The Lord's Supper - April 27, 2025

Welcome Announcements Offering The Lord's Supper - April 27, 2025 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Acts 1:6-11 This morning, we will be observing the Lord's Supper. As we planned our preaching for the year, this seemed like the most appropriate time to incorporate the Lord's Supper. One week from our Easter Celebration. As we've noted in the past, the Lord's Supper is one of the two ordinances of the Church. In other words, these are two requirements for Jesus' church. So, if you are a follower of Christ, then you are told to participate in the Lord's Supper, as well as Baptism. I want to begin this morning, as we often do, by reading Paul's teaching on the Lord's Supper to the Corinthian church. Let's head over to 1 Corinthians 11, beginning at verse 23. Here's what Paul says: 23 FOR I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD WHAT I ALSO DELIVERED TO YOU, THAT THE LORD JESUS ON THE NIGHT WHEN HE WAS BETRAYED TOOK BREAD, 24 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." 25 IN THE SAME WAY ALSO HE TOOK THE CUP, AFTER SUPPER, SAYING, "THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD. DO THIS, AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME." 26 FOR AS OFTEN AS YOU EAT THIS BREAD AND DRINK THE CUP, YOU PROCLAIM THE LORD'S DEATH UNTIL HE COMES. Two weeks ago, we studied the crucifixion of Jesus, which Paul addresses here in verse 24 and concluded that the crucifixion of Jesus was necessary for the forgiveness of my sin. Then, of course last week, we looked at how we should properly respond to the Resurrection of Jesus, the Savior. So, as I was thinking about this service, I couldn't help but focus my attention to verse 26 of our Corinthians passage, where Paul makes this statement: FOR AS OFTEN AS YOU EAT THIS BREAD AND DRINK THE CUP, YOU PROCLAIM THE LORD'S DEATH UNTIL HE COMES. So, once again, we are reminded of His promise that He would return. That's really where I want to focus our attention this morning. And I want to do that by looking at Luke's account in Acts 1. As you may know, Luke is responsible for two books of the New Testament. The third Gospel that bears his name, and the book of Acts. Acts, as indicated in verse 1 of the book is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke. In fact, there is an overlap in chapter 24 of Luke and Acts 1, which binds these two books together. Because, of course, what follows the resurrection of Jesus is His appearing, the empowering of the Apostles, then the ascension of Jesus to the Right Hand of the Father. And that's really where we end up in our primary passage this morning, Acts 1, beginning at verse 6. Here's what Luke recorded for us: 6 SO WHEN THEY HAD COME TOGETHER, THEY ASKED HIM, "LORD, WILL YOU AT THIS TIME RESTORE THE KINGDOM TO ISRAEL?" 7 HE SAID TO THEM, "IT IS NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW TIMES OR SEASONS THAT THE FATHER HAS FIXED BY HIS OWN AUTHORITY. 8 BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU, AND YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES IN JERUSALEM AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE END OF THE EARTH." 9 AND WHEN HE HAD SAID THESE THINGS, AS THEY WERE LOOKING ON, HE WAS LIFTED UP, AND A CLOUD TOOK HIM OUT OF THEIR SIGHT. 10 AND WHILE THEY WERE GAZING INTO HEAVEN AS HE WENT, BEHOLD, TWO MEN STOOD BY THEM IN WHITE ROBES, 11 AND SAID, "MEN OF GALILEE, WHY DO YOU STAND LOOKING INTO HEAVEN? THIS JESUS, WHO WAS TAKEN UP FROM YOU INTO HEAVEN, WILL COME IN THE SAME WAY AS YOU SAW HIM GO INTO HEAVEN." I want you to notice what's happening in this passage. Evidently, the disciples here believed that this was the Second Coming, so they expected Jesus to build His Kingdom, then and there. Instead, He gives them a task, and that task, as we even noted last week, was to make more disciples. Notice too that they were not really able to do that without the power of the Holy Spirit, which is currently present in each believer. Which means, verse 8 is just as much for you and me, as it was for the disciples with Jesus when He ascended. This is why we look at the totality of the Scriptures, because as we've seen with both passages this morning, while we wait for the Lord to return, we are called to be active, not passive. So, we can look at this passage and use it to provide application to the Lord's Supper. Let's develop this further through our main idea: Observing the Lord's Supper is an act of faith as we wait for the Lord's return. So, we're called to wait. Let's answer that question further: HOW TO WAIT FOR THE LORD * Come together (v.6) o In verse 6, of course, Jesus had everyone gathered as He gave His final instructions. o But, as we look at His ministry, and the various ministries of those He left behind, the idea of Christians gathering is there. o Returning to the 1 Corinthians 11 passage, we see a gathering of the saints, and Paul was attempting to bring order to the gather, which included an observation of the Lord's Supper. o And now, we understand the purpose of the meal. o To remember. o We were talking about this on Monday, but have you noticed that much of the Bible is about remembering? o The Jewish feasts are all about remembering and reflecting. o Jesus says that we're to do the same. We are to reflect and share what He has done for us. o And, in addition to this, as already noted, we wait. o Leading us to ... * Trust God's timing (v.7) o We can be impatient people, can't we? o Especially in our modern times, when we can access nearly anything almost at any time, almost immediately. o We tend to get impatient when the internet doesn't connect right away, or if we get stuck at a traffic signal. o So, we shouldn't be surprised that the disciples thought Jesus returned to set up His Kingdom. o It must have been difficult for the early church to wait. o I couldn't help but think of Paul's letters to the Thessalonians. o Simply stated, they had all sorts of wrong understanding of the Second Coming of Christ. o Just as we see in verse 11 of Acts 1, Jesus had to remind them that He would return in the same manner in which He left (which according to Luke 24:51 was quick and immediate). Like a thief in the night, Paul says. o One of the warnings of Paul to the Thessalonians was not to be idle, as they waited for the Lord's return. o When I was managing restaurants, there was a saying, "if you have time to lean, you have time to clean." o It's about keeping busy and being productive. o Paul warns the Ephesians that very thing: use the time wisely. o In God's Kingdom, we must always be busy. Not for the sake of being busy, but if we're called to make more disciples, then we do that while we wait. o Next, * Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit (v.8) o I think many Christians forget about the Holy Spirit. o In fact, one author wrote a book about it, named "Forgotten God" o Because of this, we often rely on ourselves to get things done. o Notice Who gives us power, authority, and ability in verse 6. o The Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit the Jesus promised in John, chapters 14-16. o For what purpose? Well, the rest of verse 8 says that we are to ... * Be Jesus' witnesses until He returns (v.8) o Full circle o Why do we observe the Lord's Supper? To proclaim His death until He returns. o What do we do until then? Be witnesses and spread the Gospel. o Matthew provides further details to this same Great Commission, adding that disciples are called to make more disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them. o We are all called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus. o When we observe the Lord's Supper, we are doing that very thing. o So, we are called to ... * Anxiously await His return (vv.9-11) o I won't belabor this, as we've said it plenty this morning. o Notice, I used the word "anxious" - in a positive manner. o We should want the next life - well, as Christians, we should. o Author Randy Alcorn said it this way: "The best of life on Earth is a glimpse of Heaven; the worst of life is a glimpse of Hell. For Christians, this present life is the closest they will come to Hell. For unbelievers, it is the closest they will come to Heaven." o And yet again, as we wait ... * We observe the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:26) o And that's exactly what we'll be doing in the next few minutes. o I mentioned earlier that observing the Lord's Supper is an act of faith as we wait for the Lord's return. At this time I want to invite the worship team to come up as we prepare to take the Lord's Supper. As we customarily do, we want to provide some additional instruction on the observance. Not everyone should take the bread and the cup. Why? Well, Paul tells us the reason for this as well. In 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, he says: 27 WHOEVER, THEREFORE, EATS THE BREAD OR DRINKS THE CUP OF THE LORD IN AN UNWORTHY MANNER WILL BE GUILTY CONCERNING THE BODY AND BLOOD OF THE LORD. 28 LET A PERSON EXAMINE HIMSELF, THEN, AND SO EAT OF THE BREAD AND DRINK OF THE CUP. 29 FOR ANYONE WHO EATS AND DRINKS WITHOUT DISCERNING THE BODY EATS AND DRINKS JUDGMENT ON HIMSELF. First, the Lord's Supper is reserved for God's people. For disciples of His Son Jesus. So, if you are not a believer, then you should not partake of the bread and the cup. But we invite you to take part in the rest of the service. Second, Paul warns about taking the bread and the cup in an unworthy manner. There are varying thoughts on what this means, but in the end, it refers to your heart. The Corinthians, for example, were more interested in the food than what it symbolized. Third, and lastly, Paul says we should examine ourselves. As we prepare our hearts, that is when we should be confessing and repenting of any sin that remains. We want to approach God's Table with reverence and with a clean heart. So, if you meet the criteria we just mentioned, then as the song begins, I'd like to invite you to collect both the bread and the cup, then in between songs, we will take them together. EVEN SO COME Prayer: Christ Jesus, when you came int the world, you said to the Father: "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure." Then you said, "Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book" (Heb. 10:5-7). You came in the incarnation, and by a single offering of your body on the cross you achieved what all the offerings on the Jewish altars could never accomplish - the complete forgiveness of our sins. Bread of Heaven. As we now partake of the symbol, ravish our hearts and refresh our souls. Amen. Reading: Luke 22:19 19 AND HE TOOK BREAD, AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS, HE BROKE IT AND GAVE IT TO THEM, SAYING, "THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH IS GIVEN FOR YOU. DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME." Partaking of the Bread NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD Prayer: Our gracious God, we thank you this day for the new covenant, the covenant sealed through the blood of Jesus Christ, your Son. And we drink this cup in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice for our sins, asking him even now, through the Spirit, to commune with us as we commune with each other. With grateful hearts, O Christ, we drink of you and say to you. Amen. Reading: Luke 22:20 20 AND LIKEWISE THE CUP AFTER THEY HAD EATEN, SAYING, "THIS CUP THAT IS POURED OUT FOR YOU IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD. Partaking of the Cup O THE BLOOD Scripture Reading: TBD COME JESUS COME Benediction: 2 Corinthians 13:14 THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL. 2