The Lord's Supper
A Sermon on the Lord's Supper
Originally preached Dec. 3, 1954
Scripture
Sermon Description
In this sermon on the Lord’s Supper, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones concludes his series of sermons on the sacraments with this message, focusing specifically on communion. Like baptism, communion is a sign to the recipient of God’s work in the believer, and also a reminder of the seal of the Holy Spirit living in him or her. However, communion is uniquely vivid in signifying the Lord’s death in the breaking of the bread and pouring out of the wine. As with the water for baptism, Catholics believe that God’s grace is actually in the bread and juice of communion, an idea called transubstantiation—the false thinking that the bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Jesus. Dr. Lloyd-Jones takes the listener through the arguments for and against this, showing that it is an unbiblical idea. Who is able to take communion? As with baptism, Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates from Scripture that communion is only for those who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The Lord's Supper is one of two sacraments recognized in the Protestant church, along with baptism.
- The Lord's Supper has been a subject of debate and controversy, especially since the Reformation. Much of the controversy stems from additions made by the Roman Catholic church, not the biblical teaching itself.
- There are two main views of the Lord's Supper: the Catholic view of transubstantiation, and the Protestant view of the Lord's Supper as a sign and seal.
- Transubstantiation is the belief that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Jesus. This was defined as doctrine in the 12th century.
- The attempt to base transubstantiation on Jesus's words "this is my body" is unscriptural and unreasonable. Jesus was speaking metaphorically.
- The Lutheran view of consubstantiation is that Jesus's body and blood are present "with and under" the bread and wine. This is also unsatisfactory.
- The views of the reformers Zwingli and Calvin are that the Lord's Supper is a sign and seal, not a literal transformation.
- The primary thing signified by the Lord's Supper is Jesus's death. We proclaim his death by partaking of the bread and wine.
- The Lord's Supper also signifies our participation in Christ's death and our union with him.
- The Lord's Supper signifies our participation in the new covenant and all its benefits.
- The Lord's Supper signifies that we receive life and strength from Christ, as we feed on him spiritually.
- The Lord's Supper signifies the union of believers with one another. We are one body in Christ.
- The Lord's Supper not only signifies these things but also seals them to us. God assures us of these benefits as we partake.
- We should partake of the Lord's Supper with thanksgiving, remembering what it seals to us.
- Only believers should partake of the Lord's Supper. It depends on faith, not the elements themselves.
- Weak and sinful believers may partake, if repentant. But those living in unrepentant sin should refrain.
- God may chastise those who partake unworthily, to bring them to repentance. But this does not mean they are lost.
- The Lord's Supper does not provide any grace beyond what we receive from the Word. It intensifies and makes more effective the grace we receive through the Word.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Lord's Supper: Questions and Answers
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the two main sacraments recognized in Protestant churches?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, there are only two sacraments recognized in the Protestant church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. He states early in the sermon, "You remember that in dealing with what are called the sacraments in general, we reminded ourselves that there are but two that are recognized in the protestant church in general, baptism and the Lord's supper."
What is the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that transubstantiation is the belief that "as the result of the action of the priest, that the very bread is changed literally into the body of the Lord Jesus Christ." He notes that this doctrine began appearing in the Middle Ages but wasn't officially defined until the 12th century. He explains that Catholics distinguish between the "substance" of the bread which they believe changes into Christ's body, and the "accidents" (appearance, texture, taste) which remain unchanged.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones refute the Catholic interpretation of "This is my body"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers two main rebuttals to the Catholic literal interpretation of "This is my body": 1. Christ was physically present when He said these words: "There was our Lord standing in his body. How could he therefore mean that that bread there in front of him was actually his body?" 2. Jesus also said, "This cup is the New Testament in my blood," and Lloyd-Jones argues: "if they insist upon the is in the one case, they must insist upon it in the other. And therefore say that the wine doesn't matter at all, it's the cup that matters."
What are the main things signified by the Lord's Supper according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the Lord's Supper signifies: 1. The Lord's death - "as often as y eat this bread and drink this cup, you do show proclaim the Lord's death till he come" 2. The believer's participation in the crucified Christ - our union with Him and participation in His death 3. Our participation in all the benefits of the new covenant 4. That believers receive life and strength from Christ Himself 5. The union of believers with one another - "we, being many, are one bread and one body"
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean when he says the Lord's Supper "seals" things to believers?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the Lord's Supper not only signifies or represents spiritual truths but also "seals" them to believers. By this, he means it confirms and assures believers of the benefits of Christ's death. He says, "When we come to the communion table...God is telling us that we are participators in the benefits of this new covenant. It seals them all to us." He compares it to "handing me a document with a seal on it" or a wedding ring that assures the wearer of their spouse's love.
Who should partake of the Lord's Supper according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that only believers should partake of the Lord's Supper. He emphasizes that faith is essential: "There is no value in eating the bread and drinking the wine if you don't do so in faith." He clarifies that this includes weak believers and repentant sinners, sharing a story about Rabbi Duncan telling a weeping, repentant woman to take communion because "He died for sinners." However, he warns against those who are "living in sin and who are not repentant" participating in communion.
Does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe there is special grace given in the Lord's Supper?
No, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explicitly states that the Lord's Supper "does nothing more than the word does" and "There is no new or additional grace given in the Lord's supper." He explains that what it does is "add to the effectiveness of the word" and "add to our receiving of the grace." He uses the illustration of a man putting a ring on his fiancée's finger - the man doesn't love her more at that moment, but the action intensifies and makes more effective the love that was already there.
What consequences does Dr. Lloyd-Jones warn about for those who take communion unworthily?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns that those who take communion unworthily without examining themselves may face divine chastisement. He references Paul's words that "many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep" because they wouldn't judge themselves. He explains this means some became physically weak, others became ill, and some even died as God's chastisement - not that they were lost eternally, but that God was disciplining them to prevent them from being "condemned with the world."
Great Biblical Doctrines
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.