Introduction God has always had memorials for His people. Partaking of the unleavened bread would be a reminder of God bringing them out of Egyptian bondage and sparing their firstborn son. (Exodus 12:17; 24-28) The 12 stones from the Jordan River reminded Israel that God dried up the waters before they went into Canaan so that they would fear Him & all the earth would know His power (Joshua 4:1-8, 19-24). In the NT, God’s people only have one memorial and it is not to remember the birth of Christ as many churches are doing today through Tuesday.

Before His Death, Jesus Instituted the Lord’s Supper (Mt. 26:26-29) “While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.” Jesus wanted His disciples to remember His death, not His birth. What was the church told to do?

The Inspired Apostle Paul Wrote to the Church at Corinth (1 Cor. 11:23-29) “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which 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 He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in 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. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.”

Warnings about the Partaking of the Lord’s Supper Did you read what was underlined and do you realize what the Scripture says will happen if we don’t properly observe the Lord’s Supper? The apostle Paul said that we will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord (1 Cor. 11:27). In order to observe the Lord’s Supper properly and not be condemned like the rest of the world, let us examine what the Bible reveals about the purpose and observance of the Lord’s Supper.

The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper (A Memorial) We eat the bread in memory of His body and the fruit of the vine His blood We eat the bread in memory of His body and the fruit of the vine His blood (1 Cor. 11:23-25). He shed His blood to ratify the new covenant. (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:15-17) W/o the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness or eternal inheritance (Heb. 9:22; Eph. 1:7). As the Passover was a memorial of the Israelites deliverance from Egyptian bondage, the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of the deliverance from bondage to sin through the blood of Christ.

The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper (A Proclamation) We proclaim that the Lord died for our sins. We proclaim that the Lord died for our sins. (1 Corinthians 11:26) We proclaim our faith that He is coming again. (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) Therefore the Lord’s Supper looks forward as well as backward as Christians will remember His death which provides redemption from our sins and joyfully anticipate His return!

The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper (A Communion) It is a fellowship or sharing in the body and blood of Christ It is a fellowship or sharing in the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16). As we break bread together, it reinforces the fellowship and unity that we have as members of His body (1 Corinthians 10:17). As we partake, we share in the spiritual benefits that His blood provides (1 John 1:7-9). “When we meet in sweet communion, where the feast divine is spread; Hearts are brought in closer union while partaking of the bread”

The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper (with Reverence) We should partake in a reverent manner. (not because we are worthy) We should partake in a reverent manner. (not because we are worthy) (1 Cor. 11:27) We should remember the torture of His body. “By His wounds you were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). Think of the agony He suffered as punishment for our sins Think of the agony He suffered as punishment for our sins (Matt. 27:46; Heb. 5:7). “How my heart humbly bows in His presence today when I think of His agony, by His stripes I am freed from the bondage of sin in His suffering on Calvary” “How my heart humbly bows in His presence today when I think of His agony, by His stripes I am freed from the bondage of sin in His suffering on Calvary” (The Depth of God’s Love)

The Observance of the Lord’s Supper (With Self Examination) You should reflect upon your spiritual condition. You should reflect upon your spiritual condition. (1 Cor. 11:28; 2 Cor. 13:5) Are you living for Jesus or living for yourself? “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Cor. 5:14-15).

The Observance of the Lord’s Supper (Warnings if you sin willfully- Heb. 10:26-31) “....no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (v. 26) “A terrifying expectation of judgment” (v. 27) You have “trampled under foot the Son of God” You have “regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which you were sanctified” You have “insulted the Spirit of grace” (v. 29) “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (v. 31).

The Observance of the Lord’s Supper (Weekly with Other Christians) “ “The disciples came together to break bread on the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7) Concerning the Lord’s supper, the Corinthian church had “come together in one place” or “come together as a church” (1 Cor. 11:18, 20) Therefore we do not partake yearly, Therefore we do not partake yearly, monthly, quarterly, or on another day of the week. When we partake, we not only are communing with the Lord but also with one another in the body of Christ When we partake, we not only are communing with the Lord but also with one another in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16).

Conclusion The Lord told us to remember His death, not birth. The Lord’s Supper is a Memorial of our deliverance from the bondage of sin through Christ’s blood. The Lord’s Supper is a Proclamation of His death and His promised return. The Lord’s Supper is a Communion with the body and blood of our Lord. The Lord’s Supper is to be done with Reverence or we will be condemned with the world. You must examine yourself while partaking. You partake weekly with other Christians 1 st day of each week.