Spiritual Observance of the Lord’s Supper

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: II Corinthians 13; Lord's Day 30
Psalters: 401, 324, 233, 187
  1. A spiritual presence.
    1. We reject any concept of Christ’s presence being physical.
    2. The Biblical and Reformed understanding of Christ’s presence in the Supper is that He is present only in a spiritual sense.
      1. First, Jesus is locally in heaven, no longer on the earth; so He can be only represented in the Supper in a spiritual sense.
      2. It is in this way that we show (demonstrate) the Lord’s death (as the way to salvation) until He returns.
  2. The administration of the sacrament must be spiritual. It is in three ways.
    1. Spiritual administration means: Jesus is seen as the Host, who is represented in the elders.
    2. Second, spiritual administration requires the preaching which displays the Jesus and the death He died.
    3. Third, spiritual administration requires that the Lord’s Table be guarded.
  3. Spiritual partaking requires the exercise of active faith.
    1. Proper receiving and eating of the elements requires a soul seeking and finding forgiveness in Jesus.
      1. Sincere faith has godly sorrow for sinning against the holy God (not questioning whether deep enough).
      2. Sincere faith trusts the suffering and death of Jesus to have fully covered all our sins and sinfulness (Heb. 7:27).
      3. Sincere faith includes the grateful resolution to live to His glory and to love my brothers in Christ.
    2. There are three kinds of improper partakers, who ought to keep themselves from the Table.
    3. When we sincerely partake by faith, then blessings result for the believers and for the church.
      1. The Supper gives assurance that full salvation is given to those who believe.
      2. Our faith is stimulated to greater hunger and thirst after Christ.
      3. Through the exercise of our faith the spiritual life of the church and of individual believers is strengthened in our love of God.