Also known as EUCHARIST, BREAKING OF BREAD, THE LORD’S TABLE, COMMUNION.

CONDITIONS: EXAMINE ONESELF and NOT TO PARTAKE IN AN UNWORTHY MANNER

Passover is an annual remembrance with thanksgiving of how God delivered the Hebrews from oppression, bondage and slavery in Egypt. It is a lasting ordinance, which has to be commemorated (A person or event remembered with honour and reverence).

It was a time of rededication, reunion and rejoicing.

The symbolical meaning was passed on from father to son - Exodus 13:8

Origin of the Lord’s Supper: Undoubtedly the original Passover was intended to be a picture of Christ’s sacrifice for us. He Himself took the place (on the Cross) of the slain lamb. He was "The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." As He died, He cried, "It is finished." His death was the end of the old era, and just before it took place, in one of the last commands He gave to His disciples, He instituted a new Christian memorial, linked with the former Passover.

John 1:29 Behold the Lamb of God; Rev 13:8 the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

For Believers it is a time of thanksgiving and remembrance of deliverance from spiritual death and slavery to sin, It is to thank God for Christ’s work for us.

At the Lords Supper we reflect on Jesus death and his promise to come again, grateful for God’s wonderful gift to us, and joyful as we meet with Christ and the body of believers.

Significance: It is one of the two ordinances of the Church and being the lasting ordinance.

The first ordinance is Water Baptism, which is mandatory.

The second ordinance is Lord’s Supper, which has to be lasting

Water Baptism is a pledge of a good conscience towards God - 1 Peter 3:21 And you hath he quickened. who were dead in trespasses and sin - Ephesians 2:1 How has this happened, by being Born Again. It is only after being BA that we receive WB.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned -Mk 16:16

Believing has to be followed by WB, irrespective of the duration of conviction. The one who is BA and is WB has pledged a good conscience towards God. He has fulfilled the FIRST ORDINANCE and thus is qualified for SECOND ORDINANCE (LORD’S SUPPER). However, he has to go through the requisites to partake in it.

Should be taken thoughtfully because we are proclaiming that Christ died for us.

Should be taken worthily with due respect and reverence.

Should examine ourselves for any unconfessed sin or resentful attitude

Should be properly prepared based on our belief in and love for Christ.

Should be considerate of others.

Remember His incarnation

Birth - Born in a manger to be available for all category of people.

Baptism - Willing to obey the Father in fulfilling all righteousness.

Ministry - Willing to always do the will of Him who sent Him.

Transfiguration - Approval of God

Temptation - Remembering to do the will of God, came of it victoriously

Miracles - shows God’s approval and anointing.

Teaching - About the KOG

Hardships - Willing to suffer for our sake.

Gethsemane - Seeking to do the will of God till the end.

Trials - - Suffered for our sake.

Mockings - For our peace

Scourging - For our healing

Death - for our sake, so that we might live

Resurrection - Victory, because He lives we can face tomorrow

Ascension - Returned to the Father

Second Coming - To take us to our mansions.

Taking it in an unworthy manner: Should not rush into it without thinking of its meaning or else we would be sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Partaking with cherished sin and unsurrendered wrongs in one’s heart is to deliberately refuse the cleansing of the blood of Christ. Therefore, we need to prepare ourselves for the Lord’s Table through healthy introspection, confession of sin, and resolution of differences with others. Doing this will bring us into a right relationship with Christ and with other believers.

Examine oneself whether we are in faith. Allow the Holy Spirit to search our heart - Psalm 26:2; 139:23. It must be an examination that finds sin and then casts it away in contntion.

Examine if there is any unconfessed sin in one’s life: Self-pity, Pride? Covetousness? Laziness? Disobedience? Love of sin? Love of the world? Has my thought life been clean? Have I consistently witnessed for Christ? Have I been faithful in Bible reading and prayer? Have I kept my promise to pray for individuals? Do I heartily repent of my sins. Do I promise in my heart to live a more holy life?

Do I love God with all my heart, soul and strength? Do I love my neighbour as myself?

Have I forgiven those who have wronged me Am I obedient in my heart to the commands of Christ to me personally? To preach? To sing? To give to the poor? To teach Sunday School? To witness? To tithe? Have I been obedient in my preparation for this communion.

Elements used: Unleavened bread, signifying that sin is put away? And wine signifying Jesus’ shed blood. During the feast of the Unleavened Bread for seven days they had to eat unleavened bread. And before the first day of the feast, a thorough search had to be made throughout the house and put away every yeast. From this we infer that a thorough self examination is needed before the Lord’s Table and after it we ought to live clean, holy lives.

Application: Through the atoning sufferings of Jesus Christ we have been brought into a new relationship with God which is called the New Covenant, and Communion Service is a divinely given reminder.

It is also a reminder of our obligations towards God and man. Therefore, we pledge ourselves to strive for the advancement of our church in knowledge and holiness: to promote its spirituality: to sustain its worship; discipline and doctrine.

As stewards of what God has entrusted unto us we vow to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, relief of the poor. and the spread of the gospel.

To maintain family and persona] prayer; to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and to seek the salvation of our loved ones and acquaintances.

Pledge ourselves to walk circumspectly before the world, avoiding that which is sinful or questionable; to be just in our dealings, faithful to our engagements and exemplary in our conduct; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and sinful anger; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

Engage ourselves to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offence; and always ready for reconciliation according to the teachings of our Master.

Humbly confessing past sins and failures, let us pray for grace and strength to keep these holy vows out of love for God for the sake of Christ our Saviour. AMEN