Worshipping in the Lord's Supper

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom” (Matthew 26:26-29, KJV).

The words of the beautiful song, When We Meet In Sweet Communion, so appropriately describes the sentiment of the Lord’s Supper:

When we meet in sweet communion where the feast divine is spread

Hearts are brought in closer union while partaking of the bread

God so loved what wondrous measure! Loved and gave the best of heaven.

Bought us with that matchless treasure, Yea, for us His life was given

Feast divine, all else surpassing, precious blood for you and me

While we sup, Christ gently whispers: “Do this in my memory.”

Chorus:

Precious feast all else surpassing, Wondrous love for you and me.

While we feast Christ gently whispers, “Do this in my memory.”

Let us consider the Meaning of the Supper:

It is a Memorial

Paul instructs the Corinthian church of Christ that Jesus had taught: “do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:23-25). It is in the Lord’s Supper where we are to commemorate the death of Jesus upon the cross whereby He made possible salvation (Mt. 26:28; Eph. 1:7) and brought about a New Covenant (Heb. 9:16). Just as the Passover was a memorial of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, so the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of our Lord’s death, which makes possible our deliverance from the bondage of sin.

It is a Proclamation

Paul continued in 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 Supper preaches a sermon in itself. We are saying we believe in Jesus’ death for our sins. We are also saying we believe in the Lord’s return, because we preach this sermon until He comes again. The Lord’s Supper looks forward as well as backwards, and His disciples who trust in His redemption and anticipate His return will observe it.

It is a Communion

In the previous chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul spoke of the Lord’s Supper in terms of communion or fellowship. “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? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread” (1 Cor. 10:16-17). We share in the blood of Christ and in the body of Christ.

The observance of the Lord’s Supper is to be done in reverence (1 Cor. 11:27, 29). It is also to be taken with self-examination of how we partake of it (v. 28). Paul reminds the Corinthians about “discerning the Lord’s body” (v. 24, 27). Therefore, when we partake with our minds occupied or pre-occupied with something other than “remembrance” of the Lord’s death (v. 26, we become guilty of that death (v. 27) and ultimately would stand “condemned” (v. 32).

The observance of the Lord’s Supper is also to be done with other Christians. The joint participation or “communion” with Christ and with other Christians shows forth a unity whereby we can rightly be called “one body” (1 Cor. 10:17). The Corinthians had been guilty of division and factions and so it was “not possible to eat the Lord’s Supper” (1 Cor. 11:20). The observance of the Supper was to be done often. We know it was done weekly (Acts 20:7). It was done on the first day of each week as evidenced in the weekly assembly of the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 10-11; 16:1,2).

One has rightly said: “Our spiritual lives are dependent upon the value and benefits of our Lord’s death on the cross.” Therefore, a weekly observance of this great memorial helps us to live appreciatively and accordingly.

~Wayne Rodgers

A WAKE UP CALL FROM JESUS

by Scott Shifferd

“Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation”, said Jesus as He returned from prayer in the garden (Lk 22.46). Jesus told His disciples to pray that they not enter into temptation, but now, an armed crowd came to arrest Jesus. When is an inopportune to time to listen to Jesus?

Many people do not listen to Jesus, and they think they are heaven bound. They reason that good people go to Heaven. If good people go to Heaven, then who needs Jesus and who needs God? Regarding being good, Jesus said, "No one is good but One, that is, God" (Mk 10.18). He also said, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mk 2.17b). If we have not been sinners, then we do not need Jesus. Jesus was asked, "Lord, are there few who are saved?", and to which Jesus replied, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Lk 13.23-24).

If we need to repent, then we need Jesus. Do our consciences tell us that we need to be relieved of guilt and regret? Jesus said,

“What comes out of a person, that defiles a person. For from within, out of the heart of people, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, extramarital sex, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, cursing, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man” (Mk 7.20-23).

Are we innocent or guilty? If we not guilty of some sin and evil, then we do not need Jesus. Christ said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (Jn 8.34). He also stated, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (Jn 8.32).

No one wants to believe that God would send us to Hell, but those, who are guilty, are condemned (Jn 3.18-20). Jesus stated,

“The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Mt 13.41-42).

Jesus was clear about those, who practice lawlessness, saying,

“Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? 'And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Mt 7.21-23).

Jesus stated, “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (Lk 12.5, cf. Mk 9.43).

See, Jesus taught, "The Son of man has come to save that which was lost" (Mt 18.11, cf. Lk 19.9-10, Jn 3.17, 12.47). For Christ prayed,

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (Jn 17.1-3).

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, cf. 10:9).

Jesus tells of what must be given for eternal life saying, “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (Jn 12:25), and Christ said in Mark 8.34-35, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and the gospel's will save it” (cf. Lk 9.24ff, Mt 10.37-39). Therefore, Jesus wants us to be like Him. Jesus showed the world the greatest act of love as Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends” (Jn 15.13).

Do you truly believe Jesus Christ? Jesus said, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Mt 10.32-33). Jesus said that He would build His Church on the confession that He is the Christ (Mt 16.18). Therefore, Jesus instructed that one must believe that He is, who He says that He is, the “I am” (Jn 8.24, 58, Is 9.6, 48.16).

Do you truly love Christ? Jesus said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me” (Jn 14.21). Jesus warned of dying in sins saying, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Lk 13.3, 5). Therefore, Jesus taught, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Jn 3.5). Jesus spoke of being born of the water and the Spirit when He said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mk 16.16, cf. Mt 28.19).

Knowing that Jesus said that all can be freed from sin by the Truth, that Truth is God's Word (Jn 8.32, 17.17). Therefore, Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (Jn 8.31). The disciples of Christ within His Church can be clearly seen. Jesus preached, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God” (Mt 5.6-8). Jesus also stated, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13.35, cf. 1 Jn 3.16). Concerning man-made worship and the worship that David brought to Jerusalem, Jesus said,

“believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father […] the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn 4.21-24).

These are characteristics of Christ's followers, who form the Church that He built.

When is an inopportune to time to listen to Jesus? “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, unless you enter into temptation”. Listen to Him now. Christ warned and instructed,

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Mt 7.13-14, Lk 13.23-24).

Jesus invites you,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Mt 11.28-30).

~Scott Shifferd

Scott’s bio:  Scott Shifferd is a native of Montgomery, AL. He has served as a minister for 12 years, and for 6 years been ministering by preaching at the Dean Road church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL. Scott married Rachael Christine Sullivan of Tallahassee, FL after they met in Jacksonville and dated at Freed-Hardeman. They have a daughter and two sons. Scott has a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Faulkner University. Scott has written hundreds of articles for his website for over 7 years at GodsBreath.Net that reaches 18,000 readers a month from around the world.

Links:

http://godsbreath.net

http://www.deanroadchurchofchrist.org

IS IT ALL RELATIVE?

by Morne Stephanus

What is 1+1? One does not need a degree in mathematics to answer this question. From a young age we are made aware of this rudimentary concept: if you have one apple and you add another then you have two apples. No matter where you are in the world the answer to this question will always be two; not three or four, but two. This is the case because there is a universal mathematical truth: one plus one is always two regardless of circumstance or location.  Can the same be said for the Bible? Many would unequivocally deny that the Bible can be universally understood the same.  There are those who would argue that truth is relative, dependant on the individuals and groups holding them. Thus, one person might believe the Bible to say one thing and another person reading the same Bible might interpret it completely different and both persons would still be right.  This view would appear to advance tolerance and consideration if it were not for the fact that it promotes confusion and ungodliness.  Is this what God had in mind when He inspired men to write His Word?  Does God approve of a view that suggests there is no absolute truth or that you can interpret what you read in His Word any way you like and still be on the right path?  The answer to these questions is a resounding, NO!  “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1Cor. 14:33). God made it distinctly clear that everyone, regardless of culture, race or location can understand His word alike. Notice this remarkable account recorded for us in Nehemiah 8:4-8:

And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

Is it not interesting that all these men read from the same book, gave the people the meaning and caused them to understand it? Israel did not walk away from that gathering with everyone having a different view on what was read.  In 1Corinthians 1:10 God, through the apostle Paul, admonishes the church to “speak the same things” and to “be of the same mind and in the same judgment”. Therefore, speaking different and conflicting things is diametrically opposed to the command of God to speak the same things. On another occasion the apostle Paul instructed Timothy to admonish the brethren to “teach no other doctrine” (1Tim.1:3).  The same was said to the church in Ephesus, “be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph 4:14).  The Galatians caused Paul to be negatively amazed because they were so soon removed from the gospel of Christ to another gospel (Gal.1:6-9). Paul said he taught the same thing in every church (1Cor.4:17).  Recorded in John 17:20-21 is Jesus’ prayer for unity: Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  The evidence for a universal understanding of Scripture is overwhelming. This tells us that it is not only possible but imperative to understand the Bible alike. All believers in Christ can be united. However, in order to achieve this holy unity all must adhere to God’s Word, speaking the same things and being of the same mind. The idea of being unified is a great one; it is a godly one. Unity has been and still is God’s plan for His Believers. Therefore, just like Christ prayed for unity and the apostles preached unity we must practice unity.  We must be a people guided by “thus saith the Lord” speaking only where the Bible speaks and being silent where the Bible is silent.

Bio:

Born and raised in Cape Town South Africa, Married to the lovely Amanda Suzette for 3 years. I Graduated from MSOP in 2008. Since then I have worked with two congregations in South Africa, in 2012 I started working with the Capital City Church of Christ in Baton Rouge. LA until present. 

Websites : http://www.capcitychurchofchrist.com