Discerning the Lord's Body

Grace Bible Church of Conway's Podcast

Jeffrey Johnson began his sermon by sharing his experiences from a recent youth camp, where he was deeply impressed by the respectful and spiritually engaged behavior of the young attendees. He emphasized the significance of seeking a personal relationship with Christ, likening it to maintaining a deep friendship through transparency and dedication. Johnson stressed the necessity of personal communion with Christ, independent of church activities, while still valuing the church community.
He then discussed the importance of discerning the Lord's body, particularly in the context of the Lord's Supper. Johnson criticized the behavior of the Corinthian church members, comparing their lack of discernment during communion to disruptive boys at a funeral. He highlighted three key points: the Lord's Supper should symbolize unity among believers, but the Corinthians' behavior caused division; the bread and wine are sacred symbols representing Christ's body and blood, not ordinary food; and participants must introspect and recognize their own misbehavior to partake in communion worthily.
Johnson explained different theological views on the Lord's Supper, rejecting both transubstantiation and consubstantiation, and advocating for a memorialist perspective. He urged the congregation to remember Christ's sacrifice—His broken body and spilled blood—as a profound act of love and substitutionary atonement, which frees believers from God's wrath. He concluded by encouraging believers to partake in the Lord's Supper with faith and confidence, reflecting on Christ's sacrifice and the forgiveness it offers, leading to guilt-free joy and spiritual nourishment.