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THE LORD'S SUPPER

Lesson 8

The supper instituted by the Lord gives an expression for worship. It is a communion in which each individual eats and drinks with the Lord. It is a monument to the body and bood of Jesus Christ, given in death for the remission of our sins.

l. THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER-Matt. 26:17-29: Mark 14-12-25; 1 Cor. 11:1 7-34

A. Its place: "In the kingdom" (Luke 22:29-30)

B. Who should eat?
      1. The table would be in the kingdom (Luke 22:30).
2. Those born of water and of spirit should be in the
kingdom (John 3:3-5).
3. He who partakes must be a citizen of the kingdom.

C. Its origin and authority
      1. The practice of the early church (Acts 20:7)
2. Taught by the apostles (Matt. 28:18-20).
3. Paul received it from the Lord (1 Cor. 11:23).
4. Instituted by Christ and delivered to the apostles
(Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20).

II. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SUPPER

A. It is a commemoration of a new deliverance-Christ's death secured our deliverance from sin (1 Cor. 11:26).

B. Three-fold significance
      1. A commemoration or memorial (1 Cor. 11:25-33), "This do in remembrance of me."
2. A proclamation (1 Cor. 11:26), to proclaim Christ's death
for the sins of the world.
3. Examination (1 Cor. 11:28-32).
      a. Partake worthily, that is, discerning (discriminate or
look through an eye of faith at Christ's spiritual body,
the church) the Lord's  body and thesignificance of
the emblems used in the supper.
b. be observed in peace and harmony of Christian
fellowship (I Cor. 10: 17).
C. Examine self, not each other (1 Cor. 11:28).

lll.  THE DESIGN OF THE SUPPER
      A. Anticipation, hope. "Till I come" (1 Cor. 11:26).
B. Obedience to the request of Christ made in the very
shadow of the cross (Matt. 26:26-29).
C. To eat regularly and worthily is to maintain spiritual
vigor (I Cor.11:29-32)
D. Declares the death of the Lord. (I Cor. 1 1:26)

IV. THE DAY AND FREQUENCY OF ITS OBSERVANCE

A. The apostles' teaching (Acts 2:42) included "breaking bread" (Acts 20:7)-"come together" upon the first day.
      1. 1 Cor. II: 18-"come together" in the church
(congregation)
2. 1 Cor. 1 1: 20-"come together" to supper
3. 1 Cor. 14:26-"come together" unto edifying

B. Hence (Heb. 10:25)-Don't forsake the assembling together.

V. THE ELEMENTS TO BE USED

A. The bread of the Passover-unleavened (Deut. 16:1-8). The Lord initiated the Lord's Supper at the Passover feast (Matt 26:26-29).

B. The fruit of the vine (Matt. 26:29). Grape juice was used-whether fermented or not.

CONCLUSION: The Lord's Supper is an act of Christian worship on the first day of the week. It is a proclamation that Christ lives. We Christians must realize our responsibility to it: what it is and its frequency. With this, we proclaim our Lord's death until He comes again!

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