How Grace Is Given in the Lord's Supper
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 5/11/2014 AM |
Text: | I Corinthians 11; Lord's Day 28 |
Psalters: | 308, 355, 163, 365 |
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper |
- Its institution.
- Jesus Himself instituted it as a sacrament when celebrating the Passover feast.
- Jesus? words of institution set the elements apart as sacramental signs.
- Jesus? word must be connected to the bread and wine.
- Second, Jesus command to partake and to do so in remembrance of Him is what makes it a sacrament.
- We are to observe it accurately (according to the Scriptures) because it is a sacrament.
- What are the elements of our Lord?s Supper?
- First, there is the simple and plain bread and wine.
- Second, the table conveys the idea of a meal.
- Third, the elements are broken and poured indicating the sacrifice of Christ's life.
- Fourth, Christ?s appointed representative speaks His words of institution.
- Finally, the elements are taken to be eaten and drunk.
- As a result Jesus? Supper communicates two things to us.
- The Supper has significance: it focuses on the idea of the covenant ? a relationship of friendship.
- After establishing the covenant relationship, He continues to maintain or uphold it.
- The sacrament strengthens our faith (the consciousness of the covenant relationship).
- Faith is a spiritual entity which cannot sustain itself, but needs constant spiritual nourishment.
- Our faith is strengthened by consciously receiving the spiritual food of God's grace in Christ.
- Jesus? presence in the Supper is not physical, but spiritual, which is seen and received only by faith.
- The benefit is the strengthening of faith at the Lord's Supper.
- Proper partaking requires a measure of spiritual life (so our spiritual health is encouraged).
- Our faith often becomes weary in the spiritual warfare.
- The sacrament provides faith with visible proof that Christ has obtained the victory for us.
- Thus the Spirit stimulates a growth in our faith.