Welcome to the Oneal Church of Christ. ~~~~~~~~~~ July 17, 2016 Our topic is The Lord’s Supper. I Cor. 11:17-34

1 Corinthians 11:17-34King James Version (KJV) 17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

2 What. have ye not houses to eat and to drink in 2 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

The BIBLE is our guide. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. ~~~ Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

The LORD’S Supper is known as…

The LORD’S Supper is known as… 1. 1 Corinthians 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 2. 1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, Is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 3. Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 4. Matthew 26:26-27 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks (eucharisto), and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

The meaning of the LORD’S SUPPER 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. ~~~ --> 1. It is a memorial to CHRIST. --> 2. We eat the bread in memory of His body. --> 3. We drink the cup (fruit of the vine) in memory of His blood.

The LORD’S Supper is a proclamation. 1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. --> We proclaim our faith that HIS death was for our sins. --> We proclaim our faith in HIS return.

The LORD’S Supper is a communion. According to Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary, Communion is 1) an act or instance of sharing. 2) intimate fellowship. 1. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 2. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 3. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The observance of the LORD’S Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. --> 1. The KJV says "worthily", which some have misunderstood. --> 2. It is an adverb, describing how we take it, not whether we are worthy (none are truly worthy). --> 3. Failure to observe with proper reverence brings condemnation. We need to keep our focus on Jesus whom we Are remembering!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is to be done with self-examination. We should be reflecting upon our spiritual condition. 1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. God wants us To individually examine ourselves. ~~~ We must accept the grace of God in our lives for CHRIST who died in our place (2 Corinthians 5:18-6:1). We are to live for Jesus who died for us. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

It is to be done with self-examination. Hebrews 10:26-29 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? --> Have we “trodden under foot the Son of God” by not taking the LORD’S SUPPER in a manner that is expected?

It is to be done with self-examination. Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. --> Do we, by refusing to repent of our sins, crucify to ourselves “the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame”?

It is to be done with other Christians. Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. ~~~ 1 Corinthians 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry (wait) one for another. Always remember: Matt.18:20 Where two or 3 are gathered together in my name, there will I be in the Midst of them .

How often to observe the LORD’S Supper? Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. ~~~ According to 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 the Church at Corinth was coming together to eat the Lord's Supper (though they were abusing it). ~~~ A Very important Point to remember --> Following the divinely approved example of Christians in the Bible, we know God approves of a weekly observance on the first day of the week. We find no other example(s) to indicate otherwise.

The observance of the LORD’S Supper. Some believe that a weekly observance diminishes the importance of the LORD’S Supper. a. Which is why they may do it monthly, quarterly, or annually. b. But does the frequent practice of: 1) Assembling diminishing its value and importance? 2) Singing praises and offering prayers devalue their benefits? 3) Preaching and studying God's Word decrease their significance to our lives? ~~~~~ Our spiritual lives are dependent upon the value and benefits of our Lord's death on the cross; a weekly observance of the memorial helps us to live appreciatively and accordingly! Finally: This Do! Each Christian. I Cor. 11:24-27

What must I do to be saved? Hear - Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Believe - Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Repent of Sins - Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Confess CHRIST – Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Be Baptized – Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Remain faithful until death – Revelation 2:10