The Covenant Meal – Part Two
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 03/18/2018
Foundation Scriptures:
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. Matthew 26:26-29 KJV
And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:14-20 KJV
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 KJV
1. The Communion Table.
a. The communion table is symbolic of what Jesus did on the Cross.
b. 1 Corinthians 11:24 – Do this in remembrance of Me.
c. “For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are representing and signifying and proclaiming the fact of the Lord’s death until He comes [again].” (Verse 26 AMPC)
d. His death and resurrection – the past – what He has already done.
e. His coming – the future.
f. Communion – intimate fellowship.
g. Eating unworthily – disrespectfully; or with sin in your life. (Verse 27)
h. “For anyone who eats and drinks without discriminating and recognizing with due appreciation that [it is Christ’s] body, eats and drinks a sentence (a verdict of judgment) upon himself.” (Verse 29 AMPC)
i. Many are weak and sickly, or have died, because of not discerning the Lord’s Body. (Verse 30)
j. “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” (Verse 31)
k. We need to judge ourselves, so the Lord does not have to discipline or chastise us. (Verse 32)
l. We should live ready for heaven, judge ourselves, and keep our hearts pure.
m. Examine yourself.
n. Romans 12:1-2
o. Hebrews 11:6
2. The Difference Between Conviction and Condemnation.
a. Conviction: When the Holy Spirit shines His light on your life to show you the areas you need to repent of.
b. John 16:7-13
c. 1 John 1:9 KJV – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
d. Condemnation comes from the devil.
e. It’s when you have asked God for forgiveness, but the devil is still trying to beat you up in your mind.
f. Romans 8:1
g. First, repent – be sorry for your sin. Confess your sin. Then receive forgiveness, by faith.
3. What Does the Bread Represent?
a. The body of Jesus: beaten, broken, battered, torn, bruised, and nailed to the Cross for you and me.
b. 1 Peter 2:24
c. Isaiah 53:4-5
d. Matthew 8:17 KJV – “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”
4. What Does the Cup Represent?
a. The Blood that was shed for us and washes us clean from all sin.
b. Isaiah 1:18
c. 1 John 1:7 KJV – “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
d. His Blood makes us righteous.
e. Righteousness: the ability to stand in the presence of God, without guilt or condemnation.
f. His Blood justifies us.
h. Romans 5:9
i. His Blood: washes us; seals us; keeps us pure and holy; protects us.
j. 1 Peter 1:13-19
5. Discerning His Body.
a. We are the Body of Christ.
b. Remember, you are not only in covenant with Him, but with one another as well.
c. We are the Body of Christ.
d. James 3:13-18
e. Ephesians 4:31-32