Sermon Outline Title: The Lord’s Supper — A Meal of Remembrance and Promise
Bible Text, Theme, Big Idea
Text: Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
Theme: The Lord’s Supper is a sacred reminder of Christ’s sacrifice, a proclamation of His victory, and a promise of His return.
Big Idea: Each time we partake of the bread and the cup, we look back to the cross, look within our own hearts, look around in fellowship, and look forward to the coming of our Lord.
1. The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper
a. It is one of two ordinances given by the Lord to His church — baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Both are outward symbols of inward grace.
b. The Lord’s Supper is not a ritual to perform out of habit but a memorial act of faith, commanded by Jesus Himself: “This do in remembrance of Me.”
c. The bread represents His body broken for us; the cup represents His blood shed for the remission of sins.
d. When we partake, we proclaim to the world that we believe in His death, burial, and resurrection — that He is alive and well today.
e. It is a table of remembrance, reverence, and rejoicing — remembering His death, revering His sacrifice, and rejoicing in His promise.
2. The Spiritual Significance of This Ordinance
a. It is a memorial — we remember the high price Jesus paid to cleanse our sins and restore fellowship with the Father.
b. It is a proclamation — the church declares to the world its faith in the risen Savior.
c. It is a self-examination — each believer looks within to ensure the heart is right before God.
d. It is an anticipation — “ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come.” Every communion looks forward to His promised return.
e. It is a fellowship — we commune not only with one another but also with our Lord in spirit, just as the disciples did in the upper room.
3. The Example in the Upper Room
a. On that final night, several sacred events took place: Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, identified Judas as the betrayer, and gave His farewell message of comfort and hope.
b. He said, “Let not your heart be troubled… I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again.” Even at the table of sorrow, He gave words of assurance.
c. The Lord’s Supper, then, is not a table of despair but of hope — a table where sorrow meets joy, where death meets resurrection, and where promise meets fulfillment.
d. As we take part today, we do so not in fear or doubt, but in faith that He will keep every word He spoke.
e. Let not your heart be troubled — He will come again, and that is a promise worth remembering every time we gather around His table.
4. The Prophecy Fulfilled — Isaiah’s Foretelling (Isaiah 53:1-12)
a. Seven centuries before Calvary, Isaiah saw the coming of the Suffering Servant: “He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities.”
b. Every line of Isaiah 53:1-12 finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ — His rejection, suffering, sacrifice, and resurrection.
c. No other book could predict such detail over 700 years in advance; that is divine inspiration, not coincidence.
d. The Bible’s unity — written by 40 men over 1,500 years, on 3 continents, in 3 languages — yet without contradiction — proves it is the Word of God.
e. The odds of such harmony happening by chance are beyond human probability. This is not man’s book about God; it is God’s book to man.
5. The Response of Faith
a. Because His Word is true and His promises sure, we must come to this table with clean hearts and sincere faith.
b. As Paul said, “Let a man examine himself.” The Lord’s Supper is not a ceremony to rush through but a sacred moment to renew our relationship with Him.
c. Be not faithless but believing — this table reminds us of the One who gave all, and it points us to the day He will return for His church.
d. Fake news fills the world, but the gospel remains 100% true — the cross still saves, the tomb is still empty, and Christ still reigns.
e. When we eat and drink in faith, we proclaim the greatest truth in history — Jesus lives, and He’s coming again.
Illustration / Example
A small church in Europe rebuilt after war damage left the altar shattered. Among the debris, they found the broken hands of a statue of Christ. Instead of repairing them, they placed a sign beneath the figure that read: “Christ has no hands but yours.” When we take the bread and the cup, we remember that His body and blood were given for us — and now, we are His hands and feet in this world.
Alliterated Main Points
1. Memorial — Remembering His sacrifice
2. Message — Proclaiming His salvation
3. Mindset — Examining our hearts
4. Mission — Awaiting His return
5. Meal — Fellowshipping with Christ and one another
Conclusion / Invitation
As we partake of the Lord’s Supper today, do so with reverence and gratitude. Look back to Calvary, within your heart, around at your brothers and sisters, and forward to His coming again.
If you are not sure you are in the faith, take this moment to make it right with God.
The same Savior who gave His life for you is still saying, “This is My body, given for you.”
Come to His table, remember His sacrifice, and rejoice in His promise — “I will come again.”
