Aug 11 (edited) • Sunday Sermon Discussion
Summary of the Sermon: "What A Day That Will Be!" (Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29)
Summary of the Sermon: "What A Day That Will Be!" (Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29)
The sermon, delivered at Covenant Church of Perrysburg on August 10, 2025, explores the significance of the Lord's Supper (Communion), tracing its roots in the Passover, its institution by Jesus, and its forward-looking hope. The core Bible passage is Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29 (ESV):"Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?' He said, 'Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, "The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples."' And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. [...] Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.'"
The sermon is structured around three main points, with sub-points and relevant full Bible verses included below.
Main Point 1: Background for the Lord's Supper
This point connects the Lord's Supper to the historical Passover in Exodus, emphasizing themes of divine judgment and deliverance.
- Sub-point 1.1: Divine Judgment in the PassoverThe Passover was instituted amid God's judgment on Egypt for oppressing Israel and practicing pagan religion. God's patience with sin has limits, and judgment is inevitable—either through eternal condemnation or Christ's substitutionary death. Exodus 1:14 (ESV): "and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves." Exodus 7:13 (ESV): "Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said." Exodus 12:12 (ESV): "For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord." Exodus 14:27 (ESV): "So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the Lord threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea."
- Sub-point 1.2: Divine Deliverance in the PassoverGod graciously provided redemption through the sacrificial lamb's blood, allowing the destroyer to pass over Israelite homes. This prefigures Christ's deliverance, celebrated as a certainty even before full redemption. Exodus 12:23 (ESV): "For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, but when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you." Exodus 14:30 (ESV): "Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore." Exodus 12:17 (ESV): "And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever."
Main Point 2: Institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus
Jesus fulfills the Passover symbolism during His final meal, instituting Communion as a remembrance of His sacrifice. The sermon discusses interpretations (e.g., transubstantiation, consubstantiation, memorial, reformed spiritual presence), favoring the latter for its emphasis on spiritual nourishment.
- Sub-point 2.1: Jesus' Body Was BrokenJesus broke bread as a symbol of His body given for sinners, fulfilling the role of the Passover lamb and bearing God's wrath. Matthew 26:26 (ESV): "Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.'" John 1:29 (ESV): "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'" Isaiah 53:5 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." Luke 22:19 (ESV): "And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" Galatians 3:13 (ESV): "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'—"
- Sub-point 2.2: Jesus' Blood Was ShedThe cup represents Jesus' blood of the new covenant, poured out for forgiveness, expanding Passover's deliverance to freedom from sin and death. This echoes the greater Exodus through Christ. Matthew 26:27-28 (ESV): "And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" Romans 8:2 (ESV): "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." Colossians 1:14 (ESV): "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Hebrews 9:28 (ESV): "so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him."
Main Point 3: Its Remembrance Pointing to Future Glory
The Lord's Supper is not just backward-looking but anticipates Christ's return and eternal fellowship.
- Sub-point 3.1: The Lord's Supper as a Proclamation of the Lord's Death Until He ComesCommunion proclaims Christ's death as a gospel message until His return. 1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV): "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
- Sub-point 3.2: Looking Forward to Future Glory with ChristIt builds anticipation for drinking anew in the Father's kingdom. Matthew 26:29 (ESV): "I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
- Sub-point 3.3: A Dress Rehearsal for the Wedding Feast of the LambThe Supper previews the ultimate marriage supper, exciting believers for eternity. Revelation 19:7-9 (ESV): "Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he said to me, 'These are the true words of God.'
1
1 comment
Summary of the Sermon: "What A Day That Will Be!" (Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29)
Suggested communities
Powered by