Sermon Notes: Do We Know What We’re Doing? Text: Luke 22:19–20 | 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; 11:23–29 Confession Anchor: Article 9 – The Lord’s Supper (CCMB Confession of Faith) Big Idea: The Lord’s Supper is a Christ-instituted meal that anchors our salvation in history, unites us as a body, and shapes our walk as disciples. Part I: What Does the Lord’s Supper Mean? 1. Look Back: The Lord’s Supper is rooted in the Old Testament feast of the passover. Annual Passover instructed Israel to imprint a core truth: "I was chosen by God, I was rescued by God, and I to God." In the Upper Room, Jesus reinterprets the meal: The Bread: Represents His body, broken for our rescue. The Cup: Establishes the new , written on our hearts rather than stone (Jeremiah 31:33–34). Missing from Jesus' Passover table was the physical lamb—because Jesus Himself is the lamb of God. We take the elements not to re-sacrifice Christ, but to anchor our identity in His once-for-all finished work (Hebrews 10:10). 2. Look Around: fellowship & Modern culture encourages us to isolate or retreat into echo chambers when conflict arises. The table confronts the temptation to say, "It’s just me and ." In ancient Corinth, social and economic divisions fractured the church’s worship. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:17: "Though we are many, we all eat from one loaf, showing that we are one body." We experience true unity when what we share at the cross is more foundational than any earthly label that divides us. 3. Look Forward: Hope The Passover host looks to the future: "This year slaves; next year free people." Proclaiming the Lord’s death “until He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26) points to a future day when communion will no longer be needed. The Supper anticipates the final marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 21:3–4). Hope for the future feast gives us strength for daily discipleship and mission in a broken world. Part II: How Do We Receive the Lord’s Supper? 1. Self-Examination & Heart Posture Paul calls us to examine ourselves so we do not partake in an (1 Cor. 11:27). Partaking “unworthily” does not mean having sinned; it means partaking while living in active rebellion to Christ’s lordship or harboring unrepentant bitterness toward His church. Self-examination asks two core questions: Am I submitting to Jesus as Master of my life? Am I seeking reconciliation with brothers and sisters in Christ (Matt. 5:23–24)? Key Takeaway Questions for the Table: The Bread reminds me: I was bound to sin, but Jesus broke its power. The Cup reminds me: I was an outsider, but Jesus brought me into His family. Discussion & Reflection Questions Looking Back (Redemption & Identity) In the sermon, we saw how the annual Passover meal shaped Israel’s national identity. What routine habits or traditions in your life currently shape your identity the most? Read Luke 22:19–20. Imagine being one of the disciples in the upper room when Jesus changed the traditional Passover script. What would have shocked or confused you about His statements? What is the difference between taking communion as a routine ritual versus taking it as an identity anchor? How can you cultivate the latter? Jeremiah 31 promised a “New Covenant” written on the heart rather than on stone tablets. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit changing your desires from the inside out? Looking Around (Community & Reconciliation) Read Ephesians 4:1–6. Our culture often tells us to cut ties or pull away when relationships get difficult. Why is the instinct to say “It's just me and Jesus” harmful to the Christian walk? Read 1 Corinthians 10:16–17. Paul uses the image of “one loaf” to emphasize church unity. What social, cultural, or political differences most easily threaten the unity of the church today? In the message, we heard the story of Doug and Mike reconciling before receiving communion. Is there anyone in your life or church body with whom you need to seek peace or offer forgiveness? What steps can you take this week? Looking Forward (Hope & Discipleship) Read Revelation 21:3–4. How does keeping the future “wedding feast of the Lamb” in view help you endure hardships, grief, or fatigue in your daily life right now? Why do you think Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:26 that taking communion strengthens believers for mission and service? How does looking forward to Christ’s return give you courage? Practicing Self-Examination Read 1 Corinthians 11:27–29. How would you explain Paul's warning about taking communion “unworthily” to a newer believer who feels unworthy because of their past sins? Article 9 of our confession emphasizes that baptism traditionally precedes participation in the Lord's Supper. How do baptism and the Lord's Supper work together to mark a believer's commitment to Christ and His church? Before you take the Lord’s Supper next, what is one specific area of your life where you want to invite the Holy Spirit to perform a “heart check”?