THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME
Matthew 26:26-30
Introduction
This occasion is a special blessing in that it is for the express purpose of remembering our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Tonight we will observe the Lord’s Supper after we have looked to the Word of God on the subject. We will look at the two ordinances that God gave His Church, but more especially the Lord’s Supper.
I. TWO ORDINANCES WERE GIVEN
A. Water Baptism
1. Observe the baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch, Acts 8:36-38, “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”
a. Faith and trust in Christ as Saviour was and is the prerequisite.
b. Then baptism was performed.
2. The method of baptism was immersion in water, Acts 8:39, “And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”
B. The Lord’s Supper
1. The purpose of the Lord’s Supper is to remember the Lord’s death on Calvary.
a. This is a supper where the elements only represent the body and blood of Christ.
b. These elements in no way actually turn into the literal body and blood of Christ.
2. The elements of the Lord’s Supper were taken from the Passover, Mark 14:16, 22-24,“And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 22And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.”
a. The Bread was unleavened, one of the elements of the Passover feast, Exodus 12:8, “And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.”
b. Leaven is a type of sin in the Scriptures and the bread therefore, was unleavened in order to represent the sinless body of Christ, Leviticus 2:11. See note.
c. The Cup, wine or grape juice? The Scripture does not say except to say that it was the fruit of the vine.
II. THE SCRIPTURAL OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
A. The participant must be a born-again, baptized believer in Christ.
B. He or she must be a member of the local New Testament Baptist Church.
C. That individual must be in good standing with the Lord and with the church to participate.
1. His sins must have been confessed, 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
2. He must be in fellowship with the Lord and his brethren in the church, 1 Corinthians 11:28, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
a. Unworthily, that is, with unconfessed sin, Matthew 5:23-24, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
b. Damnation, or judgment. The believer should deal with his spiritual problems, 1 Corinthians 11:29, “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
CONCLUSION
Israel did just fine while they followed the commandments of the Lord. God blessed them with good production in their labor and with peace and safety in their land and homes. However, when Israel went away from the Lord and went other gods, the Lord took away the peace and safety and let them confront their enemies without God’s help.
Faithfulness is all that God requires from you and I as His soldiers. Faithfulness to His Word and His Church are the two key elements to a wholesome Christian life, Numbers 32:23, “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”