Zac Poonen - Breaking Of Bread Sermons

The sermon emphasizes that participating in the Lord's Table requires a thorough self-examination concerning both one's relationship with God (vertical) and one's relationship with fellow believers (horizontal). Self-examination means confessing sins to God and making amends with others; the horizontal aspect signifies commitment and fellowship within the local church body. Taking part lightly, either by neglecting personal confession or by lacking commitment to the community, risks spiritual judgment.

The speaker emphasizes that true Christian commitment is demonstrated by active participation, not just attendance. Drawing from the analogy of the body, he argues that every member must contribute, warning against spiritual passivity like a paralyzed hand. He concludes by encouraging listeners to assess their contributions, reminding them that God only asks what we are able to do, referencing the woman who poured out the ointment.

The speaker urges listeners to treat the truth of the cross—that Jesus died for sinners—as a fresh, profound experience rather than a familiar ritual. He emphasizes the necessity of taking the blame for others, even when it is not our fault, mirroring Christ's sacrifice. Ultimately, the message calls for a commitment to forgiveness and building a life with spiritual safeguards, ensuring one does not cause others to fall.

The sermon discusses the Lord's Supper, emphasizing that participating in it requires understanding the spiritual meaning of the bread and cup. The speaker stresses that the New Covenant, symbolized by Christ's blood, requires a commitment to overcome sin, not merely acknowledging past failures. A key warning is given regarding taking part in the meal in an 'unworthy manner,' which the speaker contrasts with accidental sin, pointing to Judas Iscariot as an example of deliberate betrayal.

The speaker explains that participating in the Lord's Supper involves proclaiming two things: that Jesus died for our sins, and that he is coming. He emphasizes that the death of Christ was to save us from sin, not merely to transport us to heaven. True proclamation means recognizing that Christ saves us from sin and rescues us from the world's grips—money, sinful pleasure, and the pursuit of honor—and that our ultimate longing should be freedom from sin.

The speaker emphasizes the profound significance of examining oneself before participating in the Lord's Supper, remembering that Jesus suffered immense agony on the cross for personal sin. He stresses that this observance is not merely a ritual but a deep acknowledgment of sin and a longing for fellowship with Christ, which should be maintained daily through meditation on scripture. Ultimately, the message centers on cultivating a fervent, personal love relationship with Jesus Christ above all else.

The speaker emphasizes that God shows no partiality to anyone, meaning what He does for one, He can do for all who seek Him wholeheartedly. Finding God requires a sincere, all-heart search, as neglecting this pursuit leads to spiritual wandering. True spiritual fulfillment comes from earnestly desiring the Lord, much like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, which requires deep study of scripture.

The speaker emphasizes that believers must recognize that they owe everything to Jesus Christ for salvation, drawing an analogy of being saved from a fatal accident. He warns against approaching God or others with demands, stressing that true gratitude means accepting that Christ has already done enough. Living with this attitude of complete indebtedness leads to freedom from anxiety, bitterness, and expectation.

The speaker emphasizes that Christian gatherings, like breaking bread, should always be marked by a spirit of celebration because of the resurrection of Jesus. He contrasts the initial disciples' gloom before the resurrection with the joy of the early church, urging listeners to live with the hope that nothing God cannot solve. True gloom should only exist over unconfessed sin, unresolved conflict, or unaccepted correction, not over general life circumstances.

The speaker analyzes the biblical account of Jesus singing a hymn after the Last Supper, interpreting it as a moment of joyful anticipation for the cross. He emphasizes that true Christian joy is found in accepting the sacrifice of the cross, drawing parallels to Nehemiah's reminder that the joy of the Lord is strength. Ultimately, the message urges listeners to embrace the cross by saying 'yes' to God's will during temptation, rather than resisting it like Peter.

The sermon focuses on the institution of the Lord's Supper, comparing it to the Passover and emphasizing that the breaking of bread is fundamentally an expression of an earnest desire for fellowship with Christ. The speaker warns that participating in this ritual without a genuine desire to confess and give up sin is dangerous, as it amounts to crucifying Christ again by rejecting the atonement for sin. True participation requires acknowledging one's unworthiness and focusing on sin's removal, not merely a desire for heavenly reward.

The sermon emphasizes that the Christian body is one, composed of many diverse members, and every gift is necessary. It warns against both inferiority complexes, where members feel useless, and superiority complexes, where members feel indispensable. The speaker encourages recognizing that every contribution, no matter how small—from teaching to simple acts of help—is vital to the body's function.

The sermon uses the Lord's Supper narrative to warn against spiritual complacency and betrayal. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship requires constant self-examination, urging listeners to always ask, "Lord, is it I?" Genuine repentance, marked by deep sorrow for sin, is contrasted with mere restitution or intellectual acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Daily repentance is presented as the active process of striving to become more like Christ, which is the difference between eternal life and damnation.

The sermon draws from Revelation 5 to illustrate that true worship in heaven is entirely centered on Jesus Christ, requiring believers to humble themselves and be small in their own eyes. The speaker emphasizes that sin is fundamentally rebellion against God's authority, and only Jesus, who was slain, was qualified to pay the price for humanity's redemption. Following Jesus means adopting a 'lion-lamb combination': being fearless against sin and the devil, yet meek and willing to endure suffering before people.

The sermon emphasizes that true Christian fellowship requires both a vertical relationship with Jesus and a horizontal commitment to the body of Christ. Treating the church like a mere restaurant, where one only consumes without contributing, is insufficient; believers must actively serve like members of a family. God values willingness to serve according to one's current ability, as demonstrated by the unity found in sharing in the fellowship of Christ's body.

The sermon focuses on the command, "Do this in remembrance of me," during the Lord's Supper, emphasizing that it requires more than mere theological understanding. True participation means embodying Jesus's willingness to die for those who hated or despised him, mirroring his ultimate love for sinners. The speaker urges the congregation to move beyond admiring Christ's love to actively desiring to live that sacrificial, forgiving attitude.

The central message is that pride is the greatest obstacle to spiritual growth, and the cross of Jesus Christ is the ultimate antidote to pride. The speaker warns against comparing oneself to others, judging others' faith practices, or assuming one's own understanding of scripture is superior. True humility involves recognizing that God is the only judge and focusing on following Christ rather than merely admiring Him.

The speaker emphasizes that following God's word must be done exactly as scripture dictates, using the example of the Tabernacle's completion. Regarding the Lord's Table, he stresses that participation requires a genuine, private commitment to Christ, not just attendance. Ultimately, true participation requires self-examination, acknowledging that God sees the inner life which we cannot fully reveal, and that our commitment must be rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus.

The speaker discusses the significance of observing the Lord's Table, drawing from 1 Corinthians 10 and 11. He emphasizes that participation requires more than just claiming faith; one must demonstrate a life that actively stays away from sin. The observance reminds believers of the cross's dual nature—vertical relationship with God and horizontal fellowship with others—and warns against spiritual deception or betrayal within the body of Christ.