Understanding the Lord's Supper

Nov 15, 2020 | by Mike Prah

UNDERSTANDING THE LORD’S SUPPER

At FavorLife Church, we celebrate the Lord’s Supper (also called Communion) and believe it is one of the two ordinances Christ gave the church. Water Baptism would be the other. We practice communion on the First Sunday of each month and on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Eve services.

Jesus instructed His disciples to remember His death and resurrection. Communion is an object lesson that represents a great spiritual truth for believers. It is important for believers to take communion out of loving obedience to our Lord’s command who instructed us to “do this in remembrance” of Him. The value of following the Lord in this way is, one act of obedience empowers us to move forward into other, larger acts of obedience. Jesus said:

“If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15 (NIV)

WHAT IS THE LORD’S SUPPER? (1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26)

“23 The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NKJV)

1. It Is A Simple Symbolic Act

The Lord Jesus … on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you … He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood” (vs. 23-25)

2. It Is A Reminder

The Lord Jesus … said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me …” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (vs. 23-25, NKJV)

3. It Is A Statement of Faith

” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (vs. 26)

Communication is a moment of personal confession of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and our acceptance of His sacrificial, redemptive death as the payment of our sins.

Communion also reminds us that the Lord is coming back. Jesus’ return should fill us with hope. This hope should energize us to move toward a life of full engagement with Jesus and His work in the world.

4. It Recognizes the Unity of the Body of Christ (Church)

“As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.” And He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and His people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.” Mark 14:22-24 (NLT)

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 (NKJV)

5. Who Should Take The Lord’s Supper?

Only those who are already believers according to Mark 14:22-26 and 1 Corinthians 11:29

“For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself” 1 Corinthians 11:29 (NLT)

6. How Do I Prepare Myself for The Lord’s Supper?

There is a preparation involved in coming to communion.” Read the following verses on how we can prepare to take communion.

“So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 (NLT)

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5 (NIV)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)

“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” Galatians 6:4-5 (NIV)

7. How We Can Prepare to Take Communion.

A. Confess Your Sins:

“If we confess our sins to God, He will keep His promise and do what is right: He will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.” 1 John 1:9 (GN)

B. Commit or Re-commit Your Life to God

“Because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer” Romans 12:1(GN)

C. Pray and Seek Reconciliation of Any Broken relationships

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)

8. When and How Often Should We Observe The Lord’s Supper?

Jesus never said when or how often believers should observe the Lord’s Supper. He taught us to do it often. Christians always observed communion in all places at all times.