Why do we observe it?  Just a nice idea? Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Psalm 19: Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

We don’t get to decide how to worship God – He does. John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

We don’t get to decide how to worship God – He does. Genesis 4:3-7 Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,… Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Why do we observe the Lord’s Supper?

The Lord instituted it.  Luke 22:14-20  Matthew 26:26-30  Mark 14:22-26

The early Christians observed it.  Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.  1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The early Christians observed it. 1 Corinthians 4:17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. 1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

The Purpose Luke 22:19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

The Emblems Mark 14:22-25 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine… Exodus 12:8 Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

The Emblems

The Emblems – No Substitutions! Leviticus 10:1-2 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

The Emblems – Not His literal flesh and blood Transubstantiation is a false doctrine. John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. … John 10:7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

The Day of Observance The Lord’s Day Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread,… Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, The day He was raised Mark 16:9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week,…

The Day of Observance The Day the church was established Leviticus 23:16 Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD. Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place…

Frequency of Observance Every first day of the week 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

Frequency of Observance Every first day of the week Exodus 20:8 “ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God.

Frequency of Observance Lutheran Scholar “ As we have already remarked, the celebration of the Lord's Supper was still held to constitute an essential part of divine worship every Sunday, as appears from Justin Martyr (A.D. 150) …” Augustus Neander, History Of Christian Religion And Church, Vol. I, p. 332

Frequency of Observance Presbyterian Scholar “ This ordinance (the Lord's Supper) seems to have been administered every Lord's day; and probably no professed Christian absented themselves …” (Thomas Scott, Commentary On Acts 20:7)

Frequency of Observance Episcopalian Scholar “ This also is an important example of weekly communion as the practice of the first Christians. “ A. C. Hervey, Commentary On Acts 20:7

Frequency of Observance Congregationalist Scholar “ It is well known that the primitive Christians administered the Eucharist (the Lord's Supper) every Lord's day. ” P. Doddridge, Notes On Acts 20:7

Manner of Observance  In spirit and truth John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  Decently and in order 1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.  With other Christians 1 Corinthians 11:33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

Manner of Observance  In a worthy manner 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

The Lord’s Supper  Established by God  Observed in remembrance of our Lord and His death.  Observed until He comes.

Take advantage of the Lord’s sacrifice!  Believe – John 8:24  Repent – Luke 13:3  Confess – Romans 10:10  Be Baptized – Mark 16:16  Be faithful – Revelation 2:10