## Three Views Of The Lord's Supper

## Matthew 26:20-29

Although the event found in Matt. 26:20-29 is not stated as the Lord's Supper, this title is used by Paul in view of the abuse the Corinthian brethren were making of this event.

(1 COR 11:20) "WHEN YE COME TOGETHER THEREFORE INTO ONE PLACE, THIS IS NOT TO EAT THE LORD'S SUPPER."

Paul here puts in remembrance the significance of the Supper and their responsibility towards partaking there of. In Acts 20:7, we find that the early church met together to partake of this Supper on every First Day of the week.

Though most have come to understand the meaning and observance of the Lord's Supper, one needs to also realize that such a weekly observance can be abused. It can be abused out of habit, unconcern, unawareness --- the danger of becoming mere ritualistic or secondary in nature. Paul reminds us that how often we observe is not as important as our attitude of observance. It is to be done in remembrance of Christ. It is necessary that we have our minds focused in on the Death, Burial and Resurection of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our observance of the Lord's Supper should at least cause each and every partaker to look in at least Three directions.

I. As Partakers We Should Take The Time To Look Back To Jesus In Remembrance. V24-25

A. This "in Remembrance of Me" consists of more than just the observance of His final death on the Cross.

1. We should also remember the wonderful plan of God in sending His Son to be our Savior.

2. We should remember His example and His teachings as well as His death.

B. Although Christ's death on the cross is the ultimate proof of Love for us we need to be put in "remembrance" that Christ's entire life portrayed His unquestionable, unmatched love for mankind.

(JOHN 10:10) "THE THIEF COMETH NOT, BUT FOR TO STEAL, AND TO KILL, AND TO DESTROY: I AM COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY."

(LUKE 5:20) "AND WHEN HE SAW THEIR FAITH, HE SAID UNTO HIM, MAN, THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN THEE."

(MAT 16:26) "FOR WHAT IS A MAN PROFITED, IF HE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL? OR WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL?"

(JOHN 4:14) "BUT WHOSOEVER DRINKETH OF THE WATER THAT I SHALL GIVE HIM SHALL NEVER THIRST; BUT THE WATER THAT I SHALL GIVE HIM SHALL BE IN HIM A WELL OF WATER SPRINGING UP INTO EVERLASTING LIFE."

(1 PET 2:21) "FOR EVEN HEREUNTO WERE YE CALLED: BECAUSE CHRIST ALSO SUFFERED FOR US, LEAVING US AN EXAMPLE, THAT YE SHOULD FOLLOW HIS STEPS:"

(HEB 12:2) "LOOKING UNTO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH; WHO FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS, DESPISING THE SHAME, AND IS SET DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD."

C. We need to see that such love culminated in the eventual death on the cruel cross of Calvary.

1. We need to realize the supreme sacrifice.

a. He was the Son of God.

b. He was entirely righteous.

(1 JOHN 1:5) "THIS THEN IS THE MESSAGE WHICH WE HAVE HEARD OF HIM, AND DECLARE UNTO YOU, THAT GOD IS LIGHT, AND IN HIM IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL."

c. Having a full understanding of sin, He became sin for Me.

(2 COR 5:21) "FOR HE HATH MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US, WHO KNEW NO SIN; THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM."

(ROM 5:8) "BUT GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US."

2. His death was not for His glorification; He was already in the presence of God at the beginning of time.

3. But He suffered the shame, the scorn, and the terrible death on the cruel cross of Calvary for you and for me.

(ISA 53:5) "BUT HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES: THE CHASTISEMENT OF OUR PEACE WAS UPON HIM; AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED."

I. As Partakers We Should Take The Time To Look Back To Jesus In Remembrance.

II. As Partakers We Should Look Forward Til He Comes. V26

A. We need to understand that our lives now are in fact a preparation for eternity.

1. Jesus Christ on the cross is the greatest preparation for eternity that man has ever looked upon.

(HEB 9:27-28) "AND AS IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT: {28} SO CHRIST WAS ONCE OFFERED TO BEAR THE SINS OF MANY; AND UNTO THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM SHALL HE APPEAR THE SECOND TIME WITHOUT SIN UNTO SALVATION."

2. We as Christians live in the hope that we will one day receive our crowns of life, and hear those wonderful words. "Well done thy good and faithful servant."

B. We need to look to the events that surround Jesus' second coming.

1. The preparation will cease.

2. The material creation will be destroyed.

3. The dead in Christ will rise.

4. Then comes the judgment.

C. With this in mind let us partake of the Lord's Supper with this view of eternity in mind.

(REV 22:20) "HE WHICH TESTIFIETH THESE THINGS SAITH, SURELY I COME QUICKLY. AMEN. EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS."

I. As Partakers We Should Take The Time To Look Back To Jesus In Remembrance.

II. As Partakers We Should Look Forward Til He Comes.

III. The Third Direction In Which To View The Lord's Supper Is Inward. V27-29

A. Not in an unworthy manner.

1. Unworthy is to partake carelessly, irreverent spirit without the intention to remember Christ at all.

2. This is also true when one does not adequately prepare his mind before coming to services on Sunday.

3. Failure to understand this as a communion with Christ.

a. "Communion" literally means "in common".

b. Through partaking of the Supper, we are identified with Christ, we share common fellowship with Him.

c. This communion does not forgive sins, nor is this a confession of sins but it certainly is a reminder of the many wonderful blessing we receive in Christ Jesus.

(EPH 1:3) "BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO HATH BLESSED US WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST:"

B. The Scripture clearly says that we are to examine ourselves.

1. Prove our purpose for doing so --- be sure our mind is on what we are doing.

2. Examine our loyalty to Christ.

(MAT 6:24) "NO MAN CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS: FOR EITHER HE WILL HATE THE ONE, AND LOVE THE OTHER; OR ELSE HE WILL HOLD TO THE ONE, AND DESPISE THE OTHER. YE CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAMMON."

3. We need to realize that we have made an eternal commitment to Christ.

a. Many begin well but fade off into the dark.

b. Paul challenged us to not grow weary in our work. Cf Gal 6:9

c. There is never a time to sit back and fold our hands.

4. Let us not to forget that we are to make a personal application and commitment to the Lord.

When we view the cross we see the Mercy and Grace of God, The suffering and agony of Christ on the cross for us, and we see the hope that we have in His great sacrifice. By partaking of the memorial we must look a) Back at Christ b) Forward to eternity c) And inwardly to ourselves. If you are here this evening and have not yet submitted your life to Christ, why not come tonight and accept Him as your Savior. Christian, why not come this evening and do business with God. Let's examine ourselves this evening.