A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE, REFLECTION, AND RETROSPECTION

Pastoral goals ————> Observance of Lord’s Supper more often

More than a casual ceremony. Solemnly/Seriously

Three facts about observing the Lord’s Supper

1. Observing the Lord’s Supper is a TIME of REMEMBRANCE. (1 Cor. 11:23-26).

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NKJV

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

A. The Casual Corinthians.

1. Revelry

2. Political Advancement

3. Modern Defilement

B. The Costly Crucifixion. (1 Peter 1:18-19).

1 Peter 1:18–19 NKJV

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

The Crucifixion is not some casual, contact-making event. When we observe the Lord’s Supper, we are observing and focusing on the death of Christ on the Cross of Calvary, and that death was costly. It was not some sterilized scene. It was a scene of horror with intense suffering.

“Jimmy, do you mean Jesus the Christ suffered on the Cross?” That is exactly what I mean. I want us to look at how He suffered.

1. The Emotional Suffering of Christ.

a. Christ was abandoned. (Matthew 27:46).

Matthew 27:46 NKJV

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

b. Christ was concerned. (John 19:26-27).

John 19:26–27 NKJV

26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

c. Christ cared. (Luke 23:34).

Luke 23:34 NKJV

34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

d. Christ was unjustly condemned. (1 Peter 3:18).

1 Peter 3:18 NKJV

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

2. The Physical Suffering of Christ. (Isa. 52:14, 1 Peter 2:23).

Isaiah 52:14 NKJV

14 Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men;

1 Peter 2:23 NKJV

23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

a. The JEWS tortured Him.

Illegal Trial

Bound Him

Blindfolded Him

Beat Him

Slapped Him

Pulled His beard out

Spat upon Him

Deprived Him of food and water

Christ’s response———-> “Father, forgive them.”

b. The Romans tortured Him.

Scourging

Humiliation

Crown of thorns

Nakedness

Mockery

Christ’s response———> “Father, forgive them.”

c. The Cross tortured Him.

Spikes driven through His wrists

Spike through His feet

Dislocation of joints (Psalm 22:14)

Horrific blood loss

Suffocation

Dehydration

Exposure

Shock

Exhaustion

Agonizing muscle cramps

Early onset of infection.

Heart failure

Extremely low blood pressure

Lungs filled with fluid

But the Cross could not kill Him. He surrendered Himself to death shouting “It is finished.”

When we observe the Lord’s Supper, that is what we are observing.

How should we approach the observance?

We are remembering what He did for us, but we are to remember what happened to Him too.

Notice what the Bible says again.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NKJV

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

2. Observing the Lord’s Supper is a Time of REFLECTION. (1 Cor. 11:27-29).

1 Corinthians 11:27–29 NKJV

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

The Lord’s Supper is not to be observed by all. There are qualifications for participation and observance.

A. Salvation (2 Cor. 13:5).

2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

B. “Sinless” (1 John 1:9, Psalm 139:23-24, Matthew 5:24).

1. To observe, we must be free from PERSONAL SIN.

1 John 1:9 NKJV

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

John 8:11 NKJV

11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

2. To observe, we must have unity.

Psalm 139:23–24 NKJV

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Matthew 5:24 NKJV

24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

3. Observing the Lord’s Supper is a Time of RETROSPECTION. (1 Cor. 11:30-34).

1 Corinthians 11:30–34 NKJV

30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

A. God is serious about how we observe His Son’s death. (Hebrews 10:29-31).

Hebrews 10:29–31 NKJV

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

B. You need to be as serious when you observe.