How Grace Is Given in the Lord's Supper

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: I Corinthians 11; Lord's Day 28
Psalters: 308, 355, 163, 365
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
  1. Its institution.
    1. Jesus Himself instituted it as a sacrament when celebrating the Passover feast.
    2. Jesus? words of institution set the elements apart as sacramental signs.
      1. Jesus? word must be connected to the bread and wine.
      2. Second, Jesus command to partake and to do so in remembrance of Him is what makes it a sacrament.
    3. We are to observe it accurately (according to the Scriptures) because it is a sacrament.
  2. What are the elements of our Lord?s Supper?
    1. First, there is the simple and plain bread and wine.
    2. Second, the table conveys the idea of a meal.
    3. Third, the elements are broken and poured indicating the sacrifice of Christ's life.
    4. Fourth, Christ?s appointed representative speaks His words of institution.
    5. Finally, the elements are taken to be eaten and drunk.
    6. As a result Jesus? Supper communicates two things to us.
  3. The Supper has significance: it focuses on the idea of the covenant ? a relationship of friendship.
    1. After establishing the covenant relationship, He continues to maintain or uphold it.
    2. The sacrament strengthens our faith (the consciousness of the covenant relationship).
      1. Faith is a spiritual entity which cannot sustain itself, but needs constant spiritual nourishment.
      2. Our faith is strengthened by consciously receiving the spiritual food of God's grace in Christ.
      3. Jesus? presence in the Supper is not physical, but spiritual, which is seen and received only by faith.
  4. The benefit is the strengthening of faith at the Lord's Supper.
    1. Proper partaking requires a measure of spiritual life (so our spiritual health is encouraged).
    2. Our faith often becomes weary in the spiritual warfare.
    3. The sacrament provides faith with visible proof that Christ has obtained the victory for us.
    4. Thus the Spirit stimulates a growth in our faith.