THE LORD’S SUPPER
-Introduction
-Last Sunday morning, we addressed the fact that God provides patterns.
-These patterns provide organization (rather than confusion) and cohesiveness
(rather than division).
-They are authoritative and binding.
-Therefore, we are to conform to them and will be held accountable to them.
-In regards to specific patterns provided by God, I would like to address the topic of worship.
-John 4:24, Matt 15:7-9
-These passages (amongst others) show that there is a proper (acceptable) way to worship
God. Therefore, there are also improper (unacceptable) ways to worship God.
-With these things being said, I would like to begin a series of lessons on the topic of worship.
-To begin this series, let’s take a closer look at the Lord’s Supper.
-The Origination of the Lord’s Supper
-Matt 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20
-The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus during the Passover on the evening of His betrayal.
-Let’s note two items of significance regarding this timing.
1. Passover – Ex 12:3-13
-lamb, male without blemish, token of blood, avenue of deliverance
-1 Cor 5:7, Isa 53:7, Jn 1:29, 2 Cor 5:21, 1 Pet 1:18-19, Col 1:14
2. Night of His Betrayal – On that very night, Jesus would be taken by His enemies and the
events leading up to the crucifixion would be underway. Through His crucifixion, Jesus
would willing offer that which was represented in the Lord’s Supper – His body & blood.
-Emblems to be Used
-Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20
-bread & cup (fruit of the vine)
-Remember, the Lord’s Supper was instituted at the time of Passover. The bread used with the
Passover was unleavened bread (Ex 12:8, Matt 26:17, Mark 14:12, Luke 22:1,7)
-leaven – (Mirriam/Webster Dict.) – “a substance (as yeast) used to produce fermentation
(as in dough)”
-significance: Leaven is sometimes used in the scriptures to represent sin and its influence.
-1 Cor 5:6-7
-Jesus knew no sin (2 Cor 5:21); therefore, the bread to be used is to be unleavened.
-application of logic: If the bread was to be unleavened in its representation of the Lord’s body,
then the fruit of the vine should be unleavened in its representation of His blood.
-The debate of “wine” vs “fruit of the vine.”
-The word “wine” in the scriptures can be used to describe both fermented and non-fermented
beverages. (see Isa 65:8 – unfermented; Gen 9:21 – fermented)
-In the N.T., the Greek word “oinos” is translated as “wine” and can describe a fermented or
non-fermented beverage. The context must be used to determine which type of beverage.
-The Lord left the Lord’s Supper out of that debate. He did not use the word “oinos” but
used a different phrase meaning “the fruit of the vine.”
-application of logic: Since we are to use unleavened bread to represent the purity of our
Lord’s body, we should use unleavened “wine” (fruit of the vine) to represent His blood.
-quick reference to the issue of one cup vs multiple cups
-When / Frequency
-If we only had the accounts in Matt, Mark & Luke regarding the institution of the Lord’s Supper,
we would not know when to take the Lord’s Supper nor how often.
-Thursday, Sunday, Friday?
-Acts 2:42 tells us that this was something the Christians continued to do.
-annually, quarterly, weekly, daily?
-Acts 20:7 tells us that the Christians in the N.T. church, in accordance with apostolic authority,
partook of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week.
-Therefore, we should partake on the first day of the week as well – not Saturday night, not
another night of the week, not for special occasions (i.e. weddings, holidays, etc.)
-1 Cor 11:26 tells us that we are to partake of the Lord’s Supper often. But, how often?
-Here are a few things to consider:
1. How many weeks have a first day? – every week
2. the principle of the Sabbath – Ex 20:8
-How many weeks have a Sabbath? every week
-The O.T. scriptures reveal that each and every Sabbath was to be observed. (Rom 15:4)
3. the collection – In 1 Cor 16:2, Paul instructed the Christians to give on the first day of the
week. We are being inconsistent with the scriptures if we gather each first day of the week
to worship, give each first day of the week but not partake of the Lord’s Supper each first day.
-The Lord’s Supper is to be observed every first day of the week.
-Purpose of the Lord’s Supper
-I plan to deal with this more in an additional lesson. However, I’ll briefly point out this crucial
aspect of the observance of the Lord’s Supper.
-1 Cor 11:24-29 (vs 24 & 25 – “in remembrance of me”)
-The Lord’s Supper is to remind us of the sacrifice of Jesus – the giving of His body and the shedding
of His blood.
-To partake of the Lord’s Supper without remembering Jesus is to take unworthily (vs 27, 29).
-Who is to Partake?
-1 Cor 10:16-17
-James Burton Coffman, with reference to the Wycliffe Bible Commentary, said, “The great principle
behind Paul’s remarks here is the truth that ‘Partaking of a religious table, whether Christian, Jewish
or heathen, involves fellowship with the being to whom it is directed,’ as well as with the
participants themselves” (Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians, Firm Foundation Publishing House,
Austin, TX, © 1977, pg 157).
-Who is the “we” being spoken of by Paul? 1 Cor 1:2 – “the church” – the body of Christ (Col 1:18)
-Those who are obedient to the Gospel are those who have had their sins washed away by the blood
of Christ (Acts 22:16, Col 1:14, 1 Pet 1:18-19). Upon obedience to the Gospel, they were added
to the church, the body of Christ, by the Lord (Acts 2:42). They are in fellowship with the Lord (1
John 1:3,6-9) as long as they live faithfully to Him.
-So, faithful Christians are the ones who are to partake of the Lord’s Supper.
-Are you a faithful Christian? Are you in fellowship with the Lord? Do you commune with Him?
If you have not initially obeyed the Gospel, please do so! (believe – John 8:24, Confess – Matt 10:32,
repent – Acts 17:30, be baptized – Acts 2:38). If you’ve obeyed the Gospel but haven’t remained
faithful, come back! (confess your sin, repent, pray for forgiveness – 1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24)
Date: December 4, 2005