Purposeful Memorials
05/29/05
Intro: This weekend, we celebrate Memorial Day. It is a day set aside to remember those who gave their lives in defense or our nation. As important as it is that we recognize these men and women of honor, we want to reflect today on the most significant memorial of all.
Jesus Christ has left us a Memorial to remember all that he did for us. It is the memorial of the Lord’s Supper or Communion.
Memorials have always been significant for the people of God to recall his goodness and blessing in their lives.
When God had led the people across the Jordan River out of Egypt, he told the nation to take stones and build a memorial so that it would be passed down to generations how God had rescued his people.
“We will us these stones to build a memorial. In the future, your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a permanent memorial among the people of Israel.” Joshua 4:6-7 (NLT)
Communion can be defined as the memorial of Christ.
On the night before Jesus died, as he had dinner with his disciples, he gave them a way to remember all that he was going to do for them. He passed along a memorial celebration of the new life he was giving to all who follow him.
“Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, given to you. Eat it in my memory.’ He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you.”
Luke 22:19-20(The Message)
Jesus gave us a memorial to remember all that he has done for us. Followers of Christ are called to celebrate this in order to never forget the sacrifice of Jesus.
Paul later instructed the church on how they were to participate in the communion.
“Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper and why it is so centrally important. I received my instructions for the Master himself and passed them on to you. The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread. Having given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, broken for you. Do this to remember me.’ After supper, he did the same thing with the cup: ‘This cup is my blood, my new covenant with you. Each time you drink this cup, remember me.’ What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat this bread and every time you drink this cup, you reenact in your words and actions the death of the Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again until the Master returns. You must never let familiarity breed contempt.” I Corinthians 11:23-26(The Message)
Paul reminds us of the significance of communion.
I. The communion is significant because it reminds me I am forgiven.
The death of Christ is the most significant death in human history. Through it all of humanity was able to receive the forgiveness of sin.
Sin breaks the heart of God. Yet it is the one human condition that we all have in common.
Sin is simply choosing self over Jesus.
“For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23(NLT)
The death of Jesus gave us the opportunity to be forgiven by God.
“He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven.” Ephesians 1:7(NLT)
“God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong.” I John 1:9 (God’s Word)
We are forgiven of our sins by admitting our sins to God and receiving his forgiveness.
What better Memorial Day can you have than to give your heart to Christ?
If you would like to begin a new relationship with Jesus, pray this prayer with me:
Dear Jesus,
I ask you to forgive my sin. I pray that you would come into my life. I trust you to give me a new life and I commit to life for you the rest of my life. Thank you for forgiving me, Amen.
II. The communion is significant because it makes me free from condemnation.
Sin brings guilt and shame in our lives.
After you have been forgiven by Jesus, you are no longer held in judgment by God for your sin.
“So those who are believers in Christ Jesus can no longer be condemned." Romans 8:1(God’s Word)
Satan will do anything to convince you that God did not forgive you.
As a follower of Jesus, condemnation in you life comes from Satan.
“It has happened at last—the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ! For the Accuser has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuse our brothers and sisters before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10(NLT)
You do not have to life under condemnation.
Jesus has set you FREE!!!!
III. The communion is significant because it reminds me I am a friend of God.
Jesus said that he no longer sees us as slaves, but as friends.
“Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:13-15(NIV)
Jesus calls you his friend.
Three ways to develop your friendship with Christ:
1) Read the bible.
The bible is meant to help us learn how God wants us to live. His word helps us to understand how God desires us to live for the rest of our lives.
“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correction our mistakes, training us to live God’s way.” 2 Timothy 3:16(The Message)
The bible comes from God.
The bible shows us the reality of life.
The bible shows us our failures.
The bible teaches us things God’s way.
• If you do not have a bible, we have some on the table in the lobby for you to pick up.
• Read it everyday.
• Begin in the book of John and read 10 verses a day.
2) Talk to God continually.
“Never stop praying.” Thessalonians 5:17
Praying is simply talking to God.
3) Let others know that Christ is your friend.
“Those who accepted what Peter said were baptized. That day about 3,000 people were added {to the group}.” Acts 2:41(God’s Word)
“That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up.”
Acts 2:41(The Message)
• If you have received Jesus as your friend, let people know by being baptized
• Sign up for your baptism on June 5
IV. The Remembrance of the Memorial
The bread and the cup represent the body and blood of Jesus. We are going to participate in the communion to remember:
• Christ has forgiven us our sin.
• Christ has freed us from condemnation.
• Christ has made us his friend.
Pass out the bread and the cup.
Song
‘Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that you have forgiven me of my sin. I confess my sin to you and allow you wash me with your grace. Thank you for not holding my failures against me. Thank you for being my friend. Please help me to have the courage to identify with those who are in your family. Thank you for what this brad and this cup represent. Amen.
Introduce card and offering. Have everyone fill out to pass in.
Offering
Song
Closing Prayer
