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...”
b. The Lord’s Supper.
1) The bread and fruit of the vine.
By Christ redeemed, In Christ restored,
We keep the memory adored,
And show the death of our dear Lord,
Until He come.”
C. As we remember the sacrifice of Jesus, we are brought to a deeper sense of humility, gratitude and love.
3. We Must Remember the Presence of Jesus
A. Christians may be assured of the daily presence of Jesus. – Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
1. We have His promiseB Matt. 28:20
Hebrews 13:5 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, AI will never leave you nor forsake you.
Act 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
2. We believe His omnipresenceB As God He can always be with usB cf.
1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.
3. We know by experience. Jesus has shown His nearness to us so many times.
B. Christians must remember the power of Jesus= daily presence.
1 So often we do not realize and utilize the power of His presence. We remember His presence on Sunday but forget it on Monday.
2. Think what we have accessible to us in the presence of Jesus:
a. All power. Matt. 28:19; cf.
Ephesians 3:20 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Why fear with this power available?
All wisdomB
Colossians 2:3 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
. Why live in doubt?
All wealth B
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Why be anxious?
3. A daily consciousness of His presence will make for holiness, confidence, happiness, etc.
C. In view of these blessings, we should remember His presence:
1. In times of temptationB
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
2. In times of doubt B
2 Timothy 1:12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.
3. In times of loneliness B Matt. 28:20;
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, will never leave you nor forsake you.
4. In times of fear B - Heb. 13:5f
5. Paul=s secret of successful living was the presence of Christ. He walked, talked and worked with Christ
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
. (Ill. aboard the ship, Acts 27, his prayer, and Jesus= presence.)
4. We Must Remember Jesus Is Coming Back Again
A. The early Christians remembered vividly the promises of his return:
1. It was promised by:
a. Jesus B John 14:1-3;
b. Angels B Acts 1:10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
c Apostles B Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
2. Some misunderstood it but they remembered it B cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,
3. The fervor of the early church lay in part to their belief in and hope for an early return of Jesus.
B. We ought to remember that the second coming of Jesus is imminent.
1. It was not imminent in the first century B 2Thess. 2:1-12
2. If the man of sin has been revealed, Christ can come and may come any day and any hour.
3. Death is also imminent for everyone of us. B
Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
a. A consciousness of this fact ought to help prepare us for the Lord=s coming.
C. We as Christians ought to anticipate the joy of the second coming of Jesus.
1 It will be a time of resurrection -
Philippians 3:21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2. It will be a time of reward
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
3. It will be a time of reunion with Christian friends.
a. Out on the hill of that wonderful country,
Happy, contented and free,
Loved ones are waiting and watching my coming;
Heaven holds all to me.@
Conclusion:
1. Let us do our best to forget the unimportant things of life, and to remember Jesus= past sacrifice in our behalf.
a. Let us remember his present nearness to us...
b. And let us remember His future coming back for us.
2. Remembering these truths will keep us close to Him and prepare us for life with Him.
