The Signs and Seals of the Covenant of

The Signs and Seals of the Covenant of Grace THE PROCEDURE FOR THE LORD’S SUPPER

We want to be clear: �The elders do not think we are “correcting past mistakes”. �The elders are not trying to follow any “fads”. �Strategy in the discussion: Take the principle to a thorough conclusion & then examine our circumstances and adjust accordingly

The Reformed Principle of Worship – the Regulative Principle �Elements of worship �Circumstances of worship

Decisions Made So Far: �Leavened Bread – Emphasis away from the bread ‘of suffering’ (Passover) and more on the bread ‘of life’ as Jesus calls us to see him.

1 Corinthians 5: 1 -2, 6 -8 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. … Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Decisions Made So Far: �Leavened Bread – Emphasis away from the bread ‘of suffering’ (Passover) and more on the bread ‘of life’ as Jesus calls us to see him. Principle of Unity – one body, one loaf

1 Corinthians 10: 16 -17 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

Decisions Made So Far: �Leavened Bread – Emphasis away from the bread ‘of suffering’ (Passover) and more on the bread ‘of life’ as Jesus calls us to see him. Principle of Unity – one body, one loaf �Fermented Wine – Emphasis toward celebration & rejoicing as we partake of the cup ‘of life’ Principle of Unity – the blood of Christ, one cup

Procedure

Particular Biblical Emphasis on the Table When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. (Luke 24: 30 ESV) � You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. (1 Corinthians 10: 21 ESV) �

Particular Emphasis on the Table I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, (Matthew 8: 11 ESV) � And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. (Luke 13: 29 ESV) � “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22: 28 -30 ESV) �

Emphasis on Accepting Jesus’ Invitation And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. (Matthew 22: 1 -3 ESV) � And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. (Luke 14: 23 ESV) �

Procedure: Response and Movement �Yes, it is more humbling. (We are used to being served where we are. ) �Yes, it will make your response more “public”. (Our culture tends to worship privacy. ) �Yes, it will be more of a “hassle”. �Yes, you will be served if movement is difficult – mothers w/infants, handicapped, elderly, etc.

Procedure: Response and Movement �No, this doesn’t mean we’re going “high church”. The ‘Host’ will not be lifted up. (All of these You will not be asked to kneel. are tantamount You will not be told: “This is to worshipping the body/blood of the Lord. ” the materials. ) �No, this doesn’t mean we’re borrowing from some other tradition. Great Scottish Presbyterian controversy Days of debate at the Westminster Assembly Rayburn: Thomas Chalmers called for pew distribution

Thomas Chalmers �“In breaking bread and drinking wine … Christ offers himself to us and we present ourselves to him in worship and adoration. ” �“In Holy Communion Christ places his table in this world to feed and bless his people. ” �“We celebrate his victory over death and anticipate the joyous feast we shall have in his coming kingdom. ” �“Those who belong to Christ come gladly to his table … to celebrate his presence, and together as his church offer him thanks. ”

Procedure: Response and Movement �No, this doesn’t mean we’re going “high church”. The ‘Host’ will not be lifted up. (All of these You will not be asked to kneel. are tantamount You will not be told: “This is to worshipping the body/blood of the Lord. ” the materials. ) �No, this doesn’t mean we’re borrowing from some other tradition. Great Scottish Presbyterian controversy Days of debate at the Westminster Assembly Rayburn: Thomas Chalmers called for pew distribution �No, this won’t extend the time of the service unnecessarily.

Pragmatics: How do we do this?

Pragmatics: How do we do this? Not in a line constantly moving, But in groups gathered & remaining until all have partaken.

Pragmatics: How do we do this? �We want the elders to administer the materials to each person. �We want covenant families to partake together. Junior Church will end after the sermon and rejoin us. Noncommunicants should come front even though they do not partake. Family members should feel free to come from different parts of the room. �We want individuals to partake with others as family. �We want to express both: the individual’s relationship with Christ – partaking of the bread at the table, the corporate nature of our worship – holding the cup until seated and all drink together.

New Covenant Presbyterian Church Preaching God’s Sovereign Grace to a World of Need 128 St. Mary’s Church Rd. , Abingdon, MD 21009 410 -569 -0289 www. ncpres. org www. ephesians 515. com