IN REMEMBRANCE AND IN HOPE

MATTHEW 26:2

A. WHEN WE READ MATTHEW 26:26-30 WE FIND TWO GREAT MEMORIALS CELEBRATED BY OUR LORD AND HIS DISCIPLES
  1. They took the Passover:
    1. Commemorating ancient Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage - Ex. 13:1-15
    2. It was the time when God slew the first born sons of Egypt, but spared the first born sons in Israel.
  2. Our Lord instituted the new Passover, called "The Lord's Supper":
    1. 1 Cor. 11:23-28
    2. John 13:1-17
B. IN REMEMBRANCE AND IN HOPE
  1. A Memorial:
    1. Of the death of our Lord - "For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lord's death" - 1 Cor. 11:26
    2. He died for our sins - 1 Cor. 15:3; Rom. 14:9; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15
    3. He died for the ungodly - Rom. 5:6
    4. He died for us all - 2 Cor. 5:14
  2. Looking forward in hope:
    1. "Shew the Lord's death till he come" - 1 Cor. 11:26
    2. Thus we see that the Lord's supper is a constant reminder to us that Jesus is coming again - "till He come."
    3. Our hope in the future centers in the second coming of Jesus Christ, our Lord - Tit. 2:13
    4. Two great events mark the second coming of Christ
      1. The first resurrection - John 5:28, 29
      2. The gift of immortality is bestowed upon those who have part in the first resurrection - 1 Cor. 15:50-58; 1 Thess. 4:14-17; John 5:28, 29
    5. That gives double meaning to the celebration of Communion by the believers at the Lord's supper, looking backward and also forward!
  3. "Do this in remembrance of me":
    1. Our Lord knows how short our memory is.
    2. This Communion service is to sharpen it.
C. WHO SHOULD TAKE THE LORD'S SUPPER AND HOW?
  1. Erroneous ideas:
    1. Closed communion - there are those who hold closed communion, reserving this memorial for those of their own persuasion.
    2. Others say, "If I feel that I am ready, I take part in it, otherwise, I will not."
  2. A few thoughts that ought to change our mind:
    1. All who believe that Christ died for them ought to take part in communion.
    2. No Israelite was exempted from the eating of the Passover - Ex. 13:1-30
    3. Christ died for all and for that very reason we have no right to forbid anyone who wants to take the Lord's Supper.
    4. All, who claim that their sins are under the blood of Christ, are to eat the Lord's Passover.
  3. How should we come to the table of the Lord?
    1. Should the officials of the church examine everyone that plans to take the Lord's Supper?
    2. Paul says, "let a man examine himself" - 1 Cor. 11:28
    3. What does self-examination include? It means that I must look into my own heart and life to see how seriously I enter into the communion and fellowship of the suffering Christ!
    4. It means that I get right with God and men before I enter this solemn rite. This we must do to be worthy of its implication.
  4. "And so let him eat":
    1. The Bible does not say, "and so let him stay away from the Lord's Supper", as many do.
    2. How often have I seen people in very deep contemplation during the sermon on the Lord's Supper and then leave the service without taking part in it.
    3. That, brethren, is wrong two ways--to the Lord and to those who refuse the Lord's Supper. It is refusing a blessing meant for all of us.


Design © John Bryant 2011