Jesus never asked His disciples to remember His birth, but He did instruct them to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the church two visible symbols (called “ordinances”) as reminders of His death. These two ordinances are: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is an object lesson that represents a great spiritual truth for believers.
I. What Is The Lord's Supper? (1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26)
1. It is a SIMPLE ACT. “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread… ” (vs. 23)
2. It is a REMINDER. “…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.’” (vs. 24)
3. It is a SYMBOL. “In the same way… he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” (vs. 23)
4. It is a STATEMENT OF FAITH. “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” (vs. 24)
II. Who Should Take The Lord's Supper?
Only those who are already BELIEVERS. MARK 12:22-26
“For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.” 1 CORINTHIANS 11:29 NIV
III. How Do I Prepare Myself For The Lord's Supper?
“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.” 1 CORINTHIANS 11:27-28NIV
1. SELF-EXAMINATION.
“A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.” 1 CORINTHIANS 11: 28NIV
2. Confessing my SINS.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 JOHN 1:9 NIV
3. RECOMMITMENT.
“I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1 NIV
4. Restoring RELATIONSHIPS.
“… if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 NIV
IV. When And How Often Should We Observe The Lord's Supper?
Jesus never said when or how often believers should observe the Lord’s Supper.
At TOWN EAST, we observe the Lord’s Supper at least four times a year.
