In the movie, "Remember the Titans" football coach Herman Boone takes his team for a early morning run into the darkness. Through the darkness they run as well as through woods and creeks until they end up at the grave yard and battle field of Gettysburg. There he calls upon the boys who are struggling in a "white and black" issue of getting along … to take a lesson from the dead.
Boone says … "This green field painted red, bubbling with the blood of young boys …listen to their souls men … I killed my brother with malice in my heart … hatred … destroyed my family. You listen. You take a lesson from the dead. If we don’t come together right now on this hallow ground we too will be destroyed just like they were."
Tonight we are asked to take a lesson from the One who was dead but who lives. His life and blood was given to take away the malice in our hearts and to stop the self-destructive life we all tend to live. He has called each of us to step upon hallow ground and eat with him and one another.
There is never a time that I have come to this table but that my life has not convicted of my lack of love and care for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:18-19 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
Divisions and factions will never produce the Christ like life … but are the destructive patterns of the world that Jesus came to save us from.
We are reminded why we are here in verse 20.
1 Corinthians 11:20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper.
We gather on this hallow ground tonight to partake of this rich meal that leads us deeper into our walk with Jesus Christ.
It is truly a time to remember … Remembrance, Repentance and Renewal.
1. A Time of Remembrance
1 Corinthians 11:24-26 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." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
1a. Remember the Agony
Lest I forget thine agony …
· Body & Bread
· Blood & Cup
1b. Remember the Achievement
· Proclamation of victorious death over sin.
· Proclamation of victorious life (eternal & abundant)
· Proclamation of future blessings
1c. Remember the Appearance
· Jesus was with them before and after.
· Jesus is with us
Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
2. A Time of Repentance
1 Corinthians 11:27-30 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.
· Unworthy in ourselves (guilt)
· Worthy only in Christ
2a. From our Sins
· Examination & Eating
· Discernment of Christ’s Life
2b. From our Selfishness
· Selflessness of Christ
· Selfish to eat otherwise
· Selfish eats us up!
3. A Time of Renewal
1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
3a. Renewal of Vows
· Vow to live for Christ
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed; 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.
3b. Renewal of Vision
· Vision to live for Christ
· Why we are here … vision of Christ, life, death and resurrection.
· How we are to leave here …
o Living for Jesus in a world without Him
o Living together at the Church of Jesus Christ
3c. Renewal of Victory
· Victory to live for Christ
1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith.
I heard an old, old story …
Take a lesson from the One who was dead but now lives … it’s a time to remember.
Amen!
* Outline borrowed from Alan Carr
