Why Remember Communion? Hebrews 10:11-12, Ephesians 2:4-6
11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
So what does this say to you? At man’s best, all he can offer isn’t enough. However, what Christ Jesus offered once, brought an eternal remedy. The proof, He sat down at the right hand of God. In other words, He’s no longer fighting, or at war for mankind, all we have to do is believe.
Moreover, God is rich in mercy, because of His great love. Even when mankind, is dead in their trespasses, Christ made a way for us to become alive and to live with Him. You are saved by grace through your faith in Christ. In other words, Jesus raised you up and seated you in heavenly places with Him.
Shannon Faulkner made headlines a few years ago as she crusaded to become the first female cadet at The Citadel, an all-male military academy. After a prolonged court battle, you’ll remember, she finally won the right to enroll. But she couldn’t endure the exercise program required of all cadets. So a few days later she dropped out & we’ve heard almost nothing of her since.
In contrast, there is the professional tennis player, Monica Seles. You may remember that a few years ago a crazed man jumped out of the stands & plunged a knife into her back. It was a terrifying experience, but she did not allow that to stop her. Once her wound healed, she began a rigorous exercise program, regained her strength, & won the British Open & placed 2nd in the U.S. Open. I like to hear stories about people who won’t give up. Quitters aren’t much of an inspiration, but people who stay with a commitment even though the going gets tough are a source of great inspiration to all.
The reason we receive communion is to remember. The Scriptures say, As often as you do this; do this in remembrance of Me. (Lk.22, I Cor.11)
When some great cause can be remembered it often isn’t forgotten. Such as Independence day, Veterans day, Thanksgiving or Christmas. Jesus instituted the last supper not for His benefit but for all of His disciples, so we would remember.
Remember His blood that was shed, and His body that was given for all to become free.
Many times we act like we don’t remember; however, as we remember, there are many other perks- healing, peace, gifts and fruit.
Hebrews 10:32-34 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
The writer of Hebrews is saying, remember- don’t forget, think of His love, His mercy, His grace and His strength.
Remember, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 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.”
In other words, as you partake the bread, you are proclaiming, “I declare that Christ lives in me.” As you drink the juice, you are declaring, “Because of Jesus’ blood I have the new covenant and I am forgiven.”
As the Israelites were delivered out of Egyptian bondage they were told to remember, “Passover!” As you remember His body that was given, give God praise, as you praise, remember the blood that brought deliverance from all trespasses.
As the Egyptians mourned in great sorrow, God’s people rejoiced for they were free from bondage!
Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
The Jews till this day remember Passover, and rightfully so; however, how much more should we remember Jesus Christ.
We should remember His body that He willfully gave and; we should remember His blood that was shed.
Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Without blood there cannot be life in the physical body. That is just as true in the Bible. Blood flows through the Bible just as it does through our veins. The blood of Christ keeps Christianity alive.
Someone has said, “Cut the Bible anywhere and it will bleed.” The blood is spoken of 427 times in our Bible, so it is easy to see, this is not a minor theme. Without the blood, the Gospel is dead and we are deprived of eternal life.
Through out time, many men and women gave their bodies for the gospels sake; however, only ‘One’ was qualified to give His body and blood, for man’s mass exodus from the eternal bondage of sin.
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Peter added in I Peter 1:18 “We are not redeemed with silver and gold, and precious stones, but with the precious blood of Christ.”
Then John agreed with Peter and Paul in I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
The question I ask is, “What has Jesus Christ not done for you?”
He is able, He’s given everything pertaining to life and godliness, He’s conquerered, He’s victories, He takes black sin and makes it white as snow, and if that’s not enough, He’s coming back again to receive us.
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus What can make me whole again? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus Oh, precious is the flow That makes me white as snow No other fount I know Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
Your sins are “Acquited” that’s a heavy word…it means to pay off, to free, to clear, to absolve. It has a far reaching meaning extending from the past all the way to the future.
OJ Simpson was acquitted of murder, and it can never come back on him in a court of law. Not even “new evidence” can be presented. You say, yeah, but I don’t believe justice was done. Well, neither do I…
However, you and I are guilty and we know it…and we don’t want justice, we want grace and mercy! We need it to be permanent…sins forgiven and forgotten!
Lamentations 32:21-24 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “ Therefore I hope in Him!”
Revelation 5:9...For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood...
Before every meal, you can remember Jesus giving His body, and shedding His blood!
Take elements together/ Prayer.
