“Remembering the Greatest Sacrifice”

— Welcome to First Baptist, this morning

— My name is Pastor Jeff Pagel

— Today we are going to deviate a bit from our Old Testament, Minor Prophet series

— Today is communion, So we are going to look at the whole communion experience.

— Several people have asked about our communion celebration and why we do it the way that we do.

— Hopefully after today you will understand the Who, What, Where and How as we… “Remember the Greatest Sacrifice.”

— As we begin let’s take a look at the “New City Catechism” for this week.

The New City Catechism: 52 Questions & Answers for Our Hearts & Minds Question 20: Who Is the Redeemer?

Question 20

Who is the Redeemer?

The New City Catechism: 52 Questions & Answers for Our Hearts & Minds Question 20: Who Is the Redeemer?

Answer The only Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, in whom God became man and bore the penalty for sin himself.

The New City Catechism: 52 Questions & Answers for Our Hearts & Minds Question 20: Who Is the Redeemer?

1 Timothy 2:5

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father,

== We come to You today grateful, humbled, and amazed by Your unfathomable love.

== As we gather around Your table, remind us afresh of the sacrifice that changed eternity.

== Open our hearts and minds to understand deeply the power of this remembrance, that we would live every day in gratitude for Your grace.

Amen

“Remembering Well”

== Have you ever noticed how powerful memories can be?

== A simple smell, a familiar song, or even a bite of food can transport us back in time—bringing past experiences vividly into the present.

== Memories anchor us, shape us, and inspire us. But as humans, we are prone to forget even the most important things.

== God, knowing our tendency toward spiritual amnesia, has graciously provided a vivid way to remember His greatest act of love—the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Please stand as I read from 1Co 11.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

== Let's unpack this passage together, seeing clearly the “grace-filled” actions, the holy significance, and the lasting implications of communion as we explore these three points.

“Remembering the Greatest Sacrifice”

#1 The Call to Remembrance (V.23-25)

#2 The Commitment to Proclamation (V.26)

#3 Testing Our Own Hearts — Spiritual Inventory Moment (V.27-29)

== Think of a gardener who pours time and effort into nurturing plants.

== They prune back branches, provide water, and even sacrifice flowers for a better harvest.

== When we take communion, we remember Jesus’ ultimate pruning—His sacrifice—to bring forth abundant life for us all.

== It’s like celebrating the blooms that wouldn’t have existed without that sacrifice, creating a lighthearted atmosphere of gratitude for His love and care in growing our faith.

== Let’s get to our message this morning.

== Point #1…

#1 The Call to Remembrance

== Paul begins by reminding us that communion is fundamentally an act of remembrance.

== Twice Jesus says, "Do this in remembrance of me."

But what exactly are we called to remember?

REMEMBER His Body Broken

1 Corinthians 11:24 ESV

24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

== Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it—declaring it a picture of His body, which would soon be broken for all humanity.

== Communion reminds us that His sacrifice was physical and tangible;

== He truly suffered and bore our pain.

== physically, spiritually, emotionally

== Centuries before Christ’s birth, the Prophet Isaiah spoke about the “Messiah.”

== Here is an Old Testament reflection from the King James Version.

Isaiah 53:5 KJV

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

== At the cross, Jesus’ body became the final, sufficient sacrifice, the chastisement of our peace.

== We are at PEACE WITH GOD… BECAUSE OF THE CROSS!!

Jesus’ one-time “offering” of Himself fully accomplished what no other offering could.

REMEMBER.. His Blood Poured Out

== Likewise, Jesus took the cup and declared it to represent the new covenant sealed by His blood.

== A “covenant” is a series of “promises.” A modern example is the purchase of a home or property.

== You agree, the sellor agrees, the bank agrees, etc. etc.

== In ancient times, covenants were often ratified by blood, symbolizing solemn commitments and lasting relationships.

Old Testament Connection: (Lev. 17.11)

==The entire sacrificial system established under Moses involved the repeated shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins.

== Atonement - The “process” of becoming right with God.

Leviticus 17:11 ESV

11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

== Every sacrificial lamb pointed forward to Christ, whose blood would become the ultimate atonement—ending the need for further sacrifices.

== On the cross, Jesus fulfilled the shadow of every previous offering:

== How did he do that?

Hebrews 9:12 (NLT)“With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—He [Jesus] entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.”

== Our sin problem, our broken relationship with Jesus problem, our God problem was once for placed on the shoulders of Jesus.

Important Application:

A. Christ’s sacrifice should humble us, creating gratitude and devotion in our hearts.

B. This “remembrance” unifies us as a church. It draws our hearts together around the Gospel.

#2 The Commitment to Proclamation

== Communion is not just a remembrance, it’s not just a once a month act. It’s not just a memorial act

—it’s a declaration of FAITH!!

1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV) “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

== In communion, we actively proclaim that Christ’s death and resurrection.

== This is 100% the heart of our faith.

== It’s a vivid, visible, tangible example that says, "Jesus died and rose again. He is alive, and He is coming back!"

Old Testament Connection:

Exodus 12.13-14 == In the Exodus story, each Israelite household proclaimed their faith by spreading the blood of the Passover lamb on their doorposts.

== It was a public declaration of trust in God’s promise to deliver them from judgment and slavery.

== Communion connects us directly back to that moment, yet infinitely deepens its significance.

Exodus 12:13 NLT

13 But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.

== Just as the Israelites proclaimed salvation through the blood of a lamb,

== We now declare the eternal salvation through the blood of the Lamb of God—Jesus Christ.

Applications: A. Is Christ’s life, death and resurrection central in my daily life?

B. As we take together, we testify to the world that Jesus alone saves and transforms lives by His Grace.

#3 Dedicating Yourself to Honest Self-Reflection

== Paul includes a solemn warning—communion is not to be taken lightly or carelessly.

1 Corinthians 11:27–29 ESV

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

== Paul urges believers toward self-examination, not to instill fear, but to encourage authentic, humble reflection.

== Let me make a point here about the “Open Communion” that we celebrate here at First Baptist.

OPEN COMMUNION? CLOSED COMMUNION?

== There are some denominations and churches that limit the participation in communion based on

Doctrines that limit access by membership or affiliation [Catholic Mass]

Long-standing; unbiblical expressions of “protecting the table.” [Reformed Churches/Nazarene etc.]

I hope that we can with a bit of explanation really say these limitations are non-biblical.

If you read the scripture carefully… It DOES NOT say that the pastor, board, trustee’s, Elder’s, church, or denomination get’s to decide who gets to “come to the table”

We are CALLED to examine “ourselves” and come to the table

Point #3

#3 Testing Our Own Hearts —

A Spiritual Inventory Moment

In Verse 28 it is clear

1 Corinthians 11:28 “28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

== Our responsibility is to NOT MAKE RULES TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT!!!

== It is our responsibility to teach, disciple, lead ourselves, our families, community and world towards a…

Grace-driven self Examination

== Examination does not lead us into despair, but rather to the cross, where we experience forgiveness and renewal.

== This self-examination is captured in Psalm 139.

Psalm 139:23–24 “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

==We examine ourselves, not to beat ourselves up, but to openly confess our sins and receive the fresh cleansing grace of Christ as 1John1.9 says

1 John 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Applications: A. Take time to reflect before communion, inviting Christ’s forgiveness and renewing your commitment.

B. Communion calls us to maintain unity, harmony, and genuine care within the church family.

== It's a moment to heal relationships and reconcile any divisions.

The ULTIMATE Sacrifice Finished It!!

== As we gather around this table today, we remember that the blood of Jesus Christ marked the definitive end to all sacrifices.

Hebrews 10:11–12 (NLT) “Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day... But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time.”

== Communion reminds us that Jesus has done all that’s needed.

== The altar is closed. No more blood must flow.

In John 19.30 Christ declared from the cross, "IT IS FINISHED.”

Remember His sacrifice, cherish it, and let it define your identity in Christ

== Proclaim the beauty of the Gospel boldly through your life.

== Examine your heart in the confidence that Jesus’s grace is sufficient and abundant.

== Of course… our communion table is open to ALL who claim Jesus, once-for-all sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins was ENOUGH!!

Elder’s/Servers Please Come Forward

== As prepare our hearts and minds for communion today let’s pray

Gracious Lord,

== We thank You for meeting us here in this sacred moment, at Your table of grace.

== May this act of communion never become routine or empty for us, but rather, may it continually deepen our love for You and our love for one another.

== Thank You, Jesus, for willingly taking upon Yourself the sins of the world—ending forever the need for blood sacrifices, fulfilling every prophecy, and reconciling us to the Father.

== AMEN!!

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Communion

== Take a couple of minutes RIGHT NOW and reflect.

== Ask the Lord to reveal to you the sin in your life

== To confess that sin; to come into your life and to make you whole by forgiving ourselves and each other.

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== Today we will once again take communion by “intinction”

== You will come forward, take a piece of bread, step aside, dip in the juice, eat and then return to your seat.