THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME
Luke 22: 19 – 20 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Introduction:
I. THIS Do in Remembrance of Me
A. “This” requires an example – an evidence of factual answer to “What is ‘THIS’?”
1. He took bread
2. He gave thanks
3. He took the cup
4. He gave thanks
5. 1 Corinthians 11:23 – 25 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
B. “This” will permit NOTHING ELSE!
1. “This” is a singular article that limits the element to the exactness of its identity.
2. When we note the BREAD, we note it was unleavened bread. These were the days of the Passover where such was the order of God!
3. When we note the cup, we note it is “the fruit of the vine” (Matt. 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18). In every respect we find this phrase referring to “the oil (juice) of the grape” and therefore the drinkable fruit of the grape that would fill the cup.
II. This DO in Remembrance of Me
A. “Do” shows an action – a required DEED
1. It is not a deed one can ignore and fulfill the requirement.
2. Colossians 3:17
B. “Do” also requires a time in which to complete such action.
1. Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
2. The TIME is established in the example. The elements are established in the example.
3. 1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
III. This Do IN Remembrance of Me
A. “In” is a preposition describing the manner of position regarding the subject.
1. The subject is THIS (the example created by Jesus in taking the bread, blessing it and parting to them to eat, and the cup (fruit of the vine), blessing it and having them all drink of it.
2. DO is the predicate (verb) showing the action.
3. There “IN” shows us where or by what manner the subject must be preformed.
B. We understand this requires a MIND-SET: a disposition of ATTITUDE
1. 1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
a. Strong = irreverently
b. Paul, via inspiration, gives the correct definition: “not discerning the Lord’s body.” (vs. 29 -- For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.)
c. Discern = 1) to separate, make a distinction, discriminate, to prefer 2) to learn by discrimination, to try, decide 2a) to determine, give judgment, decide a dispute 3) to withdraw from one, desert 4) to separate one’s self in a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with dispute, contend 5) to be at variance with one’s self, hesitate, doubt
IV. This Do In REMEMBRANCE of Me
A. “Remembering” requires consideration of something or someone (or both) known AND experienced!
1. 1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
2. 2 Timothy 1:3 – 6
B. As we stated earlier, no one can remember something or someone they never knew! Do you KNOW Jesus? Do you REMEMBER what He did for YOU?
1.
Matthew 26: 28 And as they
were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and
gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
2. Matthew 26: 27 – 28 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
3. 1 John 2:3 – And hereby we do know that we know Him, IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS!
V. This Do In Remembrance OF Me
A. “Of” is another prepositional and here tells us WHO we remember.
1. Notice the limitation of the command!
2. Avoiding this forces an impossibility of compliance with vs. 29.
B. Our love for Him cannot exceed the love He had for us. Nonetheless, our meditation of His great love must never find a minimizing factor ESPECIALLY during the time of His memorial!
VI. This
Do In Remembrance of ME
A.
We see here a most notable limitation!
1.
WHO = Jesus – none other will suffice!
2.
WHO = Savior – none other achieved that for us!
3.
WHO = Redeemer – none else could pay that price!
4.
WHO = God’s Son – no greater gift of LOVE, and no
greater GIVER of that love!
B. Consider WHO HE had in mind as He died for us!
1. He died for YOU.
2. He desires to save YOU.
3. HE CONSIDERED YOU!!
Conclusion:
1. The communion is not a “pause” between songs, or a “refreshment” before the sermon. It is THE MEMORIAL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
2. Neither is it the “most important part of the worship.” EACH part of the worship must be of praise, honor and glory to God and to Christ! This part of the worship however, has most definite commandments within its simple statement: THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME!