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Proclaiming His Death
I Corinthians 11:26

I.    Introduction
      A.  Paul spoke of a deeply meaningful connection between the church and Israel (I Corinthians 10:1-4)
           1.  The church’s spiritual journey was patterneed by Israel’s deliverance and wandering.
           2.  We share in community experiences as a church just as Israel participated in life-giving
                and life-sustaining experiences.
      B.  We share in a form of these experiences in Christ.
           1.  He is our Passover, the One Who gives us life at the time of judgement. (I Corinthians 5:7-8)
           2.  We each have been baptized into our mediator, Christ Jesus (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians
                3:27; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:26)
           3.  Now we are being sustained by the spiritual nourishment God provides.
      C.  Let us examine again these elements of the symbolic feast we observe each week.
      D.  Song: 287 The Lord’s Supper
II.   The Bread
      A.  Jesus used the unleavened bread from the Passover feast to represent His body. (Matthew 26:26)
           1.  The Divine Word took on a human form (John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14)
           2.  He came to suffer in that body for our sins (I Peter 3:18; Isaiah 52:3-9)
      B.  Our eating of the bread is a participation in the body of Christ (I Corinthians 10:16b)
           1.  Jesus spoke of His flesh as “true food” (John 6:48-58)
           2.  For us, the bread is symbolic of what nourishes us spiritually.
      C.  Song: 322 The Old Rugged Cross
III.  The Fruit of the Vine
      A.  Jesus gave the fruit of the vine as a symbol of His blood. (Matthew 26:27-28)
           1.  The Old Covenant showed the relation of blood to reconciliation with God. (Hebrews 9:18-23)
           2.  His blood is cleansing.(Matthew 26:28; I John 1:7)
      B.  Our partaking is a participation in His blood (I Corinthians 10:16a)
           1.  The blood of Jesus is “true drink” (John 6:55)
           2.  This cup we share is symbolic of the blood which quenches spiritual thirst. (I Peter 1:18-19)
      C.  Song: 197 Nothing But the Blood
IV.  The Resurrection
      A.  We have proclaimed His death, as the church will until He comes. (I Corinthians 11:26)
           1.  We know that He is not coming from the grave. (Matthew 28:5-7; Acts 2:24; John 6:54)
           2.  We know that He is coming back as he left this world. (Acts 1:9-11)
      B.  We eagerly await His coming.
V.   Invitation
      A.  Through His word, Jesus continues to invite men to His feast.
      B.  Will you become a part of that community?
      C. Song: 607 All Things Are Ready

April 12, 2009
Glenn Record