How do you prepare for the Lord’s Supper?
How do you prepare for the Lord’s Supper?
Listen to Instruction From God’s Word
- Learn from the Example of Others
When God descended on Mt. Sinai, He told the Israelites to take three days to prepare themselves for His arrival (Ex. 19:10). When Paul wrote the church at Corinth about partaking of the Lord’s Supper, he addressed the need to prepare ourselves for communion with the Lord (1 Cor 11:17–34). Our preparations will greatly facilitate our blessing at the Table.
- As God’s People it is Good to Note that We Need Correction from Time to Time – Verses 17-22
But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. Therefore, when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you.
- Recall What the Supper is About – Verses 23-26
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which 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.” In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
- Fence the Table in Your Heart – Verses 27-32
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
- Think On the Needs of Others – Verses 33-34
So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment. The remaining matters I will arrange when I come.
*All verses above are taken from New American Standard Bible.
Reflect on this Special Celebration and Your Local Church’s Practice
On the Lord’s Day of August 9, we eagerly anticipate the celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during the morning worship service.
We are not casual about this observance. Rather, we look upon this remembrance of our Lord’s death as a holy and precious experience! The Scripture promises rich blessing to those who approach it rightly and warns of spiritual harm to those who don’t.
Because of this instruction in God’s Word, and for the good of everyone concerned, our church asks that all who wish to participate in the receiving of the bread and the cup, first meet with our elders to make a profession of their personal faith in Jesus Christ, describe their relationship to a true branch of Christ’s Church, and discuss the meaning of this sacrament.
An informal interview can be arranged for the convenience of each person interested, please speak with an elder if you desire to partake with us. Please, also bear in mind that due to time constraints it may not be possible to arrange an interview the morning of the service.
In any case, we hope this day can be a great blessing for you, as you hear God’s Word preached, join in His praises, and witness this celebration which recalls the sacrificial death of our Lord Jesus Christ for His people.
May you experience God’s grace and love abundantly!
