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I. HOLY COMMUNION — WHAT IS IT?

1. It is Christ's own ordinance. Being a communicant is the test of the reality of your Christian profession.

2. It is the command of the Great Master. Emphatic, plain, straightforward, definite. A test of our faithfulness RS the servants of Christ.

3. It is the dying wish of the best of Friends. You cannot disregard it, and be true to Him.

4. Its great importance is taught plainly by the teaching and practice of the early Church. It was at first the only act of united worship. And it was celebrated at least every Lord's Day.

II. WHAT IS ITS NATURE?

1. It is a memorial. A picture for all time of Christ's body broken and blood shed for the sins of man.

(1) A memorial to God the Father. In our prayers we say, "through Jesus Christ our Lord"; or some such words; i.e., we plead before the Father what He has done for us. In the Holy Communion we say, "for Jesus' sake" not in words, but in the very acts which He Himself has taught us. Thus it is our highest act of prayer.

(2) A memorial to ourselves. How easily we forget. This refreshes our memory, and rekindles our love.

(3) A memorial to an unthinking or unbelieving world. A witness to men that we believe in Jesus, who lived and died and still lives for us.

2. It is a means of grace. Jesus Himself is pleased in this ordinance of his own appointment to give us Himself.

3. It is a bond of union between ourselves and others. In partaking together one sacred food we, made one with Jesus, are brought nearer to one another.

(1) A bond of union between those who belong to the same earthly family.

(2) A bond of union between those who belong to the same congregation.

(3) A bond of union between all Christians who love the Lord Jesus.

(4) A bond of union between those who are resting in paradise.

III. WHO OUGHT TO COME?

1. Those who know how poor their love is, and want to love God more.

2. Those who are trying to serve God, and fail because they are weak, and need strength.

3. Those who are sinful, but desire to become holy.

4. Those who are careful and troubled about many things, and long for rest.

IV. WHO OUGHT NOT TO COME?

1. Those who are sinning, and do not want to give up their sin.

2. Those who think themselves good enough. The selfsatisfied obtain no blessing, for they seek none.

V. HOW TO COME.

1. Humbly. Why? Because we are not worthy to come.

2. Trustingly and simply. Taking God at His word, and not asking questions.

3. Earnestly. Meaning what we are doing. Not because others come, but because we realize that in our sinfulness and our unworthiness we find the strongest reason why we ought to come.

4. Reverently. Humbly realizing the presence of Jesus, and earnestly desiring His blessing.

5. Regularly. Have a fixed rule about it. Do not leave it to be done at any time when it is convenient or suits you.

6. More and more frequently. As you grow older you ought to be more earnest, and in order to serve God better you must seek more help. The grown-up man is not content with the same amount of food as the child; and the man who is desirous to grow up into the full measure of the stature of Christ, needs more spiritual nourishment than the man who is only a babe in Christ.

7. Early. When your thoughts are fresh, your heart free from cares and worries, your mind undisturbed by worldly things. Give to God the best you can. Let Him have the first of the day.

(C. J. Ridgeway, M. A.)

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KJV: And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

WEB: When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles.