The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper is a simple act in which Christians: Partake of unleavened bread Drink of the fruit of the vine It is an important act – we should understand why we do it and the proper way to do it

I. The meaning of the Lord’s Supper

1. It is a memorial 1 Cor. 11:23-25 [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.

We eat the bread in memory of His body We drink the cup (fruit of the vine) in memory of His blood Mt. 26:28 [28] For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

As the Passover was a memorial commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lambs on the door post, so the Supper is a memorial of our Lord's death who makes our deliverance from the bondage of sin possible

2. It is a proclamation 1 Cor. 11:26 [26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come It proclaims our faith in the power of the Lord’s death --- that He died for our sins If we don’t believe He died for our sins then why keep the supper?

We also proclaim our faith in the Lord’s return – “till he come” (1 Cor. 11:26) The Lord’s Supper looks forward as well as backward

3. It is a communion 1 Cor. 10:16 [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?

“Our eating of the Lord's Supper binds us together with the Lord “Our eating of the Lord's Supper binds us together with the Lord. To partake of the Supper cements us together as a unified body of worshippers who partake of the benefits of the Lord's body and blood.” (Bob Winton)

II. The observance of the Lord’s Supper

1. It is to be done with reverence 1 Cor. 11:27, 29 [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. [29] For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

Unworthily – The apostle gives warning regarding how we partake of the Lord’s Supper – to partake unworthily is to partake of it improperly We are to reflect on the Lord’s death – His terrible suffering before and during His crucifixion --- the spiritual anguish as He bore the punishment for our sins

2. It is to be done with self-examination 1 Cor. 11:28 [28] But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. The partaking of the Lord’s Supper in a worthy manner is described in this verse

We are to examine ourselves – to make sure we have the proper attitude in partaking – to make sure we are in the right frame of mind

3. To be done with other Christians Acts 20:7 [7] And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…

1 Cor. 11:33 [33] Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

4. To be done each first day of the week Acts 20:7 [7] And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…

Acts 2:42 [42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.