Res 09

Lord’s Supper and Resurrection: God’s Photo Album  4/12/09

I.       Introduction

a.       Pictures: so we never forget

                                                              i.      God knows our tendency to forget, so He provides pictures

                                                            ii.      Passover (Unleavened Bread), on night of betrayal

b.      Foundation of the Lord’s Supper

                                                              i.      The basis of this meal is founded upon deliverance.

1.      Presupposes bondage from which the people were helpless to deliver themselves.

2.      God saw their condition and acted by providing a means of freedom.

                                                            ii.      Method

1.      The death of a (innocent) lamb whose blood upon the door of the home indicated faith in the Words’ of God for protection from death.  Death angel would “Passover.”

c.       This meal was to be ever celebrated.  We are prone to forget, this meal was to be a reminder (Exodus 12:23-27).

                                                              i.      It was to teach children of God’s great power to deliver and save.

d.      A new photo album introduced

                                                              i.      Disciples about to experience an event that was not to be forgotten.

II.    My Body, My Blood

a.       For you.

                                                              i.      An act done not for His own benefit but for yours. 

1.      The assumption is that this accomplished for us what we could not accomplish ourselves.

a.       Not a symbolic act of sacrificing for the benefit of others.  It was an act that actually accomplished something.

b.      It accomplished what we could not.

b.      I Peter 2:24

                                                              i.      He bore our sins.

1.      Sin is missing the mark, lawlessness (not conforming to a std)

a.       A just judge must render judgment.

c.       I Corinthians 15:3

d.      Isaiah 53:3-4

                                                              i.      He was despised, forsaken.  But it was our sins for which He is judged.

e.       Romans 5:6-8

III. Ratifies a New Covenant

a.       Supersede contracts.  Covenants are not contracts

                                                              i.      Ratified by;

1.      Sharing a meal

2.      Shedding of blood.

b.      The new covenant

                                                              i.      Jeremiah 31: 31-34

1.      This is God’s pledge to forgive sins of His people, put His laws in our hearts, be our God and enable us to be His people.

                                                            ii.      Not a proposition, but something that God actually accomplishes

1.      Sin is dealt with, rebellion is dealt with.

a.       By writing His will on our hearts so it is not His will imposed from the outside but from the inside.

                                                                                                                                      i.      His will as our own will.

                                                          iii.      Connection w/ death of Jesus

1.      Hebrews 13:20-21

a.       The blood of Christ, eternal covenant, God fulfilling His NC promises to work in us what is pleasing in His sight.

2.      Lord’s Supper is a celebration of Jesus establishing NC by shedding His blood for His people, securing their forgiveness and sanctification

IV. Looks back

a.       A remembrance.

                                                              i.      We have a flaw

1.      We trivialize what is significant, and value the unimportant

                                                            ii.      This helps to refocus our purpose

1.      We are a community bound together by one very important reality.

a.       We are sinners saved by grace. 

                                                                                                                                      i.      The consequences of our actions were so severe that they put an innocent man to death.

                                                          iii.      Proclaim the Lord’s death

1.      Declare, preach, speak of, and confess that “Christ died for me.” 

a.       Private and publically

2.      That His sacrifice is sufficient to free me from the bonds of slavery to sin.

V.    Looks forward

a.       You proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again; I will not drink w/ you until I drink w/ you in the kingdom of God.

                                                              i.      Implicit is that He is not dead, but alive and there is still a future work to be accomplished.

b.      Crucifixion is Act I, Resurrection is Act II

                                                              i.      Crucifixion is meaningless w/o the resurrection.

                                                            ii.      But if alive we are certain that we too have eternal life

c.       I Corinthians 15:20

                                                              i.      First fruits.

1.      A foretaste of things to come

2.      Christ raise first (as first fruits) guaranteeing that those who belong to Him will also be raised alive to eternal life.

VI. Conclusion

a.       Many inspiring messages to be given

                                                              i.      This holiday is more than inspiration once a year

b.      Jesus provided a means to remember His death, resurrection and future hope