Opening Scripture & Prayer Stuart Rustin
Call to Worship “Praise Adonai”
Offering Stuart Rustin
Offertory “The Body and the Blood”
Message
The Lord's Supper
I Corinthians 11:24-25
. . . and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Today we celebrate the Lord s Supper. The Lord s Supper is the believer’s outward demonstration of the inward faith of our Christian jorney. The lesson before us deals with communion as an act of worship and gives to us an account of the words that Jesus spoke in conversation with this holy ordinance.
THE LORD S SUPPER REFLECTS THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST:
Song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread. . . v.23
1. His Presence is reflected. v. 21
. . . for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. His Presence makes the difference! Too often we are unaware of His Presence. Oh, for a revival of sober thought! God is with me everywhere I go….sees everything I do and sees what I don’t do. He sees if you are straying in your walk with Him. He sees if you’re straying away from giving to the kingdom…Oh the glory of his Presence!
2. His Purpose in us is reflected. v. 20
. . . the Lord s Supper . . . He wants to be the Lord of your life…where everything goes through Him….not as a dictator but as a provider…not to hassle but to heal…not to dominate but to provide divine assistance. The songwriter testified this way…I need thee every hour …stay Thou near by….temptations lose their power…When Thou art nigh! I need Thee O, I need Thee, every hour I need thee. O bless me now my Savior I come to Thee!
3. His Passion should be reflected through us. v. 26
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord s death until he comes.
4. His Person is reflected through us. v. 29
For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.
THE LORD S SUPPER REFLECTS THE UNITY OF THE FAMILY:
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. v. 25
1. Unity in Worship reflects God’s family. Listen to the words of this song.
Song “Here I Am To Worship”
It is why were here. We are not here for social gathering, we are here to worship. We are here to bow down
2. Unity in Spirit reflects our worship. There can be no unity in worship without unity in the Spirit. The one ingredient that sets us apart from the mundane is unity in the Spirit. The world does not understand it!
Song “Sweet, Sweet, Spirit”
THE LORD S SUPPER REQUIRES THE CLEANSING OF OUR HEARTS:
I Corinthians 11:27-29
Song of Reflection: “Revive Us Again”
The Requirement Is Two-Fold:
1. Personal Examination . v. 28
A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
2. Personal Participation . v. 29
For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.
Call for the Stewards
Communion
The Lord himself ordained this holy sacrament. He commanded His disciples to partake of the bread and wine, emblems of His broken body and shed blood. This is His table. The feast is for His disciples. Let all those who have with true repentance forsaken their sins, and have believed in Christ unto salvation, draw near and take these emblems, and, by faith, partake of the life of Jesus Christ, to your soul’s comfort and joy. Let us remember that it is the memorial of the death and passion of our Lord; also a token of His coming again. Let us not forget that we are one, at one table with the Lord.
We are reminded that in the same night that our Lord was betrayed, He took bread and, when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Likewise, after supper, He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
May we come before Thee in true humility and faith as we partake of this holy sacrament. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
As we move into the unknowns of tomorrow, we want to remember that because of his death, we have life! Because of His suffering; we have healing! Because of His atoning blood; we have new life…yes, even eternal life. As the music begins to play, you invite you to come and partake of the sacraments of the Lord’s Supper.
Then may the minister, partaking first, with the assistance of any other ministers present, and when necessary, of the stewards, administer the Communion to the people.
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was broken and shed for you, preserve you blameless, unto everlasting life. Take and eat this bread, in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful!
