Lord's Supper

As I come to the table, I will consider His compassion in light of the cross and His power in light of the resurrection.

1 Corinthians 11:23–34 HCSB

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way, after supper He also took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by 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. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you gather together you will not come under judgment. And I will give instructions about the other matters whenever I come.

Looking back

Looking back

The cross comes into view. God showed His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

He did not do this for those who already loved Him. For anyone who, as though we could, had earned His affection. But for we who still had enmity between us.

How Jesus saw the cross should color how we see the cross. who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising its shame and has sat down at the right hand of the Father.

The cross was not the joy. The cross was the shame. Because He became sin. Our sin. But the joy was us!

He died. That is a fact. How He died, though, brings into focus how deeply we are loved by the entirety the GodHead.

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

How deep the Father's love for us How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory Behold the man upon a cross My sin upon His shoulders Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom

We look back, and thankfulness wells up within our hearts! When we are full of thankfulness, we are not hungry for what keeps us from coming to this table.

Looking ahead

Yes, to the return of Christ, but more urgently to what God would have us do between now and when He calls us home.

Our time is short!

We also look forward to having communion with Jesus Himself in Heaven.

Looking within

We examine our own hearts. The disciples were expected to do the same at the Last Supper. They kind of got caught up examining each other’s though. They asked who it would be that betrayed Him. Quickly, the answer was revealed. I dont think knowing the answer brought any kind of satisfaction to them. The spilled contents of another’s heart rarely does.

We certainly dont want to take it in an unworthy manner. And when we knowingly hold on to sin, we are guilty.

Not that we have to be worthy to receive it (we cannot create our own worthiness), but that we take it in a worthy manner.

Metallurgy- testing of metal so as to prove its genuine-ness.

Looking around

Why compassion? We live in a world that desperately needs Jesus! There is suffering and trouble everywhere we turn.

Matthew used the term compassion frequently in his writing. He was a tax collector. Jesus’ compassion was likely a marvel to him.

“When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd.” “Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.”

Because our compassion reflects His compassion.

Why power? Living in a world filled with suffering and trouble is hard. “In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer: I have over come the world!”

It is the power to overcome sin. To live a life that glorifies Him.

(HCSB) — 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sin’s dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin,

Because His power lives within us! The power to overcome sin and move boldly into a world that needs His compassion.

So let’s take these four and prepare ourselves for Communion.

music

prayer time

deacons

The Holman Christian Standard Bible Chapter 11

On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”

The Holman Christian Standard Bible Chapter 11

25 In the same way, after supper He also took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”