THE LORD'S SUPPER

1Corinthians 11:17-34 THE LORD'S SUPPER In the past, Israel was to worship only where the Lord had placed His name, and worship was to be regulated by the Word of God. Truth couldn’t share with error, nor could the notions of men with the authority of God. To preserve the holiness of public worship in the Old Testament, God appointed…. A Divine Center. Deut. 12:5. 12: 6-7. God’s people were to bring their gifts and offerings there. 17:8-13. Discipline was carried out there. 18:6-8. God appointed ministry was given there. 26:1-11. Appreciation of the nation was expressed in what they brought there.

In the New Testament, just before the Lord was crucified, He appointed… A Divine Institution. Mat. 26:26-30. “He took bread.” The Son of God became human. “He blessed it.” He was thankful to do it. “He broke it.” Voluntary sufferings of the Lord Jesus. “He gave it…” He paid the ransom price; He made the atonement.

The Lord’s Supper in its Institution [Mat. 26:26-30]. The setting forth of the doctrinal truths of Christ’s incarnation, His deity, His humanity, His substitution, His atonement.

The Lord’s Supper in Its Position. Between the two comings of Christ: a look backward and a look forward; the memorial of a departed Friend (in remembrance of Me); the parable of a present Friend (where two or three are… there am I); the prophecy of a returning Friend (till He come). Every symbol in the church reminds us that it is night: “Stars,” “lamp-stand,” “supper.” It is night, but morning is coming.

The Lord’s Supper in Its Nature. It is a moral center. Purity is in view. It is a test of every conscience. It is preceded by self- judgment [1Cor.11:29]. If self-judgment is neglected, then Assembly judgment is invoked [1Cor.5]. If the assembly refuses to fulfill its responsibility, then God’s judgment takes place [1Cor.11:30]. 1st Corinthians 5 deals with the impure sins of the body. 1st Corinthians 11:17-22 deals with the uncontrolled passions of the

They are different; it is very easy to observe They are following those who clearly taught the ways of the Lord It is not just what they say, but the dignity they preserve That impresses angels and men who don't read the Word When they come together, there is a dignity and obvious respect For God and His Word, they know who they are called to represent From within, there comes evidence outwardly that they do not forget Through their testimony of the headship of Christ, to Him they consent.

There is an obvious difference between the sexes when they meet Each is equal as a worshipper, but their roles are not alike The honor they each deserve should be obvious as they treat One another with dignity and respect - and with delight Come as one body to worship the Father and honor the Son In psalms and hymns, spiritual songs, all led by the Spirit Each is as different as the members in a body, but joined as one Knowing that whether audible or silent, God Himself hears it.

It is not right for men to take the place of women, or the women to take the man The order God has established has been designated by Him Each one in the assembly should fill their role as best they can Knowing God expects each to do what He intends for them It is no light matter to be called by Christ's name And gathered to Him in faith and personal consecration He never intended for us to be all exactly the same To the role He has given us, He has the right to our dedication.

Men and women are distinctly different, but we are one in unity The gifts given are to fill the needs we have for each other Men speak out publicly, and the women, in silence, show holy piety In the local body of saints, there is a role for each sister and brother In faith, we each one needs to understand and fulfill our role So, the unity of the saints in worship and service our testimony completes The men are like the mouthpiece, the women are like the soul Each one is content with who we are without any desire to compete.

"Father, Thy people who meet together here seem quite united. May our time with them encourage and instruct in such a way as to help them respect each other and continue in faithful testimony to Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."

1Corinthians 11:17-34 THE LORD'S SUPPER In the past, Israel was to worship only where the Lord had placed His name, and it was to be regulated by the Word of God. Truth couldn’t share with error, nor the notions of men with the authority of God. To preserve the holiness of public worship in the Old Testament, God appointed…. A Divine Center. Deut. 12:5. 12: 6-7. God’s people were to bring their gifts and offerings there. 17:8-13. Discipline was carried out there. 18:6-8. God appointed ministry was given there. 26:1-11. Appreciation of the nation was expressed in what they brought there.

In the New Testament, just before the Lord was crucified, He appointed… A Divine Institution. Mat. 26:26-30. “He took bread.” The Son of God became human. “He blessed it.” He was thankful to do it. “He broke it.” Voluntary sufferings of the Lord Jesus. “He gave it…” He paid the ransom price; He made the atonement.

The Lord’s Supper in its Institution [Mat. 26:26-30]. The setting forth of the doctrinal truths of Christ’s incarnation, His deity, His humanity, His substitution, His atonement.

The Lord’s Supper in Its Position. Between the two comings of Christ: a look backward and a look forward; the memorial of a departed Friend (in remembrance of Me); the parable of a present Friend (where two or three are… there am I); the prophecy of a returning Friend (till He come). Every symbol in the church reminds us that it is night: “Stars,” “lamp-stand,” “supper.” It is night, but morning is coming.

The Lord’s Supper in Its Appeal. Unity is expressed [1Cor.10:17] in all partaking of one loaf. The symbolic circle with the table at its center is a testament to the participants' fellowship. The bread is the symbol of the mystical body of Christ [1Cor.10]. The bread is the symbol of the literal body of Christ [1 Cor. 11]. The Lord’s Supper testifies that the Church is one. That oneness is preserved by the Lord in His prayer in John 17. The local church (assembly) is a miniature of the one body [1 1Cor. 12:27].

The Lord’s Supper as regards time. Acts 20:6-7 indicates that it was a specific objective of the believers' gathering. It indicates that it took place on the first day of the week. It suggests that Paul waited until the first day of the week in order to be with the believers at the “breaking of bread” meeting. No other time frame is referenced in the scripture regarding how often this should be done. Therefore, using the given time reference and the fact that certain other things are unique to the first day of the week, it is done on the first day of the week rather than the first day of the month or the first day of the year. Believers were to lay aside God’s portion to be given on the first day of the week: Responsibility. John the apostle received the truths of our Lord’s Person in Revelation on the first day of the week: Revelation. Our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the first day of the week, beginning the day of the Gospel of the grace of God: Resurrection. The Lord’s Supper took place on the first day of the week: Remembrance.

The Lord’s Supper as regards participants. In Acts 2 we read that they that “gladly received his word” (salvation: disciples are made by Gospel preaching); “were baptized” (obedience: disciples are marked by baptism by immersion); and they “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, the fellowship, breaking of bread and in prayers” (reality: disciples are molded by the teaching and practice of the Word of God). We learn then that only baptized believers who were living consistent lives as followers of Christ were participants at the Lord’s Supper. The difference between the Lord’s Table in 1st Corinthians 10 and the Lord’s Supper in 1st Corinthians 11 is that a person can be saved (have access to the Lord’s table) and still not be separated unto the Person of Christ. When we take the Lord's Supper, we indicate we are in fellowship with the Lord and each other and are there for the right reasons. The Lord’s Supper is not for forgiveness of sins, getting the Holy Spirit, to gain a good conscience, to re-crucify Christ, or any other reason than those mentioned before. If we were at the first one when the Lord Jesus Christ instituted the feast of remembrance, we would have been gathered around a table after having finished eating the last of all the Passover feasts. The Lord Jesus Himself then took the emblems symbolizing His Body and Blood, gave thanks for each in turn, and gave them to each one there to partake of. You can imagine each one eating the bread from the one loaf and drinking from the same cup, and forever after they would realize this is more important than a birthday. This is a reminder of a day of death and of an accomplished work of redemption through the body and blood of the Lord.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME The night the Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Lord's Supper, He and His disciples had eaten the last of the Passovers before eating the new feast of remembrance. The Passover was now finished, and the testimony of the new covenant was seen in the bread and the cup. Apparently, the Corinthian assembly, and maybe other assemblies, had a regular meal together before they took the Lord's Supper. In Corinth, the meal meant to express fellowship and love as a "love feast" was actually driving them into cliques, dividing the rich from the poor and the needy from those who had plenty to eat. This can easily happen. Some who are well-to-do will sit at a table by themselves discussing finances, business, and how their latest investments are doing. Those who are in real need and want something to eat are isolated and kind of watched out of the corner of some eyes to see how much they actually eat. This kind of separation is a serious danger to any assembly because it reveals a problem much deeper than just eating at separate tables. It is possible to misuse something that could promote fellowship so that the results make things among believers much worse than they were before. Even at these meals, the divisions showed the deep-seated problems among the believers in Corinth. Unbelievers were exposed in some way during those times that should have promoted fellowship. The answer to this problem should be addressed at home, so it would not bring further dishonor upon the Lord's people as a whole.

Another consideration, though, is that some of the poor needed what was provided at those meals. But treating them as people of less worth than the rich revealed those who believed they were gifted and advanced in the Christian life, farther along than others, to be like little spoiled children when it came to showing Christian love and grace. The potential for good in having a meal together can easily be lost, becoming a time of reproach and division when it is not truly a "love feast." This type of thing should not precede the Lord's Supper.

We are to "Occupy till I come," the Lord Jesus taught, as we take responsibility for the work He has given us. Assembly believers in Thyatira were to "Hold fast till I come," in a reliable way, as they waited and witnessed for the Lord. It is important to the Lord Jesus Christ that we worship in appreciation of Him when we come together to "Show the Lord's death till He come." The institution of the Lord's Supper displays great doctrinal truths of the incarnation of Christ, the deity and humanity of Christ, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, the substitution and atonement that has been accomplished for us. This was important to the Lord then, and is now - and it should be to us as well.

The position of the Lord's Supper is uniquely important as it is between the two comings of Christ. We look back to when He came to put away sin by the "sacrifice of Himself." We know His sinlessness and perfection in every way made that sacrifice acceptable to God. Now we look forward at the Lord's Supper to His promised return when the symbols of His body and blood are no longer needed. The Lord's Supper is a memorial of a departed Friend. "This do in remembrance of Me." It is also a testimony of a present Friend. "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them." The Supper is a response to a promise of a coming Friend - "Till I come." The Lord's Supper is not just a historical review or a history lesson. It is a vital remembrance of the past, present, and future activities of our Lord, and it has a purifying effect on us today.

The nature of the Lord's Supper is that it is a moral center where the purity of life and purpose test our conscience. It is important for us to prepare in advance of partaking of that feast of holy things. We are not worthy of being there or of any of the blessings our Lord has given us, but we can, and must partake of the Lord's Supper in a worthy manner. Personal examination, self-judgment, and confession of sin are needed in view of the holiness and purity testified to our Lord in that Supper. We come together owning the Lordship of Christ. We come on the Lord's Day to sit at the Lord's table and partake of the Lord's Supper. While there, we proclaim the Lord's death and discern the Lord's body until the Lord's return. Unfortunately, for some people, it can come or go depending on how it interferes with other things going on in their lives, rather than the other way around.

At the Lord's Supper, then, we look back to remember what happened on our behalf that we might be brought to God. We also look up to the place where our Great High Priest adds His "sweet perfume" to all our prayers and hymns of praise. At the same time, we remember His presence with us and look ahead to when His promise to return will take place, and we "shall see His face." It is also important that we examine ourselves as we look inward to ensure that nothing in us would dishonor Him, adversely affect others, or hinder our worship. There is another consideration in relation to the Lord's Supper. There are observers. Angels look on and see the order of those who submit to our Lord's headship. There are those in the observers' seats who watch to see whether what we profess is consistent with what we actually practice.

There is a unique appeal to the Lord's Supper, and that is its testimony to the unity of those who are gathered to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ in His name alone. Sitting around the table with one loaf on it testifies to the fact that in the unity of family fellowship with the saints and Jesus in our midst, we are one in Christ as members of His body. We are united together with Him and in Him. He preserves us and holds us together as He mentioned in His intercessory prayer for us. The local assembly of believers is a testimony that the Body of Christ is one and not divided, unlike denominations that divide Christians into unscriptural groups. The cup is the testimony of the blood of Christ that was in no way tainted with sin. His "precious blood" carries with it the proof of eternal life from Him we received when His "Blood cleanseth us from all sin." The unity expressed by drinking from the one cup symbolizes the eternal life Christ gave us when He gave His life as a ransom for us, forming the new covenant He made with us.

The results of the Lord's Supper include the preservation of sound doctrine, blessings that come from worshipping in spirit and truth, and the visible testimony of the Gospel. Others are that we learn the meaning and value of Christ's work on Calvary again. We are assured of who we are and why we are here as we join together to remember Him. The coming of the Lord is brought to our minds, and its purifying effect goes with us through the week ahead. By being at the Lord's Supper, we are able, in a special way, to act as priests should, bringing our variety of sacrifices with us to present to Him. In an unusual way, our prayers and praises create a paradox of joy and sweet sorrow as we remember our Savior. It is important for the Lord and for us that we be where He intends us to be and do what He intends us to do. To carelessly look upon such an important act commanded by the Lord places one under the judging hand of God. We need to obey Him and do what he wants in His way. A wise person will not just come when it is convenient to them but will commit themselves to obedience and faith as we remember our Lord Jesus Christ and make a public proclamation of His death. These two things are able to be responded to at the Lord's Supper in a way that is not possible elsewhere or in any other way.

The night before, as the work day closes A sense of quietness draws one aside. Words of a hymn, some scripture passage he chooses That from his mind weekday work he can hide. His mind and heart are raised higher and above The things of which he has been occupied. Now he is drawn in spirit to the Savior he loves Considering just how and why His Savior died.

In the early morning, he dresses himself with care He is going with the saints of God to meet Together around the table and there to share Thoughts of the Lord and His work complete. So, a sense of dignity, honor, and respect Dictates to him how he should dress. This feast of remembrance he would not neglect From the attitude of thanks, his God he will bless.

With cautious joy and reverential mind He sits down with others to think and remember. In the bread and cup, there he is able to find Proof of the body of which he is a member. And the eternal life he has as a gift received, He can see in the blood-red fruit of the vine. There in thoughts he remembers on Who he's believed He's not very conscious of the passing of time.

Sitting at that table, partaking of the Supper He is aware he's seated in heavenly places. All who are there sense the unseen "Other" Who grace is reflected in all of their faces. It never grows old, this remembrance of Him, Who loved us with a love that is everlasting. At this table of blessing, we bring thank-offerings in And leave with a heart full of overflowing blessing.

"Loving Father, thanks so much for reminding me again of the value of what we do and how we do it. During this day, may our conversations with others, the things we do, and the teaching we give have Thy blessing on it in a way that can glorify Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."

These matters manifest the Lordship of Christ in the church. What we give to the Lord indicates where our true interests lie. A lot of people start off in a real race looking like winners, but those who are there after years are the ones to trust and follow.