The Brinkley argus., 1919-07-18
LESSON FOR JULY 20
THE LORDS SUPPER.


 GOLDEN TEXT-For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup. ye du show the Lords death till he come.-I Cor. f1:2s
 ADDITIONAL MATER1AL-Mark H:22- 2s; Luke 22:14-20: I Cor. 10:l4-2l
 PRIMARY ToPIC-Remembering Jesuc (Luke 22:19).
 JUNIOR TOPIC-The Lords Supper re- minds us of Jesus.
 INTERMEDIATE TOPIC-The meaning of the Lords Supper
 SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Com- rnunion with Christ and with one another.
 1. The institution of the Lords Sup per (Matt. 6:26; l Cor. II :23).
 1. Time: It was on the night of the betrayal of Jesus, just after the be- trayer had been announced.
 2. The circumstances: Tn connection with the eating of the Passover. At the command of Jesus the disciples made ready the Passover, and while they were eating. Jesus took bread, blessed 1t and gave 1t to the disciples.
 3. Elements: CD The bread. This doubtless was the common bread of the Passover feast. CD The cup, This cup consisted of the fruit of the vine.
 II. The Significance of the Lords Supper (Matt 26 :26-2S; I Co. Il :24 26).
 Jesus took natural and literal ele ments and made them to be symbols ot his own body and blood. Just as our bread and drink are asslmilated into brain and brawn, becoming an integral part of our body, so by means of these symbols the communicant partakes of Christ. He becomes part of us and we are in him. It Is both a memorial and a prophecy.
 l. A memorial of the Lord Uuke 22:19). When he went away he left the bread and the cup for the disciples by which to remember him. Those who love him will desire to keep sa- cred this memorial.
 2. To show tlte Lords sacrificial death q Cor. Il :26). He did not die as hero or as an example of unself- ish devotion, but as a substitutionary ransom. On the cross he made expi- ation for cur sins.
 g. It Is guaranty that our sins are forgiven tRom. 4 :25). When the be- lieyer partakes of these elements his faith Is confirmed Tt Is a signet of the Son of God attached to redemp- tion."
 1. Through them the believer re- ceiyed Christ q Cor. 10 :16). He there by participates in the body and blood of Christ, becoming a member of his body. Christ liveth in the believer Gal. 2:26). The Holy Spirit com municates the life of Christ to believ- CTS, making them one body, joined to- gether (Eph. 1 4:16). This union is H. lustrated by the figure of the human organism q Cor. 12:12-27) the vine and branches (John 15;1-S); the hus- band and wife CEph. 5 :25. 26) We are one bread and one body q Cor. 10 ID.
 ,. A forward look to a completed re- demptlon q Cor. 10:2G). When faith Is exercised in Christ. redemption be- gins, and Its completion will take place at the coming of Jesus Christ q Thess- 4:16 ID. The bread and the cup con stittite the keepsake of the Lord until hc returns. These clements possess m immense psychological value both as a memorial and a prospect.
 III. Qualifications for Participation In the Lords Supper q Cor II :27-3D.
 l. A proper apprehension of it's meaning tv 27). Eating and drinking h Fgsra q nfa ff, 2 merit 0f inc communlcant, but to the failure of the communicant to grasp its meaning and importance, There fore. to thoughtlessly engage In thiS service Is to do fl "unworthily." Only a regenerated person can discern the Lords body (v %, cf. 2:1D. Faith ln the integrity of Christ's person and work Is essential. Anyone who does not believe in the absolute deity of Christ and his vlcarious atonement is m unworthy communicant
 2. Church membership q Cor. H.; 1922 The Lords body Is the church which Is composed of regenerated men and women. united to Jesus Christ as head and to each other as members of that body by the Holy Spirit.
 8. Orderly walk. .rhe disordery should be deharred from the Lords table, examples of which are the fol lowing: CD Immoral conduct q Cor. 5:1-13). It Is perilous to the indiyid- ual who is guilty of immortality to ap- proach the Lords table (v. 30). Sick ness and death are oftentimes visited upon such This explains why some are mysteriously taken away in death. (2) Heresy (Titus 3 10; John I 2, 3. (3) Schismatics (Rom. 16;1D. Those who are causing divisions in the church should be debarred.