Introduction:     Jesus left His church 2 ordinances. Baptism - the immersing of the believer in water as a symbol of the new life of Christ on the inside. The other is the one which we are going to celebrate tonight - The Lord’s Supper. This too, is a symbolic observance. Yet it is one that holds great meaning for the child of God. In the Lord’s Supper, we can find the reason for our very existence as believers, and hope for our future as well. Our time at His table should be a blessed one and can be so if we understand just what it is that we are doing.

I.          IT IS A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE   (vv. 24-26)

A.        Remember An Agonizing Lord (v. 24-25)

The cruel death that He died to save our souls! In dying, He opened wide the gates of salvation and now whosoever will can enter freely. As you partake of this memorial meal, please remember just what He did for you at Calvary – (Isa 52:14) "As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:"

B.         Remember An Achieving Lord (v. 26) 

Death could not hold Him! Thank God 3 days later, He arose from the Dead and conquered death, hell and the grave, insuring eternal life for all who will receive Him by faith! ( Ill. Matt. 28:1-6) This is why the Lord’s Supper is only a symbol. Jesus is alive and well tonight! Yes He died, but now He is evermore alive!

C.                 Remember An Appearing Lord (v. 26)

After Jesus rose from the dead, He ascended back to Heaven and took up His place at the right hand of the Father, Heb. 10:12. His promise is that He will return some day for His people – John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11. Every time we take the Lord’s Supper, we are to remember that He died, He lives and one day soon, He will return to take us to be with him in Heaven!

II.         IT IS A TIME OF REPENTANCE (v. 27-30)

A.        From Our Sins (v. 27-30)

These verses paint a very solemn portrait of the Lord’s Supper service. It seems the Lord takes it very seriously! He expects us to deal with our sins before we partake of the bread and the juice! That is why we have a time of altar prayer before the elements are given out. God hasn’t changed His mind! ( Ill. The situation at Corinth - It wasn’t being taken seriously and people were sickly and dead because of their taking the Lord’s Supper lightly.) If you have sinned, there is forgiveness in Jesus – 1 John 1:9.

B.         From Our Selfishness (v. 17-22)

The Lord’s Supper is a time when we are to remember the selflessness of Jesus and make that trait paramount in our own lives. In other words, we are to place others ahead of ourselves. It is a good time for the saint to remember:

• Those who lack in the fellowship – Gal. 6:2
• Those who are outside Jesus and lack salvation – Isa. 51:1 ( Ill. These people need an insider to tell them about Jesus! Are you casting your net?)
• That without Jesus we are nothing – 1 Cor. 15:10; John 15:5

III.       IT IS A TIME OF RENEWAL (v. 31)

A.        Of Our Vows

What have you promised the Lord that you haven’t carried out? ( Ill. Eccl. 5:1-5) Before the bread and juice are taken this evening, look closely at the things you’ve promised the Lord. Have you done them like you said you would? Examine yourself, judge yourself, and He won’t have to judge you for your error!

B.         Of Our Vision

This time at the Lord’s Table is a great time for us to remember why we are here anyway. We should all take this time to ask the Lord to renew our vision of:

• A World Lost Without Jesus. ( Ill. The horrors of the lost man – Eph. 2:12)
• A Lord Worthy Of Our Best Service, Faithfulness and Worship.
• A Church With A Future Only As Large As Our Commitment

C.                 Of Our Victory

This is a great time to bring your defeats, your trials, your valleys, your hurts and struggles to the Lord and let Him remind you that He hasn’t forgotten you. That He is working everything out for your good – Rom. 8:28. That in Him you always walk in victory – 1 Cor. 15:57; that in Him, you are more than a conqueror – Rom. 8:37.

Conclusion:       Before we have our time at the Lord’s Table, let’s spend some time at the Lord’s Altar! The invitation is three-fold today:

1. If you are unsaved and God has dealt with your heart, I invite you to come to Jesus now and receive Him as your Savior.

2. If you are saved, but there are things in your life that are hindering your walk with God, bring them to this altar this evening and let Him take care of those needs. Get rid of those weights that slow your progress for Jesus.

3. If you are in a storm today, come to Jesus and let Him remind you of your great victory in Him.

Whatever the need, bring it to Jesus today and He can and will meet it. Will you come?