Have you ever been in a
covenant ceremony? Today’s
modern wedding is just such a ceremony. I
remember when Lynn and I celebrated our wedding at the Little Union Baptist
Church in Calvin, WV. We had a
great time holding hands, exchanging rings, saying our vows, kissing, eating
cake, and drinking punch. We
agreed to give ourselves completely to the other so long as we both shall
live.
What is the Lord’s
Supper? It is a celebration of a new covenant. A covenant is an agreement, a treaty, a promise, a contract,
and a pledge. The original
covenant ceremony was made between the Lord and his disciples in the upper
room. Today, we celebrate the
renewal that original covenant with the new disciples who are here today.
For every covenant there was a ceremony that sealed the
agreement. Both parties would be
present to certify their participation and consent to the arrangement. God’s
covenant with Humans began in the Garden of Eden.
After the children, Adam and Eve, had eaten the forbidden fruit, he
agreed to forgive them and clothe them. Although
their disobedience had caused them to know pain and death, which is the result
of evil, God agreed to watch over them and ultimately deliver them from their
plight and give them victory over their enemies.
Abraham received the covenant of God and believed in Him. He followed God to a place he had never been.
Although his love for God was tested he ultimately passed the test and
became the father of the children who would ultimately give birth to the one
who would be God Himself.
The sealing of the covenant
agreement would be marked with a ceremonial meal.
Comparable to the wedding reception that follows today’s modern
ceremonies, this agreement meal would involve both parties.
The bride and the groom who are entering into an agreement of lifelong
love and complete devotion hold hands, exchange vows, exchange rings, kiss,
cut the cake, drink the cup, and dance together to mark the beginning of the
occasion.
When the Lord knew that his time had come he sat down with the
disciples in the upper room and there took the last supper with His disciples.
There they celebrated a new covenant.
Scripture
Text:
1Cor 11:20 (NIV) When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper
you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody
else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don't you have homes to eat
and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have
nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus,
on the night 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, after supper he took the cup,
saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you
drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and
drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore,
whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner
will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man
ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29
For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats
and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and
sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves,
we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are
being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. 33 So then,
my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34 If anyone
is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not
result in judgment. And when I
come I will give further directions.
The Groom who is the Lord
would immediately fulfill his side of the agreement.
He told them that his body would be broken and his blood would be
spilled in payment for their sin. The
disciples who are the bride would agree to pick up their crosses and follow
him. They would believe in Him and live with Him throughout their
lives. This Lord’s Supper
causes us to remember the covenant that He made with us.
It is a renewal of the ceremony of the new covenant.
Have you accepted the
Lord’s agreement? Have you
signed on the line and agreed to allow the Lord to be your Lord and Savior?
Then you can remember this. The
Lord loves you and has given himself for you.
You have accepted Him and want Him in your life.
Remember this:
This is a Covenant renewal ceremony…
1.
Don’t mock the meaning of the Lord’s Supper.
Eat the bread and live the life.
If you will pick up your cross, love others as he has, give
yourself, forgive yourself and others, and then you may pick up your bread and
your cup in remembrance of his commitment to you and your agreement with Him.
2.
Proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Tell others what this ceremony
means to you. He died for you,
but He will come again.
3.
Examine your life and determine your course.
Decide to go with Him again. Each
day remember and decide. Confess
your sin and repent to his way of life for you.
4.
Eat and drink and remember that He died and we have believed.
Recommit yourselves to live with the Lord until he comes again.
Rededicate ourselves today as we partake of the bread and the cup.
5.
Eat the Bread: Remember
His death that broke his body.
6.
Drink the Cup: Remember
the New Covenant in His blood. Drink
this in remembrance of Him.
7.
Eat and drink in remembrance to fulfill you needs of spiritual food.
This food is not to take the
place of physical food but to be food for the soul.
Have you taken you food for your soul?
Take and eat this food from the Lord.
It is given for your benefit, blessing, and eternal life.