Remembering Jesus: The Significance of the Lord's Supper
Summary
### Summary
This morning, we gathered to reflect on the importance of remembering Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us, particularly through the observance of the Lord's Supper. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, we explored how Jesus instituted this memorial to ensure that we do not forget Him and the price He paid for our redemption. The passage underscores the significance of the bread and the cup as symbols of His body and blood, given for our salvation.
We discussed how easy it is to forget Jesus, even in our daily lives. The Corinthians had forgotten Him by treating the Lord's Supper flippantly, indulging themselves while others went hungry, and using the occasion to exalt themselves. Similarly, we can forget Jesus by reducing Him to a self-help strategy, treating the church as a social club, or letting religious activities replace a genuine relationship with Him. We also forget Him when we marry our faith to political agendas or neglect His lordship over every aspect of our lives.
The Lord's Supper serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and our need to live in a way that honors Him. As we partake in this sacred observance, we are called to remember the immense price He paid for our forgiveness and to commit ourselves anew to living for Him. This act of remembrance is not just a ritual but a profound declaration of our faith and a testimony to the world of Jesus' love and sacrifice.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Remembrance: Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper to help us remember His sacrifice. The bread and the cup symbolize His body and blood, reminding us of the price He paid for our redemption. This act of remembrance is crucial for maintaining our faith and gratitude. [36:41]
2. Forgetting Jesus in Daily Life: Like the Corinthians, we can forget Jesus by treating sacred observances flippantly or selfishly. We must approach the Lord's Supper with reverence, recognizing its significance and the sacrifice it represents. [40:58]
3. Misusing Jesus and the Church: We often forget Jesus by reducing Him to a self-help strategy or treating the church as a social club. The church exists to serve Him, not us. We must remember that our faith is about worshiping God and serving others, not just meeting our own needs. [45:32]
4. Religious Activity vs. Relationship: Engaging in religious activities can sometimes replace a genuine relationship with Jesus. It's essential to pause, pray, and meditate on His Word, ensuring that our actions are rooted in a deep, personal connection with Him. [46:56]
5. Jesus as Lord of All: We forget Jesus when we fail to acknowledge His lordship over every aspect of our lives. He is not just an accessory or a fire insurance policy; He is our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord. We must live in a way that reflects His authority and our commitment to Him. [49:56]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[34:09] - Introduction to Happiness and Leadership
[35:06] - The Science of Happiness
[35:52] - Memory and Forgetfulness
[36:41] - Jesus' Memorial for Us
[37:33] - Reading 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
[38:32] - The Concern of Forgetting Jesus
[39:27] - Jesus' Parents Forgetting Him
[40:13] - The Corinthians' Forgetfulness
[40:58] - Flippant Observance of the Lord's Supper
[41:48] - Selfish and Indulgent Observance
[42:33] - Exalting Themselves Over Others
[44:03] - Forgetting Jesus in Modern Context
[45:32] - Misusing the Church
[46:56] - Religious Activity vs. Relationship
[47:42] - Marrying Faith to Politics
[49:56] - Jesus as Lord of All
[55:05] - Observing the Lord's Supper
[01:06:57] - Prayer for the Bread
[01:08:33] - Prayer for the Cup
[01:10:19] - Welcoming New Members
[01:11:56] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV)
> "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the symbols used in the Lord's Supper, and what do they represent? ([37:33])
2. How did the Corinthians misuse the Lord's Supper according to Paul? ([40:58])
3. What are some modern ways we might forget Jesus in our daily lives, as discussed in the sermon? ([44:03])
4. How does the act of partaking in the Lord's Supper serve as a declaration of our faith? ([49:56])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper on the night He was betrayed? ([37:33])
2. How does treating the church as a social club or self-help strategy diminish our relationship with Jesus? ([45:32])
3. What does it mean to acknowledge Jesus' lordship over every aspect of our lives? ([49:56])
4. How can religious activities sometimes replace a genuine relationship with Jesus? ([46:56])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your approach to the Lord's Supper. Do you treat it with the reverence it deserves? How can you ensure that you remember Jesus' sacrifice during this observance? ([40:58])
2. In what ways might you be reducing Jesus to a self-help strategy or treating the church as a social club? How can you shift your focus to worshiping God and serving others? ([45:32])
3. Think about your daily life. Are there areas where you have neglected Jesus' lordship? What steps can you take to acknowledge His authority in those areas? ([49:56])
4. How can you ensure that your religious activities are rooted in a deep, personal connection with Jesus rather than just going through the motions? ([46:56])
5. Have you ever found yourself marrying your faith to political agendas? How can you keep your focus on Jesus and His teachings rather than getting caught up in political movements? ([47:42])
6. Identify one specific way you can live out the remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice in your daily life this week. How will you commit to this action?
7. Reflect on the last time you participated in the Lord's Supper. How did it impact your faith and relationship with Jesus? What can you do to deepen this experience in the future? ([55:05])
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of Remembrance
Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper to help us remember His sacrifice. The bread and the cup symbolize His body and blood, reminding us of the price He paid for our redemption. This act of remembrance is crucial for maintaining our faith and gratitude. [36:41]
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul recounts the words of Jesus during the Last Supper, emphasizing the importance of remembering His sacrifice. The bread and the cup are not just elements of a ritual; they are profound symbols of Jesus' body and blood, given for our salvation. This act of remembrance is essential for keeping our faith alive and our hearts filled with gratitude for the immense price Jesus paid for our redemption.
As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are called to reflect deeply on Jesus' sacrifice. This is not a mere tradition but a powerful declaration of our faith and a testimony to the world of Jesus' love and sacrifice. By remembering Him in this way, we renew our commitment to live in a manner that honors Him and reflects His love to others.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV): "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
Reflection: How can you make the act of remembering Jesus' sacrifice a more intentional and meaningful part of your daily life?
Day 2: Forgetting Jesus in Daily Life
Like the Corinthians, we can forget Jesus by treating sacred observances flippantly or selfishly. We must approach the Lord's Supper with reverence, recognizing its significance and the sacrifice it represents. [40:58]
The Corinthians had forgotten the true meaning of the Lord's Supper by treating it as a common meal and indulging themselves while others went hungry. This flippant and selfish approach dishonored the sacred observance and the sacrifice it represents. Similarly, in our daily lives, we can forget Jesus by not giving due reverence to the sacred practices and symbols that remind us of His sacrifice.
Approaching the Lord's Supper with reverence means recognizing the immense significance of Jesus' sacrifice and the love it represents. It calls us to examine our hearts and ensure that we are not treating this sacred observance lightly or selfishly. By doing so, we honor Jesus and keep His sacrifice at the forefront of our minds and hearts.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 (ESV): "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."
Reflection: In what ways can you approach the Lord's Supper with greater reverence and awareness of its significance?
Day 3: Misusing Jesus and the Church
We often forget Jesus by reducing Him to a self-help strategy or treating the church as a social club. The church exists to serve Him, not us. We must remember that our faith is about worshiping God and serving others, not just meeting our own needs. [45:32]
In today's world, it is easy to fall into the trap of viewing Jesus as a means to an end, a self-help strategy to improve our lives. Similarly, we can treat the church as a social club, a place to meet our own needs rather than a community dedicated to worshiping God and serving others. This misuse of Jesus and the church leads us away from the true purpose of our faith.
The church exists to glorify God and to serve as His hands and feet in the world. Our faith is not about what we can get out of it but about how we can worship God and serve others. By remembering this, we align our hearts and actions with the true purpose of our faith, honoring Jesus and fulfilling His call to love and serve.
Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from what you can get out of your faith to how you can worship God and serve others through your church community?
Day 4: Religious Activity vs. Relationship
Engaging in religious activities can sometimes replace a genuine relationship with Jesus. It's essential to pause, pray, and meditate on His Word, ensuring that our actions are rooted in a deep, personal connection with Him. [46:56]
Religious activities, such as attending church services, participating in Bible studies, and serving in ministries, are important aspects of our faith. However, these activities can sometimes become a substitute for a genuine relationship with Jesus. It is crucial to ensure that our actions are rooted in a deep, personal connection with Him, rather than merely going through the motions.
Taking time to pause, pray, and meditate on God's Word helps us to cultivate a genuine relationship with Jesus. It allows us to hear His voice, understand His will, and align our hearts with His. By prioritizing our relationship with Jesus over mere religious activity, we ensure that our faith is vibrant, authentic, and deeply rooted in Him.
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus, ensuring that your religious activities are an outflow of that connection?
Day 5: Jesus as Lord of All
We forget Jesus when we fail to acknowledge His lordship over every aspect of our lives. He is not just an accessory or a fire insurance policy; He is our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord. We must live in a way that reflects His authority and our commitment to Him. [49:56]
Acknowledging Jesus as Lord of all means recognizing His authority over every aspect of our lives. He is not just an accessory to our lives or a fire insurance policy to save us from hell. He is our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord, deserving of our full commitment and obedience. When we fail to acknowledge His lordship, we forget who He truly is and the place He deserves in our lives.
Living in a way that reflects Jesus' authority means surrendering every area of our lives to Him. It involves seeking His will in our decisions, obeying His commands, and aligning our actions with His teachings. By doing so, we honor Him as our Lord and demonstrate our commitment to Him in every aspect of our lives.
Colossians 1:16-18 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
1. "He says that the science of happiness has revealed that happiness is not a feeling. It's enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning. And meaning is the why of our lives. Why are we born? Why are we born? What's the significance of that? The purpose for which we exist and live. I think Brooks said that he was a Lutheran, but he identifies the habits for a happier life as faith, family, friends, and meaningful work." [34:09] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus knows very well our propensity to forget and to forget even important things. And so He gave us a memorial to help us remember Him and what He has done for us. I want us to focus this morning on a text in 1 Corinthians chapter 11. As we think about the Lord's Supper, this passage is the oldest written account of the Supper in the New Testament. 1 Corinthians was written before the Gospels. And I want us to look at that passage together as we think about the Lord's Supper. As we think about what Jesus wants us to remember." [36:41] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Now the fact that on the night He was betrayed, Jesus, instructed His disciples, which includes us modern day disciples, to observe this thing in memory of Him, in remembrance of Me, as He says, gives us a little hint. It gives us a clue. It suggests to us that Jesus had a concern that we might forget. That we might forget Him and what He has done for us. The sacrifice He made on our... on our behalf." [38:32] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We forget Jesus when we think the church is just for us to use or to tickle my ears with messages I want to hear rather than messages I need to hear. We forget Jesus when we think the church is only to sing the songs I consider spiritual or that make me feel the way I want to feel and nostalgic for those old songs we used to sing rather than praising God for who He is and what He's done." [45:32] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We also forget Jesus in another way. One of our ministry assistants, Christina Sturgill, came up and offered this one. We do so by letting religious activity become a substitute for investing in and nurturing a relationship with Jesus. By getting so busy doing things, even doing things, even doing good things, that we neglect taking the time to pause and inhale a deep breath of the presence of God and Jesus among us." [46:56] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We forget Jesus by forgetting that He is Lord over every dimension of our lives. He is Lord over every dimension of our lives. We belong to Him. We have been bought with a price, the Bible says, a price that we're going to remember in just a few moments as we observe the Lord's Son. That's what we're going to remember. We no longer belong to ourselves. Jesus isn't just an accessory, something you can add to your life to use whenever you need Him, and to ignore whenever you don't." [49:56] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus knows how easily we get wrapped up in ourselves and forget what he's done for us so he asks us to remember do this in remembrance of me he says what is it that he wants us to remember well the symbols that he used as part of this memorial that he instituted make clear what he wants us to remember i think he gave his body and his blood he gave his very life for us that's the price he paid for us the highest possible price he paid to redeem us to provide for our forgiveness to purchase our redemption to procure our salvation." [50:40] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If it's that important if there's that much that can be lost when we forget a simple password how much more important is it that we remember our lord jesus christ and the price that he paid on the cross to forgive us for our sins to redeem us to to make it possible for us to have a relationship with the god who created us who makes it possible for us to live the life we were created to live that's why jesus christ is so important to us and that's why jesus christ is so important to us." [55:05] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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