The Lord's Supper

 (We are interrupting Jeremiah for the Easter Season)

2 Primary Events of Christianity = Christ's Death and Christ's Resurrection = our focus for the next 2 weeks.

In conjunction with His death, we celebrate the Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper:  origin = "The LAST Supper" - and the origin of the "Last Supper" = Passover - story found in Exodus chap. 11 thru 13.
The Lord's Supper is unique to Christianity.  First took place on the evening that He was betrayed and before His death the next day.   It came out of the Passover.

SETTING:  the tribes of Israel in bondage in Egypt.  Moses sent to deliver them.  Were 10 plagues to convince Pharaoh.  The last plague was "Plague on the 1st. born" - Ex. 11:1, 4-6, 12:1-3, 5-7, 12-14, 23-27
Passover was an ordinance - a ritual God had commanded them to keep.

The exodus happened as predicted:  Therefore, celebrated annually by the Jews.  So..... Jesus and his disciples - Matt. 26:17, 26-28

At His last Passover, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper for us.

After the Resurrection, the disciples recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of the Passover lamb.  - He WAS the Passover Lamb.

In other words, what the original Passover did for God's people in bondage (Egypt), so the Cross did for God's people in bondage to Sin!  1 Cor. 5:7

PARALLELS:

A lamb without blemish .... slain for their deliverance
Jesus without sin ... crucified for our deliverance - Matt. 1:21 - Jesus = "the Lord saves"
In other words, the 1st. Passover = literal, historic event .. that SAVED God's people from physical bondage  (Egypt) .. was a Fore-shadowing (a visible prophecy) of a literal, historical event that saves God's people from Spiritual bondage.   1 Pet. 2:24

So ... Paul - 1 Cor. 5:7

(Early) Christians began to celebrate this NEW, True (fulfilled) Passover .. with a ritual observance called ... The Lord's Supper     

1 Cor. 11:23-26 - Three main things out of this passage:

text says:  #1.  do this" - (1 of 2 "church ordinances" - ie.  rites or rituals instructed by Christ  (baptism and Lord's Supper)   These intended to demonstrate a believer's faith)

#2.  "do this in remembrance of Me"

#3.  do this to "proclaim the Lord's death" - that He died for our sins. 
Lord's Supper = picture:  (1)  body broken    (2)  blood poured out    (3)  my association with that

so.... the church has always kept this command by celebrating the Lord's Supper  (communion)

Our Lord's Supper Service  (at OBC)

Why we do it  (1)  in obedience    (2)  in remembrance   (3)  to proclaim His death ... also to renew vows to serve Him

When do we do it = Sunday before Easter, which is as near to Passover time as can get on a Sunday. 
Passover = 1st. full moon of Spring.  Easter = Sunday after Passover

How do we do it = gather, group-up worship.  Pass bread.   Pass wine.  

Who should do it = believers!  so you decide for yourself and direct, instruct the kids!

1 more parallel between Passover then and our faith today!    ie:  they were not saved by the lamb, nor by the blood of the lamb.  But by applying the blood of the Lamb!

Compare to accepting, recognizing Jesus as your only Savior, and your living Lord!  

So.... 1 Cor. 11:27-28 (the manner in which you take the Lord's Supper.  Should be with humility, repentance, sorrow, thankfulness, etc.

 

Closing Scripture:  1 Tim. 1:15-17