Insights from 1 Corinthians 11:23-34

1. The Lord’s Supper is primarily designed to elicit or to stimulate in our hearts remembrance of the person and work of Jesus.

2. This remembrance is commanded. Participation at the Lord’s Table is not an option.

3. This remembrance entails the use of tangible elements. It isn’t enough simply to say, “Remember!” The elements of bread and wine are given to stir our minds and hearts.

4. It is a personal remembrance. We are to remember Jesus. The focus isn’t any longer on the Jewish Passover or the night of his betrayal or anything else. The focus is Jesus.

5. In this remembering there is also confession. In partaking of the elements we declare: “Christ gave his body and blood for me. He died for me.”

6. In this remembering we also proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes. This, then, is not merely an ordinance that looks to the past. It is an ordinance of hope that points to the future.

7. To partake of the Lord’s Table in an unworthy manner (v. 27) is to take it without regard to its true worth, not yours. To partake unworthily is to come complacently, light-heartedly, giving no thought to that which the elements signify.

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Reference: Sam Storms – Sacraments – Part 1, November 8, 2006, www.enjoyinggodministries.com. 

The cover photo is from truthforlife.org