1 Corinthians 11:23-28
“Remembrance”
April 3, 2023
Of all the ordinances we uphold in the church, this one remembrance should hold the most meaning for us. It should cause us to be humbled by the message behind the service. As we prepare to partake of the Communion once again, as we have done for these 45 years together, I want to draw your attention this Palm Sunday to what these verses teach us about this solemn time of remembrance of our Lord’s Last Supper, our Holy Communion, this Ordinance of our Faith.
I. IT IS A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you” (23)
The Apostle Paul teaches that “though Jesus was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich.”
The Apostle Peter teaches that “we were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold… but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without spot or blemish.”
We must remember that it was “the same night in which Jesus was betrayed” (23) On the same night that Jesus dismissed Judas from the Upper Room He told his disciples, “With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” This was not the first Passover Supper they had together, but this would be their last! This one changed everything. Before this day they were to remember how God delivered them out of slavery from Egypt. But after this day they were to remember how God delivered them out of slavery from Sin. “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me (24)” When we take the Lord's Supper, we are to remember His brokenness for US – for our grief, for our sorrows, for our transgressions, our iniquity, our sins. Isaiah said in chapter 53, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
II. IT IS A TIME OF REVELATION “This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” (25)
Jesus revealed to us a new agreement. The old agreement was based on the law and the new agreement is based on grace. And Grace has been offered to us by the blood of Jesus! It is the blood and nothing but the blood of Jesus that gives us a new agreement. The new does not wash away the old but fulfills it! What the best lamb of herd could not do year after year, the Lamb of God completed once and for all time. Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Paul said, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” (26)
Remembrance also serves to stir up our thoughts of the revelation concerning the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The truth is, He died for us, He rose for us and He ascended into Heaven for us. There, He makes intercession for us at the throne of God. But, let us not forget that He has also promised to return someday for us, John 14:3 “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
III. IT IS A TIME OF REFLECTION “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” (28)
While all the other truths we have considered today are important, this final one is very serious in its warning to you and me. The Lord's Supper service is a time of reflection and worship, but it is also a time of self-examination. We are warned against partaking of the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner. Paul teaches in verse 31, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”
1. It Is a Warning for those who are unbelievers in the Church- Now, it is possible for a lost person to partake of the Lord's Supper and never be saved. This ordinance holds no saving power! However, for those who are saved, it is a time for us to declare publicly that we believe His death and resurrection were for us! No one who has not been saved should take of the Lord's Supper service. It is a dangerous thing to do because you are making a public statement before God that you are a believer! God will NOT BE MOCKED!
2. It Is a Warning for those who are unrepentant in the Church - When we come to the Lord's table with sin in our lives, we open our lives up to God's judgment, He will chasten His children when they profess to be right with God, and yet they are harboring sin in their hearts. “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” When we partake of the Lord's Supper in a manner which degrades the truth behind the ordinance, we are guilty of trampling underfoot the death and resurrection of the Lord.
3. It Is a Warning for those who are unforgiving in the Church – Too often, people will come to the Lord's table and will not take the time to search their hearts for sin, nor will they consider the great sacrifice Jesus gave for their forgiveness and redemption. Paul wrote to the Ephesians (4:32), “and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.” Jesus teaches if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins!
