Ordinance of the Lords Supper

May 19, 2013

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Paul praised the Corinthian church for keeping the ordinances that he delivered unto them (v. 1).

There are two “ordinances” we observe as a church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These two ordinances taken together picture the Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

The Lord’s Supper shows forth Christ’s death (1 Cor. 11:26).
Baptism pictures Christ’s burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:4— “…we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”).

In a few minutes we will be observing the Lord’s Supper. As we do, I want to make sure we understand the significance of this ordinance.

Too often, communion is nothing more than a meaningless tradition or ritual. It has lost it’s meaning and become a formality.

The ASSEMBLING of the church

(vs. 17-20— “…come to- gether…”). Cf. Heb. 10:25; Acts 20:7-8

The very name “the Lord’s supper,” reminds us that He is the Host at His table. He is be the object of our attention and the center of our devotion. As Jesus said, “… this do in remembrance of Me.”