The Lords Supper
A Sermon on John 1:16
Originally preached May 3, 1964
Scripture
16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Sermon Description
What is the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper? In this sermon on the Lord’s Supper from John 1:16, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the meaning and importance of the Lord’s Supper in the Christian life. He begins by examining other views that have been held throughout Church history and are now believed by other denominations. He explains why views like transubstantiation, as held by the Roman Catholic Church, are unbiblical. The Lord’s Supper is important not because it is actually the physical body and blood of Jesus, he says, but it is important because it represents the death of Christ in the believers’ place. It is not some sort of mystical means of communicating grace, but it is a testament to the fact that Jesus died for sinners, and that all who believe in Him are saved through His blood. The Lord’s Supper is an essential part of sanctification because it is a reminder of who Christians are now, and it testifies to His death for the Church. “What does this sermon mean to me?” someone may ask. The message of Jesus is for all people, of all places and times, because it is the message of salvation. The Lord’s Supper declares that all who believe in Jesus are made righteous before God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon focuses on explaining the meaning and significance of the sacraments, specifically the Lord's Supper.
- The sermon outlines the Roman Catholic view of the sacraments, which believes that the sacraments actually convey grace and that the bread and wine transform into the actual body and blood of Christ. This view is called transubstantiation.
- The sermon then outlines the Reformed Protestant view of the sacraments. This view sees the sacraments as "efficacious means of grace" that signify, seal, and exhibit the benefits of Christ's mediation. The sacraments strengthen faith and promote sanctification.
- The Reformed view believes that the Lord's Supper signifies Christ's death, seals the new covenant, signifies the unity of believers, and actually conveys grace to those who receive it with faith.
- The sermon emphasizes that the Lord's Supper is for all believers, regardless of the state of their faith or obedience. It is a "strengthening ordinance."
- The sermon concludes by arguing that the Lord's Supper plays a unique role in promoting sanctification by reminding believers of Christ's work on their behalf and conveying grace to them.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding of the Sacraments in Christian Faith According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' definition of a Christian?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "A Christian is a man who has received of the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God." He emphasizes that Christianity isn't merely about belief or having an experience, but about "literally receiving of the fullness that is in the Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." This understanding forms the foundation for his teaching on the sacraments.
What are the different views of sacraments that Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines three main views:
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The Zwinglian view (Swiss Reformers): Sacraments are simply symbols that present truth visually - "just another way of preaching and no more." They are objective illustrations of the Gospel.
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The Roman Catholic view: Sacraments actually convey grace in material form. Through transubstantiation, the bread literally becomes Christ's body and the wine literally becomes His blood through priestly consecration (works "ex opera operato").
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The Reformed view: Sacraments are "efficacious means of grace, not merely exhibiting, but actually conferring upon those who worthily receive them the benefits which they represent" - but only when received by faith.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the Reformed understanding of sacraments?
He explains that in the Reformed view, sacraments both signify and seal grace. He quotes the Westminster Larger Catechism definition that a sacrament is "a holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church to signify, seal, and exhibit to those who are within the covenant of grace the benefits of his mediation."
The sacraments not only represent Christ's sacrifice (like the Zwinglian view) but actually seal God's promises to believers. He uses the analogy of an engagement ring - it doesn't just symbolize love but seals a commitment in a tangible way that words alone cannot.
What benefits do the sacraments provide according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, when properly received, the Lord's Supper:
- Signifies Christ's death - "Ye do show the Lord's death till he come"
- Reminds us of the new covenant ratified by Christ's blood
- Reminds us of our unity in Christ
- Seals and conveys the benefits of Christ's redemption
- Provides assurance of forgiveness and God's promise to "be their God"
- Strengthens our faith and sanctification
As he states: "In this whole matter of our sanctification that the sacrament of the Lord's supper occupies a unique place."
Who should partake of the Lord's Supper according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that all believers in Christ are invited, not just those who feel worthy. He states: "The question I ask you before you come to this table is not have you lived a perfect life... All I am entitled to ask you is this: Are you trusting to Jesus Christ and him crucified?"
He particularly emphasizes that it's for weak believers as well as strong ones, calling it "a strengthening ordinance." He shares the story of Rabbi Duncan who told a hesitant, weeping woman: "Take it woman. He died for sinners." Lloyd-Jones concludes: "In a sense, the fact that she was an unworthy sinner is her best title to taking it."
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.