Sunday Is a Day for Showing the Lord's Death (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Introduction:
1. This morning we pointed out from the Scriptures that "Sunday is to be a day of remembrance." a. The Lord's Supper is to be eaten "in remembrance of Him." b. According to Acts 20:7, "the first day of the week" [Sunday] is the time for eating the Lord's Supper. 2. This evening we are concentrating on the fact that "Sunday is a day for showing the Lord's death" (1 Corinthians 11:26). 3. In our lesson we are covering a number of details that relate to the Lord's death. 4. Let us begin by showing how . . . Discussion: I. THE LORD'S DEATH INVOLVED GREAT SUFFERING
A. Jesus knew in advance what would happen to Him (Matthew 20:17-19). B. Jesus was troubled before His arrest (Matthew 26:36-39; Luke 22:41-44; Hebrews 5:7). C. Jesus was severely abused during His trials (Matthew 26:67-68; 27:26, 29-31). D. Jesus was executed by crucifixion (Mark 15:25). E. After approximately 6 hours, Jesus died (Mark 15:34-37). F. The Lord's suffering helps us to appreciate how . . . II. THE LORD'S DEATH INVOLVED GOD'S GRACE AND LOVE
A. We learn from Hebrews 2:9 that God demonstrated His grace when Jesus died. 1. The first 2 chapters of Hebrews show how Jesus is superior to the angels. 2. According to Hebrews 2:9, Jesus "was made a little lower than the angels." 3. There was a reason for this -- "for the suffering of death." 4. Note: Jesus tasted death for every man "by the grace of God." 5. The writer showed in vs.14-15 how we are blessed because Jesus died. B. We learn from Romans 5:6-8 that God demonstrated His love when Jesus died. 1. Jesus did not die for us because we deserved such a sacrifice. 2. He died: a. "for the ungodly" (vs.6) b. "while we were yet sinners" (vs.8). 3. Paul continued in vs.9-11 by showing how we are blessed because Jesus died. C. The Lord's death involved: 1. great suffering on His behalf 2. grace and love on God's behalf. Conclusion:
1. The passages we have examined, as well as many others, reveal the details of the Lord's death that we show each Sunday when we eat His Supper. 2. In closing, let us observe from Romans 6:3-7 how we contact Jesus' death to receive salvation from sin.
