Seven Benefits to Remember as we Come to The Table

Driving home: Central then to this duty and privilege at the Lord's table, that of remembrance, is not a general remembrance of the Lord Jesus in all of the facets of the glory, of his person, and the manifold nature of his work, but …

The cross of Christ is likened to a diamond with seven major facets. As the diamond is turned, different facets of Christ's glorious work in dying for sinners flash forth, intended to draw out fresh acts of faith, worship, love, and praise from believers.

So that this is not a Supper of Remembrance merely, of the person and the work of Christ, but uniquely of the person of Christ as giving himself to us in death, and the work that he accomplished in the pouring out of his blood on our behalf. And what I want to do tonight is simply to turn to several texts in the Word of God, which I trust will aid us, in our commitment to do exactly what the Lord Jesus intends we should do at his table, that is, to take the bread and the cup in remembrance of him, a remembrance which comes to focus upon his death for sinners. And I want you to liken what we're...

2:53 - 4:15 Read in full sermon

The point: Allow the different facets of Christ's work in dying for sinners to flash forth from the Word of God and draw out fresh actings of faith, worship, love, and praise.

A valued object embedded in lucite or plexiglass, clearly seen but untouchable, is used to illustrate how the cross of Christ is embedded in the heart of the diamond, allowing its facets to be viewed and meditated upon.

But I'm sure you've seen these little trinkets and sometimes little decorating pieces, the pieces to put on desks, where someone takes some either unique or valued object, object and has it embedded in lucite or in plexiglass so that the item is clearly seen, but you can't touch it and get to it. It is seen through that plexiglass or through that clear plastic which is molded around it. And I would like you to think of our meditation tonight as the cross of Christ embedded in the heart of this diamond with seven facets. So it is the one work of Christ upon the cross, but when we turn that diam...

4:15 - 5:42 Read in full sermon

The point: Remember that Christ died to ensure we shall be given everything essential to complete our salvation as you come to the table.

If a wealthy man gives a handful of diamonds, one would not hesitate to ask for a paper bag. Similarly, if God has given His Son (the diamonds), He will surely give everything else needed for salvation (the paper bag), demonstrating His generosity.

If he died, the old illustration, if a wealthy man were prepared to give you a handful of diamonds, surely you would not scruple to ask him for a paper bag in which to hold for fear he might be too stingy. If God has given his son, that's the handful of diamonds. Everything else needed. And because he gave his son, he's committed for everything else to take us safely to heaven.

35:43 - 36:15 Read in full sermon