What Does The Lord's Supper Mean To You?

Sermon Notes, November 6, 2016 AM

What Does the Lord’s Supper

Mean to You?

Steve W. Reeves

INTRODUCTION:

A. When I was growing up we had two tables in our home.

    1. The kitchen table was used for every day purposes. We usually ate meals through

       the week at the kitchen table. The kitchen table was where we did homework or

       would play games. Occasionally, the kitchen table was the place for a serious

       family discussion.. I have wonderful memories of our kitchen

       table.

    2. The dining room table was reserved for special occasions. Nearly every Sunday

       after church my mother would serve a delicious meal at the dining room table. The

       table was always covered with a white table cloth. We always used the good china

       and good silverware. I can still remember the smell of the pot-roast or fried chicken.

       I still recall the taste of the mashed potatoes, green beans and dinner rolls. I can 

       picture the chocolate or coconut cake we would have for dessert. What precious

       memories these are.

B. Have you ever considered the importance of meals in the Bible?

    1. When the people of Israel were delivered from slavery in Egypt God instructed

       them to prepare a meal that would serve as a reminder of the occasion. The feast

       of Passover was observed annually.   

    2. During Jesus’ last Passover meal with His disciples He gave new meaning to the

       bread and the fruit of the vine.

       a. Matthew’s account is in Matthew 26:20-28.

       b. Mark’s account is in Mark 14:22-24.

       c. Luke’s account is in Luke 22:14-23.

       d. John does not record the supper itself but gives us the details of Jesus’

           conversation with the disciples in the upper room where they ate the meal.

       e. Paul recalled this scene as he wrote to the church in Corinth beginning in

           1 Corinthians 11:17-30,  

C. Isn’t it amazing how God uses simple things to convey profound truth?

    1. In the Lord’s Supper God takes two simple things – bread and fruit of the vine and

       communicates the profundity of His love.

    2. Why do we partake of the Lord’s Supper? Why do we partake each week? Why is

       it important? These are valid questions. There are three verbs (action words) that

       should be in our minds whenever we partake of the Lord’s Supper.

I. REMEMBERI   

A. When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth he challenged them to think about the

       real purpose of the Lord’s Supper.

       1. As you read the context it is obvious that the people had become divisive and

           careless as they partook of the supper. Paul wrote in verses 20 and 21,

           “Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper,

           ²¹ for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and

           another is drunk.”

       2. The Lord’s supper is to provide us with a lens that focuses our thoughts on

           Christ. In verses 23 -25 Paul wrote, “For I received from the Lord that which I

           also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which 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.’ ²⁵ In the same way He

           took the cup also after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My

           blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’”

    B. The purpose of the Jewish Passover meal was to remember God’s deliverance of

       His people from bondage. Each of the foods represented a part of that history.

       1. The lamb was a reminder of the blood on the doorposts which had saved their

           lives as the Lord passed over them.

       2. The unleavened bread reminded them of the haste with which the meal was

           eaten as they prepared to flee from Pharaoh. 

       3. There was a bowl of salt water into which a piece of parsley or celery was

           dipped to remind them of the bitter tears that had been shed.

       4. There were bitter herbs to remind them of the bitterness of the slavery in

           Egypt.

       5. There was a paste called Charosheth made of apple, dates, pomegranates

           and nuts with sticks of cinnamon mixed in to remind them of the mud and

           straw used to make bricks in Egypt.

       6. There were four cups of the fruit of the vine to remind them of God’s promises to

           bring them out from the burdens of Egypt, to rid them of their bondage, to

           redeem them with his outstretched arm and to keep them as His people.

    C. As Jesus ate this meal He took the bread and the cup and gave them a new

       meaning. They were a reminder of His body and His blood.

       1. One of our most meaningful American holidays is Memorial Day. This day

           traces its origins to the mid-1800’s during the Civil War when people would place

           flowers and decorations at the graves of soldiers killed in battle. For many years

           (particularly in the south) it was called “Decoration Day”. Today we know it as

           “Memorial Day” with the purpose of remembering those who died in service to

           our country.

       2. From the earliest days of history God established memorials for various reasons.

           a. In Genesis 9:16 He set a rainbow in the clouds and said, “Whenever the

               rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting

               covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”     

           b. In Joshua 3 and 4 when the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into Canaan

               God commanded the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant to go before the

               people and step into the water. The moment they did the flow of the Jordan

               stopped and the riverbed was dry. After the people crossed over God told

               Joshua to select twelve men (one from each tribe) to pick up stones from the

               dry riverbed. Joshua used these stones to build a monument to the power of

               God. “These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever”

               (Joshua 4:7).

       3. The supper is a memorial to His sacrifice.

    D. I was cleaning out my closet the other evening and ran across a small wooden

       box. In the box were several items that would not mean anything to you. A pair of

       sunglasses, a wallet with a driver’s license and a social security card. An employee

       badge for Sears department store.  Those items are special to me because they

       belonged to my parents. The sunglasses and employee badge were worn by my

       Mother. The wallet with the driver’s license, and social security card were my Dad’s. 

       As I hold these items I remember my parents in a very intense way.

II. PROCLAIM

    A. Paul also wrote that when we partake of the Lord’s Supper we are proclaiming a

       very important truth. In verse 26 he wrote, “For as often as you eat this bread and

       drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

    B. What are we proclaiming?

       1. That Jesus died so we might live.

       2. That the Old Testament has been fulfilled and the New Testament has been

           put into effect.

       3. That Jesus is coming again and we are looking forward to that day.

    C. When we partake of the Lord’s Supper we proclaim something about ourselves as

       the body of Christ.    

       1. We tell the world that we are one.

       2. Does your family ever have differences, disagreements or arguments?

       3. It is not unusual for the dinner table to be the place where those disagreements

           are resolved. Garrison Keillor on “The Prairie Home Companion,” told of two

           uncles who were arguing. Finally they were called to the dinner table. As they

           ate the smell of the chicken and gravy reminded them of their mother telling

           them when they were boys to, “hush, act right and eat your dinner.” Slowly but

           surely they apologized to one another.     

       4. Around the table we boldly proclaim to the world, “We are one!”

     

III. EXAMINE

    A. In verse 28 Paul wrote, “But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to

       eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

       1. One of the hardest things for us to do in our noisy, action-packed, fast-paced

           world is to stop and think.

       2. We want to be “doing.” Many years ago I read a small book entitled, A Little

           Exercise for Young Theologians by Helmut Thielicke. In the book is the story of a

           little boy watching his grandfather sitting on the front porch. “What are you

           doing?” asked the boy. “I’m thinking,” said the grandfather. “No,” protested the

           boy. “What are you doing?” The boy was convinced that thinking wasn’t doing

           anything. In reality the disciplines of thinking and reflection are two of the

           greatest things we can do.

    B. When you visit the doctor the first thing the nurse does is check your vital signs.

       How is your blood pressure? What is your heart rate? Is your temperature high?

       What symptoms do you have? When we partake of the Loed’s Supper we need to

       examine ourselves spiritually.

       1. What is the condition of our spiritual heart?

       2. Are we hot, cold or lukewarm in our love and devotion to the Lord?

       3. Do we know the “great physician” who is capable of curing the malady of sin?

    C. Paul continued the idea of examination in 2 Corinthians 13:5 when he wrote,

       “Examine yourselves to see if you be in the faith.” When we partake of the Lord’s

       Supper we must examine ourselves in light of all God has done for us.

CONCLUSION:

A. In 1984 there was a film called, “Places of The Heart” starring Sally Field. The film

    portrayed a widow named Edna living in Texas during the depression of the 1930’s.

    Her late husband had been the sheriff who was killed on duty.  A mortgage payment

    was due on the farm and Edna desperately tries to pay it but came up short. She

    realized the only way to save the farm was to raise a cotton crop and produce the first

    bale of the season. With the help of a stranger named Moses and a blind man she

    took in as a border a crop was raised even though some of the local business leaders         

    did their best to defeat her. The most poignant scene in the movie comes at the end

    as everyone is seated together in church partaking of communion. Black, white, rich,

    poor, good and bad as the trays are passed from person to person.

B. Each Sunday as the trays were passed there is something profound occurring.

    1. The broken bread reminds us of the broken body that hung in agony on the cross

       for you and me.      

    2. The sweetness of the fruit of the vine reminds us of the sweetness of salvation

       found in Christ.

    3. The participation of every Christian reminds us of our shared experience of

       redemption.

C. We invite you to come to the table of God’s mercy this day as we stand and sing.

The Christian and The Government

Sermon Notes, October 30, 2016 AM

The Christian and the Government

Steve W. Reeves

INTRODUCTION:

A.  There was a group of politicians in New England who decided to attend a political rally

     in the next county.  They all piled into a van and started out but never arrived. When

    a day had passed and the politicians were still missing, the local sheriff began to

    search for them along a winding two lane road that connected the counties. There

    was no sign of the politicians. Finally he saw an old farmer painting his fence. The

    sheriff pulled over, rolled down his window, and shouted, “Hey, have you seen a van

    load of politicians come through here?” The old man replied, “Yup, they missed the

    curve and came right through my fence.  Made a terrible mess of things. “Where’s the

    van,” asked the sheriff, “T’warn’t no good an more,” said the farmer, “so I took my

    tractor and towed it behind the barn.” “Well, what about the politicians?  Where are

    they?”  “Out in the back pasture,” said the farmer.  “I took my front-end loader and

    buried ‘em.” “You mean they were all dead,” exclaimed the sheriff.  The old farmer

    replied, “well, they said they weren’t but I never trust those politicians to tell the truth.”

    1. We may laugh at this story but all of us realize that the political, moral and spiritual

       condition of our nation is no laughing matter.  

    2. Like you I am disheartened by the lack of moral and ethical behavior we have

       witnessed in this election. I am disturbed by the corruption, immorality and lack of

       decency exhibited in our society.

    3. Though I find all of these things disturbing I am not surprised by any of them

        because we the people have turned away from God.

B. In the summer of 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia 81 year old

    Benjamin Franklin said, “Have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? Or do we

    imagine that we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the

    longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the

    affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it

    probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the

    sacred writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I

    firmly believe this.”

C. The Bible is not silent on matters pertaining to our government. Today I want to

    speak to you on the subject, “The Christian and The Government.”

I. THE HISTORY OF GOVERNMENT

    A. In the pages of Scripture we can trace the early history of government.

       1. In the beginning there was no need for government.

           a. In a sinless world God enjoyed a personal relationship with man and woman.

               They had no need He did not fulfill. There was no violence. There was no

               need for laws to provide protection and order. All of that changed when sin

               entered the world.

           b. After the fall of man there was jealousy, selfishness, hatred and violence.

               Brother rose up against brother.

       2. As the world was populated God allowed people to form cities and governments.

           In Genesis 11 people built a city with bricks and said, “Let’s make a name for

           ourselves.” God responded by confusing their language.

       3. As the book of Genesis progresses you read of more cities and kingdoms along

           with kings and rulers.  

     B. When God chose Israel to be His chosen people He gave them laws to govern

        both religious and civil matters. Whenever the people chose to rebel

       against God’s laws the result was chaos. Judges 17:6 – “In those days there was

       no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”  Eventually the

       people of Israel wanted a king like other nations. God was disappointed. He told the

       judge, Samuel, “they have not rejected you but they have rejected me from being

       king over them” (1 Samuel 8:7).  

    C. As you read of the kings of Israel you discover that there was infighting, treachery,

       deceit and immoral behavior. When the kingdom divided the northern kingdom

       never had a righteous king. The southern kingdom had only two righteous kings

       (Hezekiah and Josiah).

   D. Eventually other countries like Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome

       rose up and conquered Israel. It was under the rule of the Roman government (who

       allowed limited local authority) that Jesus was born.

II. THE PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT

    A. There are two texts in the New Testament that help us understand the purpose of

       government. They are Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17.

    B. These are the purposes that are set forth.

       1. The establishment of law and order. 

            a. In Romans 13:1-2, Paul wrote, “Every person is to be in subjection to the

               governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those

               which exist are established by God. ² Therefore whoever resists authority has

               opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive

               condemnation upon themselves.”

           b. Authority is not a bad thing. Can you imagine playing a football or basketball  

               game without referees to enforce the rules? Can you imagine the World Series

               being played without umpires? What if there were no authorities to enforce

               building codes on our highways or in our homes? What if we had no

              authorities to enforce our laws?

           c. God understands the need of fallen men to be governed. Without it there is

               disorder, violence and chaos.

       2. Protection from evil.

           a. Paul continued in Romans 13:3-4 – “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good

               behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is

               good and you will have praise from the same; ⁴ for it is a minister of God to you

               for good.”

           b. I am thankful for those in our military who provide security for our nation. I am

               grateful for local officials like police officers and firemen who protect us from

               harm . This is a God ordained function of government.

       3. Punishing evil.

           a. Paul went on to say in Romans 13: 4, “But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for

               it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger

               who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”

           b. Peter said government officials are sent by God to punish evil (1 Peter 2:14).  

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III. OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GOVERNMENT

    A. From the beginning of the church until now Christians have lived under many

       different forms of government.

       1. Some governments have been apathetic to Christianity. When the church was

           established the Roman government provided a great deal of latitude for people

           throughout the empire to practice their own religious beliefs. They viewed

           Christianity as a sect of Judaism.

       2. During the reign of Nero from 54 to 68 A.D. the situation changed dramatically.  

           There was a rumor that Nero was responsible for a fire in which a large section

           of Rome was destroyed. To divert attention away from himself Nero blamed

           Christians.

           a. Christians lost their civil rights.

           b. They were beaten and brutalized. Some were murdered.

           c. Early Christian writers like Tertullian and Origen said that Peter was a

               victim of Nero’s persecution of Christians.  

    B. Whatever form of government we face both Paul and Peter teach that Christians  

       have a threefold responsibility.

       1. Be submissive.

           a. Romans 13:1 – “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing

               authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist

               are established by God.”

           b. Romans 13:5 – “Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because

               of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.”

           c. Titus 3:1- “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient,

               to be ready for every good deed.”

           d. 1 Peter 2:3 - “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution,

               whether to a king as the one in authority.”

           e. What does it mean to be submissive to the government? In Matthew 22:15-22

               the Herodians and Pharisees, two groups who were normally opposed to each

               other, sought to trap Jesus by asking Him if it was lawful to pay taxes to

               Caeser. Jesus asked them whose inscription was on the coin. When they

               replied, “Caesar,” He said, “Then render to Caesar the things that are

               Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

           f. The Bible does not say that we are to submit to the government only if we

               like it. The exception of this principle is found in the book of  Acts with

               Peter and John who kept on preaching Christ after being prohibited to do so

               by the authorities. When they were asked why they did so they replied in Acts

               4:19 - “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to

               God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have

               seen and heard. Later, in Acts 5:29 - “But  Peter and the apostles answered,

               “We must obey God rather than men.”

               1.) If the government tells me to do something that is against the word of God I

                    am going to stand with the word of God.

               2.) History is filled with people who stood for God in opposition to governments

                    who opposed the truth.

       2. Be prayerful.

           a. Paul instructed Timothy, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers,

               petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, ² for kings and all

               who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all

               godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our

               Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the

               truth” (1 Tim.2:1-4).

           b. Prayer can be a game changer! When Peter was imprisoned in Acts 12 the

               church came together to pray. Peter was released.

       3. Be Hopeful.

           a. I am thankful to be a citizen of the United States. There is a greater citizenship

               that provides us with endless hope.

           b. My hope is not in the President of the United States regardless of who that

               person is.      

           c. My hope is not in the Supreme Court of the United States. It is not supreme!

           c. I do not mean to belittle either of these institutions but as a Christian I must

               always recognize that my citizenship is in the Kingdom of God and I pledge

               allegiance to Christ.

CONCLUSION:

A. 1 Peter 2:17 contains four short, concise commands. “Honor all people, love the

    brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.”

B. I urge you to do three things in the coming nine days.

    1. Pray.  2. Prepare. 3. Participate.

C. I want to invite you to come to Christ. Listen to what Isaiah said about Him. “For a

    child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His

    shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal

    Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Will you come to Him today?