The Lord’s Supper

Weekly Update – December 14th, 2023

On Sunday, we took the Lord’s Supper together as a church.  We did so on the second week of November as well.  For years, our church, like many other Southern Baptist Churches, took the Lord’s Supper once a quarter.  We then moved it to once every other month.  But now, we are scheduled to take it monthly together.  Perhaps you are wondering why?  Why have we moved it to monthly, and then furthermore, does it matter?  I believe that it does matter, not in what we might call a first-tier type of issue, alongside of what we believe about salvation, but more of a third-tier issue where good conversation and differing beliefs are held and accepted.  Nevertheless, let me share with you why I believe taking the Lord’s Supper more frequently is good for our church.

First, there is Scriptural precedent.  In Acts 2:42 we read, “And they (Christians) devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”  What is being described here is the weekly gathering of the church.  They hear preaching, fellowship with one another, pray and take the Lord’s Supper.  In a similar passage, we read, “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…”  Again, the pattern of seems to be, that the church gathered together, and took the Lord’s Supper when they did so.  Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 11:26 it says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”  Here, frequency is implied as Paul says, “as often as you eat…and drink…”  Either way, it appears as if early followers of Christ took the Lord’s Supper on a regular basis with one another, if not weekly together.

Second, the Lord’s Supper is more than remembrance.  Have you ever heard, “if we take the Lord’s Supper too frequently, then it will become an activity without any significant meaning to it.  We will get used to it or become numb to it.”  What that comment reflects is an inaccurate view of what is occurring during the Lord’s Supper.  If the Lord’s Supper is merely a time to remember what happened in the past, yes, theoretically, numbness to this event could happen.  But there is so much more occurring during this meal.  For starters, the Lord’s Supper is reminding us of God’s promise to save us.  As John Calvin says in the Institutes of Christian Religion, the Lord’ Supper “represents God’s promises painted in a picture and sets them before our sight…”  So then, when we take this meal together, we are reaffirming the covenant Christ enacted on the night before his death, as we proclaim that these promises are for us.

Third, the Lord’s Supper is an act of participation.  When we say that the promises of God are for us, we often think of the forgiveness of sins.  Yes, the forgiveness of sins is key and necessary for us to have a right relationship with God, but there is so much more being promised to us when we are in Christ.  We must also think of the promises of God including our ongoing communion with him as well.  When we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit, we begin to be reshaped into the image of Christ, as we embrace our new identity as adopted sons and daughters of God our father.  When we gather for worship, this reality is pressed upon us, as we participate, as God’s people gathered together, in the taste of the redeemed life that we were originally created to live.  The Lord’s Supper is part of this worship, allowing us to be active participates in the covenant promise of renewed fellowship and active communion with God.  It is here, in the Lord’s Supper, as Todd Billings says, “we taste and see how God provides the ground for resting in his love.” 

Lastly, the Lord’s Supper is a foretaste of life to come.  Through Christ, our hope is set in the fact that our sins are forgiven.  But this is only the means to something greater.  What I mean is, being forgiven opens up the door for a relationship with God.  This relationship with God then culminates when we have unhindered fellowship with him in eternity.  This is shown in Revelation 19:9 with all those who are united in the final supper, the marriage supper of the lamb.  There, all sin will be vanquished, all hope will be fulfilled, and Christ will be there, as we sit at his table in perfect peace.  The Lord’s Supper is meant to cause us to anticipate that moment, as we reflect upon our own lives, our relationship with God and with others, looking to the day when those we are gathered with, will join us in a renewed creation.  And for those who are with us that morning who are outside of Christ, the Lord’s Supper is a further call to turn from sin and be joined to God through Christ, so that they too can anticipate with us the hope that is to come.

There is something to be said for churches who seek to practice the Lord’s Supper weekly.  I don’t believe that we are commanded to do this, but I think the early church, with the significance they placed upon holding to the promises of God and the desire for Christian fellowship, saw the Lord’s Supper as a priority in their worship gatherings and believed that it ought to be taken with some sort of frequency.  My hope is that we can grow in a renewed understanding of what is occurring during this meal, seeing it more than a time to remember the past, but as an opportunity to participate in what Christ has done for us, as we anticipate our future hope being fulfilled in the presence of God.

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. [Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.]
- 1 John 3:1-2

Announcements:

Christmas Choir: Rehearsals for Christmas Choir are held on Friday evenings. Please contact Martin Maharas for details.

Members’ Meeting: We are planning to have a potluck lunch and members’ meeting following the morning service on Sunday, December 17th. Sign up to bring something in the hall.

Advent Devotionals: There are three options for Advent devotions available in our Welcome Center. The first one is free and it is titled, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus. The second one is $10 and it is titled, Gifts of Grace. The last one is also $10 and it is titled, Come, Let us Adore Him. Feel free to check these out and get one for this Advent season.

Christmas Caroling: On Wednesday, December 20th at 6:00pm, we will meet at the church to go out caroling to our shut-ins and our neighborhood.

Christmas Eve Service: Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held on December 24th at 6:00pm. On this evening, we will read the Christmas story, sing Christmas Songs together and hear a short Christmas message. Make plans to join us and invite your family and friends.

Collecting for Conn-West: We are currently collecting hats, scarves, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and under garments for the students of Conn-West Elementary. There is a barrel in the hallway for this collection if you choose to bring something.

Membership Matters Class: Beginning Sunday, January 14th, there will be a Membership Matters Class for those interested in joining FBC. This will be a 4 week class (1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4), meeting at 9:15am during our Equipping/Sunday School hour. You can find out more about our membership process HERE.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over the world who are serving with the International Mission Board (IMB). Our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $10,000. If you haven’t already, will you consider partnering with us by giving, as we seek to support international missions? You can give on Sunday mornings through one of our offering boxes located in the foyer or the welcome center. Just mark your envelop as “missions” or “Lottie Moon.” Or you can give online HERE. Choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.

Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.

Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal.

Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.

Year End Giving: By God’s grace, we are on tract to finish this year on a positive note for 2023. Thank you for being so faithful to give this year. Your giving goes to practical matters such as keeping the lights of the church on and taking care of our staff, but your giving also does so much more. It funds outreach to children in Grandview, it supports women who are recovering from sex trafficking, it provides benevolence for a needy family, it supports ministry all around the world, and most importantly it allows the gospel to be preached every single week. I want to encourage you to finish the year strong in this area. As long as checks are marked by December 31st or gifts are given online by December 31st, it will count towards 2023.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of the minor prophets will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament will meet in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE. 

Wednesday Evening Activities

Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.