THE MEANING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

THE MEANING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Key Verse: “This do in remembrance of me.” — 1 Corinthians 11:24 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; Hebrews 9:12-15

Description: The Lord's Supper is a sacred ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ to remind His followers of His sacrificial death, proclaim the Gospel, express fellowship with Him and His body, and anticipate His return. It calls every believer to faith, gratitude, self-examination, unity, and holy living.

INTRODUCTION

The Lord's Supper occupies a special place in Christian worship. It was instituted by Jesus on the night before His crucifixion when He took bread and the cup and gave them to His disciples. He commanded them to continue this practice in remembrance of Him. Therefore, the Lord's Supper is not merely a religious tradition; it is a Christ-centred act of worship that continually points believers to the cross.

Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 corrects misunderstandings that had developed among the Corinthian believers. Their manner of gathering had become selfish and disorderly, causing them to lose sight of the sacred meaning of the Supper. Paul therefore brought them back to what Christ Himself had instituted: the bread, the cup, remembrance, proclamation, and expectation of Christ's return.

Understanding the meaning of the Lord's Supper should transform the way we approach it. We do not come merely because it is a church tradition. We come remembering Christ's sacrifice, appreciating His grace, examining our hearts, maintaining unity with fellow believers, and proclaiming that Jesus died, rose again, and is coming again.

1. THE LORD'S SUPPER IS A REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST

Jesus commanded His followers to remember Him.

a) Remember His Body (1 Corinthians 11:24)
The bread directs our attention to Christ's body given for us.

b) Remember His Sacrifice (Luke 22:19)
The Supper keeps the cross central to our faith.

c) Remember His Love (Galatians 2:20)
Christ loved us and willingly gave Himself for us.

d) Never Forget His Benefits (Psalm 103:2)
We should continually remember what God has done through Christ.

Biblical Example: The Passover served as a continual reminder of God's deliverance of Israel (Exodus 12:14).

2. THE BREAD REPRESENTS CHRIST'S SACRIFICIAL BODY

The bread points us towards the sacrifice of Jesus.

a) Christ Gave His Body (1 Corinthians 11:24)
Jesus willingly surrendered Himself for our redemption.

b) His Body Was Broken For Us (Luke 22:19)
His suffering was part of God's redemptive plan.

c) He Bore Our Sins (1 Peter 2:24)
Christ carried our sins upon the cross.

d) His Sacrifice Calls For Gratitude (Colossians 3:15-17)
We should respond to His sacrifice with thanksgiving.

Biblical Example: Isaiah prophetically described the suffering Servant who would bear the sins of many (Isaiah 53:4-6).

3. THE CUP SPEAKS OF CHRIST'S BLOOD

The cup points to the blood Jesus shed for our redemption.

a) The Blood Of The New Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25)
Christ's blood established the New Covenant.

b) Blood Shed For Forgiveness (Matthew 26:28)
The blood of Christ provides forgiveness of sins.

c) Redemption Through His Blood (Ephesians 1:7)
We are redeemed through Christ's sacrificial death.

d) Access To God Through His Blood (Hebrews 10:19)
Christ's sacrifice opened the way into God's presence.

Biblical Example: The blood of the Passover lamb protected Israel and pointed forward to God's greater redemptive work (Exodus 12:7, 13; John 1:29).

4. THE LORD'S SUPPER CELEBRATES THE NEW COVENANT

The Supper reminds believers that Christ established a new covenant with His people.

a) A New Covenant Was Established (1 Corinthians 11:25)
Jesus declared that the cup represented the New Covenant in His blood.

b) Christ Is The Mediator (Hebrews 9:15)
Jesus stands as Mediator of the New Covenant.

c) Forgiveness Is Available (Jeremiah 31:34)
The New Covenant includes God's gracious promise of forgiveness.

d) God's Law Is Written On The Heart (Hebrews 8:10)
The New Covenant involves inward transformation.

Biblical Example: Jesus fulfilled the prophetic promise of a New Covenant through His death and resurrection (Luke 22:20).

5. THE LORD'S SUPPER EXPRESSES FELLOWSHIP

The Supper is not merely individual; it has a corporate dimension.

a) We Are One Body (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)
Believers share fellowship in Christ.

b) We Gather As God's People (Acts 2:42)
The early church regularly gathered for fellowship and breaking of bread.

c) We Must Maintain Unity (Ephesians 4:3)
The Supper should encourage unity among believers.

d) We Must Consider Others (1 Corinthians 11:20-22)
The Corinthians were corrected because selfish behaviour had corrupted their gatherings.

Biblical Example: The early church broke bread together with gladness and simplicity of heart (Acts 2:46).

6. THE LORD'S SUPPER REQUIRES SELF-EXAMINATION

Participation should be approached with reverence and seriousness.

a) Examine Yourself (1 Corinthians 11:28)
Every believer should honestly examine his or her spiritual condition.

b) Discern The Body (1 Corinthians 11:29)
The Supper must not be treated casually or selfishly.

c) Repent Of Sin (1 John 1:9)
We should confess and forsake known sin.

d) Restore Broken Relationships (Matthew 5:23-24)
Where possible, believers should pursue reconciliation.

Biblical Example: David regularly asked God to search his heart and reveal anything that was displeasing to Him (Psalm 139:23-24).

7. THE LORD'S SUPPER PROCLAIMS CHRIST'S DEATH

Every celebration of the Supper declares the Gospel.

a) Proclaim His Death (1 Corinthians 11:26)
The Supper points people to Christ's sacrifice.

b) Remember The Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.

c) Testify Of God's Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Salvation is God's gracious work through Christ.

d) Be Gospel Witnesses (Acts 1:8)
Those who have experienced Christ's salvation should testify of Him.

Biblical Example: The early believers continually proclaimed Christ through their teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and witness (Acts 2:42-47).

8. THE LORD'S SUPPER POINTS TO CHRIST'S RETURN

The Supper has a future dimension.

a) Until He Comes (1 Corinthians 11:26)
Communion reminds us that Jesus is coming again.

b) Live In Expectation (Titus 2:13)
Believers should eagerly anticipate Christ's appearing.

c) Remain Faithful (Revelation 2:10)
The hope of Christ's return should encourage perseverance.

d) Prepare For The Marriage Supper (Revelation 19:9)
The Lord's Supper points towards the ultimate fellowship of God's redeemed people with Christ.

Biblical Example: The early Christians lived with an expectation of Christ's return and remained devoted to their faith (Acts 1:10-11; 2 Peter 3:11-14).

CONCLUSION

The Lord's Supper is a powerful reminder of the central truths of the Christian faith. The bread points us to Christ's body given for us, while the cup reminds us of His blood shed for the forgiveness of sins and the establishment of the New Covenant. Through the Supper, we remember Christ, proclaim His death, express our fellowship as His body, and look forward to His return.

Therefore, never approach the Lord's Supper casually. Come with gratitude for the cross, faith in Christ's finished work, a heart examined before God, love for fellow believers, and expectation of Christ's return. The Lord's Supper should not merely be something we do; it should continually remind us of who Christ is, what He has done, and how we are called to live because of Him.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me a deeper understanding of the meaning and significance of the Lord's Supper, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me never to forget the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for my salvation, in Jesus name.

3. Father, let the revelation of Christ's body given for me produce genuine gratitude in my heart, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, help me to continually appreciate the power and significance of the blood of Jesus, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let the reality of the New Covenant produce holiness and transformation in my life, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, remove every selfishness, division, bitterness, and unforgiveness that could hinder genuine fellowship with Your people, in Jesus name.

7. Father, give me grace to examine my heart sincerely and repent of everything that displeases You, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, make me a faithful witness who continually proclaims the Gospel of Christ, in Jesus name.

9. Father, help me to live every day with the expectation of Christ's glorious return, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, keep me faithful to Christ until the end and prepare me for eternal fellowship with You, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. The revelation of Christ's sacrifice shall remain alive in your heart.

2. You shall continually walk in the benefits of Christ's redemption.

3. The blood of Jesus shall continually speak mercy, cleansing, and redemption over your life.

4. You shall experience the transforming power of the New Covenant.

5. Your relationships with fellow believers shall be characterised by love and unity.

6. You shall receive grace to maintain a pure heart before God.

7. Your life shall become a continual proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

8. You shall remain firmly established in the finished work of Christ.

9. You shall live with confidence and expectation of Christ's return.

10. You shall remain faithful until the end and partake in the eternal fellowship and glory of Christ, in Jesus name.