In Remembrance (2022 Version) Maundy Thursday

IN REMEMBRANCE (2022 version) Maundy Thursday

Text: I Corinthians 11:23-26

1 Corinthians 11:23-26  For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread,  (24)  and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."  (25)  In the same way he took the cup also, 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 (NRSV).

When we think about remembering someone who is dead, we tend to think about an epitaph. An epitaph is an inscription on someone’s tombstone. It sounds like Jesus is giving us an epitaph that He wants to be remembered by when He tells us to remember Him at the Last Supper. The words that Jesus is speaking to us are more than just an epitaph, they are a celebration of His resurrection--His victory over sin, it wages of death and the grave! These words remind us of our legacy! The legacy that Jesus is passing on to us is one that must be carried out by remaining active by living out all that Jesus taught us about being His disciples.

All of us realize that we are not perfect and that there is humanly no way possible for us to live as if we are. But, it is perfection that we are striving for as we strive to live out all that Jesus taught us about being His disciples.

Our legacy involves living out what we believe in our thanksgiving, holiness and harmony.

THANKSGIVING

Do we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving? It is not always easy offer ourselves in praise in a way that is praiseworthy.

1) Applause: Maybe your Heavenly Father designed you to play a role that doesn’t get much applause. Author and pastor John Ortberg once asked — facetiously, we suspect — “I know I’m supposed to be humble, but what if no one notices?” If you have a behind–the–scenes assignment where you’re assisting others and not getting much glory, can you still be content? The question is, who are we doing these good deeds for: for ourselves, for others or for God? https://www.proclaimsermons.com/illustration.asp? loggedIn=Yes&ID=Wil2850260583&illust_type=category&illust_cat=Praise Do we do the right thing for the wrong reason? Isn’t that the same way the Pharisees did things? Do we not miss the mark of our calling (2 Timothy 1:9) when we seek the praise of others instead of giving God the praise? 2 Timothy 1:9 reminds us that [God]  “… who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began (ESV).

2) Substituting image: Herb Miller once said, “Because we wish others to think well of us, we are prone to substitute image for action”. (Herb Miller. Actions Speak Louder Than Verbs. Nashville: Abingdon Press , 1989, p. 123). Do you remember what Jesus said about that? Jesus said, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36 NIV).

3) Whisperer: Satan is the silent whisperer who subtly tells us that others should take notice of our work. We have to remember that Satan is a liar, a thief who wants to kill, steal, deceive and destroy because he roams a round like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (John 10:10a; John 8:44; II Peter 5:8). That is why Peter tells us to be sober and diligent---watchful (II Peter 5:8).

When it comes to praise, do we give God our best?

1) CPR: “To be successful at anything in life, we need to take the “CPR” Approach. Consistent in our actions, Persistent in our drive, Resistant to setbacks and all those who may tell us we can’t do it”. Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press. Jesus was all three (consistent, persistent and resistant) as He gave God His best while He was here on earth, during his earthly ministry.

2) Second rate: There is always the temptation of doing enough to just get by. There is a difference between going through the motions and going the distance----the extra mile (Matthew 5:41). When it came to our salvation, Jesus went the distance for us because He humbled Himself even to the point of death for us (Philippians 2:8) as the lamb of God who came to take away our sins (John 1:29).

3) Picking up our crosses: When we sincerely offer ourselves in praise in picking up our crosses and following in His footsteps with devotion to God, we are remembering that we are God’s children who were bought with a price (I Corinthians 6:20). When it came to the cross Jesus did not hold anything back!