Sunday, November 15, 2015 am
GOING ON TO PERFECTION
(35)
The Christian and Public Worship (3)
The Lord’s Supper
This month we are examining our public worship.
As we strive to go on to perfection, we need each other.
We come together to worship God and thereby we build up (edify)
one another.
Thus far we have discussed how our worship needs to be our best both in
attitude and execution.
In
the next few lessons we are going to address the various acts of public
worship. We will notice
briefly their authority and then we will examine how to give our best in
each act of worship. Today
we start with the Lord’s Supper and giving.
NOTE: I again emphasize that while I am making some observations and
some things to think about, perhaps matters where we could change a
little for the better, I am not trying to single out anyone personally.
I simply submit these things for your consideration.
a.
Partaking “in truth”
i.
Instituted by Jesus on
the night he was betrayed – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
In this text Paul reminded the brethren of that occasion (Matt.
26:26-28)
ii.
He took elements of the
Passover meal – bread and fruit of the vine (note that the word “wine”
is never used in conjunction with the Lord’s Supper).
These elements were representative of His body (His humanity) and
His blood which was shed for the remission of our sins.
iii.
It was observed “on the
first day of the week” – Acts 20:7 – necessarily implied is that it was
offered weekly.
iv.
It was offered when they
came together for that purpose – Acts 20:7.
Also the context of 1 Corinthians 11:18-34 implies this.
Vs. 18, 20 specifically say they came together.
This is followed by a distinction between coming together and
what they did at home – 22, 34.
AND, it was in this context that he warns of partaking in an
unworthy manner – which would textually include the way it was served.
b.
Partaking “in spirit”
i.
We are specifically
warned in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 that our attitude is important as we
partake of this memorial.
ii.
It IS a memorial – a
memorial with hope attached to it, but a memorial.
Jesus died to give us that hope.
His death was cruel and unjust to Him.
Yet He died for us!
Eph. 1:7 tells us we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins.
iii.
Let it be done in
reverence - our text calls for treating this occasion with reverence.
Paul specifically deals with the “unworthy manner” which can make
us guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
iv.
Let it be a time of
reflection – what do we think about as we partake of the Lord’s Supper?
1.
The sacrifice of Jesus –
consider what He endured for us
2.
Think about the life of
Jesus that made this sacrifice possible – He lived without sin, never
gave into temptations, etc.
3.
Think of what Jesus said
on the cross
4.
Think about what His
blood accomplished – redemption, reconciliation, propitiation,
sanctification, salvation, forgiveness, etc.
5.
Reflect on your
spiritual condition before you were washed in the blood.
6.
Reflect on your
spiritual condition now – considering what Jesus did, are you in your
daily living serving Him?
Let a man “examine himself.” (1 Cor. 11:28)
This reflection is designed to help you RESOLVE to serve Him.
7.
Note: You can prepare
yourself for this ahead of time!
v.
It is a communion – a
time of fellowship. As we
have noted we partake together.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 – the cup and bread are a communion – a word that
means a fellowship – a communion with Christ.
vi.
It is a declaration – 1
Cor. 11:26 – you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
You are declaring to those present with you that Jesus is your
Lord. You are setting an
example to the world that you believe that Jesus died and arose for your
sins.
c.
Preparing our minds
i.
Because we partake of
this memorial every week it can become easy to become just a routine
that is done with little thought, (or the mindset, let’s hurry up and
get this out of the way). As we have noted, that is a serious danger
with judgment at stake.
It is a challenge to keep our minds focused on this occasion.
That is why we do things to prepare our minds.
ii.
Remove distractions –
whether it be cell phones ringing, reading texts, talking, constant
movement, the shuffling of pages, etc.
Such things can distract OTHERS from their efforts to worship God
properly.
iii.
We sing a song – is it a
song that actually reminds us of what occurred on that occasion?
Realize you are leading the congregation in an act of worship, which is
one of the specified reasons we are here each Sunday.
- Perhaps, there are some congregations that have begun overemphasizing
this act of worship (if that is possible) or they emphasize this to the
neglect of other acts of worship, but more often than not, it is treated
as if it is underemphasized – as something we are in a hurry to get it
over with so that we can get on with fulfilling the rest of our
responsibilities for the week.
- Consider your appearance – does it show reverence for the occasion?
- Consider preparing some comments to remind us of this occasion.
Maybe everyone knows why we are here, but it never hurts us to be
reminded. Also, often times we
have visitors and we are NOT certain of their understanding of these
things.
- Let us be like Paul who REMINDED the brethren at Corinth of the
purpose of the Lord’s Supper. Let
us be like Jesus who TOLD the reason for this memorial.
- Consider allowing a few more moments after the emblems are passed so
that we can ALL (including those who are serving) think on these things.
- Use variety when reading scriptures or in the comments that are made –
you have time, prepare! If you
desire, coordinate with the song leader (ahead of time) and base your
talk on a particular song.
Perhaps these comments will help us direct our thoughts in a particular
direction.