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In Remembrance of Me: Serving in the Assembly of Christ's Church

This class offers suggestions for young men to better serve in the local church assembly, focusing on improving worship practices, leading the Lord's Supper, and more.

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In Remembrance of Me: Serving in the Assembly of Christ's Church

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  1. In Remembrance Of Me “…that the church may receive edifying.” Offering suggestions for young men so they can better serve in the assembly of the local church of Christ

  2. An opening observation… • Notice the teaching in 1 Cor 14 • Context = the use/practice of spiritual gifts possessed by the Corinthians, especially in their public worship assemblies • Use of spiritual gift was to “edify the church”vv. 5, 26, 40 OUR THEME

  3. General Introduction • What is required for this class? • Faithful living for Christ • Hypocrisy is not to be found in ChristiansMt 7:5 Rom 2:1, 3 1 Pet 2:1-3 • Trying to improve how we worship God publicly is a waste of time if we are not privately committed to Himcp. Titus 1:16

  4. General Introduction • What is required for this class? • A real desire for self-improvement • If we decide to “show up” just because we think the elders want us here or we think everyone else (our friends) will come, we won’t improve • In almost every endeavor, if one WANTS to bad enough, he CAN

  5. General Introduction • What is required for this class? • An honest effort from a true heart • At first, the unknown or new is uncomfortable • Yet, after time and practice, the uncomfortable becomes comfortable • We will help in this way by doing drills/practice • Adopt the motto Ù “I’ll try my best!”

  6. General Introduction • Topics we’ll cover in this class… • Public reading of the word of God • Public prayers • Talks when presiding over the Lord’s Supper • Extending the invitation on Wednesday

  7. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • Eating the Lord’s Supper with brethren is the week’s “spiritual highlight” • Because of what is revealed in the N.T., it is the main reason why we assemble Acts 20:7 1 Cor 11:20, 33 • All other acts of worship can be done anytime • We can sing, pray, teach any day of the week

  8. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • Eating the Lord’s Supper with brethren is the week’s “spiritual highlight” • Because of what is revealed in the N.T., it is the main reason why we assemble Acts 20:7 1 Cor 11:20, 33 • All other acts of worship can be done anytime • Exception: the collection 1 Cor 16:1-2

  9. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • The brother who leads us in this act of worship has an important role… • …he is guiding our thoughts & actions that are at the very core of the gospel’s message Mt 16:18 1 Cor 15:12-17 11:26

  10. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What the Bible teaches about this act of worship… • The Lord commanded it Mt 26:26-29 1 Cor 11:23-25 • The first Christians did it Acts 2:42 20:7 • It is a “communion” (sharing) with Christ Mt 26:29

  11. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What the Bible teaches about this act of worship… • It is a joint activity with brethren…not an individual act of worship 1 Cor 11:33 • By contrast, giving is individual 1 Cor 16:2 • The manner in which it is eaten can be wrong, or “unworthy” 1 Cor 11:29

  12. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What are the duties of the brother who leads in this act of worship? • Make sure it is observed in the proper order Mt 26:26-27 • The bread FIRST…with giving of thanks • The cup SECOND…with giving of thanks • This is the way the Lord instituted it

  13. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What are the duties of the brother who leads in this act of worship? • Make sure it is observed in the proper order Mt 26:26-27 • This is precisely what the apostle Paul delivered to the Corinthian Christians 1 Cor 11:23-26 • We must eat “this bread” & drink “this cup”

  14. In Remembrance Of Me Adverb (describes a verb) Not adjective (describing a noun) Presiding At The Supper • What are the duties of the brother who leads in this act of worship? • Make sure the manner in which we partake is proper…not “unworthily” 1 Cor 11:27 • Paul is not talking about us being “worthy” of eating the Supper cp. Lk 17:10 • Concern is how it is eaten…not who is eating

  15. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What are the duties of the brother who leads in this act of worship? • Make sure the manner in which we partake is proper…not “unworthily” 1 Cor 11:27 • We must eat with the respect it deserves • The presiding brother at the Lord’s Table will certainly “set the tone” by his comments

  16. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What can we do to make the Supper most effective in our worship? • Prepare beforehand • No excuse for not being ready • As with any act of worship, assignments are made monthly • ExceptionÙ filling in at the last minute

  17. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What can we do to make the Supper most effective in our worship? • Speak to be understood • Keep in mind the same suggestions re: public reading & public prayers • Don’t mumble, run thoughts together • Don’t be in a hurry to get done

  18. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What can we do to make the Supper most effective in our worship? • Speak to be understood • Keep in mind the same suggestions re: public reading & public prayers • Speak so all can hear Ù use of microphone • Enunciate properly

  19. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What can we do to make the Supper most effective in our worship? • Make appropriate comments • Be ready to explain the Supper’s purpose • Unbelievers may be present who don’t know • Help the assembly focus on Christ’s sacrifice • Though not a sermon, say more than a “few words”

  20. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What can we do to make the Supper most effective in our worship? • Make appropriate comments • Emphasize the “full meaning” of the Supper • Stress Christ’s resurrection, not just His death • The Supper is a testament to a “living Lord”…not just a memorial for a dead hero 1 Cor 11:26 • Compare to monuments in Washington, D.C.

  21. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What can we do to make the Supper most effective in our worship? • Avoid the following… • Airing “pet peeves” • Don’t abuse the opportunity of “having the floor” • Condemnation of denominational error • Though proper at times, this is not such a time

  22. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What can we do to make the Supper most effective in our worship? • Avoid the following… • Humor • Don’t ruin a somber moment by trying to be “cute” • Always saying the same thing • Predictability will detract from your efforts

  23. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What can we do to make the Supper most effective in our worship? • Try to accomplish the following… • Encourage devotion, sincerity of heart among those who will be partaking • Encourage each one to “examine himself” 1 Cor 11:28

  24. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What can we do to make the Supper most effective in our worship? • Try to accomplish the following… • Since you are leading this part of the worship, help all to properly “discern” (understand) the Lord’s body, blood 1 Cor 11:29

  25. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • What can we do to make the Supper most effective in our worship? • Most importantly…use the Scripture • Passage(s) can be read with, without comment • There are many available that would be appropriate Ù don’t always use the same one!!

  26. Holy Bible Suggested Passages That Are Appropriate When Presiding At The Lord’s Supper Gen 22:1-14 Mt 26:36-46 Lk 23:33-46 Psalm 22:12-19 Mt 27:24-54 Jn 19:16-37 Isa 53 Mk 14:12-25 Acts 20:7 Mt 26:17-29 Mk 15:15-39 1 Cor 11:23-29 Lk 22:7-20

  27. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • Additional suggestions… • Make sure your prayers are appropriate, focused on the elements (bread & juice) • Not the time to pray for the sick, work of the church, etc. • Give thanks as the Lord did 1 Cor 11:23-25 • Remember to pray to the Father, not to Christ

  28. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • Additional suggestions… • Use proper pronouns when commenting, praying • Christ died on the cross…the Father did not • This is not being “nit-picky”…we need to clearly distinguish between what God the Father did and what God the Son did

  29. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • Additional suggestions… • Make a clear separation between the Supper and the collection • Some may have the idea these 2 acts of worship are connected since we usually perform them consecutively in the assembly • If we don’t distinguish with some comments, we only help encourage this misunderstanding

  30. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • Some closing thoughts… • Gathering around the Lord’s table will be some of our most reflective time in worship • We all have (or will have) fond memories when our families gathered around our tables at home • How much more is this true when a local spiritual family breaks bread together to remember their Lord who died for them?

  31. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • Some closing thoughts… • Time at the Lord’s table has several “views” Backward to His pre-existence in heaven, His sinless life & teaching on earth Forward to His triumphant return Inward to a serious examination of self

  32. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • Some closing thoughts… • Time at the Lord’s table has several “views” Outward to a realization that everyone sins, that all need His sacrifice Upward to His resurrection, ascension, and current reign at His Father’s right hand

  33. In Remembrance Of Me Presiding At The Supper • Some closing thoughts… • Gathering around the Lord’s table will be some of our most reflective time in worship • The brother who leads us in this act of worship makes a great contribution in the assembly by causing all of us to focus on great sacrifice of Jesus Christ

  34. Extending The Invitation • Topics we’ll cover in this class… • Public reading of the word of God • Public prayers • Talks when presiding over the Lord’s Supper • Extending the invitation on Wednesday

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