Come to the Table
1 Corinthians 11:17 – 34
INTRODUCTION
Priscilla Larson, of Lexington, MA, tells of the time her brother in law (a preacher) had been away from home one afternoon donating his blood at the Red Cross. The preacher’s son was concerned when his father didn’t come home at his usual time so he asked his mother, “Is dad going around visiting all the sick people?” His mother replied, “No honey, he’s giving blood.” He paused in deep thought for a moment and then as his eyes lit up he exclaimed, “But we know it’s really grape juice, don’t we mom?”
Illustration taken from Jeff Strite @ SermonCentral.com
At a tender age, this little boy knew what many of us, far advanced in years, should know; the cup of communion represents the blood of Jesus. The very mention of blood reminded him of the Lord’s Supper.
In our text, Paul seeks to correct some serious problems concerning their practice of the Lord’s Supper. Paul reminds them of Jesus’ institution of this sacred emblem and instructs them concerning its practice. Concerning the Lord’s Supper we will consider: 1) It’s Practice 2) It’s Purpose; and 3) It’s Perpetuity.
MAIN BODY
I. The Practice of the Memorial Supper.
A. The “Love Feast” and the Lord’s Supper.
B. The Lord’s Supper was meant to be partaken by the assembled church.
C. The God ordained assembly of the church is the first day of the week.
D. Scripture states the Lord’s Supper was taken on the first day of the week.
1. Acts 2:42
2. Acts 20:7
E. Christ gave the implements of the Lord’s Supper. Matt. 26:26 – 30
1. The Bread.
2. The Cup.
3. Prayer.
II. The Purpose of the Memorial Supper. (1 Cor. 11:23 – 29)
A. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ’s death.
B. The Lord’s Supper looks forward to Christ’s second coming.
C. The Lord’s Supper is evangelistic in nature.
D. The Lord’s Supper is a cause for self-examination.
III. The Perpetuity of the Memorial Supper.
A. Christ intended for His memorial to be observed, “Until he comes.” (11:26; Matt. 26:29)
B. Scripture implies that the Lord’s Supper was to be observed on the first day of every week.
