Text: Mathew
26:19-31
Memory Verse: Matt 26:28 for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is
shed for many for the remission of sins.
INTRODUCTION
Holy Communion
is one of the sacraments instituted by Christ Himself.
Christ only celebrated this once with His disciples.
OUTLINE 1: IS IT POSSIBLE TO CONDUCT A COMMUNION TODAY
EXACTLY AS THE FIRST ONE
If we were to follow the
pattern of the first communion these would be necessary:
1.
It was evening
Matt. 26:20
2.
It was held in
the upper room Luke 22:12
3.
They ate unleaved
bread Matt. 26;19
4.
The bread must be
broker Luke 22:19
5.
They used only
one loaf and one cup Matt. 26:26-27 (common oriental practice)
6.
They were in
reclining position John 13:13-26
7.
It was held after
the meal. Matt. 26:26
8.
No women were
present, only the Lord Jesus and His disciples
OUTLINE II: PURPOSE OF A COMMUNION SERVICE
We do not partake of communion to receive forgiveness
of sins. There is no power in the sacrament to give the recipient forgiveness.
We partake of communion in obedience
to the command of Christ. 1Cor. 11:24. No one partakes of this meal because he
is wordy. It is all of His grace that we have been born into the family of God.
No one sits in pride at this table. It most be a night of observation Exodus 12
Our
coming merges two things
1.
Our unworthiness
2.
And our
confidence
Let
us not draw back in tear from a lovely heavenly father’s table. He bids us to
come and we ought not to deny Him the pleasure of our fellowship, unless you
are not ready to repent and forsake sin and live right.
OUTLINE III: WHO MAY PARTAKE OF COMMUNION?
Only those who have been born into the family of God
have the right to sit at His table in fellowship with the Lord.
The unbeliever and natural man
belong at the table of devils 1Cor. 10:21
Some churches make the rule that
only baptized believers may partake. Some welcome members in good standing in
other evangelical churches some strict churches will only give communion to
members of their own Assembly. Members that are being disciplined by abstaining
from the Lord’s table should retrain from partaking in that until the proper
time.
OUTLINE V: SELF EXAMINATION IS ESSENTIAL
Before partaking of communion 1Cor. 11:28, IICor 13:5
prove your own self Psa. 26:2, Psa 139:23. The candidate should pray, Lord turn
the search light of they word on me. To examine oneself means to scrutinize,
investigate carefully search and test.
Whom am I to examine? The preacher?
My wife, my husband, Elder, neighbours? No yourself.
Why must we examine ourselves?
Because
it is the direct command of the scriptures. To eat unworthy brings judgment
weakness, sickness and an early death. It must be an examination that finds sin
and then cast it away in contribution.
How
am I to examine myself? By asking myself:
(a)
Do I really and
truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 16:31
(b)
Am I really
born again in the family of God? John 3:3-7
(c)
Is there any
unconfessed sin in my life? Pride, covetousness, laziness, love of the world? Has my thought
life been clean etc
Do I heartily repent of my sin? Confession without
repentance is mockery. Do I promise in my heart to live a more holy life? Have
I forgiven those who have sinned against me. Matt. 6;14-15, 5:23-24.
Am I obedient in my heart to the commands of Christ to
me personally? To preach? To sing? To teach Sunday school? To witness? To
tithe? Etc.
OUTLINE VI: REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNION SERVICE
Bread and wine are the only two substances used as
symbols of the body and blood. The bread is unleavened, signifying that sin is
put away from this we inter that after communion we out to live clean holy
lives.
Outline
vii: the believer is cleansed and purified as he has examined himself and
claimed the blood to remove not only the sin but the desire to sin.
CONCLUSION
Where do we go from the communion table, some go to
market, etc. This is wrong. We ought to go from communion to the place of
prayer. Let the blessing go deeper.