Lord's Supper

The next Lord's Supper at THE BRIDGE will be held on 14 December 2008 during the Sunday Service

THE MEANING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

Jesus never asked His disciples to remember His birth. But He did instruct them to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the church two visible symbols (called "ordinances") as reminders of His death and of the resurrection life He offers. These two ordinances are: Baptism and The Lord's Supper (or Holy Communion.)

I. WHAT IS THE LORD'S SUPPER? (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

1. It is a simple meal.
The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread . . . (v. 23)

2. It is a symbolic meal.
. . . and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; eat it in remembrance of me." (v. 24)

3. It is a memorial meal.
In the same way, He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; drink it to remember me." (v. 25)

4. It is a proclamation of faith.
For whenever you eat the bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes back. (v. 26)

II. WHO SHOULD TAKE THE LORD'S SUPPER?

Those who are already believers.
For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. (1 Cor 11:29)

Children who have made their own personal profession of faith in Jesus may partake. Otherwise, parents should help their children understand what it means, guide them through a decision to become a Christian and be baptized, and then encourage the children to participate in this form of worship.

III. HOW DO I PREPARE MYSELF FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER?
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
(1 Cor. 11:27-28)

1. Examine yourself (1 Cor. 11:27)
2. Confess all known sin (1 John 1:9)
3. Recommit yourself to God's will (Romans 12:1)
4. Reconcile with others when necessary (Matthew 5:23-24)

You might abstain if you know you are not right with God or someone else. There is no shame in declining to partake. But a sincere confession of sin, with repentance, may be all that's necessary to wipe your slate clean and prepare you to receive God's grace and the elements of the Meal.

Then . . . give thanks with a grateful heart. REJOICE! The Supper is not a re-enactment of the Last Supper, but a thanksgiving meal and a chance to worship.

IV. WHEN AND HOW OFTEN DO WE OBSERVE THE LORD'S SUPPER?

Jesus never said when and how often believers should observe this ordinance. It seems from the New Testament that the most proper settings would be whenever the church family gathers for worship, fellowship, and instruction - especially in small groups. (Evidently, it was not observed in the temple, but in homes.)

At THE BRIDGE, we observe the Lord's Supper once every two months in the worship service. Home Groups are encouraged to share the Lord's Supper together in the intervening month.