Take Home Lord's Supper

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From the earliest days of the Church, the Lord’s Supper has been a central part of the Christian faith – a way for us to picture the profound sacrifice that Jesus offered when He gave His life on the cross.

We read in Acts 2:46 that they gathered to “break bread” together in their homes. As we commemorate this special communion today around tables in our homes, we recall the intimacy of those very special moments. Of course, it is fitting that we often partake together as we gather all together for worship; but there is something both meaningful and biblical about gathering for the same expression with just a few around our tables – recognizing that the Lord Jesus has set us apart as the Body of Christ beyond any one building.

As you gather around your table today, take the time to consider the rich meaning of what is taking place. The Scriptures remind us that, by taking part in this communion, we are making several statements. Have someone read these statements:

1. LORD, WE REMEMBER. Jesus said…do this in remembrance of me. Just as the Jewish Passover commemorated the time when the blood of the sacrificial lamb was shed, the Lord’s Supper represents the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. The Lord’s Supper is the Christian’s Passover. When we receive the elements we are stating, “Lord, I remember the high price you paid for my sin. You gave your life for mine.”

2. LORD, WE PROCLAIM. The Lord’s Supper does not save, but when we take the bread and the cup, we are proclaiming that we have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord. When we receive the elements, we are stating, “Lord, I know that you saved me because of your grace and love – not because of anything I have done.”

3. LORD, WE EXAMINE. Scripture says that we should examine ourselves and take inventory of our relationship with God. Prior to partaking of the Lord’s Supper, we should do what the Psalmist did when he prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart…see if there be any wicked way in me.” Are there any unconfessed sins in our lives or any issues left unsettled with God? Take time to pray and thank God for his forgiveness.

Everyone take the bread in your hand.

 

Let’s read from 1 Corinthians 11:23-24

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

What did He say that the bread represented? His own body. The body of God Himself who came to earth and became a man. Without Him becoming our sacrifice, we had no hope.

Invite someone to pray and thank the Lord for the sacrifice He offered us.

All believers present may partake of the bread.

Scripture tells us in the same way He also took the cup. It is in Christ’s body that He bore our sin. It is by His blood that He paid for our sin.

Consider prayerfully the love that was poured out through the shedding of Christ’s blood.

Everyone take the cup in your hand.

 

Let’s read the next verse in 1 Corinthians 11:25

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Invite someone to pray and thank the Lord for the forgiveness we have been given through His blood.

All believers present may partake of the cup.

One final proclamation we make when we partake:

4. LORD, WE REJOICE! Look at 1 Corinthians 11:26

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

When we receive the bread and the cup, we not only look back to his death on the cross with gratitude, but we can look forward to his coming again with joy!

Give thanks to the Lord for the promise of Heaven.