// Covenant Family Church

Text: Hebrews 10:19-25

The Larger Catechism of the Westminster Confession of Faith gives some very clear and helpful instruction on how to prepare for the Lord’s Supper, as well as how to receive it and apply it. Take careful note,

Q. 171: How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to prepare themselves before they come into it?
A: They that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves of their being in Christ, of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer.

Q. 174: What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in the time of the administration of it?
A: It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in the ordinance, diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions, heedfully discern the Lord’s body, and affectionately meditate on His death and sufferings, and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces; in judging themselves, and sorrowing for sin; in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ, feeding on Him by faith, receiving of His fullness, trusting in His merits, rejoicing in His love, giving thanks for His grace; in renewing of their covenant with God, and love to all the saints.

Q. 175: What is the duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper?
A: The duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, is seriously to consider how they have behaved themselves therein, and with what success; if they find quickening and comfort, to bless God for it, beg continuance of it, watch against relapses, fulfill their vows, and encourage themselves to a frequent attendance on that ordinance; but if they find no present benefit, more exactly to review their preparation to, and carriage at, the sacrament; in both which, if they can approve themselves to God and their own consciences, that they are to wait for the fruit of it in due time; but if they see they have failed in either, they are to be humbled, and to attend upon it afterwards with more care and diligence.

I highly commend the study of these questions and answers–and especially your examination of the Scripture proofs that go along with them. They will greatly assist you in your preparation, reception, and application of the Lord’s Supper.

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We are working our way through this very fine catechism from the Reformation (1563). Previous week’s selections are to be found on the information table. Here is an opportunity for a short course in Christian doctrine. Take the challenge!

The Covenant Children’s Chorus is resuming for the fall semester! The CCC will meet on Sunday after the worship service for 20-30 minutes in the choir room. We will be learning a 2 part song, “Rejoice in the Lord Always”. The CCC is open to children ages 6 years old through before their voice deepens. Please talk to Rebecca Serven with any question regarding your children’s involvement. Practices start on Sunday, October 5th. Subsequent practices include: October 12th and 19th (no practice on the 26th), and November 2nd, 9th, and 16th. The Thanksgiving Music Recital will be the Friday before Thanksgiving, November 21st, at 7:00 p.m.

Christ sustains us throughout our life, through being in relationship with Him and his church. By faith we feed upon Him and are ministered to by Him. During the Lord’s Supper, we renew, rekindle, re-ignite our passion and commitment to Christ. Tangible form, spiritual reality. “Whoever feeds on me, he will also live in me.” Feeding on Christ. He is present in the hearts of those who believe.

Text: John 6:52-59

What does our Lord give his disciples as they partake of the Lord’s Supper? Or, stated more plainly–what are the blessings received by the Believer from the Lord’s Supper? In answer, this text from the Gospel of John enumerates three blessings:

• Experiencing the Abundant Life, vs. 53, 57.
• Anticipating Eternal Life, vs. 54-55, 58.
• Enjoying Union with Christ, vs. 56.

This teaching from Jesus gave his disciples a great deal of trouble when he first uttered it, especially when he said that his disciples must “eat his flesh” and “drink his blood”. Jesus though, was not promoting cannibalism–instead, he was speaking of the union between his disciples and himself.

Some of his men responded by calling this a “hard saying” (vs. 60), and then abruptly left him (vs. 66). Jesus did not seem overly troubled by the departure of these people. Instead, he pointedly asked the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” (vs. 67)

But, they did not go away and Peter gave the memorable reply–”Lord, to who shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (vs. 68-69)

In time, these disciples would experience the very blessings that Jesus had promised would come once they ate his flesh and drank his blood.

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Text: 1 Corinthians 11:27-34

Who should participate in the Lord’s Supper? Some churches have an open Communion where any who wish to participate are welcome to the Lord’s Table. Other churches have a closed Communion where only those who are members of the local church are welcomed to the Table. Our own church practices a close Communion where all baptized Christians who are members in good standing of any evangelical church are welcome to participate in the Lord’s Table. What do we mean by this?

• Baptized = meaning that they have received the sign and the seal of entrance into the visible church (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2: 37-39; Rom. 4:11-12; Col. 2:11-12).
• Christian = meaning that they have given a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ to the church leaders (Matt. 10:32-33; Mark 8:38; Rom. 10:9-10; 2 Cor. 13:5).
• Members in good standing of any evangelical church = meaning that they are accountable to Christ and His Church; they are not under the discipline of the church leaders (Matt. 16:19; 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 5:4-5; Gal. 6:1; Tit. 3:10-11).

Why is it important to “fence” the Lord’s Table? Paul tells the Corinthians that those who participate in an “unworthy manner” are “guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.” These are very serious words. In essence, those who partake “unworthily” will be judged by our holy god–through weakness, illness, and even death. Therefore, Christ’s Church is responsible to admit to the Lord’s Table and when necessary to exclude from the Lord’s Table. This is the proper jurisdiction of Christ’s Church and its officers.

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Let us rejoice with Luke and Erin Majors as they present their newest daughter Kendra Grace Majors for baptism on Sunday, September 28th.

For September our choice is #420, “At the Lambs High Feast We Sing”. This ancient hymn (6th Century) emphasizes Christ’s sacrifice. It has been modernized for our age by Robert Campbell (1849).

Our next men’s gathering will be held on Wednesday, September 17 (7-9 p.m.) at the home of Luke and Erin Majors. We will interact with a talk on worship given by Pastor Kevin Swanson at the “Renewing the Family Conference” in New Mexico.

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-26

The church in Corinth was a very troubled congregation. As a result, Paul’s first epistle reads more like a laundry list of maladies, than a letter of spiritual encouragement. Nevertheless, the Lord was busily building his church in Corinth—even through the intense fire of schism and selfishness.

It is also evident that the church combined a fellowship meal, or “love feast”, with the Lord’s Supper. In theory there was nothing wrong with this practice, but in reality it proved to be a stumbling-block in the life of the church.

Here was the basic problem—wealthy Christians would bring a sumptuous meal to church and refuse to share it with their poorer brethren. Thus, some went away full and others went away hungry. Moreover, some of the weaker brethren began drinking the wine served at the fellowship meal and actually became drunk! All reverence in the Lord’s Supper was lost, and it became a mockery of what the Lord intended it to be.

Therefore, Paul rebuked the Corinthians for these detrimental practices and instructed them in the proper manner of observing the Lord’s Supper.

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