Part 3: The Lord’s supper

The Means of Grace Part 3: The Lord’s supper “… we work with you for your joy…” 2 Corinthians 1:24

What is the Lord’s Supper? • In what sense is it “Communion”? • What does “This is my body / blood” mean? • What happens? • How then should we celebrate it?

In what sense is it “communion”? Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-29)

In what sense is it “Communion”? • Context of Matthew 26:26-29: • A meal • The Passover: “Remembering” • Jesus’ words: “This is my blood of the Covenant.” • See Exodus 24:7-11

In what sense is it “communion?” Then [Moses] took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.” Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank. (Exodus 24:7-11 ESV)

In what sense is it “Communion”? • Jesus’ words: “This is my blood of the Covenant.” From Exodus 24:8 • Seals the Covenant • A Meal with God

In what sense is it “Communion”? • Communion with the Lord • Communion with one another • Active remembrance of the Lord’s work in saving us

“This is my body” • What did Jesus mean? Luther “Consubstantiation” Christ’s Body is around bread Christ’s blood is around wine Zwingli “Memorial View” Bread is just bread Wine is just wine Calvin “Real / Spiritual Presence” Roman Catholic “Transubstantiation” Bread is physically Christ’s body Wine is physically Christ’s blood

Evidence for Calvin’s View • Participation in Christ (1 Cor. 10:14-18 & John 6:51) [14] Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. [15] I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. [16] 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? [17] Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. [18] Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?

Evidence for Calvin’s View • Participation in Christ (1 Cor. 10:14-16 & John 6:51) • Union with Christ and each other (1 Cor. 10:17) Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:17)

Evidence for Calvin’s View • Participation in Christ (1 Cor. 10:14-16 & John 6:51) • Union with Christ and each other (1 Cor. 10:17) • The Problems in Corinth (1 Cor. 11:29-31) But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse… For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. (1 Corinthians 11:17, 29-31 ESV)

London Baptist Confession (1689) 30:1 The Supper of the Lord Jesus, was instituted by him, the same night wherein he was betrayed, to be observed in his Churches unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance, and shewing forth the sacrifice of himself in his death confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits thereof, their spiritual nourishment, and growth in him, their further engagement in, and to, all duties which they owe unto him; and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other.

Difference between WCF & LBC • Westminster calls the Lord’s Supper “a sacrament” • London Baptist Confession calls the Lord’s Supper, “an ordinance” • Sacrament = sign and a seal • The Lord does something in us and for us • Ordinance = something commanded • We do something for the Lord

What is the Lord’s Supper? • It is about communion: • with one another and • with the risen Lord Jesus • Remembering with our whole selves, head heart and hands • The Lord is spiritually present by the Holy Spirit • The Lord feeds us and nourishes us.

What is the Lord’s Supper? • Past: • We look back to build faith • Present: • We look around to build love • Future: • We look forward to build hope “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”(Matt 26:29)

Practical Matters • Why celebrate it? • It is commanded • It is a good gift from the Lord • Who should partake in it? • Baptised believers

Practical Matters • How should we partake of it? • With joy and thanksgiving not sadness • With one another (not eyes closed) • With preparation • Pray to be fed • Resolve conflicts • Repent of sins • Discerning the body (1 Cor. 11:29) • With care, fencing the table

Practical Matters • When? • With the preached word • Often

Conclusion As we celebrate the Lord’s Supper … We do not merely remember intellectually but are fed spiritually We do not eat and drink individually but feast corporately We not only express our communion with Christ but declare and build our communion with one another. We are not primarily mourning over our sin but rejoicing in our salvation.

Any Quesitons?

Part 3: The Lord’s supper