A Focused Family The Lord’s Supper

1. A Focused FamilyThe Lord’s Supper 1. The Roots of The Lords Supper Exodus 12 Exodus 12:14 “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance. 1. This was an annual family event to commemorate God’s deliverance of His people from slavery and to confirm that they were His people and He was their God. 2. It was only for the Lord’s people, Israel. 3. Its focus was on God and on what God had done.

2. 2. The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper for All Christ Followers • Matthew 26:17-30 • Cf. Mark 14, Luke 22 • It is a small “family” group of the 12, similar to the family groups at the Passover. • It identified Judas as one who did not belong, just like the Egyptians did not belong. • It took place during a meal, similar to the roast of lamb that was eaten as a part of the Passover. • Its focus was Christ’s imminent death where His body would be broken and His blood would be shed. It was prophetic and it focused was the Christ! • “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins: Matt. 26:28

3. 3. The Implications of the Lord’s Supper • 1Corinthians 11:17-31 • It is a house church setting, smaller rather then larger. • It is in the context of worship. • It symbolizes unity. • It is eating a meal together, where people have brought food and wine (some were getting drunk).

4. 5. Paul connected it back to what Jesus did the night He was betrayed as well as clearly seeing the bread as a symbol of Christ’s body and the cup as the New Covenant (Promise) in Christ’s blood. The blood was the signature of Christ and all He promised. • 6. “Whenever, you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes”. 11:26 • 7. The focus was Jesus Christ!

5. Problems: • There were divisions. • 1Corthians 11:17-19 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.

6. There was a lack of equality, love, and consideration. • 1 Corthians 11:20-22So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.  Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!

7. They did not acknowledge their own sins. • 1Corinth. 11:27-34So then, 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. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 

8. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.

9. Conclusion/Application • Phil.2:1-4 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others in unity. • We are servants of Christ and of one another. This table is all about serving Christ and each other.

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

11. Matthew 6:9-159 “This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

12. Matthew 18:15-1715 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.