SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). Jesus said, “Remember me” (vs 19b)
(2). Jesus said, “This is my body” (vs 19a).
(3). Jesus said, “This is my blood” (vs 20).
(4). Jesus said, “Until that day” (vs 18).
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• In 1866 a man named Alfred who had the rare opportunity to read his own obituary.
• Apparently, the newspaper in Alfred’s hometown.
• Mistakenly believed that he had died and prematurely published his obituary.
• Alfred was a philanthropist (a generous donor to charities),
• He had made a fortune by inventing dynamite.
• In his obituary,
• His invention was blamed for the death and mutilation of thousands of people.
• As he read his obituary,
• He was shocked and saddened by the harsh manner in which he was portrayed.
• Alfred wanted to be remembered as a man of science and of peace.
• Not as a man of destruction and death!
• So, when he died in 1896,
• In his will he left the major portion of his $9 million estate.
• To set up prizes to encourage and reward outstanding contributions for humanity,
• In chemistry, literature, peace, physics, and physiology or medicine.
• Alfred’s last name if you haven’t yet guessed was Noble, Alfred Noble.
• The prize that bears his name is an international award given annually since 1901
• Question: How would you like to be remembered?
• Answer: None of us of course will be around to find out!
• TRANSITION: I am always amazed at what Jesus wanted to be remembered for!
• He never said…remember my birth (although the whole world celebrates it).
• He never said…remember my miracles (which have never been matched)
• He never even said…remember my teaching (although we obviously do).
• But he did say remember my death! He emphasised and highlighted it!
• In our study this morning, we will find out why?
• Because his death & resurrection and the heart, the core of the Christian faith.
• The cross appeared to be the world’s greatest tragedy,
• But was in fact the world’s greatest triumph!
• And the resurrection is the proof of that.
(1). Jesus said, “Remember me” (vs 19b).
• e.g. Throughout his teaching, Jesus often used visual aids.
• e.g. He took a boy’s picnic lunch, fed a large crowd and taught he was the bread of life.
• e.g. He healed a blind man,
• e.g. And taught he was the light for the world.
• e.g. He raised a dead man called Lazarus,
• e.g. And taught he was the resurrection and the life.
• e.g. He told a famous parable of a wise and foolish man,
• e.g. And used the visual illustration of builders.
• e.g. He borrowed a coin to teach about God and honouring him,
• e.g. He picked up a child and used him as a visual aid.
• e.g. He taught in his preaching about salt and light, birds and lilies, yeast and dough,
• e.g. Mustard seeds and vine branches, the list goes on and on.
• In these verses this morning,
• To help his disciples focus and also remember the lesson,
• He gave to them a visual aid:
• Bread & wine.
• Something solid and something liquid.
Ill:
• Lord N Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) was a British flag officer in the Royal Navy.
• His inspirational leadership, grasp of strategy,
• And unconventional tactics brought about a number of decisive British naval victories.
• Particularly during the Napoleonic Wars.
• He was wounded in combat, losing sight in one eye in Corsica at the age of 36,
• And most of one arm in the unsuccessful attempt to conquer Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• When he was 40.
• He was fatally shot during his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
• And he was buried in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
• And a party of his sailors bore his coffin to the tomb.
• One eyewitness describes one incident from that occasion.
• “With reverencey and with efficiency.
• They lowered the body of the world’s greatest admiral into its tomb.
• Then, as though answering to a sharp order from the quarter deck,
• They all seized the Union Jack with which the coffin had been covered.
• And tore it to fragments,
• And each took his souvenir of the illustrious dead”
• TRANSITION: For the rest of their lives,
• To those coffin bearers, every time they saw or touched that little bit of coloured cloth,
• It would remind them of the admiral they had both served and loved!
• To help his disciples focus and remember him,
• Jesus gave to his followers a physical visual aid:
Note:
• All the four gospel writers record this event,
• That emphasize gives it even more importance.
• Yet, only Luke mentions that the Lord’s Supper was to become a memorial feast.
• Look at the words in verse 19b, "Do this in remembrance of me.”
• Those words are not found in any of the other gospel accounts,
• Surprisingly, you will not find them in Matthew, Mark or John’s account.
• Of this important occasion.
• In fact, you have to wait until the apostle Paul writes to the Christians living in Corinth,
• To read them again in 1 Corinthians chapter 11.
• In that passage the apostle Paul teaches about the Lord’s Supper.
Ill:
• They are some of the most well-known words of the communion service.
• i.e. Engraved on communion tables,
• i.e. Quoted in many, many prayers.
• And bizarrely they were actually recorded by two people,
• Who were not even present the upper room!
• Now please do not misunderstand me,
• I am not saying these words are unimportant.
• Because we believe Dr Luke and the apostle Paul,
• Were both aided and inspired in their writings by the Holy Spirit.
• It might well be that in the next few hours and days.
• The disciples would ride an emotional roller coaster of emotional experiences
• Think of the turmoil, the disorder, the confusion,
• That would shake these followers to their very cores.
• These events following, could easily wipe clean the memories of the disciples,
• Like a wet sponge wiped along a slate-chalk board.
• To combat human forgetfulness,
• God gave his followers a physical visual aid – bread & wine.
• And made sure these words were never forgotten by using Luke & Paul.
(2). Jesus said, “This is my body” (vs 19a).
• Of the bread Jesus said in verse 19: “This is my body”.
• Don’t skip past that phrase, it is so very, very important.
• Jesus is giving the bread in this service, a brand-new meaning,
• He is introducing here, a brand-new concept:
• Up until now whenever these 11 disciples had celebrated Passover.
• In fact, for centuries whenever Passover was celebrated,
• The bread had a one meaning and one meaning only!
• It had to be Unleavened bread.
• As commanded by God in the Old Testament (Exodus chapter 13)
• ill: Unleavened bread is made without adding leavening agents to it,
• Like yeast or baking soda.
• This prevents the bread from rising,
• Therefore, keeping the bread flat and not as soft.
• Question: Why would they need to bake unleavened bread?
• Answer: Because yeast is the substance that causes fermentation.
• It soon affects and dominates the bread it is placed in.
• And in the Bible, leaven symbolizes error, evil or sin.
• And in the Passover ceremony,
• Unleavened bread had always stood for ‘leaving Egypt’ (leaving slavery).
• ‘Leaven’ had spoken to them of a past life, a life of oppression.
• Unleavened bread was a way of saying.
• “We are starting anew. Our old life is past, and it will not influence us anymore!”
But from now (this is such a pivotal moment) on, bread was to have a brand-new meaning:
• It was to symbolise Christ’s physical body:
• That body was of course without leaven (without sin).
• Notice: Luke goes on to say in chapter 22 verse 19:
• “This is my body given for you”.
• Note: The word that Jesus used ‘given’.
• Jesus will offer up his life as a sacrifice,
• He was not assassinated or martyred, and his life was not taken from him!
• Jesus himself said, he would lay it down. This was His claim:
• (e.g. John chapter 10 verses 17-18).
"For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."
Ill:
• An army Chaplain was visiting a soldier in the hospital,
• The soldier had been wounded in action.
• The Chaplin trying to comfort him said, “You have lost an arm in the great cause.”
• The soldier replied, “I didn't lose it—I gave it.”
• TRANSITION: Jesus did not lose his life either.
• He willingly gave it for us so we could be reconciled to God.
(3). Jesus said, “This is my blood” (vs 20).
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
• Many scholars believe that Jesus is quoting here from the Old Testament:
• From the book of Exodus chapter 24 verse 8:
“Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words”.
Question: What is a covenant?
Answer: The Jewish people were in a covenant relationship with God.
• In modern times we define a host of relations by contracts.
• These are usually for goods or services and for hard cash.
• The contract, formal or informal,
• Helps to specify failure in these relationships.
• Note: The Lord did not establish a contract with Israel or with the church.
• He created a covenant.
• There is a big difference.
• Contacts are broken when one of the parties fails to keep his promise.
Ill:
• Just say, a patient fails to keep an appointment with a dentist,
• The dentist is not obligated to call the house and inquire,
• “Where were you? Why didn’t you show up for your appointment?”
• The dentist simply goes on to the next patient,
• And has the practice secretary takes note of the patients absent,
• Now that patient may receive a bill for failure to turn up.
• Because the patient broke an informal contract.
• But that is all.
• The Bible indicates that a covenant:
• Is more like the ties of a parent to her child than it is a dentist’s appointment.
• If a child fails to show up for dinner,
• The parent’s obligation, unlike the dentist’s, isn’t cancelled.
• The parent finds out where the child is and makes sure he’s cared for.
• One member’s failure does not destroy the relationship.
• A covenant puts no conditions on faithfulness.
• It is the unconditional commitment to love and serve.
Note:
• e.g. When God made covenants with Noah (Genesis chapter 8 verse 20).
• e.g. Abraham (Genesis chapter 15 verse 10).
• e.g. And Moses (Exodus chapter 24 verse 8).
• These covenants had a common theme.
• Blood was shed!
• God required shedding of blood in making covenants with men.
• The price of reconciliation was always costly, in that blood was shed.
• Quote: The writer of the book of Hebrews (chapter 9 verse 22) tells us:
• “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”
This graphic and painful demonstration of animal life in the Jewish sacrificial system:
• All pointed forward to the death of Christ,
• Who would be the final sacrifice for reconciliation?
• Verse 20 Jesus tells us that his blood would be,
• ‘Poured out’ or ‘gush out’ or ‘spill out’
Note: Jesus shed his blood in seven places:
• (a). Jesus shed blood at the Garden of Gethsemane.
• Luke chapter 22 verse 44
“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
• (b). He shed blood at the whipping post.
• Matthew chapter 27 verses 26
“Then he released Barabbas to them. And when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.”
• (c). He shed blood internally - from the intense beating, out of the severe beatings He underwent also suffered from many internal injuries.
• Matthew chapter 27 verses 26
“Then he released Barabbas to them. And when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.”
• (d). He shed blood when they put the crown of thorns on His head.
• Matthew chapter 27 verses 29
“And plaiting a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!”
• (e). He shed blood when they pierced His hands.
• Matthew chapter 27 verses 35
“And they crucified Him, dividing His garments, casting a lot; so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, "They parted My garments among them, and they cast a lot for My clothing."”
• (f). He shed blood when they pierced His feet.
• Matthew chapter 27 verses 35
“And they crucified Him, dividing His garments, casting a lot; so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, "They parted My garments among them, and they cast a lot for My clothing."”
• (f). Blood came forth when they pierced his side.
• John chapter 19 verses 34
“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a lance, and instantly there came out blood and water.”
• TRANSITION:
• Verse 20 Jesus tells us that his blood would be,
• ‘Poured out’ or ‘gush out’ or ‘spill out’
• Verse 20: tells us his blood was shed “For you”.
• Jesus is talking to his committed followers and not speaking generally to the crowds.
• Matthew adds in his account (chapter 26 verse 28):
• “Poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”
• Mark adds in his gospel: “For many”.
• It literally means “For the benefit of many”.
• The substitutional death of Christ brought forgiveness for all,
• That is why he came.
• But note not all will be saved!
Ill:
• John chapter 3 verses 14-18.
• We are required to look, to believe, to live!
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’[g]
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
(4). Jesus said, “Until that day” (vs 18).
• This verse tells us of the duration,
• That is, how long we are to celebrate the Lord’s Supper?
“For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
• Note:
• Mark in his gospel puts it this way.
“I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God”
• Note:
• Matthew in his gospel gives us a fuller statement:
• “Until that day when I drink it anew WITH YOU in my Father’s kingdom”
• Although Jesus was talking about his death.
• He made his disciples this promise.
• That he would come back one day and drink the cup with them in the kingdom.
• Verse 25 is a reaffirmation of his coming kingdom!
Ill:
• Many people carry a photo of their partner or family in my wallets,
• These days we keep photos on our phones.
• Many have their loved ones as screen savers on their computers,
• Or maybe photographs on the walls or in phot frames around their home.
• They are reminders of people who are not there with us,
• When we have the people with us, we do not need the photos
• Because we have the real thing!
• Likewise, Jesus tells his disciples they are to remember him in bread & wine,
• Until he returns and they have the real thing!
• Jesus himself!
Ill:
• During the long war years, a boy looked frequently at a picture of his daddy on the table.
• He had left when the boy was a young infant.
• After several years the boy had forgotten him as a person,
• But he would often look at the picture and say,
• "If only my father could step out of that picture and be real...."
• TRANSITION: For the believer,
• One day Jesus will step out of the photo (bread & wine),
• And be with us and us with him!
Final Questions:
• Do you belong to Jesus?
• Is he coming back for you?
• Will you be with him forever?
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=zHzG5VC9cXD7AAL5D3MUZIObCuUsYiQd
