REMEMBERING CHRIST'S SACRIFICE

REMEMBERING CHRIST'S SACRIFICE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Key Verse: “This do in remembrance of me.” — 1 Corinthians 11:24 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Isaiah 53:4-6; Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; John 19:16-30; Hebrews 9:12-15; 1 Peter 2:24

Description: The Lord's Supper is a sacred reminder of the death of Jesus Christ. Remembering His sacrifice should produce gratitude, repentance, faith, holiness, love, and renewed commitment to Christ. The believer must never allow the cross to become an ordinary or forgotten truth.

INTRODUCTION

The Christian faith is built upon the sacrificial death and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the centre of the Gospel stands the cross, where Christ willingly gave His body and shed His blood for the redemption of humanity. His sacrifice was not accidental; it was God's gracious provision for the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation between God and humanity.

In 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, Paul reminds the Corinthian believers of what the Lord Jesus instituted on the night before His crucifixion. Jesus took bread and the cup and instructed His disciples to partake of them in remembrance of Him. The Lord's Supper therefore points believers back to Calvary and reminds us of the price Christ paid for our salvation.

Remembering Christ's sacrifice should never be a mere religious exercise. When we truly remember what Jesus did for us, gratitude should replace complaining, holiness should replace compromise, love should replace hatred, and faith should replace fear. The cross calls us to live differently because we have been purchased by the precious blood of Christ.

1. REMEMBER THE LOVE THAT TOOK CHRIST TO THE CROSS

The cross is the greatest demonstration of God's love.

a) Christ Loved Us And Gave Himself For Us (Ephesians 5:2)
Jesus willingly surrendered Himself because of His love for humanity.

b) God Demonstrated His Love (Romans 5:8)
Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

c) Greater Love Has No Man (John 15:13)
Jesus demonstrated the highest form of sacrificial love.

d) Love Responds With Gratitude (1 John 4:19)
Because Christ first loved us, our lives should respond with love for Him.

Biblical Example: Jesus willingly accepted the cross despite knowing the suffering that awaited Him (Matthew 26:39-42).

2. REMEMBER THE BODY THAT WAS GIVEN FOR YOU

The bread points believers to Christ's body offered on their behalf.

a) Christ Gave His Body (1 Corinthians 11:24)
His sacrifice was personal and deliberate.

b) He Was Wounded For Our Transgressions (Isaiah 53:5)
His suffering was connected to our redemption.

c) He Bore Our Sins (1 Peter 2:24)
Christ carried our sins upon the cross.

d) His Sacrifice Brings Healing And Restoration (Isaiah 53:5)
The cross reveals the depth of God's redemptive provision.

Biblical Example: Jesus endured the suffering of crucifixion without turning away from His mission of redemption (John 19:16-30).

3. REMEMBER THE BLOOD THAT WAS SHED

The cup reminds us of the blood of the New Covenant.

a) His Blood Was Shed For Many (Matthew 26:28)
Christ's blood was poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

b) His Blood Brings Redemption (Ephesians 1:7)
Through Christ we receive redemption and forgiveness.

c) His Blood Cleanses From Sin (1 John 1:7)
The blood of Jesus provides cleansing from all sin.

d) His Blood Gives Access To God (Hebrews 10:19-22)
Christ's sacrifice opened the way into God's presence.

Biblical Example: The Passover lamb foreshadowed the greater sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God (Exodus 12:1-13; John 1:29).

4. REMEMBER THAT CHRIST ESTABLISHED A NEW COVENANT

The sacrifice of Jesus brought believers into a new covenant relationship with God.

a) The Cup Represents The New Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25)
Christ established a new relationship between God and His people.

b) His Blood Secured Eternal Redemption (Hebrews 9:12)
Christ's sacrifice accomplished what animal sacrifices could never permanently accomplish.

c) We Receive Forgiveness Through Christ (Colossians 1:14)
Our sins can be forgiven because of His redemptive work.

d) We Belong To God (1 Peter 2:9)
Those redeemed by Christ are called to live as God's special people.

Biblical Example: Jeremiah prophesied concerning a new covenant in which God would forgive His people's sins and write His law upon their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

5. REMEMBER CHRIST WITH GRATITUDE

The cross should produce thanksgiving.

a) Give Thanks For Salvation (Psalm 103:2-4)
Never forget God's saving benefits.

b) Appreciate God's Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Salvation is God's gracious gift, not our achievement.

c) Thank Christ For His Sacrifice (Colossians 3:15-17)
Gratitude should characterise the Christian life.

d) Let Thanksgiving Replace Complaining (Philippians 4:6)
Remembering God's sacrifice changes our perspective.

Biblical Example: The healed Samaritan leper returned to Jesus and gave thanks for what the Lord had done (Luke 17:15-16).

6. REMEMBER CHRIST THROUGH HOLY LIVING

The cross calls us to leave our former way of life.

a) Die To Sin (Romans 6:6-7)
Christ's death breaks sin's claim over the believer.

b) Live For Righteousness (1 Peter 2:24)
We are redeemed to live differently.

c) Present Your Body To God (Romans 12:1)
Our lives should become living sacrifices.

d) Walk In Newness Of Life (Romans 6:4)
The redeemed life should demonstrate transformation.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus demonstrated genuine repentance through changed behaviour after encountering Jesus (Luke 19:1-10).

7. REMEMBER CHRIST THROUGH LOVE AND UNITY

The cross should transform how we relate to others.

a) Love One Another (John 13:34-35)
Christ's sacrifice becomes our model for loving others.

b) Forgive Others (Ephesians 4:32)
Those who have received forgiveness should extend forgiveness.

c) Bear One Another's Burdens (Galatians 6:2)
Christian love involves practical care.

d) Maintain Unity (Ephesians 4:3)
The sacrifice of Christ should unite rather than divide His people.

Biblical Example: The early church demonstrated sacrificial love by sharing their possessions and caring for those in need (Acts 2:44-45).

8. PROCLAIM CHRIST UNTIL HE RETURNS

The Lord's Supper points both backward and forward.

a) Remember His Death (1 Corinthians 11:26)
Communion keeps the cross central to Christian faith.

b) Proclaim His Death (1 Corinthians 11:26)
Every observance declares the Gospel.

c) Look Forward To His Return (1 Corinthians 11:26)
The Lord's Supper carries an expectation of Christ's coming.

d) Remain Faithful Until He Comes (Revelation 2:10)
We must live faithfully while awaiting His return.

Biblical Example: The early believers continued in fellowship and the breaking of bread as they awaited the fulfilment of God's promises (Acts 2:42-47).

CONCLUSION

Remembering Christ's sacrifice means keeping the cross at the centre of our faith and daily lives. Jesus gave His body, shed His blood, established the New Covenant, and opened the way for our forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Such love deserves more than occasional remembrance; it deserves a lifetime of gratitude and devotion.

Whenever we partake of the Lord's Supper, let us look back to Calvary with gratitude, look within with self-examination, look around with love, and look forward with hope to Christ's return. May we never take His sacrifice for granted. Because He gave Himself for us, let us give ourselves completely to Him.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the salvation You have given me through Him, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me never to take the sacrifice of Christ for granted, in Jesus name.

3. Father, give me a deeper revelation of the love demonstrated through the cross, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, let the power of the blood of Jesus continually cleanse me from every sin and unrighteousness, in Jesus name.

5. Father, help me to live a holy life worthy of the sacrifice Christ made for me, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, give me grace to forgive others just as You have forgiven me through Christ, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let the sacrifice of Christ produce genuine love, unity, humility, and compassion in my life, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, strengthen my faith in the finished work of Christ and help me to remain firmly established in the Gospel, in Jesus name.

9. Father, make me a faithful witness who continually proclaims the death, resurrection, and coming of Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to remain faithful until Christ returns and receive the reward of eternal life, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. The revelation of Christ's sacrifice shall remain fresh and powerful in your heart.

2. You shall continually walk in the grace and benefits of Christ's redemption.

3. The blood of Jesus shall continually speak mercy and cleansing over your life.

4. You shall never take the grace of salvation for granted.

5. The sacrifice of Christ shall produce holiness and transformation in your life.

6. You shall receive grace to forgive, love, and walk in unity with others.

7. Your faith shall remain firmly established in the finished work of Christ.

8. Your life shall become a testimony of the transforming power of the cross.

9. You shall faithfully proclaim Christ until the day of His return.

10. You shall remain faithful to Christ, finish your race well, and inherit the eternal reward prepared for those who love Him, in Jesus name.