How Could I Forget You? – A Lord's Supper Sermon Series

How Could I Forget You? – A Lord’s Supper Sermon

There are dozens of things in my life that I have forgotten. I would tell you all about them – but then – I just don’t remember them.

Some of the things that I don’t remember are all of the address from where I have lived. I don’t remember all the phone number of each house that I have lived in or even the area codes. Yet I can name all of the states – those I remember. Ohio, Arizona, California, Washington, Alaska, New Jersey, Kentucky, Tennessee and Kansas. (In writing this sermon I had forgotten about New Jersey.)

I cannot recall names of all the teachers that I have had down through the years- I know that there have been over a two dozen of them. Names like – Farthing, Messer, Dilly, Talley and Calendar – come to mind. But there are many more – some I remember – but some I have forgotten.

There are times when I cannot even tell you what I had for dinner last night – let alone last week. The menu slips my mind.

There are times that I have gotten up from my chair in the living room – headed for the kitchen – and when I get there I can’t even remember what I am there for. (I am sure that has never happened to any of you.) By the time I had made the short trip - I have forgotten.

But can I ever forget Jesus Christ?

Our text for today is found in First Corinthians chapter eleven and verse twenty four. Follow along with me as I read:

“Do this to remember me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24 (MSG)

I am sure that you recall the context of this verse. Paul is teaching about the Lord’s Supper and he says, “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; 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." 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." 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NKJV)

Is it possible to forget Jesus? Is it possible not to remember? Is it possible to live the Christian life – and yet forget the Christ whom we say we follow? Is that why we are reminded to:

“Do this to remember me.”

I know that I have forgotten lots of things – but is it possible to forget this One that is so important to me? Is it possible for you to forget Him also? My sermon outline today consists of three questions.

Can you forget His Life?

Can you forget His Death?

Can you forget His Sacrifice?

Let’s start with question one:

I. Can you forget His LIFE?

Can you forget His birth? Born of the Virgin Mary – conceived by the Holy Spirit. Can we forget this? Can we forget that shepherd’s were out in the fields watching their sheep at night when suddenly angles appeared and told the shepherds the Good News? A child has been born – a son has been given – a special child – who will be called Immanuel – God with us. Can we forget this?

Can we forget His baptism? When He descended into the water of the Jordan and a voice from heaven spoke saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Or can we forget Him in the wilderness? Fasting for forty days – hungry – stomach completely empty – like a resurrected tomb. Have you ever thought of the scene? Jesus was in a barren waste land – weary and way-worn. He sits down on a rock – forty days He has fasted. He is hungry – and it is at this point Satan steps in. He knows that Jesus is hungry – he knows the fast that our Savior has gone through – so he says, “If you are the Son of God – if you are who you really claim to be – command this stone to be made into bread.” I can almost see Satan standing there with a cunning smile on his face – with a malicious leer in his eyes – holding a stone in his hand. “Turn this stone into bread – you know you want it - you know that you are hungry. Look out for your own needs first – that is what anyone else would do. Go ahead it isn’t that big of a deal. Take care of your own needs - look out for number one.” But Jesus responded, “Man shall not live by bread alone – but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. It is more important for me to do God’s will than it is for me to feed my face.” Do you remember that battle over bread – do you remember that temptation – do you remember how He put Satan to shame? How can you forget?