Remembering Christ: The Power of Communion and Unity

Devotional

Day 1: The Everlasting Power of Christ's Sacrifice

The blood of Jesus is not just a historical event but a living testament to His enduring power and grace. It symbolizes the new covenant, a promise of salvation and strength that we receive daily. This covenant is a reminder that His sacrifice was not in vain but a continuous source of empowerment for believers. By remembering His blood, we are urged to live in a way that honors His sacrifice, allowing it to transform our lives and guide our actions. The act of communion is a sacred moment where we are called to reflect on this profound truth and let it shape our faith journey. [53:14]

Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Reflection: In what ways can you allow the power of Christ's sacrifice to influence your daily decisions and interactions with others today?

Day 2: The Guiding Role of Memory

Our memories, both joyful and challenging, play a crucial role in shaping our spiritual journey. They serve as reminders of God's faithfulness and His presence in our lives, even when we were unaware. By reflecting on past experiences, we can see how God has guided us through trials and blessed us in moments of joy. This understanding encourages us to trust Him in present and future challenges, knowing that He has been and will always be with us. Our memories are not just personal recollections but testimonies of God's unwavering love and guidance. [01:01:30]

Deuteronomy 8:2 (ESV): "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

Reflection: Think of a specific memory where you experienced God's guidance. How can this memory encourage you to trust Him in a current challenge?

Day 3: Learning from Life's Experiences

Life's experiences, especially those before knowing Christ, are valuable lessons that reveal God's hand in our lives. Even when we were unaware, God was working, guiding us, and preparing us for a relationship with Him. These experiences remind us of His constant presence and the grace He extends to us. By reflecting on our past, we can see how God has been faithful and merciful, leading us to a deeper understanding of His love. This realization should inspire us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God is always with us, even when our backs are against the wall. [01:05:11]

Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."

Reflection: Reflect on a challenging experience before you knew Christ. How did God use that experience to draw you closer to Him?

Day 4: Unity in the Body of Christ

The early church in Corinth faced challenges of division and cliques, allowing worldly influences to disrupt their unity. This serves as a cautionary tale for us today, reminding us of the importance of focusing on our shared faith in Christ. Unity in the church is essential to truly honor Him in our gatherings. We are called to be genuine in our faith, avoiding divisions and cliques, and to remember the salvation we have received. By doing so, we allow our faith to transform our behavior and interactions with others, fostering a community that reflects Christ's love and grace. [01:10:51]

Ephesians 4:3-4 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call."

Reflection: How can you contribute to unity within your church community today, avoiding divisions and fostering genuine relationships?

Day 5: Daily Remembrance of Christ

Remembering Christ is not limited to the act of communion but is a daily practice that should permeate every aspect of our lives. Whether facing trials, making decisions, or going about our daily routines, we must keep Christ at the forefront of our minds. His sacrifice, love, and grace are the foundation of our faith, and by remembering Him, we find strength, guidance, and hope. This daily remembrance is a call to live a life that reflects His love and grace, allowing His presence to guide us in all that we do. [01:20:35]

Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally remember Christ in your daily routine today?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound significance of remembering Christ, particularly through the act of communion. The blood of Jesus, which never loses its power, serves as a constant reminder of His sacrifice and the new covenant established for us. This sacred act is not merely a ritual but a powerful reminder of the grace and salvation we have received. We delved into the importance of memory, both in our spiritual lives and in our daily experiences. Memories shape us, guide us, and remind us of the lessons we've learned, whether through joyous moments or challenging trials.

We reflected on how our past experiences, especially those before knowing Christ, can serve as powerful reminders of God's grace and mercy. Even before we acknowledged Him, God was working in our lives, guiding us and making a way out of no way. This realization should inspire us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God is always with us, even when our backs are against the wall.

The message also addressed the challenges faced by the early church in Corinth, as they allowed worldly influences to create divisions and cliques within the church. This serves as a cautionary tale for us today, reminding us to focus on unity and the true purpose of our gatherings: to remember and honor Christ. We are called to be genuine in our faith and to remember the salvation we have received, allowing it to transform our behavior and interactions with others.

Ultimately, the call is to remember Him in all aspects of our lives. Whether facing trials, making decisions, or simply going about our daily routines, we must keep Christ at the forefront of our minds. His sacrifice, love, and grace are the foundation of our faith, and by remembering Him, we find strength, guidance, and hope.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of the Blood: The blood of Jesus is a powerful symbol of His sacrifice and the new covenant. It serves as a reminder of the strength and grace we receive daily, urging us to live in remembrance of Him. [53:14]
2. The Role of Memory: Our memories, both good and bad, shape our lives and guide our decisions. They remind us of God's past faithfulness and encourage us to trust Him in present and future challenges. [61:30]
3. Lessons from Experience: Life's experiences, especially those before knowing Christ, teach us valuable lessons. They reveal God's hand in our lives, even when we were unaware, and remind us of His constant presence and guidance. [65:11]
4. Unity in the Church: The early church's struggles with division remind us of the importance of unity. We must focus on our shared faith in Christ, avoiding cliques and divisions, to truly honor Him in our gatherings. [70:51]
5. Remembering Christ Daily: Remembering Christ is not limited to communion but is a daily practice. In every situation, we must keep Him at the center, drawing strength and guidance from His love and sacrifice. [01:20:35]
** [80:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[53:14] - The Power of the Blood
[57:48] - Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 11
[58:53] - Prayer for Anointing
[60:19] - Remember Him
[61:30] - The Role of Memory
[62:30] - Learning the Hard Way
[65:11] - God's Guidance Before Salvation
[66:35] - Memories of Life with Christ
[69:10] - Paul's Reminder to the Corinthians
[70:51] - Unity and Division in the Church
[73:24] - Genuine Faith and Relationships
[76:51] - Remembering the Sacrifice
[80:35] - Daily Remembrance of Christ
[87:42] - Invitation to Salvation and Rededication

Sermon Clips

1. "All I came to tell somebody today is important to remember him. Maybe there's someone here today that can remember when the Lord saved your life. Maybe there's someone here today that can remember how God has kept you and how he's blessed you even before you gave your life to him. God blessed you because you remember that going back is never an option for you. I wish I had somebody today say I can't go back because I remember. I can't go back because I remember how hard it was. I can't go back because I remember how difficult it is that sometimes it's tempting to go back but baby I'm not going back. God has been too good to me." [01:07:37] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "There are some people that you'll never talk to again because you've learned from experience that they mean you no good. just trying to keep it real. There are some places you won't go no more because you've learned from experience that that ain't the place for me. There are some things that we've learned from experience that teaches us today. That I know how to navigate this situation because I have some experiences in my life that teaches me how to get around. I wish I had somebody in here that have learned some things by experience. I can tell you for myself, because of some of the things that I've went through in my life, and I always remember how I was in a difficult situation and I didn't know how in the world I was going to get myself out of it. And in that moment, the Lord stepped in. And made a way for me out of no way." [01:05:11] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "He said, do this. In remembrance that we have to remember him in everything that we do. And it's not only when we come to the table, but there's some things you're going to face this week you're going to have to remember him. There's some things you're going to have to go through next month and you're going to have to remember him. There's some things that's going to happen in the beginning of 2025. And you're going to have to remember him. There's something going to happen right after church today, and you're going to have to remember him that there's some things that are going to happen in our lives that we cannot remember who we used to be. We need to remember the one that saved us, the one that healed us, the one that deliver us." [01:20:35] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The Lord who had a plan for my life, trying to teach me that he'll never leave me and he'll never forsake me. And so I've learned some things that even when my back is against the wall, the God that we serve, he'll make a way out of no way. I just need about seven witnesses that can testify that the Lord is a way maker. I will never forget the day that the Lord saved me and changed my whole life. Amen. And although I have memories of the life I had before Christ, the memories of my life with Christ keeps me from going back to where I used to be and who I used to be." [01:06:35] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Paul said, the problem is the church has forgotten to be the church. You are sitting next to someone who was saved from something. It might not be your something, it's something. I know they don't look like it, but they've been saved from something. They've been delivered from something. And he says, because y'all are so divided and so cliquish. You have forgotten what it means to come to this table. He said that when you come together as a church, he said, I don't know what you come together for, but it's not the Lord's Supper. I don't know what y'all coming together for, but it's not to share in the suffering and remembering of what Christ has done for us." [01:13:24] (112 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Because Paul says to them, he says, listen to me. For I received from the Lord Jesus what I also going to deliver to you. That I'm not going to give you anything that I didn't get from Jesus. The Lord Jesus, on the night, the same night, when he was betrayed, he took bread. And when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, this is my body, which is for you. I wish I had time. That this wasn't for him. It was for you. That what Paul is trying to tell them is that Jesus didn't die. For himself. He died for you. That Jesus didn't bleed for himself. He bled for you. He said, this is my body, which is for you." [01:18:10] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Your focus can't be on the distraction. Your focus gotta be on him. Hadn't he been good to you? Hadn't he kept you? Hadn't he blessed you? So remember him. Because the God I serve, he specializes in saving wretches. Yeah, like me. I know, I know. Y'all not wretched. Y'all never been wretched. You just so saved. Came out your mama's womb speaking in tongues. But some of us been wretched. And we're only here because of his grace. And if we're not careful, we'll forget where the Lord has brought us from. matter where I am, no matter what I go through, I'll always remember him keeps me through it all." [01:28:24] (85 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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