Sermon for the Watford church of Christ, Remembrance Sunday 2019

“The Most Important Memory”, Luke 22.14-23

Introduction

  • QUESTION: What is your sweetest childhood memory?
  • Why do we remember these events? Emotional connection.
  • Why did God give us a memory?
  • Assertion: To enable us to create a better future
  • A better future depends on a healthily remembered past
  • Question: What methods did God use to help his people remember the right things in the OT?
  • Question: What methods did God use to help his people remember the right things in the NT?
    • Only thing is communion! Why?

The Lord’s Supper, Luke 22.14-23

“When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God.” 

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.” (Luke 22:14–23 NIV11)

  • QUESTION: What is the context for this meal?

Discussion

Question for discussion in small groups: “Why do you think God gave us the Lord’s Supper as the one and only repeated act to help us remember Jesus?”

  1. Serving, no status, vv24ff, Jn 13 – washing feet
  2. Love, Jn 13 – washing feet, “Greater love has no one…” Jn 15.13
  • Material remembrance about the cross rather than the resurrection.
  • Why?
  • Because the love of Christ is more primary than the power demonstrated in the resurrection.
  • This is the most important thing to remember this week

Conclusion 

  • Memories we hold on to shape our future
  • Communion shapes our future week
  • What do you admire about Jesus that you want to remember this week?
  • “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1Pet 2:9–10

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John