LOOKING TO JESUS IN THE LORD'S SUPPER (1 OF 3)
Scripture: John 6:53-58
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Looking to Jesus in the Lord's Supper (1 of 3)
Series: The Lord's Supper
Patrick Edwards
John 6:53-58
Introduction
Last week we discussed the meaning of Jesus' words here in John 6 where He invites us to feed on His flesh and drink his blood. We saw that true salvation requires our total identification with Jesus in His death and resurrection, and that this comes through the grace of God by the gift of faith and should lead to our complete allegiance to Him. At the same time, this language of eating and drinking the body and blood of Jesus is also meant to make us think of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. In other words, though it is not the primary point of John 6, this chapter is intended to lead us to consider how the Lord's Supper is related to our salvation.
This is an important discussion because, unfortunately, church history demonstrates that Christians have often not been agreed in the meaning of the Supper. Some have argued that the food and drink we have the Supper actually become Jesus' flesh and blood. Some have argued that the Lord's Supper actually contributes to our salvation. Such views, however, undermine the biblical doctrine of salvation and lead to a works-based religion where certain actions are required of us for true reconciliation with God. On the other hand, some have denigrated and minimized Communion to just a ''simple act,'' a minimal remembrance; a time to just stop where you are, offer a few thoughts to Jesus, and swallow a cracker and some juice. But, you see, the Lord's Supper is far more than just a mere memorial of the death of Jesus, it a Christ-ordained feast of the local church, whereby we as a body of redeemed believers receive a special blessing of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, whereby our faith is strengthened, our souls are nourished, and we are drawn closer together in Christian love and unity.
It is my purpose this morning, therefore, to allow the Scriptures to show us how to properly look at the Lord ...
Series: The Lord's Supper
Patrick Edwards
John 6:53-58
Introduction
Last week we discussed the meaning of Jesus' words here in John 6 where He invites us to feed on His flesh and drink his blood. We saw that true salvation requires our total identification with Jesus in His death and resurrection, and that this comes through the grace of God by the gift of faith and should lead to our complete allegiance to Him. At the same time, this language of eating and drinking the body and blood of Jesus is also meant to make us think of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. In other words, though it is not the primary point of John 6, this chapter is intended to lead us to consider how the Lord's Supper is related to our salvation.
This is an important discussion because, unfortunately, church history demonstrates that Christians have often not been agreed in the meaning of the Supper. Some have argued that the food and drink we have the Supper actually become Jesus' flesh and blood. Some have argued that the Lord's Supper actually contributes to our salvation. Such views, however, undermine the biblical doctrine of salvation and lead to a works-based religion where certain actions are required of us for true reconciliation with God. On the other hand, some have denigrated and minimized Communion to just a ''simple act,'' a minimal remembrance; a time to just stop where you are, offer a few thoughts to Jesus, and swallow a cracker and some juice. But, you see, the Lord's Supper is far more than just a mere memorial of the death of Jesus, it a Christ-ordained feast of the local church, whereby we as a body of redeemed believers receive a special blessing of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, whereby our faith is strengthened, our souls are nourished, and we are drawn closer together in Christian love and unity.
It is my purpose this morning, therefore, to allow the Scriptures to show us how to properly look at the Lord ...
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