Lord Supper

The Lord’s Supper is described in detail 3 places:

1. The Synoptic Gospels. Matthew 26:17–29; Mark 14:12–25; Luke 22:7–38;

2. By Paul in I Corinthians 11:23–25.

3. In John 6:22-59. Jesus used bread and blood to refer to salvation; symbolized in the Supper.

I. I want to take you there!

1. He sends disciples ahead to make preparation.

2. That evening they eat Passover. (Bitter herbs, lamb, bread, wine)

3. Jesus slips behind and washes their feet. (John 13:1-20)

4. Jesus would have told the Exodus story.

5. Jesus predicted one of the disciples would betray him. He dismissed Judas.

6. Jesus declared the bread his “body.” The cup his “blood.”

7. After the Supper there was an extended discussion where Jesus shared his heart. (John 14-17)

8. They sang a hymn and left for Gethsemane, crossing the Kidron.

II. The Early Church practiced the Lord’s Supper from it’s beginnings. (Acts 2:42)

• What is happening in Acts 2 seems to be much more than just eating together.
• Luke pairs the breaking of bread with other essential parts of the church’s community. (Apostles teaching, etc.)
• “Breaking bread” came from something Jesus did when he “took the bread, broke it and gave it to his disciples.”

III. What is the Lord’s Supper?

Symbol: It is a symbol of Jesus body and blood. Price he paid.

• Catholicism: Adopted the doctrine Transubstantiation.
• Lutheranism: Christ is present in the elements.
• Baptist: The elements are Holy and Symbolic. They neither transubstantiate, nor do they carry the presence of Christ in any physical form.

Churches have two forms of practically carrying out the Lord’s Supper:

1. Closed Communion: Only members in good standing may partake.

2. Open Communion: Asks participants to judge their own heart. (1 Cor. 11:28)

In the Symbolism:

1. An act

2. A means of (1 Cor. 10:16) 

3. A  

4. A statement (1 Cor. 11:26) 

5. A stirring :

IV. Paul gave a warning and some clarity:

1. The Problem: 1 Cor. 11:17-22.

2. Clarity: 1 Cor. 11:23-26

Why call it “the cup” and not “the wine”?

• It was the Passover’s fourth cup.
• It symbolized a cup of judgment. (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17)
• Jesus called it the “cup of the new covenant.” Referring to Jer. 31.

3. Warnings: 1 Cor. 11:27

V. Practical guidelines for us:

1. Who should take it? Only believers.

2. When should I not take the Lord’s Supper?

3. How should I prepare myself?

VI. The Lord’s Supper is an Anticipation of the Second Coming.

• Matthew 26:29
• 1 Corinthians 11:26