Bread of Heaven, Feed Me Till I Want No More

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 29

We continue a year through what we believe as Christians using the Heidelberg Catechism. "While remaining bread and wine, these sacred elements [of the Lord's Supper] nevertheless become so united to the reality they signify that we do not doubt, but joyfully believe, that we receive in this meal by the Spirit through faith nothing less than the crucified body and shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Introduction:

1. Luther ("Real Presence")
2. Zwingli (No Real Presence, only Memorial) on Lord's Supper
3. Calvin

Redemptive History

1. Descent, Ascent, Parousia
2. Ascent > Real Absence (John 14, Acts 1:11)
3. Parousia, Christ comes to consummate all things > new heavens and new earth

But We Partake of the Body and Blood of Christ (HC 79)

1. John 6:51–56
2. "This is my body..."

But if Christ is in Heaven, How do we Partake of Him?

1. Sign and Thing Signified
   o Distinct but not separate: sacramental union
   o United by the Spirit, received through faith
   ̈ 1 Cor. 10:16
   ̈ Raised into the heavenly places
2. What does it mean that we partake of Christ?
   o We receive his person and work, his whole person (divine and human)
   o Blessings
   ̈ What is his becomes ours
   ̈ We become like him: you are what you eat ̈ Comfort for troubled souls

Conclusion:
Ø "I will not be ashamed to confess that it is too high a mystery either for my mind to comprehend or my words to express; and to speak more plainly I rather feel than understand it." –Calvin
Ø Adore the mystery