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This is a sermon that was based on 1 Corinthians 11:26 where Paul declares that we proclaim the Lord's death every time we share the sacrament of communion. This message explores the idea of making a proclamation regarding the death of Jesus Christ by sharing the emblems of communion.
Written Excerpts:
1 Corinthians 11:26 (NKJV) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
Introduction:
Proclamations
are a very familiar activity of mayors, governors and presidents, as well as
the leaders of innumerable organizations.
I
found a website called the “National Day Calendar” where over 1500 national
days/weeks/months and years are listed.
Here
is a partial list of national days just for the month of March:
March National Days
National Dadgum That’s Good
Day
National Peanut Butter
Lover’s Day
March 2
National Old Stuff Day
National Banana Cream Pie Day
March 3
National Anthem Day
National I Want You to be
Happy Day
March 4
National Pound Cake Day
National Hug a G.I. Day
March 5
National Multiple Personality
Day
National Cheese Doodle Day
March 6
National Dentist’s Day
National White Chocolate
Cheesecake Day
March 7
National Be Heard Day
National Cereal Day
March 8
National Peanut Cluster Day
National Tartar Sauce Day –
Friday After Lent Begins
March 9
National Barbie Day
National Get Over it Day
March 10
National Blueberry Popover
Day
National Pack Your Lunch Day
March 11
National Johnny Appleseed Day
National Funeral Director and
Mortician Recognition Day
March 12
National Girl Scout Day
National Plant a Flower Day
March 13
National Earmuff Day
National Open an Umbrella
Indoors Day
March 14
National Potato Chip Day
National Pi Day
March 15
National Shoe the World Day
National Everything You Think
is Wrong Day
March 16
National Everything You Do is
Right Day
National Artichoke Hearts Day
March 17
National Corned Beef and
Cabbage Day
St. Patrick’s Day
March 18
National Awkward Moments Day
National Sloppy Joe Day
March 19
National Poultry Day
National Chocolate Caramel
Day
March 20
National Ravioli Day
National Proposal Day
March 21
National Common Courtesy Day
National Fragrance Day
March 22
National Goof Off Day
National Puppy Day
March 23
National Chip and Dip Day
National Melba Toast Day
March 24
National Chocolate Covered
Raisin Day
March 25
National Lobster Newburg Day
National Medal of Honor Day
March 26
National Spinach Day
Epilepsy Awareness Day –
Purple Day
March 27
National Scribble Day
National Joe Day
March 28
National Weed Appreciation
Day
National Something on a Stick
Day
March 29
National Mom and Pop Business
Owners Day
National Vietnam War Veterans
Day
March 30
National Take a Walk in the
Park Day
National I Am in Control Day
March 31
National Crayon Day
National
Bunsen Burner Day
Whereas sloppy joe sandwiches are definitely sloppy;
Whereas sloppy joe sandwiches have become just as common as
the name “Joe”;
Whereas sloppy joe sandwiches deserve to be recognized for
the role they fill in the diet of millions of Americans,
Therefore, let it be proclaimed throughout these United States
of America that March 18th shall henceforth be designated as
“National Sloppy Joe Day.”
“If
you think something is important, then it should have a proclamation making it
universally important!” A
proclamation lets the world know what we think is so important, and it attempts
to recruit others to join the noble recognition.
Our
Scripture reference for today, 1 Cor. 11:26 (NKJV) For as
often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's
death till He comes.
The
Apostle is declaring the truth that every time we observe the sacrament of
communion, we are proclaiming the Lord’s death.
NKJV
– “…you proclaim the Lord’s death…”
KJV
– “… ye do shew the Lord’s death…”
In
the KJV, the English word “show” is only used 3 times to translate the
particular Greek word that it represents. However, 10 times the same Greek word
is translated “preach.”
(Thayer’s
Gk.-Eng. Lexicon) …to announce, declare,
promulgate, make known; to proclaim publicly, publish…; with the included idea
of celebrating, commending, openly praising….
Paul
is telling the Corinthian Christians that every time they partake of the
communion emblems they are proclaiming, announcing and publicly declaring the
death of Jesus. In
light of the fact that this Greek word is translated as “preach” 10 different
times in the NT, perhaps we could say that every believer who participates in
communion is preaching about the death of the Savior.
Listen
to these comments from 4 different sources about this phrase:
(Tyndale
New Testament Commentaries) – [Quotes two other sources in writing,] The Eucharist is an acted sermon, an acted
proclamation of the death which it commemorates’ (Robertson and Plummer).
(Lenski
NT Commentary) – In v. 23 Paul introduces
the account of the institution of the Sacrament with γάρ, "for," in
order to substantiate his rebuke of the disorderly proceedings current among
the Corinthians. Now he continues with a second γάρ and draws attention to the
point in this account which especially calls attention to the gravity of the
Corinthian disorders. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup
you are proclaiming the death of the Lord till he shall come.
[In other words] "This is what you
must consider when you assemble for the Sacrament."
Essentially,
Paul is saying, “Because of the fact that you are preaching the death of Christ
every time you partake of communion, you should never act like you’ve been
acting when you come together to the Lord’s Table.
(Adam
Clarke's Commentary) – As in the Passover
they showed forth the bondage they had been in, and the redemption they had
received from it; so in the Eucharist they showed forth the sacrificial death
of Christ, and the redemption from sin derived from it.
Adam
Clarke is drawing a parallel analogy between what the Passover proclaims and
what the communion proclaims. One proclaims God’s deliverance from bondage in
Egypt. The other proclaims God’s redemption from sin.
(Expositor's
Bible Commentary, Revised) – In other
words, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is a visible means of telling the
story of Jesus’ passion and death.
So
what do we proclaim when we partake of communion?
We
proclaim the death of Jesus.
To
proclaim the death of Jesus necessarily raises the following questions:
Why
did He die?
For
whom did He die?
What
resulted from His death?
Every
time we eat the bread and drink the juice we are preaching a message about what
Jesus has done for us. We preach a message about how we have benefited from His
death. And, we tell the world Jesus died for them too.
Conclusion:
In
conclusion, I would like to offer a modern-day proclamation concerning the
death of Jesus Christ.
Whereas Jesus Christ is the sinless, pure and holy Son of God,
and;
Whereas every other human being stands condemned before God
because of sin, and;
Whereas Jesus Christ willingly became the substitute for
every person by accepting their punishment, and;
Whereas Jesus Christ freely submitted himself to the cruel
death of crucifixion, and;
Whereas His death is credited against the guilt of everyone
who places all their trust in Him;
Therefore, in obedience to His command, let every Christian
believer henceforth proclaim these eternal facts by willingly, openly, and repeatedly
partaking of the emblems of His suffering. AMEN
Before
we share the sacrament of communion I invite you to join me in singing an old
hymn about the blood of Jesus.
Covered By the Blood
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