Received

Exodus 20:1-17; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 / Psalm 34:1-22

I. Communion Is the Lord’s Supper

A. The communion service takes participants back to the night of the betrayal and focuses participants on Jesus; communion is His supper. “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:” (1 Corinthians 11:23)

1. Paul always preached in the context of Biblical grace. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;” (1 Corinthians 15:3)

2. Christ promised to be present and to bless His people when they obey, but there is no promise to bless human inventions. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

B. Jesus explained what He was doing. “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24)

C. Then Jesus explained the implications of what was taking place. “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:25)

D. The substitutionary atonement, not mysticism, is always the context for communion. “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)

II. Practice Appropriate Table Etiquette

A. Ignorance, superficiality, and disrespect for fundamental truth can be deadly; passing tests is more important than merely taking them. “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:27)

B. Are you coming to the Lord’s Supper because the Lord is the only hope you have of getting into heaven or are you making a careless, self-centered, and tragic mistake? “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28)

C. People who do not know where they are or what they are doing make serious mistakes and the consequences can be deadly. “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (1 Corinthians 11:29)

D. The implications of spiritual etiquette are everywhere. “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” (1 Corinthians 11:30) “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)

III. Feast

A. The world-weary will find what they most desire at this table. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

B. Put your money away; only guests are welcome at the Lord’s banquet. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” (Isaiah 55:1-2)

C. Those who persecute and abuse believers will not find permanent places at this table; people who do not want to sit with believers will have to watch the banquet from the hungry distance. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalm 23:5-6)

D. No one at this table will ever be hungry again. “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:16-17)

E. Come to the table; it is time to banquet. “A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:1-2)