Sermon on 15 December 2024 by Ps Justin
Introduction
Every time we partake in Holy Communion, we remember our Lord’s death on the cross. By proclaiming the Lord’s death on the cross, we remember the purpose of His first coming and we look forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Message
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; 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.” 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.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
In the Old Testament, there are several accounts of how God wanted His people to remember His covenant. God’s covenant with Noah is in Genesis 9:11. In Genesis 17:10, God wanted Abraham to keep his promise by circumcision. In Joshua 4:7, God instructed that memorial stones be placed in the Jordan river.
What about the New Testament? We are supposed to remember the forgiveness of sin, and deliverance from anger, frustration and anxiety. But many have forgotten what Jesus had commanded us to do. Jesus simply wanted us to remember Him.
Jesus wanted us to acknowledge His truth and His way, by living out the truth and having victory over sin. He wanted us to walk humbly and to be obedient. Modern worldly wisdom encourages us to live as we like. But the bible teaches us the opposite. God looks at our hearts. He wants to be a witness to His truth on the cross. He wants us to give testimony to the triumphant cross. The empty tomb represents life.
Remember Him, by proclaiming the cross, the death, and the blood which washes us clean, white as snow. Jesus said that His primary purpose in His first coming was to die for the sins of the world (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Luke 19:10).
We have been redeemed. The bread is His body; true redemption with Himself (Titus 2:14). The blood is the new covenant; it cleanses us from our sins (Matthew 26:29). Passover celebrations involved drinking four cups of wine (Exodus 6:6-7). Remember His death, His blood, His cross. Remember the truth about sin. The wages of sin is death. Salvation is not given through anything
except through Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, the life. No one goes to the Father except through Jesus. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ.
We receive forgiveness, therefore we need to forgive. Forgiveness must be manifested in our lives, otherwise the root of bitterness will grow. We declare our faith publicly through water baptism. We are delivered from sin.
Closing
Jesus is an atoning lamb of God, a saviour (John 1:29). We are to proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. By doing this, we remember Jesus Christ.
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