Remember Me

                                        Scripture Text  1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NKJV)
²³ For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
²⁴ and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
²⁵ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

Intro: The apostle Paul tells us in these verses of scripture that the Lord Jesus repeated twice something that was very important to Him as His people were observing and honoring His Supper. Jesus said we are to remember Him, His life, death, and love for us.

      Jesus doesn’t want us to forget the tremendous price He paid for our salvation.

I. We remember His life. (John 1:12, 16) John 1:14 (NKJV)  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

 a. Jesus left the glories of Heaven there with the Father and came to this earth as a man to give salvation “to as many as would receive Him and the right to become children of God” so we could spend an eternity with Him and the Father in Heaven. (v:12)

     He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10b) He came to show us the love, mercy, grace, and compassion of the Father toward mankind.

    John 1:16 (NLT) From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

II. We remember His death. Luke 23:33-36 (NKJV) ³³ And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. ³⁴ Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. ³⁵ And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." Luke 23:44-46 (NKJV) ⁴⁴ Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. ⁴⁵ Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' " Having said this, He breathed His last.

 a. Jesus died a horrible death as a common criminal in our place as our perfect sacrifice so we could be saved and made right with God. Jesus died so we could have peace with God through Him. (Rom. 5:1) It is very important we remember His death on the cross for us. By His death He opened the door to God’s throne,salvation and Heaven. He paid the enormous price for our sins so we might be saved and healed. Isaiah 53:5-6 (NKJV) ⁵ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement (punishment) for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

III. We remember His love. John 15:9-13 (NKJV) ⁹ "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

      ¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
¹³ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

     When we observe the Lord’s Supper, we remember Jesus proved His love for us in leaving the glories of Heaven to come to earth to live a perfect life. He completely fulfilled the law of God for mankind. By living the perfect life, He became the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind when He died on the cross to pay the price for our sins against a Holy God.

     He gave up His life on the cross for us that we could be free from God’s judgment and wrath. There is no greater love than Jesus had for us when He laid down His life for His friends. Jesus’ love for us is the same love as the Father has for Him.

  Invitation: If you do not know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, now is the time to ask Him to forgive and save you from the penalty of your sins. Then you too will have a home in Heaven!