Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper
1 Cor 11:26-28, John 14:1-3, John 6:47-51, Luke 22:7-15, Mark 14:23-24
1. Two Ordinances in the Baptist Church (Baptism & Lord's Supper – represent the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus)
a. Ordinance = authoritative command or order
2. The beginning - The Passover Meal (Exodus 12)
a. One year old male goat or sheep with no defects
b. The blood must be placed on the top & sides of the doorframe so that the
"Death Angel" would Passover that house.
c. It was the final plague on Egypt and the freedom for a nation - it even
changed the calendar for Israel (this month would be the first of their
year)
3. The fulfillment - Jesus said He was the fulfillment of the Law
a. The Lord's Supper as we call it was His last meal before His crucifixion,
death, & resurrection.
b. These events brought freedom to the individual - as well changed our
calendar. Our Sabbath went from Saturday (traditional Jewish day of
worship to Sunday (resurrection day).
c. Again there was a need for a lamb, but this time it would be the Holy
Lamb of God. The once and for all sacrifice.
d. His blood when placed over the doors to our hearts causes the "Death
Angel" to Passover.
4. The future - The Wedding Feast (Rev 19: 6-7)
a. When the Lamb of God sits down with His Bride - the Church
b. All those who placed the blood of Jesus over the doorways to their hearts
will be united with Him forever.
c. Again the calendar will change because there will be a new heaven & new
earth.
5. The Lord's Supper or Communion has three main pillars:
a. There should be an act of Examination
1. 27It follows that if anyone eats the Lord's bread or drinks from
his cup in a way that dishonors him, he or she is guilty of sin
against the Lord's body and blood. 28So then, you should all
examine yourselves first, and then eat the bread and drink from
the cup. (1 Cor 11:27-28)
2. I want us to have a time of reflection (play Just As I Am)
b. There should be an act of Proclamation
1 . This means that every time you eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Cor 11 :26)
C. There should be an act of Anticipation
1 . "Do not be worried and upset," Jesus told them. "Believe0 in God and believe also in me. 2There are many rooms in my Father's house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so.d 3And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am (John 14: 1-3)
6. Prepare the Table by Removing the Cloth
a. Front of the table "Do This in Remembrance of Me" - can I suggest to
you that Jesus was not just wanting the disciples to remember him only
during Passover, or even for us to remember him only quarterly or even
weekly (as our Church of Christ Brothers do). I think Jesus was stating
that just as your body needs physical replenishing (3 times a day or more)
- so does your spiritual self to be energized by thinking and remembering
him daily and several times a day. Can't you just see Peter after his denial
and Jesus resurrection when he is preparing to address the crowd at
Pentecost as he breaks bread and "remembers his friend - Jesus"
b. Jesus made preparation - And the day of unleavened bread came, on
which the passover must be sacrificed. 8And he sent Peter and John,
saying, Go and make ready for us the passover, that we may eat. (Luke 22:7-8)
C. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With longing I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16for I say unto you, I shall not eat it, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God (Luke 22:14-15)
7. (Have Deacon Pray for Bread) Serve the Bread
47 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51 1 am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:47-51)
b. And so shall we all Partake
8. The Bible says: And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. (Mark 14:23-24)
a. Pray for the Cup and Serve
b. In years passed as I looked at the cup before you, I have had
several thoughts: 1 - as you see the light shimmer off the surface it made me think of Jesus being the light of the world. 2 - I used to look through the crimson colored liquid and notice that I could see my fingers but I could not see the scars or cuts and I thought that must be how God does it - He looks through the blood of Jesus and doesn't see our bumps and bruises. It would make me think of that John Conlee song "Rose Colored Glasses" -- These rose colored glasses that I'm looking through show only the beauty cause they hide all the truth. That is a nice thought but poor
theology - Paul says it like this "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. (Col 1:21-22)
c. I don't know how he does it but because the blood of Jesus - God
sees us as if we had never sinned
d. So shall we all partake.
9. Sing Blessed Assurance