Broken Bread, Unbroken Promises 6/1

Verse Reading: Matthew 26: 26-29 ESV

26 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.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 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.”

Prayer

Introduction

I.                 The meaning of Communion

A. Christ's Death (I Corinthians 11:26)

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes

B.     Our participation in the benefits of Christ's death (Matthew 26:26)

26 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

C.     Spiritual Nourishment (John 6:53-57)

53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.

D.     The unity of believers (1 Corinthians  10:17)

17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

II.               Three truths affirmed in Christ through participation in Communion

A.     Jesus affirms His love for me

-        I find reassurance again and again that Jesus loves me individually and personally as he invites me to participate in communion

B.     Jesus affirms all blessings of salvation are reserved for me.

Revelation 9:6-9

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said[a] to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

1.     I am eating and drinking as a foretaste of the great banquet table of the King.

2.     The marriage supper of the lamb has been reserved for me

C.     I affirm my faith in Christ

1.  When I take the bread and the cup, I am proclaiming I need you, trust you, Lord Jesus, to forgive my sins, give life and health to my soul through your broken body and shed blood. It is only through you that I can be made whole.

2.     Sorrow – my sins were part of Jesus being put to death

Joy, Thanksgiving, and deep growing love for Christ.

III.              The presence of Christ in Communion

*Catholic view – Transubstantiation

*Lutheran view – In, With, and Under

A.     Symbolic

B.     Jesus Christ is present in the taking of communion

1.     He is present when we worship (Matthew 18:20)

2.     We sit at the table where he meets us

3.     As we feast our hearts upon Him and interact with the representation

4.     We are being intentional in drawing near

C.     You feel His presence where you activate your faith the most

1.     There should be a seriousness and reverence we take communion with.

2.     There should be an expectation that we come to the communion table with.

IV.             We should be reverent as we understand correct teaching

 I Corinthians 11:23-30

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”[b] 25 In the same way, he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.[

The Greek word we get unworthy from is Anaxios.

It means  “in an unworthy, improper, or careless way” This is a self-centered, irreverent attitude

A.     Only those who are believers should take communion

B.     Self-examination

1.     We should make sure we are in the right relationship with other believers

Matthew 5:23-24 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

2.     We should make sure we have no unforgiven sins and are not living in rebellion

3.     We should make sure we are remembering the truth of what He has done and have a heart of thankfulness 

Self Examination