Remember Me

Luke 22:19 NIV

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Big Idea:

Communion invites us to remember Christ's sacrifice, receive His grace, respond with repentance, and anticipate His return.

Introduction

Have you ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why you went there?

You stand there staring for a second.

"I know I came in here for something..."

But you just can't remember what it was

For me, sometimes it's my keys.

Sometimes it's a password.

Sometimes I get stuck sar ing a my phone, wondering why I pulled it out in the first place.

And while forgetting little things here and there can sometimes be funny...

forgetting important things can be dangerous.

Because what we remember affects how we live.

If you forget an anniversary, you're in trouble.

If you forget a doctor's appointment, there can be consequences.

If you forget who you are, where you've come from, or what matters most, it changes the direction of your life.

That's true spiritually too.

One of the greatest dangers for believers isn't rebellion.

It's forgetfulness.

We forget what Christ has done.

We forget the price He paid.

We forget the grace we've received.

We forget the hope we have.

And when we forget, our hearts begin to drift.

That's why Jesus gave us communion.

Think about that for a moment.

On the night before the cross...

with only hours left before His arrest...

with the weight of the worlds sin resting on His shoulders...

Jesus knew there was something His followers would need.

Not another teaching.

Not another miracle.

Not another lesson.

They would need a reminder.

A moment they could return to again and again and again.

A moment that would pull wandering hearts back to the gospel message.

So He took bread.

He took a cup.

And He said:

"Do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19)

That's the phrase we're going to be spending some time with today.

Remember Me.

Not just that Jesus existed.

Not just a historical event.

But remember who He is.

Remember what He’s done.

Remember what He means for your life today.

Because communion is more than a religious ritual.

It's a God-given reminder.

A reminder of where our salvation came from.

A reminder of the grace we still need.

A reminder that God is still working in us.

And a reminder that our story isn't over yet.

Today we're going to discover that communion invites us to do four things:

To remember Christ's sacrifice.

To receive His grace.

To respond with repentance.

And to anticipate His return.

We're going to look back to the cross.

In to our hearts.

Up to God's grace.

And forward to Christ's coming kingdom.

Because communion isn’t meant to be something we rush through.

It’s meant to be something that reshapes us.

So today we're slowing down.

And we're asking God to make something familiar feel holy again.

Let's begin where Jesus began:

"Do this in remembrance of me."

I. COMMUNION REMINDS US OF GOD’S RESCUE

A. Passover — Exodus 12

Let me take you back to one of the most defining moments in Israel’s story.

God’s people are in Egypt—400 years of slavery. They’ve cried out for deliverance, and God raises up Moses to confront Pharaoh. After plague after plague, Pharaoh still refuses to let them go.

And then God says that every household is to take a lamb. A spotless lamb. Exodus 12:5 says, “The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.”

No imperfections. No shortcuts. A perfect sacrifice.

And then each family is told to kill the lamb at twilight. Take its blood, and paint it on the doorframes of their homes.

And that night something devastating happens. God says, Exodus 12:12 ““On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord.”

But then comes the turning point:

Exodus 12:13 NIV

The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

God is warning them, Judgment is coming—but not for the houses covered by the lamb’s blood.

That night, everything changes. Egypt is shattered. Pharaoh finally releases God’s people. And Israel walks out of slavery into freedom.

And God says,

Exodus 12:14 NIV

“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance.

So, to commemorate this moment, every year, families gathered around a table. They remembered the rescue. They remembered the blood. They remembered the deliverance.

But they didn’t realize… this moment was pointing forward.

Because the sacrificed lamb was never the final answer.

It was always pointing to something greater.

And then, 1500 years later… Jesus sits down at that same table.

B. Jesus Reinterprets the Passover

Jesus is in Jerusalem with His disciples. He has sent them ahead to prepare the Passover meal. As evening comes, they gather together around the table.

This isn't just any meal.

This is the meal.

The meal every Jewish family knew. The meal that told the story of God's rescue from Egypt. The meal Jesus Himself had celebrated His entire life.

Luke tells us that they sat down,

Luke 22:15 NIV

And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

Jesus knows exactly what is about to happen.

Within hours He will be arrested.

Within a day He will be crucified.

And so He gathers His disciples for one final meal.

Picture the scene.

The bread is on the table.

The cups are on the table.

The familiar words are being spoken.

Everything about this meal has meaning.

The disciples know the story. They know what everything represents. They know this meal is about God's deliverance from Egypt.

And then Jesus does something unexpected.

Luke 22:19–20 NIV

He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Can you imagine how shocking that must have been?

In that moment, Jesus reinterprets the Passover meal.

He’s saying:

The lamb pointed to Me.

The blood pointed to Me.

The rescue pointed to Me.

The meal now finds its fulfillment in Me.

Jesus is saying, "A greater deliverance is coming. Not from Pharaoh, but from sin. Not through the blood of a lamb on a doorpost, but through My blood shed on a cross."

This is the moment the old Passover begins to give way to something new.

This is the moment communion is born.

C. Why Do We Still Do This?

At this point, you might be wondering:

If Jesus died and rose again 2,000 years ago, why are Christians still doing this today?

The answer is actually pretty simple.

First, because Jesus commanded it.

In Luke 22:19 it says,

Luke 22:19 NIV

“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Communion isn't a church tradition that someone came up with centuries later. It isn't something Christians invented because it felt meaningful. It is something Jesus Himself told His followers to do.

When we take communion, we're simply being obedient to the command of our Savior.

Second, we still do this because the early church practiced it.

Acts 2:42 tells us that the first believers:

Acts 2:42 NIV

devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

From the very beginning, communion was central to the life and worship of the church. These believers gathered around the table because they understood that the death and resurrection of Jesus wasn't just something to learn about—it was something to remember, celebrate, and proclaim together.

And third, we do this, because we still need it.

We still forget.

We still get distracted by the pressures, worries, and busyness of life.

We still need reminders of God's grace.

Communion brings us back to what matters most. It reminds us that our hope is not found in our performance but in Christ's sacrifice. It reminds us that we are loved, forgiven, and redeemed because of what Jesus has done for us.

For more than 2,000 years, believers have gathered around the table and remembered.

So communion is rooted in Passover, instituted by Jesus, practiced by the early church, and continued by believers throughout the centuries.

But, what exactly are we remembering when we take communion?

To answer that, we need to look at the two elements Jesus placed in His disciples' hands: the bread and the cup.

II.COMMUNION REVEALS CHRIST’S SACRIFICE

Let’s look first at the bread.

Luke 22:19 says:

Luke 22:19 (NIV)

"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'"

Notice those words:

"Given for you."

His body was a gift. A sacrifice. A willing offering.

Jesus wasn't a victim of circumstances. He willingly gave Himself for us.

When the soldiers arrested Him, He could have walked away. When they mocked Him, He could have called down angels. When they nailed Him to the cross, He could have stopped it.

But He didn't.

Because His body was given for us.

The bread reminds us that Jesus became human. The eternal Son of God stepped into our world. He took on flesh. He entered our suffering.

Isaiah 53 describes Him this way:

"He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain."

Jesus knows what it is like to suffer. He knows what it is like to be betrayed. He knows what it is like to carry sorrow.

And Isaiah continues:

"Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering... But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

His body was broken so we could be made whole.

That's what the bread reminds us.

Not just that Jesus died, but that He willingly gave Himself for us.

The Cup

Then Jesus took the cup.

Matthew records His words:

Matthew 26:28 (NIV)

"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Just like the bread points to His body, the cup points to His blood.

And the cup reminds us that forgiveness always costs something.

Throughout the Old Testament, sacrifices were offered again and again for sin. But every sacrifice pointed forward to a greater sacrifice still to come.

Then Jesus came.

The true Passover Lamb. The perfect sacrifice.

When Jesus spoke of "the blood of the covenant," His disciples would have remembered how covenant relationships were sealed with blood. But now Jesus says His own blood will establish a new covenant—not one built on repeated sacrifices or human effort, but on His finished work.

Hebrews 10:14 says:

Hebrews 10:14 (NIV)

"For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."

One sacrifice. One Savior.

The cup reminds us that the debt has been paid.

Because Jesus shed His blood for us, we are forgiven, cleansed, and reconciled to God.

The bread reminds us that Christ took on our suffering. The cup reminds us that Christ paid for our sin.

Together they remind us of the incredible grace we have received through His sacrifice.

The thing is, because communion reminds us what Jesus has done, it should also cause us to examine our own hearts.

III. COMMUNION CALLS US TO REPENTANCE

Communion doesn't just invite us to remember.

It doesn't just invite us to receive.

It also invites us to respond.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:28:

1 Corinthians 11:28 NIV

Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.

Before take communion, Scripture calls us to examine our hearts.

Not because God wants us to be afraid.

Not because He wants us to prove ourselves.

But because communion is meant to be more than a ritual. It's meant to be a moment of honesty before God.

A moment to ask:

Where am I with the Lord?

Is there sin I need to confess?

Is there a relationship that needs to be made right?

Is there someone I need to forgive?

Is there an area of my life where I've been resisting God's work?

But it's important that we understand what Paul is saying here.

This is not about becoming worthy.

None of us are worthy.

If communion were only for people who had it all together, none of us could participate.

Communion is not a reward for perfect people.

It is a gift for people who need grace.

It is for people who know they have fallen short.

It is for people who know they need forgiveness.

It is for people who know they cannot save themselves.

The invitation of communion is not, "Come because you're worthy."

The invitation is, "Come because Jesus alone is worthy"

So today, before take communion together, I want to invite you to spend a few moments examining your heart.

You'll notice that there are cards on everyone's seats today, and there's a basket under the cross at the front.

In a few moments, you'll have an opportunity to write something down and leave it at the cross. No one will read these cards. I won’t be looking at them.

This is simply between you and the Lord.

Maybe it's a sin you need to confess.

Maybe it's a burden you've been carrying.

Maybe it's a worry, a regret, a fear, or a hurt that you've held onto for too long.

Maybe it's unforgiveness.

Maybe it's something only you and God know about.

Whatever it is, you don't have to keep carrying it.

The cross is big enough for it.

The grace of Jesus is sufficient for it.

So as we prepare our hearts to take communion today, I want to give you three questions to think about:

Is there anything I need to confess?

2. Is there someone I need to forgive?

And 3. Is there something I've been carrying that belongs at the cross?

As we continue in this message, and continue towards communion, take a few moments and ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart.

Because the cross is where we can leave our burdens.

And as we leave our burdens at the cross, communion reminds us that our story doesn't end there.

The same Jesus who forgives our past also secures our future.

And that's why communion doesn't only call us to look inward—it calls us to look forward.

IV. COMMUNION POINTS US TO CHRIST’S RETURN

Jesus says in Matthew 26:29

Matthew 26:29 NIV

I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

In other words, Jesus says, “This meal is not finished yet.”

There is another table coming.

There is another moment coming.

There is another feast coming.

And every time we take communion, we are not just remembering something that happened… we are declaring something that is still going to happen.

Revelation 19 pulls back the curtain and shows us what that future looks like:

“For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready… Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”

One day, history ends in a meal.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

And at that table, everything broken gets restored.

Everything lost is redeemed.

Everything painful is healed.

And everything that sin has damaged is made new.

But here’s what’s so powerful—communion is not just pointing forward to that day.

Every time we take the bread and the cup, it’s like we are getting a preview of what is coming.

A reminder that we are not just surviving this world… we are moving toward a redeemed world.

That evil does not win.

That suffering does not have the final word.

That death is not the end of the story.

Because Jesus is coming again.

And when He comes again…

Faith becomes sight.

Brokenness is healed.

Sin is gone.

Christ reigns forever.

Communion holds us in what you could call a “now and not yet” tension.

We look back to the cross.

We remember His body broken and His blood poured out.

But we also look forward to the day when we will sit at the table with Him face to face.

And that changes how we live right now.

Because people who know where the story is going don’t live in despair.

They don’t live without hope.

They don’t live like this world is all there is.

They live with anticipation.

They live with expectation.

They live with hope.

So when we come to the table today, we are not just remembering a sacrifice.

We are proclaiming a promise.

That Jesus died.

That Jesus rose.

And that Jesus is coming again.

Communion becomes a declaration to our own hearts:

“This is not the end.”

“This pain is not the end.”

“This struggle is not the end.”

“This world is not the end.”

Because one day we will sit at a greater table.

With a greater King.

In a greater kingdom.

Until then, we remember. we receive. we repent. And we wait with hope.

COMMUNION INVITATION

So today, we’re going to take communion.

But we’re not going to rush it.

We’re going to move slowly and do things a little bit differently than we normally do.

In just a moment, I’m going to invite you to stand and come forward if you are able.

And when you come, you’re not just coming to pick up bread and juice.

You’re coming to the cross.

So here’s what I want you to do.

You’ll come forward, and go to the cross.

And if you’ve written something on one of the cards, you can leave it at the cross.

A sin you’re confessing.

A burden you’re releasing.

A worry you’ve been carrying.

A regret.

A fear.

An unforgiveness.

Whatever it is—don’t carry it back to your seat.

Leave it at the cross.

Because that’s where it belongs.

And then, after you’ve paused there, you can take the bread and the cup from this table.

And you’ll return to your seat.

Don’t take it right away.

Hold it.

Wait.

Because we’re going to take it together as a church family.

Today we will remember.

Today we will receive.

Today we will respond.

And today we will rejoice.

COMMUNION RESPONSE SONG

So as we begin to come, I’m going to invite us to worship together.

And we’re going to sing:

“Jesus Paid It All.”

And as we sing, you’re welcome to come forward.

Come to the cross.

Leave your burden.

Pick up the elements.

And return to your seat.

But don’t rush this moment.

Let it sink in.

Let it settle.

Let God do what only He can do. Please come on up. If you need he elements brought to you, raise your hand, and we will make sure it gets to you.

(Jesus Paid it all)

RECEIVING COMMUNION TOGETHER

(After everyone is served)

Before we take the bread and the cup together, I want to read the words of Paul from 1 Corinthians 11:23–26:

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NIV

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 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.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

So that’s what we’re doing right now.

We are remembering His death.

We are receiving His grace.

And we are proclaiming His return.

So together, as one church family…

Let’s take the bread.

(pause)

This is His body, given for you.

Let’s eat together.

(pause)

Now let’s take the cup.

(pause)

This is His blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

Let’s drink together.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Jesus,

Thank You.

Thank You for Your body that was broken for us.

Thank You for Your blood that was poured out for us.

We remember today.

We receive today.

We respond today.

And we rejoice today.

And we do all of this with gratitude in our hearts.

Because You have saved us.

You have forgiven us.

And You are coming again.

Until that day, keep our eyes fixed on You.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

As we close, just look toward the cross for a moment.

Those cards in the basket represent what we've laid down today.

Sins confessed. Burdens released. Hurts surrendered. Prayers offered.

And they stay there—at the foot of the cross—because that is exactly where Jesus wants them.

Not back on our shoulders. Not back in our hands. At the cross.

Because of Jesus, we don't have to carry what He has already carried for us.

And that's really what communion has reminded us of today.

We remembered His sacrifice.

We received His grace.

We responded with repentance.

And we renewed our hope in His return.

When Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me," He wasn't giving us a ritual to perform. He was giving us a reminder to return to.

A reminder that we are loved. A reminder that we are forgiven. A reminder that we belong to Him. And a reminder that the best is still to come.

Revelation 19:9 says:

"Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!"

One day, we're going to sit at that table.

With Jesus.

No more sin. No more sorrow. No more suffering. No more goodbyes.

Just the presence of our Savior and the joy of His kingdom forever.

But until that day, we keep coming back to this table.

We remember.

Because Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

And Christ will come again.

Let’s close our service, with the chorus of Jesus Paid it all.