THE LORD’S SUPPER AND THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK
TEXT: Matthew 26:29
Introduction: The expressions “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” are used interchangeably by Jesus. Jesus also identified the kingdom, which He preached was “at hand,” as the church which He promised to build.
In addition, Jesus said that those who are born again by water and the Spirit enter the kingdom of God. Then, here’s another statement that Jesus made regarding the kingdom that was to come.
Read TEXT. In this context, Jesus has observed the Jewish Passover with His apostles. Afterwards, He instituted the Lord’s supper by first taking the bread as representing His body that hung on the cross. Next, He took the cup or fruit of the vine as representing His blood shed for the remission of our sins.
Finally, He told them that He would observe the Lord’s supper with them in the kingdom or church when it came into existence. But notice that Jesus spoke of “that day” when He would drink the fruit of the vine with His disciples in the kingdom.
Our aim in this lesson is to look at the Scriptures to see what we can learn about TITLE.
I. The proper participants
A. The proper participants are Christians, true disciples of Christ: Acts 20:7
B. These are people who have repented, been baptized, and were added to the Lord’s church: Acts 2:38, 41-42
C. Paul identifies the participants as “we”—himself and the saints at Corinth: 1 Cor. 10:16-17; cf. 1:1-2
II. The proper elements
A. The proper elements to be used in the Lord’s supper are also specified as those used by Christ Himself: 1 Cor. 11:23
B. Jesus took bread: 1 Cor. 11:24

C. He also took the cup or fruit of the vine: 1 Cor. 11:25
III. The proper place
A. The proper place for the observance of the Lord’s supper is “in the church” or in the assembly: 1 Cor. 11:17-20
B. Again, the disciples “came together to break bread”: Acts 20:7
C. The physical place doesn’t necessarily matter, but the Lord does stipulate that His people should assemble: Heb. 10:24-25
IV. The proper manner
A. The proper manner is worthily so as to show the Lord’s death: 1 Cor. 11:26-29
B. This isn’t saying that we must necessarily be worthy or feel worthy to participate, but that we must determine to worship in spirit and truth: Jn. 4:24
C. Thus, we must observe the supper with proper motives: Heb. 12:28
V. The proper time
A. We learn the proper time for disciples to gather together to partake of the supper by example: Acts 20:7
B. Obviously, this day was important to early Christians: 1 Cor. 16:1-2
C. But how often? cf. the Sabbath: Exo. 20:8
Conclusion: There is NO statement or command, no divinely approved example, not even any necessary inference that the Lord’s supper may be observed on any other day than the first day of the week.
Thus, we can observe the Lord’s supper by faith only if we observe it on the first day of the week in the manner prescribed by these Scriptures which we’ve studied.
Our faith should be such that we’ll be satisfied to abide in the doctrine of Christ in all matters.
The purpose of the Lord’s supper is for Christians to remember Christ’s death, but if you’re not a Christian, you need to receive the benefits of Christ’s death by faith and obedience to the gospel.

By Wayne S. Walker

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