IN REMEMBRANCE (2022 version) Maundy Thursday
Text: I Corinthians 11:23-26
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, (24) and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." (25) In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." (26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (NRSV).
When we think about remembering someone who is dead, we tend to think about an epitaph. An epitaph is an inscription on someone’s tombstone. It sounds like Jesus is giving us an epitaph that He wants to be remembered by when He tells us to remember Him at the Last Supper. The words that Jesus is speaking to us are more than just an epitaph, they are a celebration of His resurrection--His victory over sin, it wages of death and the grave! These words remind us of our legacy! The legacy that Jesus is passing on to us is one that must be carried out by remaining active by living out all that Jesus taught us about being His disciples.
All of us realize that we are not perfect and that there is humanly no way possible for us to live as if we are. But, it is perfection that we are striving for as we strive to live out all that Jesus taught us about being His disciples.
Our legacy involves living out what we believe in our thanksgiving, holiness and harmony.
THANKSGIVING
Do we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving? It is not always easy offer ourselves in praise in a way that is praiseworthy.
1) Applause: Maybe your Heavenly Father designed you to play a role that doesn’t get much applause. Author and pastor John Ortberg once asked — facetiously, we suspect — “I know I’m supposed to be humble, but what if no one notices?” If you have a behind–the–scenes assignment where you’re assisting others and not getting much glory, can you still be content? The question is, who are we doing these good deeds for: for ourselves, for others or for God? https://www.proclaimsermons.com/illustration.asp? loggedIn=Yes&ID=Wil2850260583&illust_type=category&illust_cat=Praise Do we do the right thing for the wrong reason? Isn’t that the same way the Pharisees did things? Do we not miss the mark of our calling (2 Timothy 1:9) when we seek the praise of others instead of giving God the praise? 2 Timothy 1:9 reminds us that [God] “… who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began (ESV).
2) Substituting image: Herb Miller once said, “Because we wish others to think well of us, we are prone to substitute image for action”. (Herb Miller. Actions Speak Louder Than Verbs. Nashville: Abingdon Press , 1989, p. 123). Do you remember what Jesus said about that? Jesus said, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36 NIV).
3) Whisperer: Satan is the silent whisperer who subtly tells us that others should take notice of our work. We have to remember that Satan is a liar, a thief who wants to kill, steal, deceive and destroy because he roams a round like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (John 10:10a; John 8:44; II Peter 5:8). That is why Peter tells us to be sober and diligent---watchful (II Peter 5:8).
When it comes to praise, do we give God our best?
1) CPR: “To be successful at anything in life, we need to take the “CPR” Approach. Consistent in our actions, Persistent in our drive, Resistant to setbacks and all those who may tell us we can’t do it”. Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press. Jesus was all three (consistent, persistent and resistant) as He gave God His best while He was here on earth, during his earthly ministry.
2) Second rate: There is always the temptation of doing enough to just get by. There is a difference between going through the motions and going the distance----the extra mile (Matthew 5:41). When it came to our salvation, Jesus went the distance for us because He humbled Himself even to the point of death for us (Philippians 2:8) as the lamb of God who came to take away our sins (John 1:29).
3) Picking up our crosses: When we sincerely offer ourselves in praise in picking up our crosses and following in His footsteps with devotion to God, we are remembering that we are God’s children who were bought with a price (I Corinthians 6:20). When it came to the cross Jesus did not hold anything back!
HOLINESS AND HARMONY
Do we offer ourselves as a Holy and living sacrifice?
Suppose that there a teenage actress who is a Christian. One day she was offered a role on a soap opera. She had agent who was helping her to work out the terms. She did not want to be involved in any scenes that alluded to immoral behavior. At first, everything was promising. Then, it was brought to her attention that her role would be one that would eventually evolve into everything that she was against. She declined the role because she did not want to be associated with that kind of behavior on screen or off the screen that would be degrading to what it means to be a Christian.
Jesus is the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Consider I Peter 1:15: “But just as one who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written “Be holy, because I am holy” (NIV). The One who makes us holy also calls us to a life of holiness. We have been called to make a difference not by blending in but by standing out as Christ’s disciples.
Do we live our lives in harmony with Christ’s offering for us? We will suffer hardships because we are Christians.
1) Salty Christians : Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). The witness of who we are might sting in the lives of those who are not Christian, just as salt stings in a cut.
2) Lamplighter Christians : Our light shines in their darkness and those that repel the light do so because they love the darkness and their deeds are evil (John 3:19,20). Like the lamplighters before the days of electricity, we are called to punch holes in the darkness.
3) Adversity: Christians will sometimes be persecuted because of who we are. In spite of the adversity we will encounter, the Lord will give us what we need to endure in our witness with words through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 10:19 -20). Paul once said that the Lord reminded him that “My [His] grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV).
Mike Warnke who became an evangelist was at one time a Satanist. During the days of the war in Vietnam he joined the navy. It was during his time in boot camp that he became a Christian. There were two others who happened to be Christians who were living in the quarters with him.
They did a third party style of witnessing. One Christian would tell the other about Jesus in Mike Warnke’s presence.
One day, Warnke decided that he had enough. Out of anger he hit one of the Christians in such a way that he tripped and hit his locker. By the time he was through falling his nose was broken and his face was bloody. Warnke gave a stern warning something like, “If you ever mention Jesus around me again, I’ll cut you open like a Christmas turkey”.
The Christian sat there with his broken nose and bloody face said, “But, Mike I got to tell you about Jesus, because He loves you and I love you to”. Warnke was now confused, as he said “You mean to tell me that after I just hit you, that you are going to tell me that you love me?”
The Christian took his hand and ran across his face and then held out his hand and said, “If you are good enough for Jesus, you are good enough for me”.
Not long after that Mike Warnke later had a quiet moment in a broom closet where he read some of the Bible and received the gift of salvation.
(Quoted and paraphrased from Mike Warnke’s testimony from his book (The Satan Seller) and tapes).
It is by Jesus’ wounds that we are healed (Isaiah 53:5, Hebrews 12:13, James 5:16). Consider I Peter 2:20-21: “But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (NIV). Yes, it is true, we may not be physically beaten most of the time for our faith. Yet, it is also true that we will sometimes be persecuted or ridiculed if nothing else.
When we celebrate communion, we are celebrating our union with Christ. It is not just an event, its a lifestyle!
When we celebrate communion in remembrance of who Jesus is as our Lord and Savior, we are remembering that we were bought with a price. We are called to be His disciples and to remember this sacrament and the sacrifice that Jesus made for us every time we celebrate Holy Communion until Christ comes again.
When Jesus comes again, our suffering will cease. Until then, we need to remember who we are and whose we are. We need to be contagious Christians--- salt of the earth and the light of the world. We also need to live our lives in such a way that others will see our good deeds and give God the glory (Matthew 5: 16).
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
