The Lord’s Supper

Introduction

I. Paul told the Corinthians about the solemn history of the Lord’s Supper, an account he had received directly by inspiration from the Lord ().

A. The memorial design of the Supper is explained in these verses.

B. The phrase, “In remembrance of Me” is mentioned twice in this text.

C. The word “remembrance” means “a recollection, a calling to mind.”

D.It is in memory of Christ, of His death, resurrection, ascension into heaven, and future return that we eat and drink.

It is in memory of Christ, of His death, resurrection, ascension into

heaven, and future return that we eat and drink.

II. We have many memorials in this life:

A. A family photo album is a memorial of sorts. B. Simple grave markers are the most common. C. On Memorial Day citizens gather around that monuments to remember and honor the memory of

fallen servicemen.

honor the memory of fallen servicemen.

the memory of fallen servicemen.

fallen servicemen.

III. All of monuments eventually fail: pictures fade, flowers crumble into dust, marble monuments

All most monuments eventually fail: pictures fade, flowers crumble into dust,

are effaced and leveled with time.

marble monuments are effaced and leveled with time.

The Lord’s Supper is one memorial that will never fade away or be forgotten

A. The Lord’s Supper is one memorial that will never fade away or be forgotten as long as earth time continues.

The Lord’s Supper is one memorial that will never fade away or be forgotten

as long as earth time continues.

B. In order to appreciate this memorial, let us look at the institution of it and some

practical observations for us today.

***Le’s Look at the Passover in the Old Testament and also the Institution of it byJesus with the Disciples....

I. The Passover Meal

I. The Passover Meal : The Old Testament

I. The Passover Meal

A. After the first nine plagues, God promised one more.

A. After the first nine plagues, God promised one more ().

4 And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: 5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. 6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.

After the first nine plagues, God promised one more ().

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

B. In mercy, God provided a way of escape.

3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. 10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. 13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

In mercy, God provided a way of escape ().

upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

1. The lamb was secured on the tenth day of the month, and killed near the end of the fourteenth day. They would take the blood;

The lamb was secured on the tenth day of the month, and killed near the end of the fourteenth day.

And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

2. At the end of the fourteenth day they removed all leaven from their house till the evening of the twenty-first day.

At the end of the fourteenth day they removed all leaven from their house till the evening of the twenty-first day.

3. Not a bone of the lamb was to broken (); it was to be roasted whole and eaten with bitter herbs.

Not a bone of the lamb was to broken (); it was to be roasted whole and eaten with bitter herbs.

46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

4. “And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover” ().

4. And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s passover.

“And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover” ().

5. If a family was too small to eat a lamb, they could share it with another.

If a family was too small to eat a lamb, they could share it with another.

6. If any remained, it was to be burned.

If any remained, it was to be burned.

C. This meal is often referred to as the Seder, which literally means “order,” referring to the ordered ceremony that would be observed. This meal was to be “a sign” and the blood “a token” .

This meal is often referred to as the Seder, which literally means “order,”

referring to the ordered ceremony that would be observed.

This meal was to be “a sign” and the blood “a token”

13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

This meal was to be “a sign” (), which means “a sign, mark, or

13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

which means “a sign, mark, or token, which brings to mind, shews, or confirms anything either past, present, or to come; which excites attention or consideration” (Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies, p. 394).

token, which brings to mind, shews, or confirms anything either past, present, or to come; which excites attention or consideration” (Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies, p. 394).

which means “a sign, mark, or token, which brings to mind, shews, or confirms anything either past, present, or to come; which excites attention or consideration” (Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies, p. 394).

1. It was to be a perpetual reminder

1. It was to be a perpetual reminder (). After entering the promised land we find them celebrating the Passover under the leadership of Joshua in plains of Jericho ().

25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. 28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

2. After entering the promised land we find them celebrating the Passover under the leadership of

It was to be a perpetual reminder (). After entering the promised land we find them celebrating the Passover under the leadership of Joshua in plains of Jericho ().

Joshua in plains of Jericho

David Padfield

10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.

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D. Devout Jews today still celebrate the Seder meal.

1. The head of the family, usually in a white ritual gown, begins the ceremony by giving a benediction

The head of the family, usually in a white ritual gown, begins the

over a cup of wine.

ceremony by giving a benediction over a cup of wine.

2. There is then a ceremonial washing of hands by all participants.

There is then a ceremonial washing of hands by all participants.

3. The table is prepared with matzo (unleavened) bread and with a Seder tray, which contains:

The table is prepared with matzo (unleavened) bread and with a Seder

tray, which contains:

a) Bitter herbs and horse radish to remind them of the bitterness of their oppression and the

bitter lot of enslaved Israelites.

a) Bitter herbs and horse radish to remind them of the bitterness of their

lot of enslaved Israelites.

oppression and the bitter lot of enslaved Israelites.

b) A lamb shank bone, symbolic of the “mighty arm” of God.

b) A shank bone, symbolic of the “mighty arm” of God.

c) A vegetable, such as parsley, which they will dip in salt water.

d) There is a hard-boiled egg, symbolic of God’s lovingkindness.

4 . They will read the Haggadah, the special book containing the story of the biblical Exodus as it must be retold at the beginning of the Seder dinner on Passover.

They will read the Haggadah, the special book containing the story of the biblical Exodus as it must be retold at the beginning of the Seder dinner on Passover.

a) The book’s commentaries on the Exodus provide a religious philosophy of Jewish history, and the book supplies answers to the traditional questions asked by children at the beginning of the Seder.

a) The book’s commentaries on the Exodus provide a religious

philosophy of Jewish history, and the book supplies answers to the

traditional questions asked by children at the beginning of the Seder.

b) After the reading of the story, there is a period of singing–often including thru 117, plus the Psalms of

b) After the reading of the story, there is a period of singing–often

Ascents.

including thru 117, plus the Psalms of Ascents.

***This was the Passover that was practiced in the old Testament, then Jesus came on the scene and we have....

II. The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper

A. 1500 years later, Jesus and His disciples come to Jerusalem about a week before the Passover—during

this week He taught in Jerusalem during the day and spent the night at Bethany.

1500 years later, Jesus and His disciples come to Jerusalem about a week before the Passover—during this week He taught in Jerusalem during the day and spent the night at Bethany.

B. In Jerusalem, on the Thursday evening before His betrayal, we find Christ ready to observe His

In Jerusalem, on the Thursday evening before His betrayal, we find Christ ready to observe His last Passover meal ().

last Passover meal

17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

1. Lamb taken to the priest and slain after 3:00 P.M.

20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

Lamb taken to the priest and slain after 3:00 P.M.

1. Lamb taken to the priest and slain after 3:00 P.M.

2. It was during this meal that we read of the institution of the Lord’s Supper

It was during this meal that we read of the institution of the Lord’s Supper

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

3. The elements of the Lord’s Supper are the same as for the Jewish Passover feast: unleavened

30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

3. The elements of the Lord’s Supper are the same as for the Jewish Passover feast: unleavened

The elements of the Lord’s Supper are the same as for the Jewish Passover

bread and unfermented wine.

feast: unleavened bread and unfermented wine.

****The Lord’s Supper is a Time to Remember, and also It is ....

III. A Memorial Supper

A. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial which preaches and proclaims Christ’s death on the cross

1. Christ is our Passover (). 2. The word “remembrance” in is the same word found in , where

2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

1. 2.

1. Christ is our Passover

7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

3.

2. The Lord’s Supper reminds us of the remission of sins

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.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.is the same word found in , where

Paul says, “But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.”

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

3. Levitical sacrifices reminded men of sins—the Lord’s Supper reminds us of the remission of sins

Christ is our Passover (). The word “remembrance” in is the same word found in , where Paul says, “But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.” Levitical sacrifices reminded men of sins—the Lord’s Supper reminds us of the remission of sins (). a) We break the unleavened bread to remind us of His body. b) WedrinkofthefruitofthevinetoremindusofHisblood.

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

a) We break the unleavened bread to remind us of His body. b) We drink of the fruit of the vine to remind us of His blood.

4. “At Passover Jews all over the world retell the story of the plagues and the Exodus and thus proclaim the central fact on which their peoplehood is founded. Likewise, members of the Messianic Community are to proclaim the death of the Lord as their exodus from sin and as the basis for their existence. Both proclamations look not only back toward a past redemption but also forward to a future one; hence the proclamation is until he comes the second time.” (David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary).

David Padfield

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“At Passover Jews all over the world retell the story of the plagues and the Exodus and thus proclaim the central fact on which their peoplehood is founded. Likewise, members of the Messianic Community are to proclaim the death of the Lord as their exodus from sin and as the basis for their existence. Both proclamations look not only back toward a past redemption but also forward to a future one; hence the proclamation is until he comes the second time.” (David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary).

5. “The world builds monuments to her great men of the most durable material, and engraves on them records of their valorous deeds; but, even when not destroyed by man, the relentless mill of time grinds them to powder.

“The world builds monuments to her great men of the most durable material, and engraves on them records of their valorous deeds; but, even when not destroyed by man, the relentless mill of time grinds them to powder. But the Lord’s Supper, builded of such perishable material, has endured through the centuries and is as fresh today as when builded. It is the Lord’s monument. Let skeptics account for its existence. It is not enough that they tell us we keep it because of tradition. Let them tell us how it began; let them tell us why the first group ate their supper. If it celebrates a myth, let them tell us who fooled the first group into sitting down to the table to celebrate that which never existed. How was such a thing possible? Let them explain why a new word was coined to point out the peculiar relation of this supper to the Lord. It is called the Kuriakos supper. This word, not found in Greek literature previous to this, is defined: ‘Of or belonging to the Lord; relating to the Lord.’” (C. R. Nichol, Sound Doctrine, Vol. 1, pp. 167, 168).

But the Lord’s Supper, builded of such perishable material, has endured through the centuries and is as fresh today as when builded. It is the Lord’s monument.

B. It is a memorial which also preaches His Return.

B. A

It points not only backward, but forward.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

“Proclaim” means “to announce, declare, promulgate, make known; to

memorial which preaches His return ().

1. It points not only backward, but forward.

2. “Proclaim” means “to announce, declare, promulgate, make known; to proclaim publicly, publish;

“Proclaim” means “to announce, declare, promulgate, make known; to

His return ().

memorial which preaches His return ().

*** The Lords Supper is a Remembrance of what Jesus did for us on Calvary and also a reminder of His Return. As we prepare for this, as Jesus initiated the Lord’s Supper in the upper room, remember.....

C. A memorial to the new covenant.

proclaim publicly, publish.” memorial to the new covenant.

C. A

1. Animal blood was the blood of the old covenant ().

Animal blood was the blood of the old covenant ().

2. The blood of Christ is the blood of the new ().

The blood of Christ is the blood of the new ().

Conclusion: The disciples had a relationship with Christ. With the exception of Judas, who was corrupted, their lives were bound up in Christ.

IV. Manner Of Partaking

A. If the New Testament gives us no regulations or directions for when to partake of the Supper, you

could partake just once in your life!

A. If the New Testament gives us no regulations or directions for when to partake of the Supper, you could partake just once in your life!

1. Jerusalem church continued steadfastly ().

Jerusalem church continued steadfastly ().

2. Church at Troas came together for this purpose ().

This is what God desires most from each of us – a relationship. This is why we celebrate the Lord’s Supper today. We celebrate our union with Christ. We identify with Christ. And through this act, we commune with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Church at Troas came together for this purpose ().

B. There are no directions given for when Christians partake of it during a particular worship service.

1. When we partake of it during an assembly is a matter of tradition— nothing is wrong with tradition unless we seek to bind it upon others.

1. When we partake of it during an assembly is a matter of tradition— nothing is wrong with tradition unless we seek to bind it upon others. When it was instituted, the Lord preached to the apostles afterwards and then they sang a hymn and departed to Gethsemane to pray

2. When it was instituted, the Lord preached to the apostles afterwards and then they sang a hymn

When we partake of it during an assembly is a matter of tradition— nothing is wrong with tradition unless we seek to bind it upon others. When it was instituted, the Lord preached to the apostles afterwards and then they sang a hymn and departed to Gethsemane to pray

We remember the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ – that he was bruised for our transgressions; , 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed.

and departed to Gethsemane to pray (; )

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,

(; ). a) This was not a worship service of the early church. b) Itwasnotthefirstdayoftheweek,andtheirprayerswerenotoffered

D. Do not partake of it in an worthy manner ().

He was bruised for our iniquities:

in the name of Christ, for He was still on earth.

He was still on earth.

The chastisement of our peace was upon him;

And with his stripes we are healed.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

David Padfield

and his blood cleanses our sins; But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

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I thank God that he flipped the switch in me. And even in the most desperate of times, I can empathize with Peter when he says, “Lord, I don’t understand why things happen. I may not understand what you’re doing in my life. But where can I go? Because you alone have the words of life.”

3. At Troas, “on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

3. At Troas, “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” (). a) The Lord’s Supper was before the sermon in this passage.

to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight” ()

a) The Lord’s Supper was before the sermon in this passage.

b) If they had the Lord’s Supper after the sermon, they would have eaten it on Monday, not the

first day of the week.

C. Who should participate?

I thank God that he flipped the switch in me. And even in the most desperate of times, I can empathize with Peter when he says, “Lord, I don’t understand why things happen. I may not understand what you’re doing in my life. But where can I go? Because you alone have the words of life.”

Those in the Kingdom ().

The Bible tells us in that if we walk in the light – if the light switch inside of us is turned on – then we will have fellowship with one another. And the blood of Jesus will cleanse our sins.

What about non-Christians?

a) Each one is to “examine himself” (). b) TheLordhasnotconferredpolicepowersonanyonetostandguard

over His table and refuse those deemed “unworthy.” D. Do not partake of it in an worthy manner ().

We will never be worthy of Christ’s death.

Conclusion:

If we have sin on our soul we can repent before we partake of the

Let’s walk in the light today. Let’s have fellowship with one another. And let’s remember today the body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The food and drink that we partake of here today have no power to save us. But they do have power to remind us of He who saves – Jesus Christ.

Supper—private sins require private repentance, public sins can be forgiven by God and public repentance made known ().

Conclusion:

If not in the Kingdom, you have no fellowship with Christ

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?

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.