You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.
Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us.
We are going to take a break this morning from our almost completed study of 1 Peter
to talk about communion, the Lord's Supper,
the sacrament that we are about to celebrate together in just a few minutes.
And one reason for that is that it is Memorial Day weekend.
And what better time than to talk about the most important memorial in our lives, this supper.
In fact, we're going to talk about how it is even more than merely a memorial.
Secondly, we're talking about it this morning because I want to share with you some changes
in our celebration of the Lord's Supper here at Southwood in the future.
As our leaders have considered this over the past months, even years,
and I'm going to do that as we go this morning.
But let's begin with God's Word by reading Luke's account of Jesus' institution of this meal for us.
Jesus here in Luke 22 is nearing His death, right?
He has gathered His disciples with Him to celebrate the Passover feast in the upper room.
He's going to remember the deliverance of God's people out of their bondage in Egypt.
How God fulfilled His covenant promises to His beloved people through the blood of the Lamb on the doorposts
as they made unleavened bread to eat as they left in a hurry.
except this time Jesus wants to bring new rich meaning into the old feast that they know so well
he's going to transform every future celebration listen to what he says to them Luke 22 at verse 14
and when the hour came Jesus reclined at table and the apostles with him and he said to them
I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer for I tell you I will
not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God and he took a cup and when he had given thanks
he said take this and divide it among yourselves for I tell you that from now on I will not drink
of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes and he took bread and when he had given
thanks he broke it and gave it to them saying this is my body which is given for you do this in
remembrance of me and likewise the cup after they had eaten saying this cup that is poured out for
for you is the new covenant in my blood this is God's word let's pray together
father as we give you thanks for this your word and this record of this special last supper we pray
that you would by your spirit help our hearts that as we come to your table it would be more
more than a memorial than a memorial for us that you would minister your grace to us that we would
see our savior clearly that we would rejoice in his love and that our lives would be transformed
we can't do that but you can and so we ask you to do that in Jesus name amen
have you forgotten this week that Jesus died for you because he loves you
my guess is if I if I ran into you say at target and I came up behind you and said hey do you remember
the name of the guy who died on the cross for you because he loves you so much that most of you
could have said yes it was Jesus you did not forget right but let me ask you differently
have you had any moment this week where you felt distant from God
have you had any opportunities to share the the good news of forgiveness in Jesus
that you've neglected have you made any decisions in this past week that were motivated primarily by
self-interest in what you wanted
now those are very different questions aren't they I bet almost every one of us can answer
yes to at least one of those questions if we're being honest because it is one thing to remember
something passively intellectually in your mind the facts are there if you're asked
and it is quite another thing altogether to remember something actively practically in your life
the truth the truth shapes what you do and and this distinction about remembering
is so important in our lives in our relationships with God this is as we've said a a special weekend
where we remember don't we particularly tomorrow on Memorial Day those who have given their lives to
protect us to provide us with freedoms we enjoy in our country to to sacrifice their lives in place of ours
but let me ask you about that is the goal of Memorial Day to be able to answer questions about the U.S. military
correctly on a history test that you might have sometime is that the point you know how many soldiers died in the Civil War
name 30 soldiers from Huntsville that died in World War II
which battle in history has had the most American casualties
to be able to answer those right on a test someday
or
is the goal of Memorial Day to to live in light of the sacrifice that those soldiers made
to to actually feel something different to feel deep gratitude for them
to to to do something different to commit yourself to enjoying and protecting the freedoms they fought for
to to speak differently to honor with your words the soldiers and their families who paid such a high price
which of those remembers them better
let me ask you to think of the difference in remembering intellectually
and remembering actively
just one more way
what does it mean for me to remember my wedding anniversary
19 years coming up on July 3rd
see I remember it's in my notes
got it right
if in when that day comes July 3rd in a little bit over a month
I am alone playing golf
or
hanging out with another woman
and Christy calls me and says
hey sweetheart
do you remember what day our anniversary is
and I respond very quickly
yes indeed I do honey
it's July 3rd that's today
am I remembering
our anniversary
or
does remembering our anniversary mean
renewing that covenant commitment
that I made 19 years ago
before God and these witnesses to one particular woman
doing something to honor her
regardless of the specific day
finding some way
to celebrate and to demonstrate
committed love
to my wife
there's a big difference in those two isn't there
if you don't think there's a big difference
you talk to me or my wife later
there's a big difference
that same difference is there in the Bible
when God talks about
remembering
or forgetting
Derek mentioned some of this earlier
sometimes it can be merely
recalling a fact
to mind
but often
when we see in the Bible
this idea of
remembering
it is much more about
having your entire life
shaped by a reality
having that so at the center of your heart
at the forefront of your mind
that it drives actions
and words
and attitudes
let me give you just a couple
biblical examples
in the book of Judges
God's people keep cycling through
seasons of worshipping him
and then of chasing after
other gods and idols
of the nations around them
and it's described in chapter 8
of Judges as
the people
did not
remember
Yahweh
their God
did they forget his name?
unlikely
we're told the way they forgot
Yahweh
was they intentionally chose
to make
Baal
their God
they listened to his prophets
and followed
his ways
and forgot
did not remember
Yahweh
throughout the Bible
we're told of God
remembering different people
Rachel
Abraham
Jacob
many others
later in the book of Judges
it's Samson
Samson
if you don't remember him
is the guy with the really long hair
and big muscles
right?
except his long hair
gets cut off
Samson is well aware
that God has not
forgotten who he is
God has removed his strength
from him
but Samson prays
oh Lord God
please remember me
and what does that look like?
and strengthen me
only this once
God remembers
and acts
for Samson
one last example
Psalm 25
remember
your mercy
oh Lord
and your steadfast love
for they have been
from of old
remember not
the sins of my youth
or my transgressions
according to your
steadfast love
remember me
for the sake
of your goodness
oh Lord
what's he saying?
it's not a prayer
for God
to have memory loss
is it?
see we need God
to remember
some things
and not remember
others
at the same time
in this case
he's saying
to relate to us
according to
one set of things
his mercy
and his
steadfast love
that's what we need
and not
to relate to us
according to
another thing
what's that?
our sin
certainly God
hasn't intellectually
forgotten
either of them
but remembering
means shaping
one's actions
around that
reality
so why all this
talk about
remembering?
remembering
friends
when Jesus
sits
and says
do this
in
remembrance
of me
as
my
memorial
Jesus
says
he's not
merely afraid
that his disciples
will be forgetful
and not realize
that he died
on a cross
now we
we can be
distracted
and be very
forgetful
so that
possibility
exists
but rather
Jesus
is giving
us a gift
an action
a meal
to keep
at the forefront
of our minds
and the center
of our hearts
in a way
that shapes
our lives
the reality
that is most
important
in the entire
universe
his love
and sacrifice
for us
when we
gather
at this
table
I don't know
how many of you
can see what it
says on the front
if you're not
in the first couple
of rows
and most of you
aren't
there are great
seats up here
that you can't
read
there's actually
words written
on the front
of the table
it says
this do
in remembrance
of me
what is it
exactly
that we are
to remember
what does
Jesus tell us
he's very clear
here when he sits
with his disciples
we're to remember
his body
given
for us
verse 19
his
blood
of a
new covenant
with us
that's
verse 20
we remember
Christ's
death
for us
God's
promises
of forgiveness
of our sins
perhaps as you
come to the
table
you even
confess
specific sins
it's a
deliverance
from our
bondage
by the
blood
of the
lamb
right
and as a
result of
that
relationship
with God
himself
that's the
promise
of the
covenant
that God
makes
with us
that all
who are
covered
by the
blood
of Jesus
all who
are trusting
in his
death
for them
will live
with God
forever
wow
what a
promise
what a
thing
to remember
and rejoice
in
remembering
is an
action
we
proclaim
his
death
every time
we do
this
we don't
just think
about something
we proclaim
his death
every time
until he
comes back
even more
than that
we remember
as we
share the
meal
together
our
union
with
Christ
that we
are
connected
to him
by faith
that we
participate
in his
death
and in his
resurrection
we are
united to
him
and therefore
we are
united
with one
another
no matter
what our
differences
are
we remember
that he
brings us
together
so we
remember
that amazing
and gracious
relationship
he brought
us into
because he
verse 15
earnestly
desired
to eat
this
Passover
meal
with his
disciples
and he
earnestly
desires
to share
this
fellowship
meal
with us
and
we remember
Christ's
eternal life
and therefore
our eternal
hope
because if we
died with
him
we will
also
live
with him
twice
here in
the last
supper
eternity
comes up
verse 16
and verse
18
Jesus says
he won't
eat this
meal again
until he's
in God's
kingdom
at the
fulfillment
of this
fellowship
meal
this glorious
marriage supper
of the lamb
we remember
that's coming
and all we
need to know
that that's
a meal
we will
share one
day
but you
hadn't
forgotten
those things
right
before you
came in
here this
morning
if I'd
asked any
of you
in the
parking
lot
you could
have told
me those
things were
true
so this
table
must be
more
than a mere
memorial
it is a
means of
God's
grace
coming to
help us
to live
shaped
by those
realities
that are
brought
at this
table
to the
front of
our minds
and the
center of
our hearts
right
that's what's
supposed to
happen for
us
we're supposed
to be
engaged
so deeply
with our
heads
and with
our hearts
that this
week our
hands
are different
because of
what happens
here
I want you
to think
specifically
and practically
while I give
us some
ideas
what could
that look
like
how would
your life
be different
if the
death of
Jesus
for our
place because
he loves us
so much
is the
controlling
factor of
our lives
this week
if that
happens
we will be
helped to
trust him
in our
suffering
and not
to feel
that we
are alone
because we're
so mindful
of what
he suffered
for us
we'll be
inspired
to love
one another
sacrificially
and tangibly
because he
first loved
us
we'll be
burdened
to share
hope with
our neighbors
because of
our great
gratitude
for our
living source
of eternal
hope that we
just can't stop
thinking about
and we want
to talk
about it
we'll be
strengthened
to repent
deeply
and quickly
both to
God and
to others
because the
forgiveness
and the
freedom from
our sin
is so clear
to us
that it
makes us
eager to
repent
if that
becomes
if that's
what you
wake up
thinking about
that that
becomes the
foremost thing
in your mind
that's the
thing that's
controlling
your heart
is how much
Jesus loves
you and what
he's done
for you
then you'll
be motivated
to give
of your time
and resources
generously
because Jesus
gave of his
resources
and riches
so generously
for us
we'll be
comforted
in our many
sufferings
as strangers
in this world
because we
realize that
there's a home
that Jesus
has for us
where he set
a table there
and we'll feast
with him
and it's so much
better than anything
we could have
here and there's
great comfort
in that
we'll be
empowered
to turn
from the
sin for which
he hung on
the cross
because we
see how
much it
cost
our savior
we'll be
equipped
to find
our value
in a new
place
because we
look for it
in our
performance
don't we
and how
well we
do
and who
thinks
what
of it
and we
realize
here
that Jesus
treasured
us
before we
performed
at all
or did
anything
for him
if
if this
is what
is controlling
your heart
you'll be
encouraged
this week
to spend
time
with Jesus
because you'll
be overwhelmed
by the lengths
that he went
to
to be in
relationship
with you
and so you'll
be all the more
eager
to be with
him
that's what
Jesus wants
for you
those are the
types of
things and
hopefully others
that are coming
to mind
for you
that are
actually what
he's calling
you to
when he
tells you
to take
and eat
and drink
in remembrance
of him
now I'll be
honest I'm not
going to forget
Jesus's name
this week
but I need
God's grace
I need
his help
remembering
in those ways
because that's
not the way
I wake up
every morning
and so
we have
the gift
of the
Lord's
Supper
and so
we want
to celebrate
the Lord's
Supper
more often
okay
that is the
primary
change
I want to
share with
you this
morning
we have
decided
to double
the frequency
of our
celebrating
the Lord's
Supper
in our
services
here at
Southwood
more or
less
from monthly
to every
other week
stop clapping
stop
that's enough
no I
say that
sincerely
it ought to
bring
joy to
our hearts
right
the heart
behind this
is that
this is a
good gift
of God's
grace to
us
and we
want to
make sure
that we
are fed
with it
regularly
because we
need it
I need it
if it was
merely an
intellectual
reminder
lest you
forget
then once a
year would be
more than
enough
right
but since it
is to be a
life shaping
remembrance
and other
things at least
in my life
crowd in
so much
and so
quickly
distract
my focus
our hearts
and our
lives
need this
more often
right now
I know this
because I've
talked to some
of you
we've realized
all that it
takes is
getting scheduled
on a couple
of wrong
Sundays
to serve
in the
nursery
and then a
kid gets
sick on
another second
Sunday
and maybe
you have a
work trip
or a
family vacation
and all
of a sudden
without even
trying real
hard you've
gone six
months
without
celebrating
the Lord's
Supper
we don't
want that
for any
of you
God has
promised
to minister
his grace
to us
here in a
way that we
can't get
anywhere else
so let's
engage
wholeheartedly
with joy
and gratitude
every opportunity
that we have
to do this
together
I do also
want you to
know that we
are continuing
to evaluate
the impact
of this
on our
lives
we want
your feedback
in this
because we
want all
of our
members
engaged
in regular
heartfelt
meaningful
celebration
of this
special
supper
we don't
want it
to be
neglected
or to
become
nonchalant
and no
big deal
but without
a direct
biblical
command
for exactly
how often
we may
stay at
this new
frequency
that we're
trying now
we may go
back to
once a month
and decide
that was
more helpful
we may
increase
to every
week
and decide
that's
what's
best
but before
settling
on that
we want
to evaluate
with you
the impact
that increasing
the frequency
of our
celebration
has on our
hearts
and on our
lives
so in the
weeks and
months ahead
we'll need
you to
talk with
us about
how that's
going for
you
does that
make sense
one other
change
to tell you
about today
is connected
to the
elements
that represent
to us
the body
and blood
of Jesus
and that is
really important
for our
remembrance
right
they're gonna
help us
remember
when Jesus
himself
instituted
the supper
he did
so with
unleavened
bread
and wine
our bread
while tasty
which I
love
is actually
unleavened
contrary to
what many
I talk to
expect to hear
so there's
no change
there
we can
enjoy our
bread
and delight
in that
but we do
now have
gluten-free
options as
well
at the
center
you see
the pedestal
here
front and
back
if you
need that
just
come over
to those
tables
for the
gluten-free
bread
the same
grape juice
will also
be served
in the
same cups
that we
have used
for years
but we
are
not today
but in
the future
going to
add wine
in the
same
trays
with
purple
cups
that are
clearly
labeled
to
distinguish
juice
and
wine
okay
so to
be clear
there's
no wine
today
okay
and I
mean that
that's
important
we don't
want anyone
to in
this moment
be confused
or struggling
and in
any way
have a
difficult
time
coming to
the table
and be
surprised
we wanted
you to
have
opportunity
to ask
questions
process
concerns
that you
may have
to shepherd
your children
in their
preparation
for how
they should
participate
so that's
not today
but in the
future
we in no
way want
any of you
to feel
bad about
continuing
to take
grape juice
as some of
your leaders
will do the
same thing
you are not
missing out
in any way
on the
full experience
of the
Lord's
supper
that's not
the point
and this
is why
we want
the liquids
clearly
distinguished
so that
our young
people
our brothers
and sisters
who struggle
with alcohol
abuse
and any
others
who prefer
juice for
any reason
whatsoever
don't get
confused
or caught
off guard
okay
that's
that's our
heart
in this
but besides
wine being
the practice
of the church
through history
all the way
back to
Corinth
where those
who drank
too much
at their
church gathering
are chastised
by Paul
for getting
drunk
that's not
okay
and all
the way
up to
the 1920s
America
and the
prohibition
era
the church
has celebrated
with wine
in addition
to that
background
wine represents
very well
both the
bitter
and the
sweet
aspects
of our
Savior's
death
on the
cross
the bitter
cup
of God's
wrath
right
that is
poured out
upon sin
and it's
the same
one that's
the sweet
cup of
forgiveness
that brings
joy to our
hearts as
we celebrate
that
this change
in the
elements
adding wine
like the
change in
frequency
is not
motivated
by a
desire
to placate
personal
taste
an effort
to be
cool
I gave
up on
that a
long time
ago
or to
be relevant
to our
culture
that's not
the motivation
rather
we are
seeking to
be faithful
to God's
word
while
remaining
considerate
of all
of our
brothers
and sisters
and young
people
celebrating
the supper
together
with us
so
having told
you about
those
two basic
changes
please come
talk to
me
today is
great
there's no
connect hour
following the
service
I'll be right
down here
come talk
today or
figure out
another time
we can
talk
talk with
any of
our elders
any of
our women's
advisory team
members
if you have
questions
we'd love
to sit
and process
that more
than what
I'm able
to say
right now
we want
to walk
with you
in this
and we
want to
hear your
feedback
today
if that's
the best
time for
you
and in
the future
if that
would be
more helpful
before we
come to
the table
together
this morning
I want us
to reflect
on one
more thing
about
remembering
in the
Bible
covenant
signs as
memorial
markers
are not
just for
God's
people
to shape
their
hearts
and lives
the covenant
signs
are for
God
to
remember
too
two-way
remembrance
when you
look at
this
table
and you
read
this
do
in
remembrance
of me
that is
two-way
remembrance
let me
explain it
to you
this way
have you
seen a
rainbow
recently
and remembered
God's
promises
to Noah
and all
of creation
did you
know
when you
remembered
that that
God was
remembering
the very
same
thing
as you
look what
he says
about the
rainbow
in
Genesis
chapter
nine
I will
remember
my
covenant
that is
between
me
and you
and every
living
creature
of all
flesh
the water
shall never
again
become a
flood
to destroy
all
flesh
when the
bow
is in
the
clouds
I
will
see
it
and
remember
the
everlasting
covenant
between
God
and every
living
creature
of all
flesh
on the
earth
we're
not
talking
right
about
the
omniscient
creator
of the
universe
forgetting
something
intellectually
and needing
a reminder
right
that's not
true
but God
covenants
with us
to act
on our
behalf
and when
he remembers
it means
he acts
in light
of his
promises
for us
Hebrews
8 says
he remembers
our sins
no more
which
doesn't
mean
he just
can't
recall
who lied
yesterday
that's not
what it
means
no it
means
he is
merciful
toward
our
iniquities
right
he knows
them
but he
relates
to us
like we
read in
Psalm
25
not on
the basis
of our
sins
but on
the basis
of his
mercy
Luke
1 54
says
one of
the greatest
times
he did
this
was when
he sent
Jesus
when God
sends
Jesus
it is
an act
of
remembrance
of his
mercy
helping
his
people
see
when God
remembers
his
people
he
acts
he
comes
to
them
that is
the pattern
throughout
scripture
we can't
cover it
all this
morning
but
particularly
we see
it when
he
comes
to
deliver
them
from
slavery
in
Egypt
then
he
comes
to
deliver
us
from
slavery
to
sin
in
the
person
of
Jesus
and
now
as we
do
this
in
remembrance
of him
as often
as we
eat
this
bread
and drink
this
cup
we
proclaim
the
Lord's
death
yes
to our
own
hearts
we need
that
proclamation
yes
to a
watching
world
and they
need
to hear
that
proclamation
but I
think
quite
possibly
even if
I
can't
absolutely
prove it
to you
I'm
pretty
confident
we
proclaim
the
Lord's
death
to
our
God
himself
until
he
does
what
until
he
comes
until
he
remembers
and
comes
to
deliver
us
once
for
all
from
ourselves
and
from
this
broken
world
into
life
everlasting
with
him
because
he
has
come
for
us
listen
friends
before
we
come
to
this
table
I
want
you
to
think
about
it
this
way
if
all
that
happens
at
this
table
is
that
in
our
relationship
with
God
we
are
the
only
ones
who
do
any
remembering
this
morning
there's
only
going
to be
minimal
benefit
from
that
but
if
God
comes
and
remembers
us
and
his
promises
to
us
that
are
signed
here
if
he
redeems
us
as
he
assures
us
in
his
word
that
he
will
and
he
seals
to
us
in
this
sacrament
that
he
will
if
he
indeed
lives
with
us
can
you
imagine
this
that
he
lives
with
us
at
the
forefront
of
his
mind
and
at
the
center
of
his
heart
being
faithful
to
his
promises
for
us
then
the
benefit
of
eternal
right
if
he
remembers
us
and
what
he
has
done
and
what
he
has
promised
and
what
he
will
do
for
us
so
we
eat
with
God
this
morning
we
renew
our
covenant
commitment
to
God
through
Jesus
God
we
will
remember
and
we
will
live
for
you
and
he
renews
his
covenant
commitment
to
us
through
Jesus
he
will
remember
and
rescue
and
live
in
relationship
with
us
forever
if
that's
what
you
trust
and
commit
to
when
you
participate
in
this
sacrament
to
take
and
eat
and
drink
in
remembrance
of
Jesus
that
he's
your
savior
that
he's
died
for
you
then
come
and
celebrate
and
have
your
life
shaped
anew
by
him
and
his
love
for
you
if
not
if
that's
not
your
personal
remembrance
by
faith
in
Jesus
then
don't
say
outwardly
that it
is
by
coming
and
taking
these
elements
I
would
invite
you
to
come
to
observe
to
pray
with
us
but
especially
to
consider
the
offer
of
Jesus
of
forgiveness
for all
of your
sins
lest
you be
left
alone
with
your
own
merit
standing
before
the
holy
God
he
invites
you
to
have
his
blood
cover
you
to
stand
in
his
righteousness
before
the
God
of
glory
let's
pray
and then
we'll
celebrate
together
God
we
thank
you
for
the
gift
of
this
supper
and
the
reminder
that
it
gives
us
of
your
love
the
sacrifice
that
you've
made
the
life
we
owe
you
because
you
paid
it
all
and
so
we
ask
that
you
would
set
aside
what
are
otherwise
very
common
elements
to
do
something
in
our
hearts
that
would
shape
today
and
tomorrow
and
eternity
would
you
change
us
because
you
by
your
spirit
meet
with
us
eat
with
us
and
bring
your
grace
to
bear
on
our
lives
that
nothing
would
be
more
important
to
us
than
knowing
and
trusting
our
Savior
would
you do
that
work
now
even
as
we
celebrate
this
sacrament
in
Jesus
name
Amen
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