Date/Time
Date(s) - 05/10/2015
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Location
West Valley Presbyterian Church
Categories No Categories
the sacrament of the Lord’s table
Coming to the Lord’s Table
The Lord’s Supper is a wonderful gift from God. It is a “sacrament” – not so much a commanded “ordinance” where we obediently offer ourselves UP to God in participation, as much as it is a nourishing spiritual gift of grace sent DOWN to us by God.
At the Table, we are not simply prompted to cognitively remember the sacrifice of Christ, but rather, through it the Lord spiritually feeds us as we “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34: 8). The physical nourishment is a sign and symbol (sacrament) of the reality of spiritual nourishment – which is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet to come (Matthew 26:26-29). The early church appeared to have cherished the Lord’s Table weekly – “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7)
The church of Christ has celebrated the Lord’s Supper in numerous ways over the centuries.
At West Valley, we use two approaches to the table, both of which communicate spiritual truths.
When the bread and cup are passed to us we are especially reminded of these truths:
· The work of Christ unites us not only to himself, but to each other. The gospel is not just about “me and Jesus”. I am part of a larger family, the body of Christ, the church of Christ.
· As we pass the plates to each other we are reminded of the priesthood of all believers and the privilege of giving grace to each other.
· When we eat and drink at the same time, we are reminded of our deep spiritual unity in Christ. We partake of one spiritual food.
When we come forward for the bread and cup we are especially reminded of these truths:
· Jesus calls me into a personal relationship. I am called to come to Jesus in faith and repentance. Coming forward to the Table is a vivid picture of personal faith.
· We come forward as families, because “this promise is for you and your children.” (Acts 2:39)
· The words of the gospel from those who serve (“the body of Christ given for you, the blood of Christ shed for you”) remind me of the intensely personal nature of Christ’s sacrifice – “… he who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Prayer for those searching for truth:
Lord Jesus, you claim to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true, guide me, teach me, and open me to the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent and convincing, and that leads to the life you promise. Amen
Prayer of belief:
Lord Jesus, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever dared admit, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserved in order to offer me complete forgiveness. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Amen
Prayer for those struggling with sin:
Lord Jesus, grant that I may see in you the fulfillment of all my need, and may turn from every false satisfaction to feed on you, the true and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings too closely, and to run with perseverance the race set before me, looking to you, the pioneer and perfecter of my faith. Amen
*The above information adapted from New Life