Candlelight Service

Families Enter

Worship

Explanation of the Lords Supper

Good evening, tonight we gather together to take part in one of the ordinances of our Lord Jesus Christ. Tonight we are going to celebrate the light of the world, the creator of all things humbling himself and leaving His Heavenly home, to come hear and be born in a manger, in order that He might draw near to us.

That’s the point of celebrating Christmas that God loved us so much that He sent Jesus Christ that we might have eternal life and an abundant life of blessing here on this Earth. The Lords supper is about identifying the only hope we have in this life. The bible teaches us that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.

Jesus Christ came to die in order that we might have an opportunity through His death, to know God and be known by God.

Paul explains where the Lords supper came from

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 HCSB

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, gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 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.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

This ordinance of the Lords supper was not a suggestion but a command, He said do this in rememberance of me. So tonight as we enter into the upcoming days and get busy with family and friends we are commanded by our Lord to remember Jesus as the source of life and know that without HIs ultimate sacrifice there would be no chance for any of us to be made right with God.

We spend most of the Christmas season celebrating the first coming of Jesus Christ, it is right here tonight that we proclaim not only that we believe He came the first time, but we also proclaim that He is coming again.

Tonight we act in obedience to Jesus command to observe the Lords supper, by taking the bread and the cup. But Paul also teaches us that we shouldn’t partake of this supper in an unworthy manner.

1 Corinthians 11:27 HCSB

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.

Now I dont know what it means to be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord and I dont want to know. But please know this there is nothing wrong with not taking the elements of the body and blood of the Lord if you feel there is any unconfessed sin, which the Lord would consider unworthy.

It is at this time we will take a moment to reflect on our own hearts and confess unto the Lord anything we may need to, for the Bible says

IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.

So take a moment and aks God to search your heart and show you anything that you might need to get right with Him.

If you are unsaved I would encourage you to simply not partake in the Lords supper tonight. This is an act done by the sons and daughters of the living God and please know that God stands ready to offer forgiveness through the cross of Jesus Christ all you have to do is call upon Jesus and He will save you.

(Moment of reflection)

(Lighting of the candles)

Once your candle is lit please turn to the person beside you and help them light their candle all the way down the row.

Isaiah 9:2 HCSB

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.

Matthew 4:16 HCSB

The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the shadowland of death, light has dawned.

John 8:12 HCSB

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

At this time we are going to come one family at a time down front to take the Lords supper, we will start on my left and move through both fron rows left to right as your family finishes taking the Lords supper please exit out the center aisle there is a place to dispose of the candle as you exit the front door.

(prayer)