In Remembrance of The Lord

Introduction

In just a few days from now we have plans to observe the Lord’s Supper here at High Plains Baptist Church. This morning we are going to examine a passage of scripture that will help us to understand the purpose and the proper exercise of the Lord’s Supper.

As a bible believing baptist church, we believe that there are two ordinances that are to be exercised in the Local New Testament Church. These two ordinances are baptism by immersion, and the observance of the Lord’s Supper.

This morning we are going to take a look at the observance of the Lord’s Supper in detail so that we understand why we observe it and how it is to be observed.

Paul is here giving instruction to a Local New Testament Church in the city of Corinth, so what we read concerning the Lord’s Supper must be understood in this particular context.

Let us first look to the scripture for explanation as to:

How We Observe the Lord’s Supper

We practice what is called “closed” communion at High Plains Baptist Church, meaning that only those who are members of the church partake in this observance.

This means that anyone who is not saved, baptized, and united with the membership of High Plains Baptist Church should not partake.

We do this because we believe that the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance delivered (I Corinthians 11:23) to the local church. Every believer should be baptized and should be united with the membership of a local New Testament Church.

Paul was writing to a particular local church (the church at Corinth) and thus we believe that the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance that is to be practiced inside the boundaries of the local New Testament Church.

The observance of the Lord’s Supper unworthily is a serious offense and we strive to make the observance in accordance with the scriptures.

We observe the Lord’s Supper in the style of a memorial service, not just as some event added onto the end of a normal worship service, because we believe that this event should hold great significance in the life of the believer and should be observed at a dedicated time.

We observe the Lord’s Supper once a year, because I believe that the Lord’s Supper is connected to the old testament Passover observance as Jesus instituted it at the time of the Passover feast. Matthew 26:19 & Matthew 26:26-30

Just as the Passover was an annual remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt by the blood of the sacrificial Passover Lamb so also is the Lord’s Supper an annual remembrance of our deliverance from sin by the precious blood of the Lamb of God.

This is not to say that observing the Lord’s Supper more often is unscriptural, this is simply the justification for our once annually observance.

Each local church must determine how they shall observe the Lord’s Supper allowing scripture to be their guide.

How we observe the Lord’s Supper is certainly important but the observance is of no great significance if we do not understand:

Why We Observe the Lord’s Supper

We observe the Lord’s Supper first and foremost because we have specific instructions in scripture to do so. I Corinthians 11:26- as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup.

The observance of the Lord’s Supper was practiced in the early New Testament churches and is still being practiced today.

There are two primary purposes for the observance of the Lord’s Supper

The first is the remembrance of Christ’s death upon the cross of calvary. The bread and the wine (unfermented grape juice) are a picture of the broken body and the blood of our Lord.

It is vitally important that we set aside this time to meditate upon the tremendous sacrifice that was made to purchase our redemption.

As we partake of the bread, we will consider his body which was bruised and broken as he bore the punishment which our sins deserved.

I Peter 2:24- bare our sins in his own body/Isaiah 53:5 & Isaiah 53:10-11- wounded bruised so that we might be redeemed

As we partake of the wine (unfermented grape juice) we will consider the blood that was shed to purchase our redemption.

Hebrews 9:22- without shedding of blood is no remission/I Peter 1:18-19- with the precious blood of Christ/Romans 5:9- saved from wrath/Ephesians 1:7- redemption through his blood/ Colossians 1:14- redemptions through his blood/ I John 1:7- blood of Jesus cleanseth from sin

The Lord’s Supper is intended to be a time in which we remember that Jesus Christ endured suffering, agony, and death because of the love that He had for you and for me.

May we never forget the price that was paid so that we could be reconciled to God and receive the forgiveness of sins!

The Lord’s Supper is also intended to be a time that provokes personal examination. (I Corinthians 11:28-31) This second purpose of the Lord’s Supper flows naturally out of the first.

When we remember the great sacrifice of our Lord, it should provoke a desire within us to honor His sacrifice.

When we consider all that Christ endured on our behalf, we should examine ourselves to ensure that we are living our lives so as to honor Him!

The observance of the Lord’s Supper in the church at Corinth had devolved into a mere carnal celebration and was no longer being treated as the solemn occasion is was intended to be.

Paul intended to correct this gross error in the church. He wrote to them to warn them of the serious consequences of partaking unworthily.

As we come to the time in which we observe the Lord’s Supper let us examine ourselves in light of the Word of God and make certain that our heart is pure and that we are not guilty of partaking unworthily.

This is why we ask that you arrive early. It is important that there is a time of self examination in advance of partaking of the Lord’s Supper.

May each of us seek the Lord this morning and ask him to search our hearts and if the Spirit of God would bring anything to our attention may we confess it and correct it today!

Conclusion

The Observance of the Lord’s Supper should rightly be a solemn occasion as we remember the Lord’s death upon the cross but it should ultimately also be a joyous occasion as we are reminded that the Lord will one day be returning!

The final three words of I Corinthians 11:26 are meant as a reminder to us that though our Lord has gone away, He will be returning again someday.

John 14:3- “I will come again.” Even as Christ partook of the Last Supper with His disciples, He made mention of a blessed reunion that would one day arrive.

Matthew 26:29- until I drink it new with you

One day our observance of the Lord’s Supper will be our last and we will be reunited with Christ for all eternity.

The primary question today is to your own personal preparation. Are you saved? / Have you been scripturally baptized? / Is God leading you to join the membership of High Plains Baptist Church? / Have you taken the time to examine yourself to make certain that there is no unconfessed sin in your life?