Lesson 11 - The Lord's Supper in Worship
Introduction to the Lesson
Still another act of worship is the Lord's Supper. Christ knew that man was very forgetful. Therefore, he wanted to leave something behind that would help him to remember. This memorial then is known as the Lord's Supper.
Before going further, let us first see how it was instituted. Turn with me now to: [Matthew 26:26 - 28 (NKJV) 26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 27Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." ] Please notice how simple it was to be. Christ pointed out that the bread would represent his body and therefore should be partaken of in the remembrance of his body. Then he said that the cup, or fruit of the vine, would represent his blood and should be partaken of in remembrance of his blood. In other words, Christ did not want his disciples to forget the sacrifice that would be paid for them upon the cross, and therefore in partaking of the bread and cup every Lord's Day in remembrance of his body and blood then it would ever be fresh on their minds.
Turning over to 1st Corinthians, Paul writes the Corinthian brethren: [1 Corinthians 11:20 - 29 (NKJV) 20Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. 21For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. 23For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord*s death till He comes. 27Therefore 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. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord*s body.] Now in the beginning Paul rebuked the Corinthian brethren for the way in which they were dealing with the Lord's Supper. Instead of partaking of it in the manner the Lord had prescribed, they had turned it into a feast where they were eating to be filled and drinking to become drunk. This is not intended at all. Rather, he goes on to show them the real purpose of it and the manner in which they should partake. Paul also reminds them he received all of this information from the Lord and goes on to make his point, which were these:
*1. The Lord instituted this supper on the night in which he was betrayed.
*2. He pointed out that the bread was to remind them of the body that was broken for them.
*3. He likewise took the cup and shows how they should partake of it in rembrance of his blood.
*4. As often as it is partaken of it shows forth the Lord's death till he comes again.
*5. Those who would partake of this supper unworthily would be guilty of the body and blood of Christ.
*6. Each one should examine himself and then partake of it.
*7. Those who would eat unworthily would eat and drink damnation to their souls.
So these are the main points that he makes and we would do well to study them carefully.
As we continue our study, there are a number of things that we want to notice:
1. The Lord is not teaching that only one cup can be used. Sometimes whole groups of people conclude that only one cup can be used in partaking of the Lord's Supper, and therefore the whole group of them end up in drinking out of the same cup. Well, the Lord was not emphasizing the container but the contents in the container. Now whether it is in one or more makes little difference so long as you partake of it in remembrance of the blood of Christ. One time a man was visiting with a congregation that believed in having only one cup, so when it was passed to him then he drank all of the fruit of the vine within it. Then they objected that he had drunk it all and what would the rest of the congregation do? He reminded them that the Lord said, "Drink ye all of it." This only illustrates how people can be misled on something as simple as a cup. Although it would not be unscriptual to use one cup, however, for health purposes, and other reasons, it would be better to use individual cups.
2. Besides remembering the body and blood of Christ in partaking of the Lord's Supper. It is a reminder to one and all that here are a people who believe in the Lord's second coming. If this were not the case then they would not be partaking of it.
3. The partaking of the Lord's Supper is a period of time in which each one has an opportunity to reflect over the past week of his life, or the last several weeks if he has not been faithful in their attendance, and thus examine himself to see what his spiritual condition is. If one finds that he is living as faithful to the Lord as possible, then it is only natural that he should go ahead and partake of the Lord's Supper. However, if one finds that here are sins in his life then he should first of all repent of them and make the necessary corrections and then he is ready to partake of the Lord's Supper, but not until.
4. If one fails to examine himself and goes on and partakes of the Supper in spite of his unworthy condition, then instead of eating and drinking to be eternally saved, he is eating and drinking damnation to himself. Of course none of us is worthy in that we all sin. However, the Lord knew that we were not perfect and so when we do on this basis we are encouraged to partake of it. But if an individual purposely, carelessly, or negigently sins, then he is not prepared to partake of the Lord's Supper. He will not be any more lost because of partaking of it other than the fact that he is deceiving himself and others into thinking that he is all right. But the Lord knows and he should correct his life so that he might partake of it spiritually and scriptually.
5. We are not to have closed communion, and therefore refuse to allow all but a certain number to partake of it. The scriptures put it on the basis that we examine ourselves. Should an individual, who is not a member of the church, partake of it, then don't get excited; when he learns the truth then he will obey God. If we refuse to allow him to partake of it then he may never obey God.
In conclusion, we read in Acts 20:7 where the early Christians met on the first day of the week to partake of the bread. Therefore, we are to do the same. But which first day of the week? Each first day of the week. Who has given you or me or anyone else the authority to set a particular first day of the week as being the Lord's Day, on which we are to partake of the Lord's Supper? No one has. Therefore, let's leave it as God left it, with his people assembling on the first day of the week to worship and this includes the Lord's Supper.
NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP
QUESTIONS FOR LESSON 11, The Lord's Supper
1. Who instituted the Lord's Supper?
2. Read Matthew 26:26-28.
3. Why partake of the bread?
4. What does the fruit of the vine represent?
5. How often were the disciples to partake of it?
6. Read: 1st Corinthians 11:20-29.
7. What were the Corinthians doing with the Lord's Supper?
8. How did Paul deal with this matter?
9. Where did Paul receive his information on the Lord's Supper?
10. Explain how the Lord's death could be shown forth till he comes again through partaking of the Lord's Supper.
11. What would happen if they partook of it unworthily?
12. Does the scriptures teach the use of one cup only?
13. Is the emphasis on the container or the contents in the container?
14. How does the Lord's Supper relate to the second coming of Christ?
15. Explain how the Lord's Supper can be a personal blessing to each Christian who partakes of it.
16. Does the Lord expect one to be perfect before partaking of it?
17. Should one partake of it if he is purposely sinning?
18. Can we tell any individual that he cannot partake of the Lord's Supper?
19. On what day of the week should Christians meet to partake of the Lord's Supper?
20. Has the Lord given anyone the authority to set a particular first day of the week to eat the Lord's Supper?
Still another act of worship is the Lord's Supper. Christ knew that man was very forgetful. Therefore, he wanted to leave something behind that would help him to remember. This memorial then is known as the Lord's Supper.
Before going further, let us first see how it was instituted. Turn with me now to: [Matthew 26:26 - 28 (NKJV) 26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 27Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." ] Please notice how simple it was to be. Christ pointed out that the bread would represent his body and therefore should be partaken of in the remembrance of his body. Then he said that the cup, or fruit of the vine, would represent his blood and should be partaken of in remembrance of his blood. In other words, Christ did not want his disciples to forget the sacrifice that would be paid for them upon the cross, and therefore in partaking of the bread and cup every Lord's Day in remembrance of his body and blood then it would ever be fresh on their minds.
Turning over to 1st Corinthians, Paul writes the Corinthian brethren: [1 Corinthians 11:20 - 29 (NKJV) 20Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. 21For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. 23For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord*s death till He comes. 27Therefore 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. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord*s body.] Now in the beginning Paul rebuked the Corinthian brethren for the way in which they were dealing with the Lord's Supper. Instead of partaking of it in the manner the Lord had prescribed, they had turned it into a feast where they were eating to be filled and drinking to become drunk. This is not intended at all. Rather, he goes on to show them the real purpose of it and the manner in which they should partake. Paul also reminds them he received all of this information from the Lord and goes on to make his point, which were these:
*1. The Lord instituted this supper on the night in which he was betrayed.
*2. He pointed out that the bread was to remind them of the body that was broken for them.
*3. He likewise took the cup and shows how they should partake of it in rembrance of his blood.
*4. As often as it is partaken of it shows forth the Lord's death till he comes again.
*5. Those who would partake of this supper unworthily would be guilty of the body and blood of Christ.
*6. Each one should examine himself and then partake of it.
*7. Those who would eat unworthily would eat and drink damnation to their souls.
So these are the main points that he makes and we would do well to study them carefully.
As we continue our study, there are a number of things that we want to notice:
1. The Lord is not teaching that only one cup can be used. Sometimes whole groups of people conclude that only one cup can be used in partaking of the Lord's Supper, and therefore the whole group of them end up in drinking out of the same cup. Well, the Lord was not emphasizing the container but the contents in the container. Now whether it is in one or more makes little difference so long as you partake of it in remembrance of the blood of Christ. One time a man was visiting with a congregation that believed in having only one cup, so when it was passed to him then he drank all of the fruit of the vine within it. Then they objected that he had drunk it all and what would the rest of the congregation do? He reminded them that the Lord said, "Drink ye all of it." This only illustrates how people can be misled on something as simple as a cup. Although it would not be unscriptual to use one cup, however, for health purposes, and other reasons, it would be better to use individual cups.
2. Besides remembering the body and blood of Christ in partaking of the Lord's Supper. It is a reminder to one and all that here are a people who believe in the Lord's second coming. If this were not the case then they would not be partaking of it.
3. The partaking of the Lord's Supper is a period of time in which each one has an opportunity to reflect over the past week of his life, or the last several weeks if he has not been faithful in their attendance, and thus examine himself to see what his spiritual condition is. If one finds that he is living as faithful to the Lord as possible, then it is only natural that he should go ahead and partake of the Lord's Supper. However, if one finds that here are sins in his life then he should first of all repent of them and make the necessary corrections and then he is ready to partake of the Lord's Supper, but not until.
4. If one fails to examine himself and goes on and partakes of the Supper in spite of his unworthy condition, then instead of eating and drinking to be eternally saved, he is eating and drinking damnation to himself. Of course none of us is worthy in that we all sin. However, the Lord knew that we were not perfect and so when we do on this basis we are encouraged to partake of it. But if an individual purposely, carelessly, or negigently sins, then he is not prepared to partake of the Lord's Supper. He will not be any more lost because of partaking of it other than the fact that he is deceiving himself and others into thinking that he is all right. But the Lord knows and he should correct his life so that he might partake of it spiritually and scriptually.
5. We are not to have closed communion, and therefore refuse to allow all but a certain number to partake of it. The scriptures put it on the basis that we examine ourselves. Should an individual, who is not a member of the church, partake of it, then don't get excited; when he learns the truth then he will obey God. If we refuse to allow him to partake of it then he may never obey God.
In conclusion, we read in Acts 20:7 where the early Christians met on the first day of the week to partake of the bread. Therefore, we are to do the same. But which first day of the week? Each first day of the week. Who has given you or me or anyone else the authority to set a particular first day of the week as being the Lord's Day, on which we are to partake of the Lord's Supper? No one has. Therefore, let's leave it as God left it, with his people assembling on the first day of the week to worship and this includes the Lord's Supper.
NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP
QUESTIONS FOR LESSON 11, The Lord's Supper
1. Who instituted the Lord's Supper?
2. Read Matthew 26:26-28.
3. Why partake of the bread?
4. What does the fruit of the vine represent?
5. How often were the disciples to partake of it?
6. Read: 1st Corinthians 11:20-29.
7. What were the Corinthians doing with the Lord's Supper?
8. How did Paul deal with this matter?
9. Where did Paul receive his information on the Lord's Supper?
10. Explain how the Lord's death could be shown forth till he comes again through partaking of the Lord's Supper.
11. What would happen if they partook of it unworthily?
12. Does the scriptures teach the use of one cup only?
13. Is the emphasis on the container or the contents in the container?
14. How does the Lord's Supper relate to the second coming of Christ?
15. Explain how the Lord's Supper can be a personal blessing to each Christian who partakes of it.
16. Does the Lord expect one to be perfect before partaking of it?
17. Should one partake of it if he is purposely sinning?
18. Can we tell any individual that he cannot partake of the Lord's Supper?
19. On what day of the week should Christians meet to partake of the Lord's Supper?
20. Has the Lord given anyone the authority to set a particular first day of the week to eat the Lord's Supper?