Sermon Snippet – The Scarlet Lifeline – Part IV
INTRODUCTION – I Corinthians 11:23-28 is a familiar passage that instructs us to participate in the Communion service. Verse 26 gives insight into why this time of remembrance is so crucial for each Christian: “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come.” Let us consider the implications of this verse.
1. EACH CHRISTIAN WHO TAKES PART IN THE COMMUNION SERVICE IS PREACHING AN EVANGELICAL SERMON
Many Christians think that they could never preach a sermon. “I could never do that. I would be too nervous. Public speaking scares me,” a Christian might say. However, the word “shew” means “proclaim.” Each believer has a part in the Communion service, for the essence of Communion is fellowship. However, each individual Christian is also preaching a dramatic sermon. Remember, many people in the first century could not read, and the New Testament was still in the process of being written anyway. Thus, the symbolism of Communion provided an opportunity to further explain the Gospel message. It is still the most effective sermon going, for it is ordained by God Himself.
2. THIS SERMON INCLUDES THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS
The bread is His body (verse 24), which was given (the meaning of “broken”) for us. The cup represents the shedding of His blood (verse 25) – His very real death. Thus, each one of us is preaching what I call the scarlet lifeline, the sacrificial atonement of Jesus to pay for our sins and to provide full, free, and forever forgiveness. We “preach Christ crucified” (I Corinthians 1:23) as we participate in Communion.
3. THIS SERMON ALSO IMPLIES THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
“Till He come” means that He must be alive. No one seriously disputes the historical fact of Jesus’ death on the Cross. It is His Resurrection that some reject. This skepticism is answered factually in I Corinthians 15:1-8. The rest of this chapter deals convincingly with the practical implications of our Lord’s Resurrection. In Communion, each one of us joins with Paul in proclaiming this grand and glorious truth.
4. THIS SERMON FURTHER PROCLAIMS THE RETURN OF JESUS
Our message is one of hope. “Till He come” directs attention to the promise of Jesus to return for His own (for example, I Thessalonians 4:13-18), This hope is a certainty, and each one of us is preaching this certain hope as we take part in Communion.
CONCLUSION – Preach it, sister. Preach it, brother.