Today we gather together to observe what scripture calls – ‘The Lord’s Supper.’ Sometimes we refer to it as a Communion Service and we take that term something Paul said.
1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
The word ‘communion’ means fellowship. When we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we are symbolically representing our spiritual fellowship or association with the sacrificial death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I. The Sacredness of the Lord’s Supper
Therefore this is very special time and concerning it we read –
A. The Need for Self-Examination
1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
B. Participating In an Unworthy Manner
No one is worthy to participate in the Lord’s Supper. Paul is not referring to our personal worthiness vs. unworthiness. The adverb ‘unworthily’ refers to someone who participates in a manner that dishonors our Lord and the sacrifice He made at Calvary. It is pretending to value what Jesus did on the cross, yet at the same time continuing to willfully live in sin. Paul gives a great warning concerning such careless conduct –
1 Corinthians 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Apparently some in the church at Corinth had been very careless in their spiritual conduct and as a result, had been disciplined by God. Paul refers to some were inflicted with sickness and some even to the point of death. The Lord’s Supper is a very sacred part of our Christian faith and therefore it should be approached with a great sense of reverence for the One whose broken body and shed blood these symbols represent.
II. The Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Yet I also believe that this is a moment of celebration. We have not gathered to commemorate a victim. This is not a funeral service. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 teaches us that the gospel is – ‘Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and on the third day He arose again!’ Christ is not in a tomb somewhere. He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and one day, perhaps today, He is coming again for all those who have put their faith and trust in Him.
Today we are celebrating Christ’s victory over sin, death, hell and the grave! As He promised, because He lives, we shall live also! Even as we are participants with Him in His death and burial, we are also participants in His resurrection. We read in Romans 6
Romans 6:3 Know ye not , that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Today we come to celebrate our fellowship with the Lord in His death, burial and resurrection!
In light of that, consider also what Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
The Christian life is not about defeat. It’s about victory!
A. Triumph of a Roman Conqueror
During the days of the Roman empire, conquering generals often received a hero’s welcome upon their return home. It was called the ‘Roman Triumph’ and it was their equivalent to our modern ticker-tape parade.
Upon returning from his conquest, the conquering general would be escorted through Rome in a golden chariot. One resource says that the conqueror’s chariot was drawn by two white stallions. According to where the triumph had taken place, other animals were also sometimes used. Clark writes in his commentary -“When Pompey triumphed over Africa, his chariot was drawn by elephants; … Mark Antony by lions …”
As the conquering general made his way through the city, citizens of Rome would cheer him, while throwing flowers on the street to pave his way. Following him would be many of his army commanders. In addition, there would be wagons and chariots containing the spoils of battle. Also in the parade would be chained enemy soldiers and former prisoners of war who had been set free. It was a day like no other for this Roman general. One resource I read referred to it as – ‘a grand spectacle of enormous proportions’, for a great victory over Rome’s enemies had been won.
B. Triumph of Christ the Conqueror
Paul uses this as an illustration for the victory Christ has won through His death, burial and resurrection. Consider some of these New Testament passages –
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly , triumphing over them in it.
NLT – vs. 15 In this way, God disarmed the evil rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross of Christ.
* Christ ‘plundered’ the enemy and made a spectacle of them.
* He stripped them of all authority over our lives
Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Hebrews 2:14-15 “Christ … shared in the flesh and blood of men, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death-that is, the Devil, and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. (my paraphrase)
1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
* The word ‘victory’ refers to a complete and utter defeat of an enemy. It’s not victory by a narrow margin. It’s a total victory.
Scripture teaches us that Christ has defeated sin, death, the Devil and his demons. Therefore, today is as much a celebration as it is a solemn ceremony. Yes there is a sense of sorrow over our sins and yes there is a sense of sadness concerning the great suffering Jesus had to endure in order to purchase our salvation; yet there should also be a sense of celebration concerning the triumph that is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.
C. Triumph of the Christian Conquerors
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…
Not only has Christ triumphed; He causes us to triumph as well! The word triumph means to – {to cry aloud, make a noise by outcry). The songwriter said it best –
When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We’ll sing and shout the victory
Eliza E. Hewitt (1851-1920)
There’s only one problem with song – ‘When We All Get to Heaven’; I don’t believe that we have to wait to get to heaven to sing and shout the victory. The victory has already been won. Another great passage alluding to this triumph is found in the eight chapter of the book of Romans.
1. We ‘Are’ – More Than Conquerors
Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Note – ‘In all these things we are more than conquerors’. The way Paul wrote that indicates that we presently, today, right now – are more than conquerors.
We are more than conquerors in what things and why are we so?
a. We are more than conquerors in all things
38 For I am persuaded , that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In the earlier part of this chapter, Paul has referred to way life often brings heartache and trouble into our lives. He refers to it as our ‘groaning within ourselves’. Yet the good news is, all of this trouble is only temporary. One day King Jesus is returning and on that day, all of those who put their faith and trust in Him will be led by Him in a part of His triumphal procession. Those who were once captives to the troubles of this life will be led in triumphal deliverance by King Jesus.
b. We are more than conquerors because Christ loves us
Someone might say – “But I feel as though I am still in bondage to this trouble because I am still experiencing this trouble.’ That may be true, yet you can claim victory today because today you are secure in the Lord of God. Paul says – ‘we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.’ We are more than conquerors through the love of Christ.
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Paul says that we are conquerors, but he also says that we are ‘more than conquerors.’ How can you be more than a conqueror?
2. We Are – ‘More Than Conquerors’
The phrase ‘more than conquerors’ is the Greek word {Huper-Nikao}. At this point that doesn’t mean much to you, but let me take a moment and try to explain it.
a. Huper
‘Huper’ is the Greek word from which we get the English word – hyper. We know that whenever something has the prefix ‘hyper’ attached to it, it emphasizes its size or magnitude. A child who is hyper-active is super active!
b. Nikao
Attached to the word huper / hyper, is the Greek word ‘Nikao.’ Though you have never used the word Nikao, you have used a similar word many times. Have you ever heard of Nike tennis shoes or sports equipment? The word Nike comes from the Greek word Nikao and it means – {to conquer completely, to utterly vanquish}
When Paul says that we are ‘more than conquerors’, he is saying that we are hyper-conquerors or super-conquerors. What is a hyper-conqueror or super-conqueror? There are several terms we use to explain how a team might win a competition. They might win, they might beat the other team, or they might ‘crush them.’ When a team crushes another team, they not only conquer, they more than conquer. They are super-conquerors. They crushed the enemy.
III. Celebrate and Participate as Conquerors
On the night that Jesus initiated the Lord’s Supper, scripture says – “And when they had sung an hymn , they went out.” (Mt 26:30; Mk 14:26) What did they sing? They sang parts of Psalms 113-118, known as the Hallel. The word ‘hallel’ is similar to the word ‘hallelujah’, which means – Praise Jehovah or the LORD!
Let me read portions of the psalms the Great Hallel comes from –
Ps 116:1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
Ps 117:1 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. 2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
Ps. 118:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. 29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
The Lord’s Supper is very sacred and therefore we should pause and examine ourselves before we participate. These emblems symbolize Christ’s suffering for our sins. But it is also a time of celebration. These emblems symbolize Christ’s victory over sin, death, the Devil and the grave. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, He sang – “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!’
"Seeds of Faith" 