Command of Christ #4

You loved your youth group well, in going to watch Chrissa and a little bit of Dayson’s game. Thank you.

If you could invite anyone to supper who would it be?

Why does the church do the Lord’s Supper?

Which do you like better? the juice or cracker?

When should to the Lord’s Supper be done?

How should it be done?

Names for Communion?

Lord’s Supper, Communion.

Matthew 26:26–30 (ESV)

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

This is the first Lord’s Supper.

What is happening here? Jesus is foreshadowing His death and they have no idea. He is telling them of his death which will allow new life and forgiveness of sins. So this is the first time it takes place, but what can we learn from it now? Since it has happened why does it matter to us? We are going to look at a letter to some people on the same side of the cross as us.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Point 1: Communion is done in remembrance of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

We do the Lord’s supper as a things to remember Jesus. How does it show him?

What does he mean by “this is my body” and “this is my blood?” Is it literal?

No, its symbolic. It’s symbolic of what? It is to remember how they crucified Jesus, breaking his body and shedding his blood.

Point 2: It is the sign of the new covenant.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Old Covenant is with Israel. New covenant is with those who believe. It shows that those who take it are in relationship with him? It is honoring to God for his children to partake in the Lord’s Supper together. He wants us to display the new covenant to other believers as well as the lost people around us. It is done in remembrance of Jesus, but it is also a picture of the new covenant we have with him that others can come into as well.

1 Corinthians 11:27–34 (ESV)

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

Point 3: Communion should be taken with a clean heart and clear conscience.

If we take communion in an unworthy manner, we are taking judgement upon ourselves. It even says in verse 30 that some have been sick and died because of it. This is because it is done in a covenant with God and God takes His covenants with people seriously. If we stray from him and cast judgement on ourselves, he will bring us back to right relationship whatever the means, and the same is true through his use of the Lord’s supper.

How can we have a clean heart and clear conscience? Ask God if there is any sin in your life that you have build up in front of him. Ask him to cleans you and create a clean heart for you. To renew your Spirit within you.

Psalm 51:7–12 “7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

I want each of you to take a second by yourself to ask God where you are with him? Relationship? No Relationship? Relationship with sin? Relationship with clear conscience? What is holding you back from inviting someone else to join in the family of Christ by turning from their sin and self? Maybe I just described you not being willing to turn from your sin and self to be in relationship in New Covenant with him, why? What is keeping from it? Come talk to me about those things.Ask God to clean you up and make you right with him again. If you have never, ask him to bring you into relationship with him now.

Do the Lord’s Supper together.

Why does this matter tonight? What does it matter to us long term.

It is right for us to observe this to remember the grace that God has shown us. We should always be looking to be introspective in our lives.

At the beginning I asked who you would want to invite to dinner? Do you remember that person? When I first mentioned it you probably thought I meant actual dinner rather than the Lord’s supper, but I think it brings us to a good point that we should desire to have those friends or family that we mentioned to join us in the Lord’s supper as well. What does it mean that they would join us in it as well? They would be a part of the New Covenant. That they would be in relationship with Jesus. That we would invite them to follow Jesus as well and join us at the table with God to take part in communion to remember his sacrifice and show that we are in covenant with him. That they too would be able to have a clear conscience and heart in relationship with Christ. What is holding you back from inviting someone else to join in the family of Christ by turning from their sin and self? Maybe I just described you not being willing to turn from your sin and self to be in relationship in New Covenant with him, why? What is keeping from it? Come talk to me about those things. I’d love to sort through it with you. Maybe its a friend you know that need to hear the hope that is found in Christ?

Do it this week. Share Jesus with someone and invite them to join you at the table.

Main Points

Communion is done in remembrance of Jesus.

It is the sign of the new covenant.

Communion should be taken with a clean heart and clear conscience.

Takeaways

Invite others to be in relationship with him.

Be made right with him.

Continually be reminded of his grace and the gift we have in communion.

Acts 2:41–47 (ESV)

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Point 1: Doing communion is a mark of a healthy church.

Acts 2:41–47 (ESV)

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.