The Lord’s Supper

Text: I Corinthians 11:17-34

 

I.         It is a covenant meal

            A.        Luke 22:19-20 - The cup is the new covenant

            B.        A covenant that is taken with us in the kingdom - Matthew 26:28-29

            C.        Covenants were often sealed with a meal shared between the two parties.

                        1.         Jacob and Laban’s covenant - Genesis 31:46,54

                        2.         The Law of Moses - Exodus 24:9-11

            D.        Each week we remind ourselves of our covenant with God and share a feast with our Lord.

            E.        This feast is sometimes called breaking bread - Acts 20:7

II.        It is a joining of believers in worship

            A.        Notice how often Paul emphasizes the coming together - I Corinthians 11:17,18,20,33,34

            B.        The early church continued steadfastly in this worship - Acts 2:42

            C.        Through the Lord’s Supper, we become one - I Corinthians 10:17

            D.        Because of this, Paul insisted that the Lord’s Supper be done together - I Corinthians 11:33

III.       It is a remembrance of Christ’s death - I Corinthian 11:24-25

            A.        The bread is to be broken to represent Christ’s broken body

            B.        The fruit of the vine represents his shed blood

            C.        This is what we remember - Mark 15:16-39

IV.      It is a hope for the future

            A.        Until Jesus comes again - I Corinthians 11:26

            B.        By taking we are stating our belief that Jesus will come again.

V.        The mechanics

            A.        Unleavened bread

                        1.         The Lord’s Supper was established during the Passover feast. Unleavened bread was all that was used.

                        2.         The lack of leavening represents the lack of sin in Jesus’ life

                        3.         It is not the literal body of Christ because Christ was in the flesh when he established His meal.

            B.        Fruit of the Vine - Grape juice

                        1.         Represents the blood that seals the covenant.

                        2.         Again, not the literal blood of Christ because Christ had not yet shed his blood when he established this feast.

                        3.         One container is not necessary because the cup was divided before it was drank - Luke 22:18-20

            C.        Done each Lord’s Day

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

                        2.         Something the disciples did regularly - I Corinthians 16:1-2

                        3.         It was done by the entire church together - I Corinthians 11:17, 18, 20, 33

            D.        Who is to partake?

                        1.         Those in the Lord’s kingdom - Matthew 26:29

            E.        How is it to be partaken?

                        1.         Examining yourself and not others - I Corinthians 11:27-30

                        2.         Discerning the body in I Corinthians 11:29 means understanding the significance of what is done.