Godly Wisdom for Godly Living: Session 24 – A Beautiful Memorial

Remembering Christ's Sacrifice: The True Meaning of the Lord's Supper Have you ever wondered why we observe the Lord's Supper in church? What's the real purpose behind this sacred ritual? As we approach Memorial Day, a time when we honor those who gave their lives for our freedom, it's fitting to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made for us – the death of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul addresses the church at Corinth about their mishandling of this important ordinance. His words provide crucial insights into the true meaning and practice of the Lord's Supper. Let's explore three key truths about this sacred memorial. 1 - Not for Indulgence, but for Remembrance The Corinthian church had turned the Lord's Supper into a divisive feast, with some indulging while others went hungry. Paul sharply rebukes them: "What? Have you not houses to eat and drink in? Or despise ye the church of God and shame them that have not? Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not." (1 Corinthians 11:22) The purpose of the Lord's Supper is not physical nourishment or social fellowship. It's a solemn time of remembrance. As Jesus said when He instituted this ordinance, "This do in remembrance of me" (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). When we partake of the bread and cup, we're not re-sacrificing Christ. His one sacrifice was sufficient for all time. Rather, we're vividly recalling His broken body and shed blood. As one commentator put it: "To remember Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross is to relive His life, agony, suffering and death as much as is humanly possible. When we partake of the Lord's Supper, we do not offer a sacrifice again. We remember His once-for-all sacrifice for us and rededicate ourselves to His obedient service." 2 - A Time for Self-Examination Paul warns that partaking of the Lord's Supper "unworthily" brings judgment. That's why he instructs us: "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." (1 Corinthians 11:28) Before participating, we should ask ourselves: - Am I saved? - Have I been baptized? - Am I living in obedience to Christ? - Is there unconfessed sin in my life? This isn't about being perfect. It's about approaching the table with a humble, repentant heart, fully aware of the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice for us. 3 - Proclaiming Christ's Death Every time we observe the Lord's Supper, we're making a powerful declaration. Paul writes: "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." (1 Corinthians 11:26) The word "shew" here means to proclaim or preach. Through this simple act, we're preaching the gospel – declaring that Christ died for our sins and rose again, and that He's coming back. But this proclamation shouldn't be limited to our communion services. We're called to share this good news with the world every day. As we sang in our service: "We go to all the world with kingdom hope unfurled No other name has power to save Than Jesus Christ the Lord" Putting It Into Practice So how do we apply these truths in our daily lives? Here are three questions to consider: 1. Where are you indulging where you should not be? Are there areas of your life not aligned with God's design? 2. Are you appropriately responding to the gospel message? Have you personally accepted Christ's sacrifice for your sins? 3. Have you examined yourself lately? Is there anything between your soul and the Savior that needs to be addressed? Remember, "Today is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). Let's honor Christ's sacrifice by living for Him and sharing His love with others. The task is unfinished, but the time is short. As we remember those who gave their lives for our earthly freedom this Memorial Day, let's also remember the One who secured our eternal freedom – and let's make His sacrifice known to all.