REMEMBERING OUR SAVIOUR
I CORINTHIANS 11:23-34
Introduction:
Paul was remembering what the Lord had told him regarding this of two ordinances. The first is baptism and the other is the Lord’s supper. It was this second ordinance that Paul had to deal with in the Corinthian Church.
There were disputes, division, and even heresy in that early church. Paul dealt with the problem in a very straightforward manner correcting the errors of God’s people.
I. THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE ORDENANCE.
A. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
1. The One who died in our place, Romans 5:6, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”
2. The One who bore our sins, 1 Corinthians 15:3, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”
B. The Very Son of God, Matthew 27:54, “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”
II. THE TIME AND ELEMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE.
A. It was the time of the Passover, Matthew 26:18-19, “And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.”
B. The elements of the Passover were used in the Lord’s supper.
1. Unleavened bread was prescribed by the Lord in this very old feast of the Jews, Exodus 12:8, “And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.”
2. Wine was in the cup according to tradition.
a. In Exodus 12 no wine or drink is mentioned.
b. Wine was added to the feast later.
III. THE INSTITUTION OF THE ORDENANCE.
A. Our Saviour took bread… Matthew 26:26, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.”
1. The bread was representative of His body, “this is my body.” “What is eaten is called bread, though it be at the same time said to be the body of the Lord, a plain argument that the apostle knew nothing of their monstrous and absurd doctrine of transubstantiation.” Matthew Henry.
2. The breaking of the bread spoke of his suffering for our sins, Luke 22:19, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
B. And He took the cup… Matthew 26:27, “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
1. Every member was to participate.
2. The wine represented his blood “which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
C. Having finished they sang a hymn, Matthew 26:30, “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”
CONCLUSION
The Apostle Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 that every believer needs to take care not to offend the Lord in this memorial supper, for he says, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”