Remembering Jesus

REMEMBERING JESUS

1Corinthians 11:24

1 Corinthians 11:24 KJV: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Introduction:

1 Jesus was the greatest person who ever lived. Everything about Him was great: His person, work, influence, etc.

a More books written, songs sung and discourses given regarding Jesus than all other men combined. Joh 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

2. To remember Jesus is the most important responsibility of life.

a. The tragedy of forgetting God is suggested in Jeremiah 18:15 KJV:

Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;

Hosea 4:6 KJV: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

b. a continual consciousness of Jesus is necessary to successful Christian living; happiness and peace of mind are impossible without it.

3. In the past God impressed upon His people the importance of remembering Him.

a. At the crossing of Jordan the memorial stones erected. Joshua 4:1-7.

b. The feasts:

1) Passover B They remembered the “passover” of the destroying angel in Egypt, when the first born in their families was saved. After that, the first born of Israel belonged to God.

2) Pentecost B feast of weeks - remembering that God had blessed them in the harvest of their grain

3) Tabernacles B Their thanksgiving - remember that God promised to protect their homes and to bless them.

c. B reminded Israel of God=s goodness.

4. There are four things regarding Jesus we must always remember.

1. We Must Remember His Life

A. He left heaven and came into this world.

1. 2Co 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

B The life he lived here was sinless.

1. 1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

2. Hebrews 4:15

C. His life becomes a model for us.

1. 1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

2. We Must Remember the Sacrifice of Jesus

A. What was involved in the sacrifice of Jesus?

1. A death B Remember that Jesus died outside Jerusalem about 2000 years ago. The Lamb of God was slain, His blood was shedB John 19:31-37.

2. A death of suffering B Some deaths are easy, but not crucifixion.

[Describe briefly the excruciating pain of the nails, heat, thirst, etc.]

3. a death of humiliation B The six trials were but mockery; scouring; crown of thorns and spit; between two robbers, etc. B

a. Acts 8:33 KJV: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth..

4. A vicarious death B

a. Isaiah 53:4 KJV: Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

b. Romans 5:8 KJV: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

B. God has provided us with means of remember this sacrifice.

1. The New Testament record of His death.

a. We are told that the angels desired to look into His sufferings B

1 Peter 1:11 KJV: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

b. What an honor for us to see and know.

c. Ninety-three verses in the four gospels describe the crucifixion.

2. The plan of salvation.

a. The symbolism of repentance and baptism is a reminded of Jesus= death, burial and resurrection. Romans 6:3 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

3. Christian worship

a. The songs we sing: AWhen I Survey the Wondrous Cross,@ AOn a Hill Far Away...”