THE LORD’S SUPPER:
Do This in Remembrance of Me
Intro.
1. Matt. 26:17-29 - Passover near (a memorial of deliverance).
2. Events are bringing Jesus ever closer to His death (Mk. 10:32-34).
3. In upper room they observed Passover & Jesus instituted LS.
a. Lesson on humility (Jno. 13:3-17).
b. Announced betrayal, identified betrayer, Judas left (26:20-25; Jno. 13:30).
c. Judas left (Jno. 13:30).
d. Jesus instituted the Supper (Matt. 26:26-29).
e. Gethsemane (sang, prayed, arrested & abandoned, 26:30-56)
f. Trials (Jewish & Roman), scourged, mocked, crucified (27:26-31).
g. 1st day of week He arose (Matt. 28:1, 5-6).
4. Today is first day of week - We remember His death (Acts 20:7).
5. 1 Cor. 11:23-34 - Proper remembrance of Christ’s death.
a. Proper remembering is difficult at times (distractions).
b. This jeopardizes our spiritual health! (11:27-30)
6. People, things & words at the cross help us examine ourselves & partake of the Lord's Supper in a worthy manner.
I. SEVEN AIDS TO REMEMBRANCE.
A. There is One Lord.
1. Constantly visualize scenes of Calvary - Jno. 19:17-22.
2. “King of the Jews” - King of all men! – Psa. 2:6; Acts 2:36
3. There is only ONE Lord - Eph. 4:5; cf. 1 Cor. 8:4-6.
a. All authority, facilitator & sustainer (8:6).
b. Only Head of church - We are subject to Him in all things.
B. There Were Two Thieves - Mk. 15:27-28 (Isa. 53:12).
1. “I find no crime in him” (3 times) – 1 Pet. 2:22.
2. Robbers (sinners) - Guilty/condemned (Lk. 23:41).
3. Remember: ONE in center - Loved & respected law, was innocent, dying for sins of others!
C. There Were Three Crosses:
1. One is a cross of rebellion - Lk. 23:39.
2. One is a cross of repentance - Lk. 23:40-43.
3. One is a cross of redemption – 1 Pet. 2:24. (Ransom price paid to release man from sin – 1 Tim. 2:6; 1 Pet. 1:18-19.)
D. Four Soldiers Divided His Garments into Four Parts - Jno. 19:23-24.
-Common to do so. Did soldiers sense the extraordinary circumstance of this crucifixion? Mementos, or just greed? Regardless, FOUR parts....(gambled for coat).
E. There Were Five Wounds.
1. Fixation of limbs with iron nails (spikes).
2. Usually done lying on ground, then raised & dropped into hole. Agony, horror, suffering.
3. Jno. 19:32-37 - Already dead when side pierced.
4. Jno. 20:27 - Thomas told to inspect these wounds.
F. There Were Six Horrible Hours - Mk. 15:25, 33.
1. Crucifixion lasted 6 hrs. (9:00 am – 3:00 pm); Darkness last 3 hrs.
2. Darkness: cf. Eclipse of few minutes amazing – Utter darkness for 3 hours would be unforgettable! Miracle!
3. Symbolic of God’s judgment & wrath against our sins.
G. There Were Seven Sayings by Jesus on the Cross:
1. A prayer of forgiveness - Lk. 23:34.
2. A promise of salvation - Lk. 23:43.
3. A show of compassion - Jno. 19:26-27.
4. An expression of human suffering - Jno. 19:28.
5. A cry of loneliness - Matt. 27:46.
6. A proclamation of victory - Jno. 19:30.
7. A declaration of ultimate trust - Lk. 23:46.
1. 1 Cor. 11:24-25 – Eat & drink “in remembrance of Me.”
2. 11:26 – In the Lord’s Supper we proclaim the Lord’s death.
3. At the death of Jesus: ONE Lord, TWO thieves, THREE crosses, FOUR garments/soldiers, FIVE wounds, SIX horrible hours, SEVEN sayings of Christ.
4. Let us forever examine ourselves as we partake so that we partake in a worthy manner (11:27-28)!
-From an outline given to me by Buford Wrather (10/26/94)