Friday, September 21, 2012

T#013 THE LORD's TABLE


THE LORD’s TABLE


 *THE
 MEMORIAL OBSERVANCE
    
*THE
 SYMBOLIC OBSERVANCE
    
*THE
 CONTINUING OBSERVANCE
    
*THE
 CHURCH OBSERVANCE


THE
MEMORIAL
OBSERVANCE

  • GOD being all knowing
  • found it all too possible
  • even for HIS disciples to forget
  • while preoccupied with proclaiming
  • the message of the forgiveness of our sinnings
  • declaring the truth of the resurrection and
  • resolving issues among themselves
  • that they might seldom reflect deeply
  • upon that which they had witnessed in Gethsemane and Golgotha.


Hence, the command for
a memorial

 “Do this in remembrance of ME …
Do, whenever you drink it,
in remembrance of ME.”

  • By doing this, followers of THE CHRIST
  • “proclaim THE LORD’s DEATH until HE comes.”
  • (>>1st Corinthians 11:26).


Even and more so for us now(!)

  • we definitely need THE LORD’s TABLE
  • for a reminder of what THE LORD JESUS endured for us
  • when HE died to pay for our sinnings.

HE gave up HIS body and
blood after having been
arrested as a criminal,
 mocked, scourged,
abused, and crucified.

  • Indeed it is a touching memorial.

THE
SYMBOLIC
OBSERVANCE!

  • The elements at the table of THE LORD
  • are symbols of what was involved in HIS sacrifice
  • as “THE LAMB of GOD”
  • in providing our salvation.
  • The bread represents the body of THE CHRIST
  • which was broken for us.

Let us refer ourselves to
>>1st Peter 2:22-24.

  • This is what we should remember
  • when we partake of the bread.
  • The cup symbolizes the blood of THE LORD JESUS
  • which was shed to pay for the sinnings of the world.

Referring to >>Mark 14:24

  • as we hold the cup in our hands
  • we should thank GOD for the blood of THE CHRIST
  • which was shed to secure our redemption and
  • to cleanse us from our sinnings.

The bread and the cup
are symbolic of the body
and blood of
our LORD JESUS
THE CHRIST.

  • They ought to remind us every time we celebrate this observance
  • of what HE endured to provide salvation
  • pointing to that event upon which we base
  • our HOPE for all eternity. 

Some still insistently claim
until now that

  • when they get consecrated the bread and wine
  • they change into the actual body and blood
  • of THE CHRIST.
  • They object to speaking of the bread and wine as symbols.
  • They argue, JESUS did not say “This bread symbolizes MY body”
  • or “This wine symbolizes MY blood”
  • which claim are true.

We should however remember,
that our LORD JESUS on occasions
used symbolic or figurative language
referring to HIMSELF as:

  • “THE VINE” --- >>John 15.
  • HIS disciples knew and understood HIM
  • as speaking figuratively.
  • They did not look upon HIM as an actual vine.

Rather, unlike them we
have around us

  • we recognize what HE was saying to be symbolic.
  • With THE CHRIST portrayed as THE VINE and
  • HIS followers as the branches
  • the truth of our union with and continuing dependence upon HIM
  • is taught in a forceful and unique manner.

    “I am THE DOOR…” --- >>John 10:7

    “I am THE BREAD of LIFE…” --- >>John 6:35


No one in JESUS' days

  • believed and taught that JESUS was claiming to be
  • an actual door or to be an actual piece of bread.
  • HE was speaking figuratively.

It is not hard to conclude therefore

  • that when HE referred to the bread and wine
  • HE declared, “This is MY body” and “This is MY blood”
  • to be understood that HE was simply using figurative language there.

THE
CONTINUING
OBSERVANCE

  • Following the command of JESUS,
  • GATHERINGS of believers in HIS LORDSHIP & HIS CHRISTHOOD
  • since that Pentecost Day of A.D. 33
  • --- converts to that belief in HIS LORDSHIP & HIS CHRISTHOOD
  • till the present TIME ....
  • are to observe THE LORD’s TABLE.
  • >>Acts 2:42, >>Acts 20:7, and >>1st Corinthians 11:26
  • This ought-to-be the reason why we everywhere
  • should endeavor to continue to observe and remember
  • JESUS' death in this manner of
  • partaking in THE LORD’s TABLE
  • until HE comes!

THE
CHURCH
OBSERVANCE

  • This observance ought-to-be observed
  • with utmost reverence and care and preparation
  • by THE CHURCH when meeting any where of those places
  • It is rich in significance and
  • awesome in what it portrays, so much so,
  • that carelessness in its practice among the believers who gathered in Corinth then
  • resulted to illnesses and even death for some of them
  • (>>1st Corinthians 11:29-30)

We must therefore be very
careful to make the
observance of
THE LORD's TABLE
a truly meaningful experience.

  • We must be able to emphasize to those entering into it
  • the extreme need that we celebrate this observance characteristically with:

sincere appreciation, self-examination, and brotherly consideration

  • such that we come to observe it
  • in a way that is pleasing to HIM
  • and with the attitude
  • that brings the greatest blessing.

The matter of frequency of observing THE LORD's TABLE

  • has indeed brought division to THE CHURCH
  • Some  “break bread” every Sunday
  • others do it monthly, and still others much less frequently
  • while THE Roman Catholic CHURCH not only encourages and makes available communion everyday
  • has even decreed that we who are Catholics may be allowed to receive communion not more than twice in a day
  • “but for different intentions.”

THE SCRIPTURES give no
specific command as to how
often IT should be observed.

  • >>Acts 20:7 though states: “and upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break the bread, Paul preached unto them.”
  • The first day of the week come once each week ---
  • and can therefore be a clue how often those disciples still under the eldering of the apostles then
  • “came together to break bread.”

Regardless of any of these
differences we may have
about the frequency of this
observance

  • we should all agree on this:
  • it must be observed with reverence and  
  • with solemn reflections
  • upon the great price
  • paid for our salvation by
  • our LORD JESUS THE CHRIST.

To summarize,
THE LORD's TABLE is:

  • the memorial observance
  • the symbolic observance
  • the continuing observance
  • the CHURCH observance
  • THAT which ought to remind us each time
  • of the great sacrifice by which JESUS provided for our salvation.
~PARTAKING  IN
THE LORD’s TABLE~

Quite a number of believers today

  • particularly they who have not been through understanding and complying
  • with the teachings on repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment
  • find themselves despite their sincere and honest continued observance of THE LORD’s TABLE
  • leaving their "house of worship" with the same grudges
  • and nursing the same hatreds
  • they had when they entered it.

 Not every one though
possesses such an attitude

 toward the observance of
THE LORD’s TABLE. 

  • In fact, some go to the opposite extreme.
  • They are so conscious of their imperfection
  • and so frightened by Paul’s warning
  • in >>1st Corinthians Chapter 11
  • about eating and drinking unworthily
  • that they either take communion with great fear
  • or stay away from their gatherings altogether.

To help avoid these two extremes

  • it should be well
  • that the three (3) characteristics above
  • of the proper observance of THE LORD’s TABLE
  • be sufficiently understood by all.

The correct
understanding

 of all its significances

  • will not keep us away from the observance
  • it will draw us to it and
  • encourage us to participate
  • in a conscientious and meaningful way.

This way, all will come to observe as a gathering

  • in a way that is pleasing to HIM and
  • with the attitude that brings greatest blessing.

For who could doubt GOD’s
bountiful mercy
that is more than enough
for all of us?

  • Shouldn’t we come to realize
  • it is only a matter of putting ourselves
  • in the position to receive all HIS graces and
  • “GOD will meet all (our) needs
  • according to HIS glorious riches
  • in JESUS THE CHRIST."
  • (>>Philippians 4:19)

•    SINCERE  APPRECIATION


The very sight of the bread and the cup (symbolic of the body and blood of THE CHRIST, reminding us of HIS great sacrifice at Calvary) should fill our hearts with continuing thanksgiving and praise to THE LORD.


Refer to >>Luke 22:17-19. Notice that we are told in >>verse 17, JESUS “took the cup and gave thanks.”


If JESUS HIMSELF gave thanks to The Father for these elements, how much more proper and required of us --- all sinners, should sincere appreciation and thanks be from our hearts overflowing!


•    SELF-EXAMINATION


By looking within our hearts and lives, we should make sure that there is nothing unconfessed and uncorrected which might result in our partaking of THE LORD's TABLE unworthily.


Some disciples in the early days in Corinth had evidently taken a light and frivolous attitude towards THE LORD's TABLE.


Refer to >>1st Corinthians 11:27-29. Verse 28 in particular calls us to examine ourselves – not others. 


THE WAY to do this is to ask ourselves some probing questions about --- our questions about our actions, our motives, and our relationships with people and with GOD and let THE CHRIST do on us

THE ROLE as our forgiving
JUDGE now(!) --- instead of
becoming one of those
condemned
for eternity
at HIS second coming!


 Actions…….Are we conducting ourselves as >>>committed disciples of THE CHRIST at home, at work, in school, and in every contact with others?
  • Is our language becoming of one?
  • What about our habits?
  • Are we wasting >>>time?
  • Are we faithful in meeting our obligations?


Motives…….Why do we go to Church or do this and do that?
  • On what biblical basis are we to continue giving financial support to these denominations and not directly to them who are in need?
  • Are we doing what are right for the right reasons?
  • Or are we doing what is good to boost our group’s egos or to impress our peers?
  • Our service for others ought to be performed because we love THE LORD supremely and our neighbors as ourselves.


Relationships…….Are we kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving?
  • Do we owe anyone an apology?
  • Do we have “wrongs” to make right?
  • Are we harboring ill will or an unforgiving spirit toward them who may have wronged us?
  • As we anticipate the partaking of the bread which represents the body of THE CHRIST, and
  • as we drink from the cup which represents HIS blood,
  • we must be sensitive to our transgressions, faults and failures.
  • We ought to see them in the light of the tremendous price THE CHRIST paid for them
  • and determine with GOD’s help to forsake them.

ONLY THEN, can we say
we can AVAIL

of that wonderful promise
in >>1st John 1:9

  • having been cleansed earlier “from all unrighteousness”
  • when we availed of HIS GRAND AMNESTY GRANT
  • when we satisfactorily complied with the requirements of
  • THE LESSONS in Grade I, II, IIIa (at least)
  • otherwise presented here as >>>T#002, 003, & 004 at this far.
  • THUS, we will then thereafter be not eating and drinking unworthily.
  • Since it was our transgressions that nailed THE CHRIST to the cross
  • we would be guilty of sacrilege if we commemorate HIS great sacrifice at Cavalry
  • while living in deliberate sinnings
  • with no intention of confessing & forsaking them.

To partake of the bread, a
symbol of HIS blood shed
for our sinnings
while harboring ill will toward
a brother or sister
in THE CHRIST

  • would be an affront to HIM.
  • It would be like adding insult to injury.

Therefore, as we engage
in self-examination

  • and our sinnings and failures come to mind
  • we should confess them
  • forsake them, and
  • avail of the summary forgiveness of GOD.

Without that ---

  • our partaking of the bread and the wine
  • with no concern for those unrighteousness in our lives
  • --- can result in chastening.

If we vis-a-vis
THE SCRIPTURES herein

 do judge ourselves however,

  • --- AVAIL OF THE CHRIST's GRAND AMNESTY GRANT
  • as a matter of PRIORITY among our PRIORITIES

---- the punishing hand of GOD can be avoided.



Refer to >>1st Corinthians 11:29-32. Of course, not all weakness, not all sickness, and not all deaths are the result of such judgment. Be that as it may, the words of Paul about the consequences of eating and drinking unworthily should encourage us


to engage in sincere
self-examination

 and honest self-
judgment

in preparation for
the gathering’s
observance.

  • What a difference it would make in the communities
  • we shall find ourselves among
  • and in society at large,

if all of us who claim to be

 “believers in THE CHRIST”

  • do not stop at just being ....  
  • and being complacent LIVING
  • as Adventists, Baptists, Calvinists, Catholics, Dating Daans, INCs, Protestants, Pentecostals, JILs, etc.,
instead
  • continue to learn of HIM and
  • what HIS CHURCH is,
  • >>>T#017 all the way to T#023 
  • and as made-disciples of THE CHRIST
  • (>>Matthew 28:19)
  • be more careful to avoid eating and drinking unworthily at
  • our observance of THE LORD’s TABLE. 

If we all observe this,

 no believer in
THE LORDSHIP &
THE CHRISTHOOD
of JESUS

 would ever remain at odds
 with anybody!!!
We would all forgive each other freely
  • as THE CHRIST has forgiven us.
  • If we obey this command,
  • the misunderstandings which have caused so much strife and tension
  • on television and in our day-to-day engagements
  • would melt away;
  • relationships in our homes,
  • in and among our various local churches,
  • in our work – yes, everywhere
  • ---- would be revolutionized !!! ....
The watching world would be impressed
  • as those around us in the neighborhood
  • where we ought to gather to celebrate this
  • (>>Acts 2:46)
  • would see that THE CHRIST
  • really does make a difference
  • in the lives of those who place their trust in HIM.

And THE LORD will surely

 add to our number

daily
those who are being saved!

 (>>Acts 2:46-47).

•    BROTHERLY  CONSIDERATION


Paul’s words in >>verse 17, “we are all partakers of that one bread,” reflect a practice in THE CHURCH then, during apostolic times. Unleavened bread was passed through the assembled disciples. Each disciple broke off a piece/fraction for himself.
  • The fraction thereof denotes the truth that THE CHRIST died for each one of us
  • and the large whole is emblematic of the truth
  • that all share a common salvation
  • and make up the one body that we have
  • TO BE A PART OF
  • in due time --- THE CHURCH!

Yes, as we gather as
brothers and sisters
in THE CHRIST

 and behave as 
THE CHURCH in Philadelphia, ---
>>>T#205A
at observance time, in particular

  • we should be deliberately conscious of our oneness
  • with them who partake of the elements with us.
  • As baptized with THE ONE BAPTISM to be obeyed
  • we are all members of the one body
  • --- THE BODY of THE CHRIST
  • HIS CHURCH
  • we all share the wonderful benefits
  • of our SAVIOR’s atoning work at Cavalry.

One of the glories of

 THIS FAITH

 in THE CHRIST

  • is that we are all made spiritual equals
  • through salvation
  • Jews and Gentiles
  • rich and poor alike become children of GOD
  • members of HIS family (>>1st Timothhy 3:15)
  • The millionaires, the paupers and the in-betweens 
  • ---- when we put our life in obedience to
  • THE LORDSHIP & THE CHRISTHOOD of JESUS
  • we experience the same new birth
  • are indwelt by The same Holy Spirit
  • and share THE same HOPE.

How glorious therefore,
is THE TRUTH of our equality

 in THE CHRIST JESUS

 (>>Galatians 3:26-28).


Remembering our LORD as we gather for this observance
  • we should be very conscious of our oneness
  • in and with THE LORD
  • ---- among ourselves
  • We should see them as are being-saved,
  • our brothers and sisters
  • in THE CHRIST.
When we do, there is
brotherly consideration ---

 another of those
characteristics of a
proper observance

of THE LORD’s TABLE.

TO SUMMARIZE

  • the communion observance should be an edifying and strengthening experience each time.
  • But this can only happen
  • if we are completely sincere in celebrating it.
  • We must enter into it
  • with sincere appreciation,
  • self-examination,
  • and brotherly consideration.
  • When these elements are present
  • each time we assemble
  • with fellow disciples to remember
  • THE LORD’s DEATH

THEN & ONLY THEN
after some time of digestion

 will it become
a-life-transformed

 just eating, drinking, enjoying
>>>T#071

 commemoration of our
SAVIOR’s LOVE
and sacrifice for us…




~~~#~~~

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