Communion Message
(Remember Me)
August 21-22 1999
Pastor Leigh Bishop

As we enter into our time of communion today, I'm going to read from the portion of scripture the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11. A reminder to us of that night in which Jesus supped with His disciples, shared with them, reminded them of His mission and purpose knowing that in but a few short hours He was going to give Himself as a random for us. And Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit recorded these words for us. For I have received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. The words that seem to jump out at me today were the two times where He said remember Me. Our lives can be so filled with things, whether it's school or jobs or relationships or whatever. They so occupy our minds that sometimes Jesus gets pushed to the background. And thankfully each Sunday as we celebrate communion we bring Jesus right back to the front, to remember what He has done for us. It's important though that not only at communion time, but throughout every day of our lives we take the time to remember. A lot of children wear bracelets and lanyards and such with the initials WWJD, What Would Jesus Do. A friend of ours shared that one of his students said that's not what it means. He says, well, what does it mean? He says it means, Walk With Jesus Daily. Remember Me. We're asked to remember that His body was broken for us that we might be made whole. Had not Jesus allowed Himself to be broken, we today, would still be a broken and confused people, but He speaks wholeness to our lives. Wholeness in the person of Jesus Christ. He said to remember the cup. What a beautiful reminder of the grace of God that no matter how great or many my sins may be the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, keeps on cleansing me. Remember Me. As you focus on these things He says to remember Him, and He ultimately says remember this too, I'm coming back. And every time I celebrate communion, every time I remember what Jesus has done, I am also reminded He's coming back.

Let's bow on our knees, if you can, or you may sit in your seats as we partake of communion together. Hallelujah, hallelujah. Father we hold in our hands these emblems, reminders. Just as You said to remember You, You have given us emblems that help us remember. The bread we hold in our hands reminds us time and again You are the bread of life, broken for us, and as we receive You into our lives You satisfy us and make us whole. Thank you Lord for being broken that we might now eternal life. Let's partake of the bread together. Hallelujah. The cup we hold Lord is a reminder that we were not saved by the blood of bulls and goats, but by the precious blood of Jesus as a lamb without spot and without blemish. That You allowed Yourself to be poured out as a sacrifice for our sins, and that as we come to You and allow Your blood to be applied to our lives, You wash us whiter than snow. Thank you Lord for the cup and all that it means. Let's partake of the cup together. Help us Lord to remember, to remember each day all that You've done for us, and all that You're going to do. And may we keep You as the focus of our life. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Let's stand together and take a moment to greet those around you and welcome them to the house of the Lord.