THE LORD’S SUPPER MATTHEW 26:26-29

The memory is a great factor for good or evil. Israel remembered Egypt and to wanted to return. Numbers 14:3-4 Jesus said, “Remember Lot’s wife,” Luke 17:32. Today we make memorials to help us remember. God also used memorials. Passover, Exodus 12. Rainbow, Genesis 9Sabbath Day, Deuteronomy 5 Rocks in Jordan, Joshua 4 Manna, Exodus 16 Today, we have a memorial to keep to the Lord. The Lord’s Supper

The Instituting Of The Lord’s Supper It is recorded for us in Matthew 26 Mark 14Luke 22I Corinthians 11 Matthew 26:26-29 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body.'' Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission 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.'' This is to be done in remembrance of Christ, I Corinthians 11:24-25.

Things Used In The Lord’s Supper. The Bread- Represents the body of Christ. The Fruit of the Vine- Represents the blood of Christ. The Place And Time Of The Observance. The Place- In the Kingdom Matthew 26:28 "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Luke 22:19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.''

I Corinthians 11:16-18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. Luke 22:16-18 “For I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.'' Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.'' Notice what Paul said:Notice what Jesus said: The Kingdom and the Church are the same. We partake of the Lord’s Supper when we meet together as the Church, the Kingdom of God.

Every time we meet together?No We partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week. Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. Every first day of the week? Yes, and only on the first day of the week. The Corinthians seemed to of made a habit of meet- ing on the first day of the week, I Corinthians 16:1-2.

The Purpose Of The Lord’s Supper Luke 22:19 “…do this in remembrance of Me.'' We should remember Christ. His-LifeSuffering DeathBurialResurrection I Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. I 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 all partake of that one bread. It is a testimony of faithIt is a memorial. It is a communion.

The Manner Of The Observance We must examine ourselves. We must partake of in a worthy manner I Corinthians 11:26-29 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will 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 who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. The Heart Must Be Centered On The Lord.

Things That Hinder Us While Partaking Of The Lord’s Supper. A non-Christian is hindered when he wants to partake. Hypocrites could hinder us. We don’t commune with each other, but with the Lord When we neglect to show respect for the Lord. How? By whispering and laughing. By writing notes or duddling on paper. Looking around and noticing what others are wearing Day-dreamingBeing half asleep. When we have un-repented sin in our lives.

When we partake in an unworthy manner we condemn ourselves. This must be done with respect and reverence. Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. When we have something against a brother. Matthew 5:23-24 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we: Declares the Lord’s deathAnticipate His return Keep ourselves alive spiritually. I Corinthians 11:26, 30 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper does not save us. It is something the saved does as part of their worship to the Lord.

IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST HINDERING YOUR COMMUNION WITH HIM? To commune with the Lord we must have a proper relationship with Him.

Given by David Hamlin on am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ