Sunday, June 3, 2007
Sun Oak Baptist Church

Introduction

        2 ordinances: baptism and communion. “Ordinance” defined: an institution of divine authority relating to the worship of God, under the Christian, or “church” dispensation.

        What is the attitude of our heart as we think about partaking of the bread and wine? Views of Thomas Boston, John Calvin, Dr. Balthasar Hubmaier, etc.

        Why should we have such a sober view of this Table?

I. Reason #1: because of the setting of the first communion. See Matt. 26:17ff.

        A. The setting of the first communion was the last night of Jesus’         earthly ministry and life on this earth.

                1. Jesus lived under the dispensation of the Law, meaning He                 lived and ministered under the “Old Covenant.”

                2. The Passover commemorated the time in Israel’s history                 when they were in bondage in Egypt.

        B. The Passover commemorated the time in Israel’s history when         they were in bondage in Egypt.

II. Reason #2: the elements of communion. See 1st Cor. 11:23ff.

        A. The first element is the bread.

                1. Paul reminds the Corinthians that he had received his doctrine                 of the Lord’s Table from the Lord Himself.

                2. Why we serve the bread first.

        B. The second element of Communion is the cup.

                1. Again, our Lord was speaking symboli-cally. See Lev. 17:11                 and Heb. 9:22.

                2. The cup symbolizes Christ’s blood which He had to shed in                 order to establish the “New Covenant.” See Jer. 31:31ff.

Conclusion

        A. Charles Spurgeon: “I think the moments we are nearest to heaven         are those we spend at the Lord’s Table.”

        B. Our celebration of this Table should be a time of sobriety; a time         when we should be calm and collected in spirit; a time to be         temperate, dispassionate, and circumspect.