Scripture Reading: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. —1 Corinthians 11:26

Summary: The Lord’s Supper is a Biblical ordinance instituted as a memorial to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ whose body was broken and blood shed for the redemption of mankind.

Read:  Matthew 26:17-30; 1 Corinthians 11:20-34 (Reference: Luke 22:7-22; Mark 14:12-26).

I. Instituted During the Passover

A. Exodus 12:12-15 Passover in Egypt
B. Matthew 26:17-20 The feast of unleavened bread.
C. Luke 22:7-16 The Passover prepared.

II. Instituted by Christ

A. Matthew 26:26-29 Jesus administers communion to His disciples.
B. 1 Corinthians 11:23 Received of the Lord.

III. Purpose of Communion

A. New Testament Memorial
B. 1 Corinthians 11:24b,25b “In remembrance of me.”
C. 1 Corinthians 11:26 Show the Lord’s death.

IV. Symbolism of the Bread

A. Matthew 26:26 The body of Christ.
B. 1 Corinthians 11:24 The broken body of Christ.
C. 1 Corinthians 10:17 The church—the body of Christ.
D. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Unleavened bread.

V. Symbolism of the Fruit of the Vine

A. Matthew 26:28-29 The shed blood of Christ.
B. 1 Corinthians 10:16 Communion of the blood.
C. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Drink into one Spirit.

VI. Proper Administration of Communion

A. Mark 14:22 Jesus took bread, blessed it, brake it, and gave them.
B. Mark 14:23 Jesus took the cup, gave thanks, gave it to them, and they all drank of it.
C. See also: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

VII. Conclusion to the Lord’s Supper

A. Matthew 26:30 They sang a hymn.
B. Mark 14:26 Sang and departed.

VIII. Communion Misused at Corinth

1 Corinthians 11:20-22, 34 Congregation focused on temporal eating rather than on the symbolic observance.

IX. Ordinance for Believers

A. 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 Examine yourself.
B. 1 Corinthians 11:29-32 Consequences.

X. Ordinance to be Kept by the Church

A. Matthew 28:20 Observe all things.
B. 1 Corinthians 11:2 Keep the ordinances.
C. 1 Corinthians 11:25 This do ye.

Conclusion:
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
—1 Corinthians 11:28