Mark 14.22-25
Luke 22.14-23
1 Corinthians 11.17-34
1. What should we call it?
The Lord's Supper: 1 Corinthians 11.20
Communion: 1 Corinthians 10.16 (KJV)
The Eucharist: 1 Corinthians 11.24
Sacrament: Western Church term
Mystery: Eastern Orthodox Church term
Ordinance: Protestant Church term
The two sacraments/mysteries/ordinances are:
Baptism – It occurs only once in the life of a believer. It is a sign that a Christian has already entered into fellowship by faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 2.38, Romans 4.11).
The Lord's Supper – It is observed regularly in the life of a believer as a sign of continuing faith in, and fellowship with, Jesus Christ.
Sacraments, Mysteries, Ordinances serve us as visible reminders of the gospel in that they dramatically illustrate the initial and the ongoing affects of God's gracious work through and in Christ. They also function as a reminder, an object lesson, and a visible covenant sign of God's promise of grace to his people.
They are moments in a time-space world where Jesus is present with his people in a unique way and they communicate the gospel. While preaching is primary (as it makes the gospel audible), the Sacraments, Mysteries, Ordinances make the gospel visible and serve to communicate, signify, seal and confirm our possession of the promises and blessings of God to his people. God designs them to stir and strengthen our faith as we understand and receive them as expressions of an obedient faith in, and allegiance to, our covenant-making and covenant-keeping Savior… the Lord Jesus Christ.
How do I typically view communion? Did this message affect my thinking in any way? If so, how? Why?
How does the Lord's Supper parallel Passover? How does it replace it?
How does the Eucharist practically promote gratitude in the heart of a believer?
2. How should we take/receive it?
a. When we "take" it:
We reaffirm our faith in Christ and our allegiance to Christ.
We take the elements in faithful obedience to his command.
We take the elements with awe-filled joy and gratitude in response to his gracious invitation.
We admit our need of nourishment, assurance, comfort, and proclaim the fact that our sins were the cause of his suffering and death.
b. When we "receive" it:
We come as an invited guest to the table of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We come into the benevolent presence of the living God.
We remember he died for us.
We have a close encounter with Jesus as he is especially present to bless, to forgive, to comfort, to bring joy and hope as he draws near to us and affirms his love for us. His covenantal, forgiving love and acceptance is so real we can taste it.
We are united with his children as we participate in the Supper together.
How does this ordinance serve to reaffirm our faith in Christ?
How does it affirm his love for us?
What exactly are we "remembering"?
3. Who should take it?
1 Corinthians 11.18, 20 assumes that the Lord's Supper is an event for the church. It is memorial meal where only those who believe in, and follow after, Christ can truly participate (1 Corinthians 10.21).
But what about unsaved friends and children? Won't they feel that they are not part of the church? Right. And that is the point (1 Corinthians 10.21). No one can be in communion with Christ and the Devil at the same time. We are physically and tangibly reminding people that they are truly alienated from God… that they cannot participate in a communion that they do not have… they can't "remember" what they choose to ignore and rebel against… and they do not have the comfort and assurance of the signs and seals of the presence, promises, benefits and blessings of God. But they can! All they need to do is repent and believe and follow the Lord. He stands at the table to receive them.
Of course, the person living in sin, refusing to repent, and having no real intention of dealing with the sin fits the description of “unworthy.” The person harboring unchecked anger, lust, greed, or dissension (to list a few of the practices characteristic of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, Gal 5:19–21) is clearly “guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.”
I tell our people that the Scriptures are not barring any who have ever danced with the Devil. We all have. You simply cannot come to the Table still holding the Devil’s hand. As long as you are repentant, come. Be reminded of the cost of your sin, hate it afresh, and be reminded that your Savior has paid the debt. Be reminded of the grace of God that is greater than your sin. Be humbled anew by grace which is staggeringly beyond what you could expect, ask, or think. Allow the truth of free grace to melt your heart and cause you to long all the more for holiness.
From - Schreiner, Thomas R.; Crawford, Matthew R (2011-01-01). The Lord's Supper (Nac Studies in Bible & Theology) (Kindle Locations 196-200). B&H Academic. Kindle Edition.
How does this sacrament provide opportunity for evangelism?
What should a parent do with/for an unbelieving child?
Is there ever a time when a believer should abstain from this sacrament? If so, when? Why?
