Sunday Is to Be a Day of Remembrance (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Introduction:
1. According to these verses, when Jesus gave instructions for His Supper, He said, "this do in remembrance of me." 2. Each time we eat the Lord's Supper,: a. we remember the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf b. we show the Lord how much we appreciate His sacrifice. 3. In our lesson we are emphasizing the fact that "Sunday is to be a day of remembrance." 4. The first point we need to make is that . . . Discussion: I. THE LORD'S SUPPER PROVIDES A TIME FOR REMEMBRANCE
A. In addition to 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, let us read: 1. from the Gospels -- Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; and Luke 22:19-20 2. from the epistles -- 1 Corinthians 10:16. B. These passages reveal some important details, including: 1. the elements of the Lord's Supper -- unleavened bread and fruit of the vine a. Concerning the bread: 1) Jesus said, "this is my body" 2) it is "the communion of the body of Christ." b. Concerning the fruit of the vine: 1) Jesus said, "this is my blood of the new testament" 2) it is "the communion of the blood of Christ." 2. the purpose for eating the Lord's Supper a. It is to be eaten in His memory. b. We "shew [proclaim] the Lord's death." c. According to 1 Corinthians 11:27, 29, a failure to eat the Lord's Supper properly is a serious offense. 3. that the Lord's Supper is to be eaten in the Father's kingdom [the church]. a. Eating the Lord's Supper is an act of Christian worship. b. The Lord is present when His people assemble (Matthew 18:20). C. We have seen that the Lord's Supper provides a time for remembrance. D. The next point we need to make is that . . . II. THE LORD'S SUPPER IS TO BE EATEN ON A PARTICULAR DAY
A. It is not recorded that Jesus commanded a specific time when His Supper is to be eaten, but He did say that it would be eaten in His Father's kingdom. B. Let us keep in mind that Jesus instructed the apostles to teach His followers to "observe all things that He had commanded them" (Matthew 28:19-20). C. We learn from: 1. Acts 2:42 that the members of the Jerusalem congregation were steadfast in [gave constant attention to] eating the Lord's Supper 2. Acts 20:6-7 that the Christians in Troas ate the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week [the apostle Paul was present to endorse this practice]. D. The Lord's Supper is to be eaten on the first day of the week [Sunday] when the church assembles for worship. Conclusion:
1. Jesus instructed His followers to eat His Supper so we would always remember His sacrifice. 2. When we eat the Supper properly we show our love and appreciation to the Lord for the death that He suffered on our behalf. 3. Let us always remember, and never forget, that "Sunday is to be a day of remembrance."
