Communion part 1 Communion

1 Corinthians 11:23-28 (NKJV) For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 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.”

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

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. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

What matters? Not….. the name the name the place and timing the place and timing the way it’s served the way it’s served not what’s in the cup not what’s in the cup

What matters? Our Reverence/Respect Our Reverence/Respect 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. (1 Corinthians 11:27)

1) It matters because we are being obedient do this in remembrance of Me (1 Corinthians 11:24) do this in remembrance of Me (1 Corinthians 11:24) Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3) Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3)

2) It matters because we are proclaiming His death For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death (1 Corinthians 11:26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death (1 Corinthians 11:26) Proclaim means Proclaim means – to declare – to be a messenger

3) It matters because we should examine ourselves But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (1 Corinthians 11:28) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (1 Corinthians 11:28) Communion is a time of Communion is a time of – confession – and forgiveness

….. do this in remembrance of Me …. (1 Corinthians 11:24,25) ….. do this in remembrance of Me …. (1 Corinthians 11:24,25) There are lots of things we should remember but all of them become insignificant compared to remembering Jesus! There are lots of things we should remember but all of them become insignificant compared to remembering Jesus! 4) It matters because We remember Jesus

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. (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. (1 Corinthians 11:26) Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom. (Matthew 26:29) Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom. (Matthew 26:29) 5) It matters because we remember His return

…the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Important things to remember: 1. Communion is a simple act not an elaborate ceremony “The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread…” (1 Corinthians 11:23)

2. Communion is a reminder “…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 (1 Corinthians 11:24)

3. It is a symbol “In the same way, He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; drink it to remember me.” (1 Corinthians 11:25)

In Conclusion who should take the Lord’s Supper? Anyone who is willing to do so with understanding & respect. What about Visitors? What about Children?

There is no spiritual qualification or worthiness for taking the Communion because none of us are qualified or worthy to receive anything from the Lord.

We want to include people in taking part in this wonderful act of worship rather than exclude them (remember Jesus didn’t exclude Judas Iscariot as they took the Communion together!)