The Lord's Supper

Yesterday we talked a little bit about the meal that Jesus instituted (called the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, etc).  As I mentioned, there is one source (the Bible), but various interpretations of exactly what the Lord's Supper really is.  This attached document is a study I prepared years ago for Confirmation students.  If you want to walk through it and learn a bit more, feel free to do so.  It does not go into great detail on other beliefs, or bash other beliefs, but it does state what we believe in the Lutheran Church.  Though I have plenty of questions about what we believe, I think we are pretty close when it comes to the Lord's Supper!  I think it is way more than a symbolic meal - I believe He is there, and thus there is power!

Feel free to read through the attachments.  You don't have to do the assignements (remember, this was for Confirmation students, and I didn't re-write it).

It's all for His Glory,
PJ

Attachment: Lord's Supper Modules.pub
Posted on Mon, June 14, 2010 by Jonathan Goeke

6 comments (Add your own)

1. MBL wrote:
Great sentence in this study, appropriate for my life, at all times:

Page 17, third paragrapgh: "belief in Jesus Christ will not exist apart from obedience to Jesus Christ."

Both convicting and inspiring simultaneously.

One question, PJ: did the disciples know how important this moment of the Lord's Supper was? Do we have any insight into what they thought about this event?

Mon, June 14, 2010 @ 1:45 PM

2. PJ wrote:
Thanks for the comments - and the props.

As for the question - I believe hind-sight is 20/20. I guarantee you they "got it" after they witnessed His body broken and His blood shed on the cross - and especially after they saw Jesus resurrected from the dead! But that night, no, I personally don't think they got it yet. You get some insight into their thinking in Luke 22:24 - right after this incredible experience, they start disputing over who is the greatest. So, I think they missed it until after the resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

God is incredibly loving and patient - with them and with us!

Mon, June 14, 2010 @ 2:17 PM

3. Stephanie Hansen wrote:
After listening to the sermon and rereading the Lord's Supper in the different books of the Bible,there is one thing that stands out to me that brought to mind a question. I had heard others speak of communing with saints. I see in Mark and Luke that Christ states that he will not partake in commune again till fullfillment in the kingdom of God. Is he talking about till ascension? Or is he talking about till we are all in heaven?

Mon, June 14, 2010 @ 8:48 PM

4. Verlyn wrote:
I don't think this is where we are suppose to go to bring up some ideas, but this is the only place I found so here are some areas that I have questions on.

1. I have been taught - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved - BUT, there are so many verses that say if you don't do this you will not enter into the Kingdom of God - Such as Luke 18:17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like these lttle children, will never enter in. OR Matt 5: 20, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven, Matt 5:22 anyone who says "you fool" will be in danger of the fire of hell, Or it is better to lose one part of your body than for you whole body to go into hell, or Matt 6:15 if you do not forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your sins. Do we need to teach and stress that faith alone is not enough. We have to be aware of all that we do. Actions and how we live are just as important.

2. Another area that stood out was Luke 18:7 -8 Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? All believers need to unite and pray that the United States will become a Christian nation again!!!! All Christian need to pray !!! verse 8 - however, when the son of man comes will he find faith on the earth. WOW - Could all the faithful be gone when the end of time comes???

3. Matt 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. - This verse has always caught my attention because when you try to talk to people about their faith, they tell you that they believe but their actions don't always match their profession of faith. So they turn off anything you try to tell them. How should we proceeed or deal with this?

4. Mark 3:29 Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, he is guilty of an eternal sin. Is this the only eternal sin? What does this exactly mean? I have had people tell me, I just can't believe in a God that would do ..... such or such!!! Is this the unforgiveable sin?

5. A baptist friend talks about the difference between heaven and Abraham's side (Luke 16:22) or bosom. Is Abraham's bosom a holding place before the final heaven?

6. Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you will try to enter and will not be able to (Luke 13:24) Explain -

These are some things that stood out after reading Matthew, Mark and Luke. I am now reading John and have found a lot of things standing out there!!!

Tue, June 15, 2010 @ 8:54 PM

5. PJ wrote:
Steph - thanks for the question. I believe Jesus is talking (in that specific reference) about the future - when He will return and rule over His Kingdom in full! When we are all united in the fullness of the Kingdom of God, He will partake of this meal with us (at least as well as we can understand). So, what we can take away from that is this - when we receive the meal, we look back and reflect on what Jesus has already done for us - and we look forward to the glorious day when we will be united and sharing the meal in His Kingdom!

Thu, June 17, 2010 @ 4:39 PM

6. PJ wrote:
Verlyn - this is EXACTLY the place to write your thoughts!! Thanks for all of them. You brought up some great issues - and we'll try to pick some and work them into our discussions in the coming weeks. So, rather than trying to answer each of them here - we'll see about including them in the line-up in the weeks to come. And - if you happen to miss a week of worship, just go to the website after that Sunday and listen to the message. It should be posted each week!

Thu, June 17, 2010 @ 4:41 PM

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