The Lord's Supper

Introduction

As we looked at last week one of the differences that makes a Church a Church rather than just a gathering of believers. Last week we looked at Baptism, and this week we will look at the second, The Lord’s Super.

What is the Lord’s Supper?

What does it mean to take the elements of the Lord’s Supper?

Why is it important?

As we will see tonight, The Lord’s Supper is a way to remember Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins. But don’t take my word for it let’s look at what the Bible has to say about it.

God

Matthew 26:26–29 ESV

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.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 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.”

When does this scene take place?

Jesus explains to his disciples the elements of the Lord’s Supper. He says the bread is what? (His body) He says the wine, or grape juice, is what? (His blood).

Both were given to us by Christ, and signifies his sacrifice on the cross where is body was broken for our sake, and his blood was spilled so that our sins could be forgiven.

Just like Baptism, The Lord’s Supper, is a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Every time we partake in the Lord’s Supper, as believers not only ware we identifying with Christ and his sacrifice, but also saying that we remember that his substitution death was in my place as a believer.

But we should not take this remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice lightly. It comes with a warning.

1 Corinthians 11:1–30 ESV

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God. But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. 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, 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.” 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.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 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. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

1 Corinthians 11:28 ESV

Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

1 Corinthians 11:23–29 ESV

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, 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.” 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.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 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. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

1 Corinthians 11:

1 Corinthians 11:23-

Paul is saying how important the Lord’s Supper is to the church. Yes it is a symbol, but it carries a weight of Christ’s death and resurrection! He warns that if you are drinking the cup and eating the bread in an unworthy manner. Ok without knowing any more context, what do you think partaking the cup and the bread in an unworthy manner may mean?

First, if Christ said to us, I want you to observe the Lord’s Supper as a church on a regular basis, and he knows we are sinners, do you think he means we need to be perfect? (NO!)

But, I am sure there are instances where we, as Christians should abstain from taking the Lord’s Supper.

One, if we are holding on to sin, and in that moment not turning away from it. Instead ignoring it, or actively participating in it without guilt or shame then we probably shouldn’t partake in the Lord’s Supper.

Two, if we have sinned against another person, and you have not asked for forgiveness, then we probably shouldn’t partake in the Lord’s Supper.

There are probably other ways too but I don’t think they would apply to us right now but if you have any questions about if you should or not, you can ask me and we can explore it together through the Bible.

Conclusion

The Lord’s Supper is to be taken as a church in community, to remember the sacrifice of Christ on the cross as a payment for our sins. Much like baptism it is a symbol with meaning and significance. The Lord’s Supper is for those who believe in Christ, and for those people to do to remember Christ.

As we have seen over the past couple of weeks we explored what the church was, and what makes a church different than just a group or gathering of believers?

Tonight

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

What is the difference between the Church and just a gathering of believers? (1. Lord’s Supper, 2. Baptism)

Have you ever thought about the Lord’s Supper or taking it in an unworthy manner before?

Why do you believe Christ gave the Church the Lord’s Supper to partake in regularly?

What about the Church have you learned through this series?

Has your views changed on Baptism and the Lord’s Supper? If so, How? If not, why?