Transcript • The importance of worshipping God in spirit & truth – John 4:24! • The reality of “FALSE” worship! • The “PURPOSE” of worship! • Some.

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• The importance of
worshipping God in spirit &
truth – John 4:24!
• The reality of “FALSE”
worship!
• The “PURPOSE” of worship!
• Some general principles
governing our worship!
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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• What is the “Lord’s
Supper?”
• When should we partake?
• Who should partake?
• What are the
consequences of abuse?
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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The Lord’s Supper (1 Cor
11:20)
Breaking bread (Acts 20:7;
2:42)
Communion (1 Cor 10:16)
Cup of the Lord (1 Cor 10:21)
The Lord’s Table (1 Cor 10:21)
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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The Passover
The Eucharist
The “Mass”
The “Sacrament”
A Church “Ordinance”
“Love Feast”
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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1 Cor. 10:16-17 (NKJV)
The cup of blessing which we
bless, is it not the communion of
the blood of Christ? The bread
which we break, is it not the
communion of the body of
Christ? [17] For we, though
many, are one bread and one
body; for we all partake of that
one bread.
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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1 Cor. 11:33-34 (NKJV)
Therefore, my brethren, when
you come together to eat, wait
for one another. [34] But if
anyone is hungry, let him eat at
home, lest you come together for
judgment. And the rest I will set
in order when I come.
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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1 Cor. 11:23-25 (NKJV)
For I received from the
Lord that which I also
delivered to you: that the
Lord Jesus on the same
night in which He was
betrayed took bread;
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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1 Cor. 11:23-25 (NKJV)
[24] and when He had given
thanks, He broke it and said,
"Take, eat; this is My body
which is broken for you; do
this in remembrance of Me."
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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1 Cor. 11:23-25 (NKJV)
[25] In the same manner
He also took the cup after
supper, saying, "This cup is
the new covenant in My
blood. This do, as often as
you drink it, in
remembrance of Me."
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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1 Cor. 11:26 (NKJV)
For as often as you eat
this bread and drink this
cup, you proclaim the Lord's
death till He comes.
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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Matthew 26:26-29 (NKJV)
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread,
blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples
and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." [27] Then
He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to
them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. [28] For
this is My blood of the new covenant, which is
shed for many for the remission of sins. [29] But
I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the
vine from now on until that day when I drink it
new with you in My Father's kingdom."
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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“Unleavened bread” – Mat
26:26; Ex. 12:15,19-20
“Fruit of the vine” – Mat
26:27-29; Mark 14:25; Luke
22:18
The word wine, (oinos) is never
used in reference to the Lord’s
supper
Don McClain
The clear connotation is 65ththat
of
St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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Acts 20:7 (NKJV)
Now on the first
day of the week,
when the disciples
came together to
break bread, Paul,
ready to depart the
next day, spoke to
them and
continued his
message until
midnight.
Don McClain
Must be done – 1 Cor
11:24
“Do this in remembrance of Me”
Must be done often – 1 Cor
11:26 –
“Till He come” – 1 Cor
11:26
Done while assembled – 1
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
Cor 11:18,20,33
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Acts 20:7 (NKJV)
Now on the first
day of the week,
when the disciples
came together to
break bread, Paul,
ready to depart the
next day, spoke to
them and
continued his
message until
midnight.
Don McClain
The Didache
Written between 65 - 80 A.D
CHAPTER 14
14:1 But on the Lord's day,
after that ye have assembled
together, break bread and
give thanks, having in
addition confessed your
sins, that your sacrifice may
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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Acts 20:7 (NKJV)
Now on the first
day of the week,
when the disciples
came together to
break bread, Paul,
ready to depart the
next day, spoke to
them and
continued his
message until
midnight.
Don McClain
The First Apology of Justin
Chapter LXVII.Weekly Worship of the
Christians.
. . . And on the day called
Sunday, all who live in cities or in
the country gather together to
one place, . . . bread and wine
and water are brought, and . . .
there is a distribution to each, . .
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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Acts 20:7 (NKJV)
Now on the first
day of the week,
when the disciples
came together to
break bread, Paul,
ready to depart the
next day, spoke to
them and
continued his
message until
midnight.
Don McClain
People's New Testament
Acts 20:7
On the first day of the week when,
etc. The language shows that it was
the custom to meet on the first day of
the week, and shows the leading object
of that meeting. This was not a farewell
meeting for Paul, for then the day of the
week would not have been mentioned,
but the regular weekly assemblage of
the saints. They came together,
primarily, to break bread, i. e., to
observe the Lord's
Supper.
65th St church of
Christ - 9/19/2004
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Acts 20:7 (NKJV)
Now on the first
day of the week,
when the disciples
came together to
break bread, Paul,
ready to depart the
next day, spoke to
them and
continued his
message until
midnight.
Don McClain
People's New Testament
Acts 20:7
Dean Howson says: "We have
here an unmistakable allusion to
the practice, which began
evidently immediately after the
resurrection of our Lord, of
assembling on the first day of the
week for religious purposes."
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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Acts 20:7 (NKJV)
Now on the first
day of the week,
when the disciples
came together to
break bread, Paul,
ready to depart the
next day, spoke to
them and
continued his
message until
midnight.
Don McClain
 The Lord arose on the first day of
the week, - John 20:1
 Showed himself to the apostles a
second time one week later on
the first day of the week, - John
20:26
 The church was founded on
Pentecost, which was on the first
day of the week. – Acts 2
 John referred to the first day of
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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Acts 20:7 (NKJV)
Now on the first
day of the week,
when the disciples
came together to
break bread, Paul,
ready to depart the
next day, spoke to
them and
continued his
message until
midnight.
Don McClain
 Command – “Do this in
remembrance of Me” 1 Cor
11:25
 Example – “Now on the first
day of the week, when the
disciples came together to break
bread . . .”
 Necessary implication –
Every week has a first day . . .
The day WHEN they came
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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1 Cor. 11:27-30 (NKJV)
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of
the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body
and blood of the Lord. [28] But let a man examine himself,
and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. [29]
For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats
and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's
body. [30] For this reason many are weak and sick among
you, and many sleep.
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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 Neither “Open” nor
“Closed” –
 Christians (Baptized
believers) the only ones
authorized - (Acts 2:42;
20:7; Luke 22:16)
Don McClain
 Christians who have
examined themselves
and the manner in which
they partake – (1 Cor
11:27-30)
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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1 Cor. 11:27 (NKJV)
Therefore whoever
eats this bread or drinks
this cup of the Lord in an
unworthy manner will be
guilty of the body and
blood of the Lord . . .
[29] For he who eats and
drinks in an unworthy
manner eats and drinks
judgment to himself, not
discerning the Lord's
body.
Don McClain
 The Non-Christian –
already lost – has no
communion. (2 Thes 1:7-9)
 The Indifferent
Christian – Shows
disrespect for the purchase
price of his redemption.
 The rebellious
Christian – Heb 10:26-30
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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 The Lord’s Supper is:
A Memorial (11:24-25)
A communion (11:33; Luke 22:16)
A proclamation & expression of hope
(11:26)
A time of Examination (11:27, 28)
A serious act – failure to properly
discern the Lord’s body is to bring
condemnation upon ourselves - (1 Cor
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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 Men abuse the Supper by...
Binding what God has loosed.
Loosing what God has bound.
Adding to the elements.
Changing the authorized day.
Changing the design.
Trampling on the blood of the
Covenant of Christ.
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
25
 But when properly observed ...
Increases our love & appreciation for what
Jesus has done for us –
Results in greater faith & obedience because
of our constant reflection upon what Jesus
has done for us –
Brings about a deeper unity, strengthening
our relationship with Christ & each other –
Strengthens our hope & joy Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
Its Misunderstood
Names
• The Supper known as...
– The Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians
11:20)
– Breaking bread (Acts 20:7; 2:42)
– Communion (1 Corinthians 10:16)
– Cup of the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:21)
– The Lord’s Table (1 Corinthians 10:21)
– Feast of Charity (Jude 12)
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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Its Misunderstood
Names
• It is incorrectly referred to as...
– The Passover
– The Eucharist
– The “Mass”
– The “Sacrament”
– A Church “Ordinance”
– “Love Feast”
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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Its Misunderstood
Frequency
• “Upon the first day of the week”
– How often does the “first day” come around?
– If I said, “Upon the first day of the week when the
employees came to be paid...”
– “Remember the Sabbath...” (Exodus 20:8).
• Significance of the “First Day”
– Jesus raised on this day (Luke 24:1, 13, 21).
– What better day to “show the Lord’s death till He come”?
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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Its Misunderstood Cost
• Not the cost in dollars & cents.
– That cost is relatively small because
the elements are common and
universally available.
– Such simplicity is indicative of divine
origin—men are given to
augmentation and ornamentation.
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
31
Its Misunderstood Cost
• Rather, the cost in suffering:
– The suffering of Christ––
• In physical terms (Hebrews 2:9–10)
• In spiritual terms (Isaiah 53:10-12)
– The suffering of Heaven—
• The grief over sin (Genesis 6:5, 6)
• The sorrow of sending Christ (Luke 3:22)
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
•
Its Misunderstood
Value
The Lord’s Supper
is just that!
– It is not your own (1 Corinthians 11:20, 21)
– We may not defile His Temple (1 Corinthians 3:17)
• What the Supper should do for you:
–
–
–
–
–
Don McClain
Reminding function (11:24-25)
Demonstration function (11:26)
Examination function (11:27, 28)
Discernment function (11:29)
Chastening function (11:30-32)
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
32
Its Mistaken
Participants
• Neither “Open” nor “Close”
– Many Protestants invite “all” to participate regardless of
denominational affiliation.
– Catholics and most Baptists restrict participation to
members of their own particular denomination.
• Baptized believers the only ones authorized
– “They continued stedfastly” (Acts 2:42)
– “When the disciples came together” (Acts 20:7)
– “Fulfilled in the Kingdom of God” (Luke 22:16)
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
33
Its Misunderstood
Value
• Indicated by the...
– Careless manner in which observed.
– Liberties taken with the order.
– Willingness to forgo observance.
– Fact that so many forsake it.
– Error promoted concerning it.
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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Its Fearful Abuses
• Men abuse the Supper by...
– Binding what God has loosed.
– Loosing what God has bound.
– Adding to the elements.
– Perverting the words of institution.
– Changing the design.
– Trampling on the blood of the
Covenant of Christ.
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
37
THE ITEMS OF WORSHIP IN
THE N.T.
• THEY OBSERVED THE LORD’S SUPPER...
• As commanded by the Lord & His apostles:
Lk 22:14-20; 1 Co 11:23-29;
• In this memorial they remembered:
• The sinless body offered on the cross
• The blood shed to provide forgiveness for their
sins
– In this memorial they proclaimed their faith in efficacy
of the Lord’s death
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
38
• WHEN?
– On the first day of the week - Ac 20:7; 1 Co
16:1-2
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
39
Contrast the Lord’s supper with O.T.
Sacrifices...
Contrast their giving with O.T. Tithing...
Contrast their singing with O.T. Music...
Contrast other elements of worship...
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
40
• Old Testament
Worship:
• A physical tabernacle
(temple)
• Separate priesthood
• Special garments
• Burning of incense
• Elaborate
ceremonies, special
feast days
Don McClain
• New Testament
Worship:
• The temple is the people
of God – Ep 2:20-22
• All Christians are priests
– 1 Pe 2:5,9
• They adorned
themselves with Christ –
Ga 3:27; Co 3:5-14
• Their prayers are as
incense – Re 5:8
• Observance of feast days
was a cause of concern –
Ga 4:10,11; Co 2:16,17
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
41
The Current Assault On
Scriptural Worship
  Unbiblical objectives and goals in
worship
  To emotionally stimulate an audience
by entertaining them
  To put on such a production - people
will want to come back
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
42
• “Once you have the correct actions in place for
worship, where the real effort comes in is
keeping your heart and mind focused on what
you are doing! Worship in spirit takes REAL
WORK-REAL EFFORT! It takes mental and
physical preparation. Unfortunately, the current
climate in the church tends to treat worship as a
time for entertaining the worshipper and catering
to the worshippers wants. Consequently,
worshippers have lost that deep, reverent,
mindset that approaches the worship assembly
with a sense of respect and cautious intention to
please God. (Dave Miller, Piloting the Straight,
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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  Must we invent unbiblical means to
worship in order to FEEL more spiritual?
 Music – Special days – New
preaching styles - Dramas - Special
effects
• If the simple pattern of worship
revealed in the N.T. doesn’t appeal
to you - Who needs to change?
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
The attitude God’s people
had towards worship –
• Isaiah 66:3 3 “But he who kills an ox is
like one who slays a man; He who
sacrifices a lamb is like the one who
breaks a dog’s neck; He who offers a grain
offering is like one who offers swine’s
blood; He who burns incense is like the
one who blesses an idol. As they have
chosen their own ways, And their soul
delights in their abominations, (ASV)
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
44
The attitude God’s people
had towards worship –
• Jeremiah 7:21 23 “But this is what I
commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My
voice, and I will be your God, and you will
be My people; and you will walk in all the
way which I command you, that it may be
well with you.’ 24 “Yet they did not obey or
incline their ear, but walked in their own
counsels and in the stubbornness of their
evil heart, and went backward and not
forward. (ASV)
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
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• We should seek to offer what Jesus described as
“true worship”
• There are Three kinds of false worship mentioned
in the NT –
• But there is only ONE kind of TRUE WORSHIP
which we must engage in!! (John 4:24)
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ - 9/19/2004
Southside Church of Christ in Rodgers
Don McClain
65th St church of Christ 9/19/2004
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Don McClain
65th St church of Christ 9/19/2004
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