The Lord's Supper (04/03/24)

That word strife doesn’t mean that they were simply arguing about the matter of who would be the greatest amongst them but that there was, on the part of each one of them, a readiness to quarrel; an eagerness to argue.

It was almost as if they were looking for a reason to get into it with each other.

But, should it come as any surprise to us that here, the night of Christ’s betrayal; the night before his trial and ultimate death that Satan would seek to stir up the pot and do his best to keep Christ from following through with His mission to die on the cross to be the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world?

James 3:16 KJV 1900

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

And, who is the author of confusion?

1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV 1900

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

If God is not the author of confusion, who is? The devil is!

Consider, just for a moment, the fact that this verse - 1 Cor. 14:33 - is just a few chapters after 1 Corinthians chapter 11, where Paul speaks of the Lord’s Supper.

Turn to and read 1 Corinthians 11:17-22.

1 Corinthians 11:17–19 KJV 1900

Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

It is possible to be gathered together within the same physical space but for there still to be a spirit of division among others. (vs. 18)

The word heresies in vs. 19 is not, in this context, referring to specific false doctrine but instead speaking of cliques within the church.

1 Corinthians 1:10–12 KJV 1900

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

The Lord’s Supper is a perfect opportunity to not only 1) make sure that we are right with God but also that 2) we are right with one another.

SCBC Church Covenant

Having been led, as we believe, by the Holy Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, and,

upon the profession of our faith having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now,

in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love,

to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort;

to promote its prosperity and spirituality;

to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines:

to contribute cheerfully, regularly, and liberally to the support of its ministry – the expenses of the church, the missionary work thereof, and when necessary, the relief of the poor.

We also most solemnly pledge to maintain family and secret devotions;

to spiritually train our children;

to seek diligently and untiringly the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances;

to walk circumspectly in the world;

to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment;

to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger;

to abstain from the sale and use of all intoxicating drinks as beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ in every sphere of our lives.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love;

to remember each other in prayer;

to aid each other in sickness, and distress;

to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech;

to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and, mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church of like faith where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Holy Word.

The Lord’s Supper

Invitation: Opportunity to 1) get right with God and 2) get right with others.

Have deacons come to front to assist in passing out the elements of the Lord’s Supper.

Call on one of the deacons to pray and thank God for the elements.

Mark 14:22–24 KJV 1900

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

After taking part in the elements…

Mark 14:26 KJV 1900

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

Sing first verse of “There’s Within My Heart a Melody.”

Dismiss.

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