Proper Observance of Our Lord’s Supper

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: II Corinthians 13; Lord's Day 30
Psalters: 401, 186, 280, 233
  1. A spiritual presence.
    1. We unashamedly reject Rome’s concept of Christ’s presence in their Mass as being physical.
      1. The church of Rome believes Jesus is physically present in the elements – transubstantiation.
      2. This means that Jesus is repeatedly sacrificed every time the bread is broken and the wine poured.
      3. And Rome’s Mass is idolatry because they worship the elements trusting in a piece of bread to confer grace.
    2. The Biblical and Reformed understanding of Christ’s presence in the Supper is that He is present only in a spiritual sense.
      1. First, Jesus is locally in heaven, no longer on the earth.
      2. Thus Christ can be only represented in the Supper in a spiritual sense. The elements portray Jesus in a sacramental sense.
    3. We are to show the Lord’s death (as the only and perfectly sufficient way to salvation) till He come (I Cor. 11:26).
  2. The only way to partake is sincerely, which requires self-examination (I Cor. 11:28; 13:5).
    1. It is wrong to partake insincerely.
    2. Self-examination helps the child of God deal with sins in his life and it is a means to personal, spiritual growth.
      1. Proper examination of self must be done in the light of God’s Word (Ps. 139:23,24).
      2. Proper receiving and eating of the elements requires a soul seeking and finding forgiveness in Jesus.
    3. When we sincerely partake by faith, then blessings result for the believers and for the church.
  3. The Table of the Lord must be guarded or restricted.
    1. The church has a responsibility to watch over the sacraments.
    2. This calls for “close communion.” Close” communion means that the elders (representing the Lord) assure the congregation that they have a personal knowledge of those who partake that we all have a closeness in belief and walk.