute in this way was our Lord here referring to the communion service or was he not. [00:18:59]

He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him as the living father have sent me and I live by the father so he that eateth me even he shall live by me now our Lord himself goes on to explain that this was just a picture because he says this when Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it he said unto them does this offend you what and if he shall see the son of men Ascend up where he was before it is the spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing. [00:20:24]

You and I have got to live on the Lord Jesus Christ he is our life we live on him yes and the bread and the wine remind us of that they represent that they're a picture of that they're a portrayal of that as we actually take the bread and eat it as we drink the wine and swallow it we should say yes I must feed on the Lord as he told me I must live on him I must take of him as he took of the father so I will Feast on him. [00:22:07]

The union of the Believers with one another they're not only all joined to Christ they are all joined to one another now the Apostle Paul has taught this in chapter 10 of his first epistle to the Corinthians and it's a chapter that we should always pay careful attention to the chapter before this chapter in which he gives the instructions listen to this I'll read verses 16 and 17 of the 10th chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians. [00:23:04]

The term communion represents not only our communion with the Lord but also our communion with one another we are bound together in him because we are all in him we become one loaf one bread and that you see is why the Apostle goes on to give that teaching that came out in my reading at the beginning he says look here you're denying the very principle of communion he says some of you are eating too much others are not having enough to eat you're selfish you're divided you must all be one you must wait for one another. [00:24:48]

This action this communion this Sacrament if you like to so call it not only signifies but it seals things to us and what does it seal well it seals this it seals all the benefits about which I've just been speaking so that when you and I take the communion we're not only reminding ourselves of something we are not only indulging in a memorial or commemorative action neither are we merely putting on our Badge of church membership as it were because it is that also but more than that something is being done to us as we receive that bread and as we receive that wine. [00:26:26]

The bread and the wine are a special Assurance given to us by God in his love and condescension in order that as we take them we may know that he's giving all these benefits to us very well then how vital it is and how important that we should realize this when we come to the communion table every Minister will will tell you that he's often been asked questions about this I've been asked it dozens of times people have come to me and said you know I don't know what to do in the communion service. [00:28:03]

We say that it is something that must be received truly by faith and if you can't take it in faith well then it is better for you to refrain because you remember the Apostle teaches that if people will not examine themselves if they will not examine and judge and condemn themselves and leave their sins they will be judged did you notice those words for this cause because they wouldn't do it many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep he is teaching there specifically that there were members of the church at Corinth who were weak and others were ill because they would not judge themselves as they should and cleansed themselves but came unworthy to the Lord's table. [00:34:37]

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