Aspire Notes Session 2

The Lord’s Supper (Chapter 4)

Mark 14:22–25 ESV

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

How does the Lord’s Supper relate to the Passover meal?

How is the Lord’s Supper “participation” in the body and blood of Jesus? (p. 47)

Christ is present by the power of His Spirit and we are having “communion” with Him

The Holy Spirit ministers the spiritual presence of Christ to us in the Lord’s Supper.

The Baptist Faith and Message connects the ordinances like this:

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper.

The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.

Our denominational confession makes baptism a prerequisite. Why?

If baptism is the front door of the church, how does the Lord’s Supper seal off the backdoor?

Spurgeon and Communion tickets Example

Pastorally, why is it so important that pastors fence the table?

Prayer (Chapter 5)

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

What stood out to you about Davidson’s comments on the Scriptures about prayer on p. 52-53?

How does knowing that prayer depends on Christ and not us change the way we pray?

In what ways do we end up trying to “be the means of grace to someone” and not “use the means of grace” on behalf of someone?

What does it mean to pray in the name of the Son?

What does it mean to pray according to the will of the Father?

How does the Holy Spirit help us in prayer?

How should pastors pray for the adversity in the lives of their people?

Green Pastures (Chapter 6) Focus on the Lord’s Day

Hebrews 10:24–26 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

The 1689 LBC is fully Sabbatarian.

Three-fold division of the Law

Moral (10 Commandments)

Positive Commands: Civil, Ceremonial

Davidson and the 1689 argue that full Sabbath honoring continues on the Lord’s Day.

Sabbath shifted to Sunday with Christ’s resurrection

Many 1689 churches have morning and evening services on Sundays to reflect the morning and evening sacrifices in the OT

The Regulative Principle

Put simply, the regulative principle of worship states that the corporate worship of God is to be founded upon specific directions of Scripture.

Derek Thomas

See the Word (ordinances)

Sing the Word (Psalm, hymns, spiritual songs)

Pray the Word (Acts 2)

Preach the Word (Acts 2)

Read the Word

1 Timothy 4:13 ESV

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

This is what we aim to practice to the best of our ability each Sunday with the faith that God will honor His own Word

This is why we shifted to Is. 6 as a guide for our liturgy in 2021

The Normative Principle

We can do anything that is not specifically prohibited.

This opens the door wide to all sorts of madness.

Many believe the Regulative Principle is restrictive, but regulation doesn’t equal restriction.

Ex… Lebron James’ regulation of his body compared to my normative body

Meet us on a Tuesday at breakfast and I might seem more free than him...

But if you put me or him on the court—who would look more restricted?

NEXT MEETING IS JUNE 24… First 6 chapters of True Love