3-16-08 AM - The Lord's Supper

Introduction: Lev.16:5-10 – day of atonement

15 & 16 – sin offering - shedding blood of innocent animal for the sins of the people. The blood was the evidence of the death of the animal

20-22- scapegoat – (innocent one who takes the blame or pays the penalty for someone else’s wrongdoing.) All sins of the people were symbolically placed on the head of the goat and then the goat was sent far away into the desert – carrying the sins away, never to return.

This was all a foreshadowing of what Christ would do on the cross.

Why don’t we do this???? Because – this was all fulfilled in Christ. I Pet. 2:24/3:18 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,…..; by is wounds you have been healed.”

“For Christ died for sins once for all,….to bring you to God…..”

Christ fulfilled the role of both of the old testament goats. HE paid for all sins, for all mankind, for all time.

HOWEVER, even though the Cross is there, entrance into heaven is NOT guaranteed. Christ made the way, but the BLOOD must be applied personally.

Christ’s death on the cross; ie. the shedding of blood, is the hub of the wheel and is essential to Christianity. Without the death of Christ, we have just another religion or philosophy.

The Old Testament sacrifices were pictures of what would come.

We picture what has come.

The Lord’s Supper is this picture of what has already happened.

So, the bread and wine are good pictures of the body and blood of Christ.

But, why eat it???? Matt. 26:26-28 – “……This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins…..” A covenant in that day was a very serious agreement between two parties, like a contract today. They did things to symbolize the agreement that had been made.

Covenant pictures – a. exchange of garments (what I have is yours and what you have is mine), b. slitting of wrists – (your life in me and my life in you) c. share a meal – (feeding each other cake at a wedding reception)

John 6:47-56 “….I am the bread of life……here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man my eat and not die. I am the living bread….”

What we believe here at Octavia Baptist Church. That the elements are symbolic and a picture of:

1. His body broken and His blood shed. In the same way that a picture of a family member in your wallet or purse is just that – a picture, not the real person. But we say, “this is my wife/husband”, meaning this is a picture of my wife/husband.

2. My willingness to accept and participate in that as a sign of my belief.

How we celebrate (at OBC)

We gather together on the Sunday evening prior to Easter, worship together, eat the bread and drink the wine together, and fellowship together – in family groups.

Why we do it.

1. To remember His work. 2 Cor. 5:21 – “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us,….” We exchanged garments – His righteousness for our unrighteousness.

2. To demonstrate our belief in that work.

3. To celebrate our common bonds. (We have been made saints if we are saved, but we are still sinners practically. We are all brothers and sisters in Him)

4. To renew our vows and commitments to Him.

Who should participate – Here at OBC we believe that this is the Lord’s Supper.

If you belong to the Lord (any who have accepted Him, committed to Him, and examined themselves – I Cor.11:27-29 – “..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. A man ought to examine himself….” then you are welcome to celebrate with us.

There is a problem!!! “I’m not worthy!” If you were worthy, you wouldn’t need a Savior.

Luke 18:9-14 – the story of the Pharisee and the Publican. There were two unworthy people. But only one approached in a worthy manner. Coming in a worthy manner is recognizing your unworthiness and coming humbly in that recognition.

Conclusion: So,… Go - reflect, examine, confess, commit

And …Come … gather in and group up