THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR THE NATURE AND BENEFIT OF THE SACRAMENT Catechism pp

What does Jesus tell us to do in the Sacrament of Holy Communion? Matthew 26:26-27 Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying, “Take & eat..”; then He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, “Take & drink..”

What is present together with the bread and the fruit of the vine in Holy Communion? Luke 22:19-20 “This is My body given for you; this cup is the new covenant in My blood poured out for you. 1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of thanksgiving (Eucharist) is a participation in the blood of Christ, the bread is the body of Christ.

The Lord’s Supper is a Sacrament USE BREAD & WINE USE JESUS’ WORDS in which in a natural wayby the power of His Word our pastor gives usChrist gives us bread & wineHis body & blood In, With, Under HOLY COMMUNION

Do Christ’s body and blood replace the bread and the fruit of the vine in the Sacrament so that the bread and the fruit of the vine are no longer there? 1 Corinthians 11:26 Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup (Consecrated Elements), You proclaim the Lord’s death. Although already consecrated, the bread and the contents of the cup are still referred to as being present. Although already consecrated, the bread and the contents of the cup are still referred to as being present.

LUTHERAN POSITION The meal and the mystery are intact. Consecrated bread and wine are still referred to as bread and wine and acknowledged as Body and Blood. The meal and the mystery are intact. Consecrated bread and wine are still referred to as bread and wine and acknowledged as Body and Blood. In, With and Under Bread and Wine are still present. Body and Blood are really present. KEY WORDS:

ROMAN CATHOLIC POSITION The mystery explained away contrary to: I Corinthians 11:23,29 Changed into (Transubstantiation) KEY WORDS: Bread and Wine are no longer present. Body and Blood are really present.

REFORMED POSITION Body and Blood must be acknowledged, according to I Corinthians 11:29 But the Real Presence is unnecessary if you think of what Jesus did. A Memorial Meal Body and Blood must be acknowledged, according to I Corinthians 11:29 But the Real Presence is unnecessary if you think of what Jesus did. A Memorial Meal Body and Blood Bread and Grape Juice (Alcohol is sinful) KEY WORDS: Symbolizes or represents Real “Spiritual” Presence

Do all communicants receive the body and blood in the Sacrament, whether or not they believe? 1 Corinthians 11:27 Whoever eats and drinks in an unworthy manner is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of Christ. What do you think?

All communicants do indeed receive the body and blood of Christ because the sacrament depends on Christ’s word of promise and not on our believing. Those who do not believe that Christ is really present in the sacrament do not receive the benefits of forgiveness but instead sin against the real presence of Christ. This is why, in the Lutheran Church, we practice “close communion.” Only those who understand the real presence of Christ according to His word of promise should come to the altar. Those who do not believe as we do should first be instructed concerning the biblical teaching on this Sacrament. This is also why we do not commune at the altars of other churches where the real presence is not taught or believed.

BENEFIT OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR Forgiveness of Sin Life Eternal Salvation Sealed to Us by Receiving Jesus’ Body Given for Us Jesus’ Blood Shed for Us

THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR THE POWER OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR Catechism pp

What does the Sacrament of Holy Communion lead us to consider? Matthew 26:29 I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now until the day when I will drink it with you in My Father’s Kingdom. We will one day commune with Jesus and all true believers in heaven. This will be the Feast of Victory! We will one day commune with Jesus and all true believers in heaven. This will be the Feast of Victory!

Why is Holy Communion so comforting to me? Luke 22:19-20 Body given for you! New covenant in My blood which is poured out for you! Christ lives in me as I eat and drink the body and blood given for me!

HOLY COMMUNION’S POWER WORD Promises Blessings Strengthens Faith JESUS works through EATING & DRINKING Connected to

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 Corinthians 11:27-28 Why do we prepare ourselves to receive Holy Communion?

How are we to examine ourselves before receiving the Sacrament? Psalm 38:18 I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. Are we for our sins? sorry

How are we to examine ourselves before receiving the Sacrament? Luke 22:19-20 This is my body and blood, given and poured out for you. Do you believe it? 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see if you are still in the faith - test yourself. Do you in Christ’s and in His ? presence promise believe

How are we to examine ourselves before receiving the Sacrament? Ephesians 4:22-24 Put off the sinful nature and put on the new man. 2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret. Do you truly want to ? repent

What are we confessing about our faith when we receive Holy Communion with others? 1 Corinthians 10:17 We who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. We are saying we the same thing as others at the same table. believe

To whom does God want us to give Holy Communion? 1 John 1:8-9 If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive. Matthew 18:15-18 God tells us to withhold forgiveness and fellowship from an unrepentant sinner. God wants us to give Communion only to. repentant sinners

To whom does God want us to give Holy Communion? Matthew 26:28 This is My blood of the new covenant poured our for many for the forgiveness of sins. God wants us to give Communion only to those who understand the meaning of Christ’s death on the cross for their sins. God wants us to give Communion only to those who understand the meaning of Christ’s death on the cross for their sins.

To whom does God want us to give Holy Communion? 1 Corinthians 11:28-29 We ought to examine ourselves - anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body & blood of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on themselves. God wants us to give Communion only to those who are able to examine themselves concerning their need and their faith in what God’s Word teaches about the Sacrament. God wants us to give Communion only to those who are able to examine themselves concerning their need and their faith in what God’s Word teaches about the Sacrament.

Who must not be given the Sacrament? 1 Corinthians 5:11, 13 Do not associate with the unrepentant and the wicked who practice their wickedness stubbornly. The Sacrament must not be given to those who will not repent of their sins.

Who must not be given the Sacrament? Matthew 6:15 If you will not forgive others, your heavenly Father will not forgive you. The Sacrament must not be given to those who will not forgive others.

Who must not be given the Sacrament? 1 Corinthians 11:28 We are to examine ourselves before eating and drinking at communion. The Sacrament must not be given to those who are unable to examine themselves. (Infants, unbelievers, unconscious, late stage Alzheimer, comatose, asleep, etc.) The Sacrament must not be given to those who are unable to examine themselves. (Infants, unbelievers, unconscious, late stage Alzheimer, comatose, asleep, etc.)

Pastors, as stewards of the mysteries of God and shepherds of the flock over which God has placed them (1 Corinthians 4:11), have the greatest responsibility as to who should be admitted to the Sacrament. Some of the responsibility also rests with the congregation and the individual communicant since only God knows the faith of the individual who wishes to receive Holy Communion.