Lutherna View of Church and State

LESSON ELEVEN

2007-2008

SANCTIFICATION

I. “Remember when...?” (p. 160)

A. For most American Protestants, sacrament of the altar:

1. Is primarily a way to arouse memories of Jesus; or

2. A fellowship meal in which congregation shares in act of Christian hospitality.

3. Measured only by mood of sentiment created.

B. Lord’s Supper

1. Best understood in light of the Incarnation.

2. Since Jesus:

a. Has taken on human flesh.

b. Without sacrificing any of His divinity.

3. He is now able to distribute that same flesh in connection with the earthly elements of the sacrament.

4. The true body and blood of Christ are really present.

II. What did Jesus mean? (p. 160)

A. “This is my body; this is my blood.”

B. Some say he meant “This represents”.

C. 1Co 11:23-26

1. Sober mood of evening is stressed.

2. This was the last Passover He was to celebrate with His friends.

3. Neither the time or the place for picture language.

4. Uses straight-forward, simple, declarative sentences.

D. We must be faithful to His words!

1. Mt 26:26-28.

2. Mk 14:22-24.

3. Lk 22:19,20.

4. (1Co 11:23-25).

5. In all four, Jesus identifies His blood in the supper with the new testament.

III. Testament and Seal (p. 161)

A. “Testament”

1. Word well-known to men who heard His words.

2. Recalled the granting of the covenant at Sinai, where God’s agreement with His people was signed, sealed and delivered in animal blood.

B. “A blood sacrifice”.

1. Ex 24:1-3” “everything we will do.”

2. Ex 24:4-8.

a. Half of blood in bowls.

b. Half sprinkled on the altar.

c. Constituted God’s good intentions toward His people and His covenant offer to them.

d. Again: “we will obey”.

e. Now the testament was sealed.

3. God was establishing a covenant with them.

a. Since animals had been offered Him, it was His blood.

b. God was sprinkling His blood on His people.

c. Showed intimate bond between God and His people.

C. At Last Supper

1. Jesus established His last will and testament for His church.

2. Signed and sealed with His own blood.

3. This time, the Lamb of God, about to offer His blood on altar of the cross, now distributing that same blood to His disciples.

4. This time, this was the very blood of the Son of God.

5. 1Jn 1:7.

IV. A “real reality” (p. 164)

A. He means to distribute to His church His very body and blood.

B. Is, therefore:

1. A sign and seal of the forgiveness of our sins.

2. A continual reminder that God includes us in His Kingdom.

C. Value can not be overestimated.

D. He gives us reality, not symbol.

E. Properly understood, the sacrament can be an effective experiential event.

F. It is where He has promised to meet us!