THE PRIMACY OF PREACHING

In the book, “The Whole Counsel of God,” the author, Tim Patrick, makes the point in chapter nine that the Word of God is to be central in worship. Practicing what he is preaching, he grounds this exhortation in Scripture, underscoring Acts 2:42, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

The foundation of doctrine—teaching, instruction, exhortation, application—was central to the church as the apostles gathered the people for worship. From that flowed fellowship with one another, as truths they held in common united them, and inspired them in obedience to Christ’s command to partake of the Lord’s Supper and directed them in their prayers. See Patrick’s diagram shared below.

Patrick points out that the church had abandoned preaching—and no wonder it plunged into heresy. Luther ignited the Protestant Reformation by the truth of Scripture and demanded that preaching be restored to the worship of the church.

In this chapter, the author quotes Kent Hughes,

“God’s word must infuse everything. The careful reading of the word must be central. Hymns and songs must be word-saturated. Prayers must be biblically informed, redolent with biblical reality—often reflecting the very language and structure of Scripture. The preaching of the Word of God must be the Word of God. Such service requires principled, prayerful thought and hard work . . . it must happen in our hearts. Corporate worship must be word-centered if it is to glorify God as it ought.” (Worship by the Book, D. A. Carson ed., p. 159).

Paul commanded, 

“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Tim.‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭16‬‬).

His final exhortation to his protege was to, “Preach the Word!” (2 Tim. 4:2a). Let us make sure that when we gather for worship that there is the primacy of preaching. It is why our pulpits are not off to the side, but centrally located. The focus is on the Word of God—not the human instrument, but the Divine message—and all flows from that.

THE LORD’S SUPPER: PAST, PRESENT, PROMISED

Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

Last Lord’s Day, I led the congregation of Calvary Baptist Church in Canton to partake of the Lord’s Supper. It had been many months since this shepherd-less flock had communion and it seemed a special time for them.

The command has been given by Christ, “do this in remembrance of Me,” (v.24). Our Lord added, “This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me,” (v.25). He said,”as often,” but not how often. Some churches will observe the Lord’s Supper weekly, others monthly, some quarterly, but I cannot imagine doing it less than quarterly, or how could it be thought of as, “often.”  It is important, and I trust that you will stress this in your ministry. Here is a digest of what I shared with the people last week, in hope that you will weigh afresh the seriousness, significance, and scope of the Lord’s Supper.  It is the scope of the Lord’s Supper in reference to time that is especially what I want to share: the Lord’s Supper, past, present, promised.

1.  THE PAST GROUND OF FAITH.  There is the command to do this “in remembrance of Me.”  The bread and the cup direct us to look back at the ground of our faith—that Jesus died to save us from our sins. This is justification. 

Jesus speaks of MY BODY WHICH IS GIVEN. As we hold that piece of unleavened bread in our hands, we are reminded of the body of Jesus—beaten, bruised, burdened—and not for crimes He committed, but for the sins we have done. On that precious brow a crown of thorns was thrust, and hammered in with the vicious blows of rods that came down on His head. His beard was pulled and His face was pummeled. His back was ripped open—torn to bloody ribbons by the scourging. Spikes were hammered into His hands and feet and a spear was thrust into His side.  Never forget what Jesus did for you!

He points us to look back at MY BLOOD WHICH IS SHED. Looking into that cup, we see the crimson color that reminds us of blood—the blood of the Lamb. Throughout Scripture we are reminded that the life of the flesh is in the blood, and that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. All those sacrifices of animals in the Old Covenant were repeated over and over for their blood had no power to save, but testified to the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world—Jesus Christ. “What can wash away my sins? Nothing, but the blood of Jesus.”

2.  THE PRESENT GATHERING OF LOVE. Read 1 Cor.11:17-22 for the context. The church was currently in a relational mess—full of discord and division. Paul rebukes them for their selfishness and strife. The Lord’s Supper was meant to bring the people together in the bond of love. This is the present aspect.  It is about sanctification.

 There is A COMMUNION WE HOLD.  This is a family meal for those born into the forever family where God is Father.  We are all served the same thing. It matters not whether you are rich or poor, young or old, male or female.  One doesn’t get more and another less. One doesn’t get served a steak while another has to eat Spam.  The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

Furthermore, we see A COMMISSION WE HAVE. Paul says in v.26 that as we have the Lord’s Supper we “proclaim the Lord’s death.”  We preach the Gospel, and are reminded of our present duty to proclaim the cross to those who are lost. Jesus died for you, but also for those outside the church building walls who are on their way to hell. If we would focus more on our task to make disciples, we would have less time to cause division.

3. THE PROMISED GLORY OF HOPE “till He comes,” is the phrase that focuses our eyes on the promised joy to come. This is glorification. 

This is a call to LOOK UP. This same Jesus who left this world is coming again. Today we experience Him symbolically and spiritually, but there is coming a day when we will be with Him literally. How thrilling!  My prayer is, “Come, Lord Jesus!”  I believe we are getting close!

Then we should LOOK AHEAD. There will come a final Lord’s Supper. It might be this one. It will be superseded by another Supper that we look forward to—the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It is described in Rev.19:6-9. “Christ will gird Himself and serve us with sweet manna all around.”

Only those who are saved are invited to this family meal. If you do not know Christ, then that is the first thing you must do. The invitation is to salvation before we are invited to supper. 

For the redeemed, the verses that follow (27-34) are important. An invitation to the Supper is a call to examination of our soul. Are we repentant? Are we right with others? Are we approaching Christ in a worthy way?

Brothers, as you lead the church in the Lord’s Supper make sure you have not only prepared your sermon, but your soul, also!