Sunday School Class // February 25, 2024
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This is a lesson I prepared for a Sunday School class and is based on the video series “The Basics of the Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson | Ligonier Ministries” (Lesson 7)
1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV)
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
The Lord’s Supper is a familiar part of church life and as such it can easily become something of a tradition with its purpose and meaning lost in the familiarity of the ritual. As a means of grace that God uses to draw us into a closer relationship with him, we must refamiliarize ourselves with the purpose and meaning of the Lord’s Supper. The expectation from Jesus is that we will do this often in remembrance of Him. So, let’s familiarize ourselves with this blessing and gift He has given us and look anew with fresh eyes upon this special means of grace. Dr. Ferguson summarizes eight descriptive words to help us in our search for understanding.
- Commemoration
The Lord’s Supper will cause me to remember what Christ has done. This is not just some inward reflection of seeing and thinking about myself but it’s about my outward gaze at the work of Christ on the cross. This is a Godward reminder of what Jesus has accomplished. - Proclamation
The Lord’s Supper is the sermon. As I partake, I am proclaiming the death of Christ to myself and to the others around me. This is a community activity. - Benediction
This is the cup of blessing where God is speaking well of me in Jesus. As I partake and remember, the blessing of God is poured out upon me and my heart is refreshed. - Communion
The host of this supper is Jesus with the bread and wine being his gifts to me. This is a simple gift but I must remember that the significance of the gift is found only in the significance of the Giver and the gifts bring sweet fellowship with my Savior. - Consecration
I am to reconsecrate myself again to Jesus by turning away from the vain idols in my life by clinging simply to Jesus. This is a meal for sinners and a time for me to examine and repent before Jesus. - Repetition
The answer to how often I should celebrate the Lord’s Supper is… often. There is no limit imposed but I need fellowship with Christ and the Lord’s Supper brings me back to this. I need this remembrance more often in my life. - Anticipation
I am to remember the Lord’s death until He comes. There should be a joyful anticipation that stirs up a longing for heaven within my heart. As I am reminded to look at Jesus, anticipation for his return should naturally stimulate my thoughts. - Self-examination
There is nothing worthy within me to come unto Jesus, yet he bids me come. The Lord’s Supper reminds me of my weakness and need for humility through Jesus. As I examine my heart and bring my unworthiness before my Savior, the Lord’s Supper shows me Jesus on a cross saying, “It is finished.”