The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper - Part Two

(What is it & How Are We to Partake?)

1998037

I. Introduction.

A. This AM we spent our lesson discussing the importance of the Lord's Supper & its relation to the Passover feast of the OT.

B. This evening we will cover the 2^nd lesson in this 3 part series. We will attempt to answer the following questions.

1. How is the Lord's Supper designated in the NT? (What is the proper names associated with it?)

2. What are some unscriptural names that have been associated with the Lord's Supper?

3. What is the purpose of the Lord's Supper?

4. How are we to observe the Lord's Supper?

5. What attitude should Christians have when partaking of the Lord's Supper?

C. Take notes & follow along as we continue to discuss the importance of this part of worship.

1. additional copies of outlines available.

2. One of the most important things we do as children of God.

3. Need to make sure that you are prepared to partake of it in a worthy manner.

II. How is the Lord's Supper designated in the NT?

A. NT is our guide for conducting ourselves as Christians. It contains the plans by which we should engage in our spiritual activities and has the proper names by which they are to be called.

1. Man doesn't have right to change something that he doesn't like - be it a practice or a name.

2. Who is the man who thinks he has that right?

B. 1 Cor. 11:20 - The Lord's Supper - referring to that night that Christ dined with His disciples.

C. 1 Cor. 10:21 - The Lord's Table - The Greek text literally refers to the "table of the Lord."

D. 1 Cor. 10:16 - Communion or Sharing of the body and blood of Christ

E. Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 10:16 - the breaking of bread.

1. phrase used commonly during NT times.

2. Bread first item involved in the supper - term stood for the entire supper.

F. These scriptural names by which we may call the Lord's Supper

Iii. Unscriptural names & beliefs associated with the Lord's Supper.

A. Eucharist

1. term commonly used during 2^nd century.

2. Term gave thanks in Mt. 26:27 from Greek wd "eucharisha." Word means "thanksgiving."

3. This term makes it seem as "thanksgiving" is the cause or why we celebrate the supper and that for which it stands.

4. This term mixes up the cause & effect. Thanksgiving should be an effect of our partaking.

B. Sacrament

1. term was adopted by the Catholic church.

a. used in centuries following apostolic age.

b. Implies an outward/visible sign of an inward or spiritual grace.

2. term first applied to the Lord's Supper and then to baptism.

a. later applied to things such as marriage; ordination; confirmation.

b. Regarded as conveying grace within themselves.

C. Mass

1. Catholic theology teaches that Christ offered for a sacrifice at every mass.

a. Gibbons: sacrifice of the Mass is identical with that of the cross, having both the same victim and the high priest - Jesus Christ. The only difference between the two consists in oblation. Christ was offered on the cross in a bloody manner. In mass He is offered in an unbloody manner.

b. Heb. 9:26-28 - the writer of Hebrews states Christ offered up only once!

2. LS not a sacrifice, but a memorial of a sacrifice.

D. Trans-substantiation - practiced by the Roman Catholics.

1. belief is that upon the prayer of the priest that the bread & the fruit of the vine actually turn into the literal body & blood of Jesus.

2. Caused many to shy away from partaking of the LS & is one of the reasons why the denominations take quarterly, annually, etc.

3. Jhn. 15:5 - Jesus says,…I am the vine & you are the branches.

a. did Jesus teach that He is a literal vine & the disciples are literal branches?

b. Are Jhn. 10:7 & 14:6 teaching that Jesus is a literal door or roadway?

c. Just as the above are figurative expressions of Christ so is His statements concerning the LS.

d. When Jesus said This is my body and had His body actually disappeared - then there would be sufficient argument for trans-substatiation.

4. However, His body remained at the table w/no change in form.

5. When disciples ate - they ate bread & not flesh.

E. Constantiation - a mystical changing.

1. practice originated by Martin Luther in 1524 when he was fighting against the Catholic church.

2. Teaches that the body/blood of Christ are mysteriousally & supernaturally united with the bread and fruit of the vine so that they are received when the latter was.

a. elements do not actually change into Christ's body & blood.

b. In the same was as heat as in an iron - so Christ is in the elements of the Lord's Supper.

3. The bible & common sense teaches that the bread & the fruit of the vine are simply symbols of Christ's body & blood & that they contain the same elements & properties.

IV. What is the Purpose & Significance of the Lord's Supper?

A. 1 Cor. 11:20-22 - the Corinthian brethren were abusing the Lord's Supper.

1. making a common meal out of it.

2. Notice: Paul shames them for their conduct.

3. Common meals were not to be eaten during the time of the Lord's Supper.

B. 1 Cor. 11:23-26 - teaches us the purpose of the LS. Corinthian brethren failed to understand this.

1. Lord's Supper to serve as a memorial. V. 24 - do this in remembrance of Me.

a. need to partake of the LS b/c we remember Christ - not so that we remember Him.

b. LS lasted through centuries as a memorial. A memorial to Christ.

2. LS a proclamation of the death of Christ - v. 26. A statement of our faith that Jesus died & was resurrected for our sins.

3. LS a proclamation of our faith that Christ will return again someday to take saved to heaven & send unjust eternal punishment.

a. notice v. 26 - till He comes… we proclaim our faith in the certainty of the event.

4. It is a communion w/one another & the Lord. Communion cures from GK wd, koinonia and means:

a. joint participation, partnership, sharing, etc.

b. we share together in remembrance of the life of Christ.

C. The LS is a means of spiritual nourishment.

1. Jhn. 6:53-55…

2. text doesn't directly refer to the LS but…

a. stresses the importance of obeying all the commands of Christ.

b. Taking LS been commanded & it's faithful observance causes us to feast our souls upon His spiritual food.

V. How are we to Observe the LS?

A. Lk. 22:18, 29-30; Mt. 26:29 - LS to be observed in the kingdom of God.

1. Only those who are citizens of the kingdom (Christians) have right to the table.

2. Kingdom is present today - came into existence on day of Pentecost.

B. LS to be observed in the worship of the church.

1. all NT examples point to this.

a. Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17-34

b. To be partaken of when the saints assemble.

1. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20, 33

C. When are we to observe the LS?

1. Acts 20:7 - first day of the week.

a. text: no authority to change the day of observance.

b. Text: Paul @ Troas. Waited till Lord's day. Thus this an approved precedent. Had it been unacceptable, don't you think Paul would have corrected it?

2. LS to be observed on the Lord's Day. Another term for Sunday used by FC brethren.

3. Acts 20:7 doesn't tell us they partook of the LS every week. How do we know that we should?

a. Consider Ex. 20:8. Remember the Sabbath & keep it holy. Notice Israel OBLIGATED to keep the Sabbath. God didn't say every Sabbath…

b. How often did Sabbath come around? They kept it every 7 days (Saturday).

4. Likewise, FC Christians met on the first day of the week. They did so with apostolic approval.

a. how often FD of the week come around? Every Sunday. Therefore, we as children of God under obligation to keep it every Sunday.

D. To partake using the proper elements.

1. unleavened bread.

2. The fruit of the vine.

a. term fruit of the vine only used in NT in connection with the LS.

b. Term fruit refers to produce of the vine.

c. Term vine refers to the grapevine - juice made from grapes was used in the Lord's Supper.

3. Man has no right to change these elements as he chooses. We must follow the pattern of the Scriptures.

VI. What Should be the Motive Behind the Lord's Supper?

A. A time of self examination. - 1 Cor. 11:28

1. personal examination - not the right of someone else to examine us.

2. What to examine ourselves for?

a. whether or not we are faithful to Christ.

b. Whether our heart is right with God.

c. Whether we consider the sacredness of the LS.

3. Ask yourself: Why am I at worship?

a. would your heart disturb you if you had neglected to come to worship?

b. What does all of this mean to me?

c. Am I holding onto sin in my heart?

B. Must partake in a worthy manner - 1 Cor. 11:27-30

1. Corinthian had been abusing LS. Result = partaking unworthy.

a. corrupted LS till no longer LS. Turned it into a common mean w/some full & some hungry.

b. Not likely that we would corrupt in the way they did.

2. But, how can we partake in an unworthy manner?

a. by a failure to discern the Lord's body.

1. must understand the significance of the LS.

2. Not discern or take into account the representations of His body/blood.

b. by making it as a common meal. Some drink of it in a light, flippant way.

1. what's for lunch?

2. Cowboys/Redskins - who will win?

3. Boy,…that preacher preached too long…

c. by partaking in a prideful manner.

1. good idea to approach in a humble manner, realizing our dependence upon Jesus Christ.

VII. Conclusion.

A. We have examined some of the fundamental elements concerning the LS:

1. what it should be called.

2. It's purpose

3. The manner of observing it.

4. Our attitudes when partaking of it.

B. Lord willing, next Sunday we'll discuss "Abusing the Lord's Supper."

C. I N V I T A T I O N



The Lord's Supper - Part Two (What is it & How Are We to Partake?) 1998037 I. Introduction. A. This AM we spent our lesson discussing the importance of the Lord's Supper & its relation to the Passover feast of the OT. B. This evening we will cover the 2^nd lesson in this 3 part series. We will attempt to answer the following questions. 1. How is the Lord's Supper designated in the NT? (What is the proper names associated with it?) 2. What are some unscriptural names that have been associated with the Lord's Supper? 3. What is the purpose of the Lord's Supper? 4. How are we to observe the Lord's Supper? 5. What attitude should Christians have when partaking of the Lord's Supper? C. Take notes & follow along as we continue to discuss the importance of this part of worship. 1. additional copies of outlines available. 2. One of the most important things we do as children of God. 3. Need to make sure that you are prepared to partake of it in a worthy manner. II. How is the Lord's Supper designated in the NT? A. NT is our guide for conducting ourselves as Christians. It contains the plans by which we should engage in our spiritual activities and has the proper names by which they are to be called. 1. Man doesn't have right to change something that he doesn't like - be it a practice or a name. 2. Who is the man who thinks he has that right? B. 1 Cor. 11:20 - The Lord's Supper - referring to that night that Christ dined with His disciples. C. 1 Cor. 10:21 - The Lord's Table - The Greek text literally refers to the "table of the Lord." D. 1 Cor. 10:16 - Communion or Sharing of the body and blood of Christ E. Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 10:16 - the breaking of bread. 1. phrase used commonly during NT times. 2. Bread first item involved in the supper - term stood for the entire supper. F. These scriptural names by which we may call the Lord's Supper Iii. Unscriptural names & beliefs associated with the Lord's Supper. A. Eucharist 1. term commonly used during 2^nd century. 2. Term gave thanks in Mt. 26:27 from Greek wd "eucharisha." Word means "thanksgiving." 3. This term makes it seem as "thanksgiving" is the cause or why we celebrate the supper and that for which it stands. 4. This term mixes up the cause & effect. Thanksgiving should be an effect of our partaking. B. Sacrament 1. term was adopted by the Catholic church. a. used in centuries following apostolic age. b. Implies an outward/visible sign of an inward or spiritual grace. 2. term first applied to the Lord's Supper and then to baptism. a. later applied to things such as marriage; ordination; confirmation. b. Regarded as conveying grace within themselves. C. Mass 1. Catholic theology teaches that Christ offered for a sacrifice at every mass. a. Gibbons: sacrifice of the Mass is identical with that of the cross, having both the same victim and the high priest - Jesus Christ. The only difference between the two consists in oblation. Christ was offered on the cross in a bloody manner. In mass He is offered in an unbloody manner. b. Heb. 9:26-28 - the writer of Hebrews states Christ offered up only once! 2. LS not a sacrifice, but a memorial of a sacrifice. D. Trans-substantiation - practiced by the Roman Catholics. 1. belief is that upon the prayer of the priest that the bread & the fruit of the vine actually turn into the literal body & blood of Jesus. 2. Caused many to shy away from partaking of the LS & is one of the reasons why the denominations take quarterly, annually, etc. 3. Jhn. 15:5 - Jesus says,…I am the vine & you are the branches. a. did Jesus teach that He is a literal vine & the disciples are literal branches? b. Are Jhn. 10:7 & 14:6 teaching that Jesus is a literal door or roadway? c. Just as the above are figurative expressions of Christ so is His statements concerning the LS. d. When Jesus said This is my body and had His body actually disappeared - then there would be sufficient argument for trans-substatiation. 4. However, His body remained at the table w/no change in form. 5. When disciples ate - they ate bread & not flesh. E. Constantiation - a mystical changing. 1. practice originated by Martin Luther in 1524 when he was fighting against the Catholic church. 2. Teaches that the body/blood of Christ are mysteriousally & supernaturally united with the bread and fruit of the vine so that they are received when the latter was. a. elements do not actually change into Christ's body & blood. b. In the same was as heat as in an iron - so Christ is in the elements of the Lord's Supper. 3. The bible & common sense teaches that the bread & the fruit of the vine are simply symbols of Christ's body & blood & that they contain the same elements & properties. IV. What is the Purpose & Significance of the Lord's Supper? A. 1 Cor. 11:20-22 - the Corinthian brethren were abusing the Lord's Supper. 1. making a common meal out of it. 2. Notice: Paul shames them for their conduct. 3. Common meals were not to be eaten during the time of the Lord's Supper. B. 1 Cor. 11:23-26 - teaches us the purpose of the LS. Corinthian brethren failed to understand this. 1. Lord's Supper to serve as a memorial. V. 24 - do this in remembrance of Me. a. need to partake of the LS b/c we remember Christ - not so that we remember Him. b. LS lasted through centuries as a memorial. A memorial to Christ. 2. LS a proclamation of the death of Christ - v. 26. A statement of our faith that Jesus died & was resurrected for our sins. 3. LS a proclamation of our faith that Christ will return again someday to take saved to heaven & send unjust eternal punishment. a. notice v. 26 - till He comes… we proclaim our faith in the certainty of the event. 4. It is a communion w/one another & the Lord. Communion cures from GK wd, koinonia and means: a. joint participation, partnership, sharing, etc. b. we share together in remembrance of the life of Christ. C. The LS is a means of spiritual nourishment. 1. Jhn. 6:53-55… 2. text doesn't directly refer to the LS but… a. stresses the importance of obeying all the commands of Christ. b. Taking LS been commanded & it's faithful observance causes us to feast our souls upon His spiritual food. V. How are we to Observe the LS? A. Lk. 22:18, 29-30; Mt. 26:29 - LS to be observed in the kingdom of God. 1. Only those who are citizens of the kingdom (Christians) have right to the table. 2. Kingdom is present today - came into existence on day of Pentecost. B. LS to be observed in the worship of the church. 1. all NT examples point to this. a. Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17-34 b. To be partaken of when the saints assemble. 1. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20, 33 C. When are we to observe the LS? 1. Acts 20:7 - first day of the week. a. text: no authority to change the day of observance. b. Text: Paul @ Troas. Waited till Lord's day. Thus this an approved precedent. Had it been unacceptable, don't you think Paul would have corrected it? 2. LS to be observed on the Lord's Day. Another term for Sunday used by FC brethren. 3. Acts 20:7 doesn't tell us they partook of the LS every week. How do we know that we should? a. Consider Ex. 20:8. Remember the Sabbath & keep it holy. Notice Israel OBLIGATED to keep the Sabbath. God didn't say every Sabbath… b. How often did Sabbath come around? They kept it every 7 days (Saturday). 4. Likewise, FC Christians met on the first day of the week. They did so with apostolic approval. a. how often FD of the week come around? Every Sunday. Therefore, we as children of God under obligation to keep it every Sunday. D. To partake using the proper elements. 1. unleavened bread. 2. The fruit of the vine. a. term fruit of the vine only used in NT in connection with the LS. b. Term fruit refers to produce of the vine. c. Term vine refers to the grapevine - juice made from grapes was used in the Lord's Supper. 3. Man has no right to change these elements as he chooses. We must follow the pattern of the Scriptures. VI. What Should be the Motive Behind the Lord's Supper? A. A time of self examination. - 1 Cor. 11:28 1. personal examination - not the right of someone else to examine us. 2. What to examine ourselves for? a. whether or not we are faithful to Christ. b. Whether our heart is right with God. c. Whether we consider the sacredness of the LS. 3. Ask yourself: Why am I at worship? a. would your heart disturb you if you had neglected to come to worship? b. What does all of this mean to me? c. Am I holding onto sin in my heart? B. Must partake in a worthy manner - 1 Cor. 11:27-30 1. Corinthian had been abusing LS. Result = partaking unworthy. a. corrupted LS till no longer LS. Turned it into a common mean w/some full & some hungry. b. Not likely that we would corrupt in the way they did. 2. But, how can we partake in an unworthy manner? a. by a failure to discern the Lord's body. 1. must understand the significance of the LS. 2. Not discern or take into account the representations of His body/blood. b. by making it as a common meal. Some drink of it in a light, flippant way. 1. what's for lunch? 2. Cowboys/Redskins - who will win? 3. Boy,…that preacher preached too long… c. by partaking in a prideful manner. 1. good idea to approach in a humble manner, realizing our dependence upon Jesus Christ. VII. Conclusion. A. We have examined some of the fundamental elements concerning the LS: 1. what it should be called. 2. It's purpose 3. The manner of observing it. 4. Our attitudes when partaking of it. B. Lord willing, next Sunday we'll discuss "Abusing the Lord's Supper." C. I N V I T A T I O N