In Remembrance September 20

Think About It … In what ways do you observe or celebrate important past events in your life? Today we want to look at a method of remembrance which Jesus instituted – we look at how He and the disciples celebrated the Last Supper – we consider the meaning of the specific elements of this celebration

Listen for a prediction Jesus makes in these verses. Luke 22:14 – 16 (NIV) When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. [15] And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. [16] For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."

Remember Jesus’ Suffering When you know you are about to suffer some kind of pain, what becomes your focus? Jesus was well aware that He was going to suffer a horrible death. Why did Jesus eagerly desire to eat the Passover with His disciples? What do you remember about why Passover was celebrated originally?

Remember Jesus’ Suffering In what ways does sharing a meal bind people together? What do you imagine it would have been like to have been one of the participants at that first Lord’s Supper, to have heard those men sing a hymn, to have looked Christ in the eyes? What do you suppose Jesus meant when He said, “I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”?

Listen for Jesus’ description of the symbolism of parts of the meal. Luke 22:17 – 20 (NIV) After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. [18] For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." [19] And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,

Listen for Jesus’ description of the symbolism of parts of the meal. "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." [20] In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Remember Jesus’ Sacrifice What did Jesus instruct His disciples to do in remembrance of Him? Suppose you were asked to explain the Lord’s Supper to someone who knew nothing about it, what would you say? What was the significance of Jesus using two of the basic staples of Jewish life, bread and wine, to serve as perpetual reminders of His sacrifice on our behalf?

Remember Jesus’ Sacrifice Why is a spirit of reverence important when partaking of the Lord’s Supper? Consider the following quote by William Willimon, “We have celebrated the Lord’s Supper as a funereal, doleful memorial to a departed hero rather than the joyous Sunday resurrection meal it is intended to be.” Agree or disagree? The Lord’s Supper is a Funeral The Lord’s Supper is a Celebration

Remember Jesus’ Sacrifice How does it make you feel to realize that Christ’s body was battered and broken because of your sin, that Jesus shed His blood on the cross for you? Observance of the Lord’s Supper can turn into a meaningless religious ritual if believers fail to approach it thoughtfully and reverently. To avoid this, how should a person prepare for Communion?

Listen for Paul’s concerns for how the Lord’s Supper was celebrated in Corinth. 1 Cor. 11:17-22 (NIV) In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. [18] In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. [19] No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval.

Listen for Paul’s concerns for how the Lord’s Supper was celebrated in Corinth. [20] When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, [21] for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. [22] Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!

Abuse of the Lord’s Supper What specific problems did Paul relate in his letter? According to Paul what did such actions imply (verse 22)

Abuse of the Lord’s Supper Consider also, 1 Cor. 11:27-28 (NIV) Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. [28] A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. What actions today could result in our abusing the Lord’s Supper? How should a person prepare for Communion to avoid abuse?

Application How will you prepare for Communion next time so that you will appreciate more the provision Jesus made for you? – Ask God to show you unconfessed sin – Confess and repent of that sin – Meditate on how much Christ did for you when He died on the cross and rose from the dead

Application How can you say thank you to Jesus each day this week for the suffering He endured for you? – Each time you pick up a piece of bread this week, think of Christ’s broken body – Thank Him for dying for you

Application If you know a new Christian, tell them about how much Communion means to you and why it is important – In some ways it is a funeral, it focuses on Christ’s death – In other ways, it is a celebration, it focuses on what Christ’s death accomplished

In Remembrance September 20