Elements of Worship: Lord’s Supper

Acts 20:7

Introduction.

  1. A controversial subject throughout the centuries.

  2. Various views:

    1. Catholicism – transubstantiation.

    2. Protestantism (Luther) – consubstantiation.

    3. Protestantism (Zwingli) – memorial.

  3. Jesus instituted it during the Passover meal.

  4. When? Who? How?

Body.

  1. When should we observe it?

    1. As an example, this was done on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

      1. Primary purpose of meeting was for communion, they “came together to break bread,” not necessarily to hear Paul—it was a matter of course.

      2. They had stayed their seven days, but did not partake any sooner, though they were ready to go.

      3. There is no direct, written command to observe LS every Sunday.

      4. But since early Christians did this, there must have been some unwritten command.

      5. It is clear this is what God wanted them to do—so we follow their example.

      6. Some partake on other occasions (e.g. just before Easter, special congregational occasions, every quarter, weddings) – no authority.

      7. In NT, it was observed every first day of the week.

    2. This is further proved in 1 Corinthians.

      1. We are familiar with the Lord’s Supper being discussed in Ch. 11.

      2. Some will say that in vs. 26, it does not say when we are to partake.

      3. The Corinthians had very poor conduct during the Supper (vss. 17-22).

      4. Notice in vs. 20, Paul is stating what they were actually doing, implying that they ought to “come together in one place … to eat the Lord’s Supper.”

      5. In fact, Ch. 12 talks of the church as the body of Christ, Ch. 13 talks of the love we ought to have for one another, Ch. 14 talks about orderly worship, Ch. 15 talks of the gospel and the resurrection.

      6. Ch. 16 starts off by talking about the collection which is to be taken up on the first day of the week—on every first day.

      7. The collection is added on to what they were already doing—they were already meeting every first day of every week to partake of the Lord’s Supper.

      8. If we want to be the church of the NT, then we will, too.

    3. Question: Would it not get mundane, taken for granted, become routine?

      1. Sometimes we may let this happen even if we do it less frequently.

      2. I still hug and kiss my wife and kids before leaving the house—if it becomes routine, should I stop doing that so often?

      3. Even if we accept the premise that doing things less frequently increases its significance to us, then we might apply that to all aspects of worship.

      4. Could we say that we only sing once every quarter or perhaps once a year?

      5. Paul says to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).

      6. Could we say that praying might become routine, ritualistic?

  2. Who should participate?

    1. In Reformation era, many only allowed Christians at worship services.

    2. Communion is intended for God’s people—they are to participate in it.

      1. Should a Christian who does not feel worthy participate? If so, no one could.

      2. Jesus commanded us as Christians to partake.

      3. This does not mean visitors are not allowed to partake—the true significance is between you and God.

    3. Paul condemned those who partook in an unworthy manner (1 Cor. 11:27).

      1. People are not unworthy, but the manner.

      2. Communion service in Corinth became a time of debauchery.

      3. They lost sight of the true meaning of the LS.

      4. He was directing them on the proper manner in which they were to partake.

  3. How should we observe it?

    1. One-cup? Some will say we must (1 Cor. 11:25).

      1. Sure, they used to do that—so follow NT example, they will say!

      2. Jesus was using a figure of speech—e.g. “That’s a great dish!”

      3. So it is not the cup that is the “new covenant in [His] blood,” but the contents.

      4. We are not dividing the emblems with many cups and separate pieces of bread.

      5. There is one bread, one cup, despite several different pieces and containers.

      6. We are not changing what Jesus taught about the bread and the cup.

    2. Four religious ideas connected to LS.

      1. Prayer.

        1. Christ gave us an example of this when He instituted the LS.

        2. We should always observe it with prayer.

        3. We show thanksgiving toward Christ.

        4. Some even call it the Eucharist which is from Greek meaning “thanksgiving.”

      2. Fellowship.

        1. The word translated as “communion” is also translated as “fellowship.”

        2. This shows the fellowship we have with our spiritual family, Christ, and the Father.

      3. Memorial.

        1. The religious holidays of the OT were set up as a memorial for things the Lord has done, e.g. Passover.

        2. Christ said, “This do in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor. 11:24, 25).

      4. Declaration – our Lord will return one day (1 Cor. 11:26).

Conclusion.

  1. The LS is an important part of our worship.

    1. As we partake every first day of the week, let us always keep Christ in front of us with our eyes of faith (2 Cor. 5:7).

    2. This will remind us of the cost of our sin and encourage us to do what’s right.

  2. Let us do so with prayer & fellowship on our minds, long with this memorial & declaration.

  3. Let us make sure we worship the Lord the way He wants as told to us in His Word.