Lesson 23a

What do we receive in the Lord’s Supper?

How was the Lord’s Supper instituted? Matthew 26:17-29

How was the Lord’s Supper instituted? Matthew 26:17-29 a sacred act instituted by Jesus

Matthew 26:17-29 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 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 of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

How was the Lord’s Supper instituted? Matthew 26:26-29 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 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 of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” we eat bread and drink wine

How was the Lord’s Supper instituted? 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” we repeat Jesus’ words

Key Point #1 The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus when he told his disciples to eat bread and drink wine while also using the words he spoke.

What do we receive with our mouths when we participate in the Lord’s Supper? Matthew 26:26-29 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 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 of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” bread and wine

What do we receive with our mouths when we participate in the Lord’s Supper? Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ body and blood

What do we receive with our mouths when we participate in the Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 10:16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? “in, with, and under”

Key Point #2 We receive the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, together with the bread and wine, in a miraculous Holy Communion.

How could the disciples have received Jesus’ body as they ate the first Lord’s Supper? Wasn’t Jesus’ body and blood right in front of them, sitting at the table, not in their mouths? Explain.

Different teachings on the Lord’s Supper Only body and blood Only bread and wine

Why would it be wrong to attend the Lord’s Supper in a congregation that does not confess that Jesus’ body and blood are present together with the bread and wine in the Sacrament?

How do we know that Jesus’ body and blood are really present in this sacrament? 1 Corinthians 11:23-28

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.

How do we know that Jesus’ body and blood are really present in this sacrament? Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus said so

How do we know that Jesus’ body and blood are really present in this sacrament? Luke 1:37 For nothing is impossible with God.” nothing is impossible with God

Key Point #3 We know that Jesus’ body and blood are really in this sacrament because Jesus clearly states it and nothing is impossible for him to do.

When are Jesus’ body and blood present with the bread and wine? Is it as soon as the pastor speaks Jesus’ words over the bread and wine? Is it when we take the bread and wine into our mouths? Give a reason for your answer.

Why is this wrong? The Lord’s Supper is a repeated sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 10:14 (ESV) For by a single offering [Jesus] has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Lesson 23a Holy Communion is a sacred act in which Jesus gives us his true body and blood in, with, and under bread and wine.

Vocabulary… “Communion” Two or more things connected with one another

Vocabulary… “Real Presence” (Lutheran / Bible) Jesus’ body and blood are really present along with the bread and wine.

Vocabulary… “Transubstantiation” (Roman Catholic) The bread and wine changes into Jesus body and blood.

Vocabulary… “Representation” (Reformed / Baptist) The bread and wine only symbolizes Jesus’ body and blood.

Lesson 23b

What does God teach us about receiving Holy Communion?

How does God want me to prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 11:28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. I prepare by examining myself

How does God want me to prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper? 1 John 1:8-9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (Am I sorry for my sins?)

How does God want me to prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper? Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Do I believe in the real presence?

How does God want me to prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper? Do I believe I receive the forgiveness of sins? Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

How does God want me to prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 11:27,29 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord… For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. To avoid eating and drinking it in an unworthy manner

Key Point #1 God wants me to examine myself to make sure that I am prepared to receive Holy Communion properly.

Agree or Disagree? If I do not prepare before the service to partake of the Lord’s Supper, I will be unworthy to receive it.

Therefore, to whom does God want us to give the Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 11:23, 26 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you… For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. repentant believers who have been instructed Communion should be given only to…

Therefore, to whom does God want us to give the Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 10:17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. repentant believers who are united in faith with us Communion should be given only to…

2 Fellowships in Communion

Key Point #2 God wants us to give the Lord’s Supper only to repentant believers who have been educated in the Christian faith and who are one in faith with us.

Where in the service do we confess the following: a)our sinfulness? b)our faith in Jesus? c)our belief in Jesus’ real presence?

Agree or Disagree? We should be able to attend the Lord’s Supper in any Lutheran church.

What’s wrong here? “When we deny the Lord’s Supper to someone who is not a member, we are being proud and loveless.”

Why does Jesus invite us to receive the Lord’s Supper often? 1 Corinthians 11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Jesus invites us to come often…

Why does Jesus invite us to receive the Lord’s Supper often? Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus invites us to come often… for forgiveness of sins

Why does Jesus invite us to receive the Lord’s Supper often? Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Jesus invites us to come often… to strengthen faith in him

Why does Jesus invite us to receive the Lord’s Supper often? 2 Corinthians 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. Jesus invites us to come often… to help us live a life of thanks to him

Why does Jesus invite us to receive the Lord’s Supper often? Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Jesus invites us to come often… to encourage one another in faith

Key Point #3 Jesus invites us to receive the Lord’s Supper often so that he can keep on comforting us with the forgiveness of sins and keep on strengthening us in our faith.

Martin Luther wrote in his Large Catechism, “if you do not feel that you need to go to the Lord’s Supper often, “Pinch yourself and see if you are still flesh and blood…In the second place, look around to see if you are still in the world. Or, if you do not know whether you are, ask your neighbor.” Why do you think he suggested such things?

Evaluate… Mr. Smith felt he was carrying a grudge against another person, so for ten years he did not come to the Lord’s Supper.

Steve says, “I hope someday we can receive the Lord’s Supper with Christians in other churches.” How would you respond? Evaluate…

Lesson 23b God teaches us to receive Holy Communion in faith so that it is not a judgment but a blessing for us.

Vocabulary… “Fellowship” unity in doctrine between Christians

Vocabulary… “Close(d) Communion” biblical teaching that only Christians who are in complete agreement may commune together