1 Cor 10:1­2

THE LORD’S SUPPER

Memory Verse
I Cor 11:26­28

One of the ordinances of which we are to partake as believers is the Lord’s Supper or communion. Like baptism, it is only for believers, and imparts no saving grace. It is an outward symbol pregnant with meaning and crucial for our devotion.

What are we doing when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper?

Luke 22:19; I Cor 11:26
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial service to direct our attention to the Gospel. It is to be done in ‘remembrance of Me’, Christ said, and it is to proclaim the Lord’s death every time it is celebrated. In so doing, we proclaim Him as risen.

What do the elements represent?

Luke 22:19; John 6:1; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 10:16
The unleavened bread represents the body of Christ and reminds us of His death. His body was broken – torn open, bruised, pierced, beaten, and He physically bled.

Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; 1 Corinthians 10:16
The cup represents the blood of Christ.

Why is the teaching of Lev 17:11 important here?

It means that Christ, in pouring out His blood, poured out His very life for us – willingly dying on the cross for us.

What is the significance of the Lord’s Supper?

Luke 22:19; I Cor 11:26
Because of this, we are to make sure that we do not harbour unrepentant sin in our lives, or broken fellowship with other believers when partaking. Such attitudes and actions brought God’s discipline for profaning the Lord’s body.

1. It is an opportunity to savour our Lord’s presence.
   The Lord’s Supper is a communion service. That is, we recognise our Lord’s presence with us as we gather as believers. We do not believe His body and blood are present, but that He himself is present, especially as we consider His death for us.
   We are showing that our salvation is figuratively an imbibing of Jesus Christ. His life becomes our life. This is what He meant by saying we must eat His flesh and drink his blood. He did not mean anything cannibalistic by this or mean the Jews should violate the law not to eat blood. We do not literally eat His flesh or drink His blood. He was meaning that we should spiritually imbibe Jesus for all He is – Prophet, Priest and King.
2. It is a time of fellowship with one another.
   We corporately take part in the Lord’s Supper because this is the bond that seals us as believers. We partake of a symbol of His Body, reminding us that His body broken for us is how we are one Body in Him. It is His life which dwells in each of us.
3. The Lord’s Supper reminds us of the New Covenant that we are under.
   The Lord’s blood was the seal on the New Covenant, like the Old Covenant was sealed with blood, see Heb 9:19­20.
4. The Lord’s Supper reminds us of His coming.
   The Lord’s Supper is a ceremony with anticipation – we will one day enjoy communion with Him face to face.

How should we approach corporate worship?

1. Prepare—Get your heart ready and thoughtful before you arrive for worship (Eccl 5:1, Jas 1:19). Begin preparing for church the night before. Plan to be early, and you will not be late.
2. Participate—Unite your voice with others in song. Join your heart with corporate prayers that are offered. Read the Word thoughtfully when it is read. Concentrate on the teaching. Seek to help others to do the same. Try to avoid bathroom breaks during the preaching, prayer, or Scripture reading, and train your children to do the same.
3. Ponder—Consider the revelation of God to you in the Word declared. Consider how God seeks you to respond.