With reverence let the saints appear, And bow before the Lord; His high commands with reverence hear, And tremble at His word.
O Jesus, Lord of earth and heaven, Our life and joy, to Thee Be honor, thanks, and blessing given Through all eternity.
ISAAC WATTS.
Christian Communion
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
The Lord"s Supper. "This do in remembrance of Me." 1 Cor. 11:24.
1. What was connected with the worship of G.o.d before the first advent?
"Then verily the first covenant had also _ordinances of divine service_, and a worldly sanctuary." Heb. 9:1.
NOTE.-Paul says that these ordinances consisted "in meats and drinks, and divers washings," imposed "until the time of reformation," and that they were "a shadow of good things to come." Heb. 9:10; 10:1.
2. To whom did the sacrificial offerings point forward?
"And walk in love, as _Christ_ also hath loved us, and _hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to G.o.d_ for a sweet-smelling savor."
Eph. 5:2.
NOTE.-Through the provisions of the sacrificial law, the repentant sinner showed his faith in the coming Redeemer, who was to shed His blood for the sins of mankind. These sacrificial offerings were ordinances which pointed forward to the work of Christ, which they typified. Since the crucifixion, the ordinances of the Christian church point backward, and are designed to show faith in the work of Christ already accomplished.
3. What does the Lord desire us to keep in mind?
"By which also ye are saved, if ye _keep in memory_ what I preached unto you, ... _how that Christ died for our sins_ according to the Scriptures; and that He was _buried_, and that He _rose again_ the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Cor. 15:2-4.
4. What ordinance commemorates Christ"s burial and resurrection?
"Buried with Him in _baptism_, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of G.o.d, who hath raised Him from the dead."
Col. 2:12.
5. For what purpose was the Lord"s Supper inst.i.tuted?
"_The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread_: and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: _this is My body_, which is broken for you: _this do in remembrance of Me_." 1 Cor.
11:23, 24.
6. What is signified by the wine?
"In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is _the new covenant in My blood_: this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me." Verse 25, R. V.
7. What do both the bread and the wine commemorate?
"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show _the Lord"s death_ till He come." Verse 26.
8. What caution is given concerning engaging in this ordinance unworthily?
"Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be _guilty of the body and blood of the Lord_.... He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh d.a.m.nation to himself, _not discerning the Lord"s body_." Verses 27-29.
NOTE.-The last expression shows what is meant by eating and drinking unworthily. It is not the one who has a deep sense of his sinfulness and of his unworthiness of G.o.d"s mercy and grace, but he who does not discern that Christ died for his sins-who is not penitent-that eats and drinks unworthily.
9. What preparation should be made for this service?
"Let a man _examine himself_, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." Verse 28.
10. What is essential to Christian fellowship and cleansing from sin?
"_If we walk in the light, as He is in the light_, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.
11. What still higher fellowship does the Christian enjoy?
"And truly our fellowship is _with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ_." Verse 3.
Praise And Thanksgiving
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Joy And Gladness. "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." Ps. 34:3.
1. When did the psalmist say he would bless the Lord?
"I will bless the Lord _at all times_: His praise shall _continually be in my mouth_." "_Every day_ will I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy name _forever and ever_." Ps. 34:1; 145:2.
2. What do those do who offer praise?
"Whoso offereth praise _glorifieth Me_." Ps. 50:23.
3. Where does David say he will praise G.o.d?
"My praise shall be of Thee _in the great congregation_: I will pay my vows before them that fear Him." Ps. 22:25.