The Lord's Supper

TEXT:  1 Cor. 11:23-25

INTRODUCTION:

A.      PAUL RECALLS THE INSTITUTING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

B.      THE INTENT OF PAUL'S INSTRUCTIONS:

          1.       Inform the ignorant.

          2.       Correct abuses.

C.      COULD WE BE IN ERROR?  DO WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING?

I.      WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?

A.      "THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME"( 1 Cor. 11:23-24 ).

B.      SIGNIFIES OUR HOPE IN HIS COMING( 11:26 ).

C.      A MEANS OF TELLING OTHERS( 11:26 ).

D.      AN ACT OF FELLOWSHIP( 1 Cor. 10:16-17; see ftnote #7 ASV).

E.      CHRIST COMMANDED( Luke 22:19 ).

II.     HOW IT IS TO BE OBSERVED.

A.      THE ELEMENTS:

          1.       Unleavened bread( Matt. 26:26 ) - Passover- ( 1 Cor. 5:7-8 ).

          2.       Fruit of the vine, onois, grape juice, fermented or fresh.

B.      ORDER è Bless( give thanks ), brake.

                             Gave thanks - "drink ye all of it"( Mark 14:23 ).

III.    WHEN IS IT TO BE OBSERVED?

A.      APPROVED EXAMPLE OR DIVINE PRECEDENT( Acts 20:7 ).

B.      FIRST DAY WAS IMPORTANT - Res. Pentecost 1 Cor. 16:1-2.

C.      THE LORD' S DAY( Rev. 1:10 ).

IV.   WHAT IS THE MANNER OF OBSERVANCE?

A.      WE MUST OBSERVE IN A WORTHY MANNER( 1 Cor. 11:24-29 ).

          1.       We must have communion with him( 1 Cor. 10:16 ).

          2.       We are to discern the body( 1 Cor. 11:29 ).  "In remembrance."

          3.       We are to examine self, not our brethren( 11:28 ).

          4.       No divisions - we are to be one( 11:33; 10:17 ).

B.      WHAT IF WE PARTAKE UNWORTHILY?( 1 Cor. 11:27 ).

C.      THE CORINTHIANS DID NOT OBSERVE THESE RULES( 11:17-22, 33-34 ).

D.      FAILURE CAN CAUSE SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS( 11:30 ).

V.    MISCONCEPTIONS THAT ARE COMMON AMONG US:

A.      L.S. IS NOT A "SACRAMENT." NOTHING MYSTICAL OR MAGIC AT ALL. 

SYMBOLIC MEMORIAL.

          Expressions:  "right to it"  "most important part of worship."

B.      NOT ADMINISTERED BY THE CHURCH.  WE TALK OF OFFERING IT.

          1.       It may be provided for by the local congregation, but the church does not

                   offer, it partakes.

          2.       Neither is it administered by the elders or preacher.

C.      THO INDIVIDUALS PARTAKE FROM THE HEART,  IT IS NOT AN

          INDIVIDUAL MATTER. 

          1.       The early saints came together( Acts 20:7;  1 Cor. 11:17, 20, 33 ).

          2.       So must WE( 1 Cor. 10:16-17 ).

          3.       It is wrong for conveniece sake to separate ourselves from our brethren in

                   partaking.  We ought, as a congregation, to assemble to partake:

VI.   WHO IS TO OBSERVE THE LORD'S SUPPER?

A.      OBSERVED IN THE KINGDOM( Mark 14; 9:1;  Acts 1:6-8 ).

B.      BUT HOW DOES ONE GET INTO THE KINGDOM?.( Jno. 3:3-5 ).

C.      OBSERVED BY THE "ONE BODY"( 1 Cor. 10:16-17 ).

D.      NOW DOES ONE BECOME A MEMBER( 1 Cor.12:13 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      DO YOU PARTAKE IN A WORTHY MANNER?

B.      ARE YOU EVEN IN FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS?