A message by Dr. Kreighton L. Chan delivered at All of Grace Baptist Church on Good Friday, April 19, 2019
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread” (I Corinthians 10:16,17).
The synoptic gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—all record Christ’s Last Supper with His disciples. Following Christ’s instruction Christians down through the centuries have celebrated the Lord’s Supper. We do this to remember Christ’s bodily death on the Cross and the Blood that He shed. We are to do this until He comes again. In our passage, the Apostle Paul is speaking to the Corinthian church. He writes two entire chapters speaking on the lives of the Christians there and how it relates to the Lord’s Supper. His thoughts are summarized in our text,
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread” (I Corinthians 10:16,17).
This speaks of an aspect of Christ’s atonement that is so often missed today in our celebration of this ordinance. This is explained by the two key words “communion” and “one bread.” Paul introduces no new thoughts here. But he expands upon a truth that is particularly relevant to the local church at Corinth. The word “communion” that Paul uses is in fact another name for the Lord’s Supper. So again, Paul’s thoughts here are not new. But let us look at these words more closely. Communion is a combination of the word “com” and “union.” The first part “com’ means “with,” so communion essentially means “union with.” Or according to Strong’s, it can also mean “fellowship.” So in the Lord’s Supper we memorialize our “union” or “fellowship” with Christ in his death and His shed Blood. The bread represents His body, and the grape juice or wine represents His Blood. Participation in the ordinance is symbolic of this vital connection we have with Christ in the two aspects of His atonement. It follows then that only true Christians should participate in the Lord’s Supper. It would be meaningless and possibly even harmful for anyone else to take part in this memorial.
The next word that Paul uses is “one bread.” Many translators and commentators believe that a better translation would be “one loaf.” This certainly would be more descriptive of Christ and his relationship to members of a local church. This is clear if we read I Corinthians 10:17 substituting the words “one loaf” for “one bread”—“The loaf which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one loaf, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one loaf” (I Corinthians 10:16,17). These words describe the local church and its members constituting the body of Christ, here pictured as one loaf. In our “breaking of bread” we picture our dying with Christ. But in another sense the individual pieces of bread also represents each member of the body of Christ in a local church. This highlights the unity we have in Christ being part of the same loaf. It also illustrates the unity we have with each other.
Let us hear what the great Puritan commentator Matthew Henry wrote,
Because the bread is one, we, being many, are one body, for we are made partakers of one bread, or loaf … which I think is thus more truly rendered … the only true bread that came down from heaven, we coalesce into one body, become members of him and one another. Those who truly partake by faith have this communion with Christ, and one another.
(Matthew Henry. Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume. 1994, page 2262. Peabody: Hendrickson).
The Apostle Paul also makes this point very clear when he says,
“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Romans 12:5).
This oneness in body, this unity in fellowship should not only be Bible talk—symbolic and positional. It should also be beautifully displayed in our local church. This is not only something we pledge to Christ when we take the Lord’s Supper. But Christ also prayed for our unity with Him, God the Father, and with each other. This was part of His High Priestly Prayer before He went to Gethsemane, and then to the Cross to die for us. Christ prayed,
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (John 17:21-23).
Christ prays for Christians to be “one” or to have unity several times. This would be His last prayer for us before going to the Cross. We see God’s answer to Christ’s prayer as we read the Book of Acts. They had great unity in all things. Oh, that we might have the self same unity among the brothers and sisters in our church! Without unity, oneness of mind and heart we cannot experience God’s glory. This unity and God’s love should be very evident in the fellowship of our church. Christ said this is essential if we are to be a powerful witness to the world. Without unity in our fellowship the world will not believe that Christ was sent by God. Even more important, without unity the world will not believe that Jesus loves them.
I am thankful for the unity that we do have in our church. I am thankful that many in our church are united in evangelism. Many have brought people in from the college campuses, their classrooms, or work places. Many have brought family and friends. I am thankful to those who are doing street evangelism at Central Ave in Glendale. I thank God for all those that work with Arno in witnessing, testifying of Christ, passing our salvation literature, and counseling the lost. I thank God for the zeal and fearlessness of those who are street preaching. I am thankful for the unity of many that are faithful in discipleship. They are good role models themselves as disciples, but they are also patient in discipling others. Many show unity in the faithful ministering to others and driving them. I am thankful for the unity of many who pray virtually without ceasing. I am thankful for the unity of many who are striving to attain to the New Testament standard for church governance. And in the process they are submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord. I am thankful for the unity of all the faithful women who prepare our delicious meals. I thank God for all our brothers, sisters, and friends and for the unity we have in our church. But we can do better. We can have more unity and more of Christ’s love. Our unity and love is so important that without it we are powerless as a church to win souls to Christ.
The church at Corinth had many problems. And most of them stemmed from a lack of unity. Toward the end of chapter eleven the Apostle Paul instituted the pattern of the Lord’s Supper. Christians have faithfully followed this ordinance for the past two thousand years. But in the two chapters before that, he “reproves, rebukes, and exhorts” the Corinthians. All this was done to better prepare their hearts before partaking of the Lord’s Supper. If we are to honor Christ and be effective witnesses to the world, let us examine our hearts, too. In the beginning of chapter ten he speaks of God’s grace in leading His people out of Egypt, parting the Red Sea, leading them by the cloudy pillar, and giving them water from a rock. But they were not thankful. Instead, God “overthrew” them in the wilderness because of idolatry, sexual sin, tempting Christ, and murmuring. Paul tells the Corinthians these are examples and warnings for them not to follow. In contrast, the apostle exhorts the Corinthians with our text,
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread” (I Corinthians 10:16,17).
Paul speaks of the union and unity that the Corinthian church had in Christ’s atonement. He goes on to say that this same unity must also be among brothers and sisters in their local church. He begins by saying,
“Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (I Corinthians 10:24).
He then tells them they need to consider not only their own conscience, but their brothers’ and sisters’ as well. And they should be especially careful not to cause anyone to stumble (I Corinthians 10:27-28: Cf. 8:13). Paul tells them, “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31). He says “Give offense to none … even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (I Corinthians 10:32,33). Lastly, he rebukes them for making the Lord’s Supper a mockery. Far from being a blessing to them and having unity the Corinthians were having divisions. Some debased the Lord’s Supper by having a drunken feast. Others were careless by casually eating dinner during communion with no thoughts of reverence for Christ. Others who were less fortunate couldn’t afford to eat and came to the Lord’s Supper hungry, while others selfishly ate around them. This was an immature and disjointed church that lacked unity.
But let us not be self-righteousness and be too quick to judge the Corinthians. Certainly let us not hide behind the people of Israel because we are not idolatrous and haven’t committed sexual sin. Is anyone here tempted with riches or have flirted with internet pornography? Remember, except for Joshua and Caleb the children of Israel were lost people. Also, do you ever murmur or complain against God as they did? Let us examine our own hearts. Let us ask ourselves if we have perfect unity? Are there divisions among us as well? If we act carnally, do we care that this may cause someone else to stumble? Are we self-centered, do we care if we wound someone’s conscience by our sin and bad example? Do we always give God the glory in our lives? Do we ever offend people unjustifiably? Do we try to please others for their profit so God may use that to their salvation? Did you come to the Lord’s Table tonight in haste not having prepared your hearts? All these are sins, which our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died for. Let us have a tender conscience if we have trespassed in any of these ways. God has helped us to have some unity and have some of Christ’s love and power, but we are far from perfect.
Let us humbly consider our own hearts. Please close your eyes. And let us all take a moment to reflect and silently ask God to forgive us of our sins through the Blood of Jesus. Ask Him to consecrate your heart and help you to better serve Christ in our local church. (Pause)
Please open your eyes and look up. The elders in our church have decided that all members of our former church will be considered members of our new church. There are some exceptions. I have spoken to several of you about that. We ordinarily practice “closed” communion as a local church, but we are making an exception tonight. Any of you who were members of our former church are welcome to join us at the Lord’s table. However, if you’re a Christian and have been scripturally baptized elsewhere, please just celebrate with us spiritually in your hearts, and don’t come up to the altar to take the elements. Thank you.
(Emi Zabalaga begins playing communion hymns on the piano)
As Emi plays the piano please come row-by-row, beginning with the first row and take the elements and return to your pew. Please just hold onto them. We will eat the bread and drink the cup together. I will tell you when to do this.
(When all have the bread and cup and have returned to their pews)
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
Our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for Jesus being broken for us, beginning in His Passion and then His death on the Cross to pay for our sins. Let us by taking this bread, remember what our Savior has done for us, and love Him more. You may partake of the bread.
“After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he comes” (I Corinthians 11:23-26).
Our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for Jesus, our spotless Lamb of God. We thank Thee for Thy Son’s Blood that He shed to cleanse us from all sin. Remind us now of the preciousness of Thy Son’s Blood. Sprinkle now our hearts and consciences with His Blood as we remember His great love in pouring out His lifeblood for us. You may drink the cup.
We’re going to sing the song that is projected on the screen behind me, “Jesus Died for Me.”
Great God, when I approach Thy throne,
And all Thy glory see,
This is my stay, and this alone,
That Jesus died for me
How can a soul, condemned to die,
Escape Thy just decree?
Helpless and full of sin am I,
But Jesus died for me.
Burdened with sin’s oppressive chain,
O how can I get free?
No place can all my efforts gain,
But Jesus died for me
And, Lord, when I behold Thy face,
This must be all my plea:
Save me by Thy almighty grace,
For Jesus died for me.
Tonight I have spoken on the Lord’s Supper which point to Christ’s death and atonement. But why did Jesus die? He died for your sins. Your sins brings God’s judgment upon you. But Jesus loves you. And He died on the Cross to pay for your sins. He shed His precious Blood that your sins could be cleansed. Then Jesus rose from the dead. He’s alive today And we will celebrate His body rising from the dead this Easter Sunday.
What do you need to do to have all your sins forgiven? You don’t really need to do anything. That’s because Jesus already did everything—by dying on the Cross and pouring out his Blood, He paid the full punishment for your sin. All you need to do is trust Jesus. Trust Jesus, and be saved.
Let us pray. Our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for this Good Friday that we can remember Thy Son, His death for us, and celebrate the Lord’s Supper together. We thank Thee for the love and unity we have through Thy Son. But we pray that Thou would help us to have more unity in our church. Help our times of fellowship to be more Christ-centered. Help us to love Thy Son more. Help us in our service for Thee and especially in our discipleship and evangelism. We thank Thee for all that are here with us tonight. Bless them richly, our Heavenly Father. Bless also our meal and the fellowship that we are about to enjoy. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Greet each other with the words, “Jesus loves you and died for you!”
(END OF SERMON)