Sermon Tone Analysis

Scripture Lesson

Introduction

Introduction

Forgetfulness in the human mind

It has been said that we ought to study history OR we are doomed to repeat it.

I remember

My observation has been that we out to study history BECAUSE we appear to be certain to repeat the same mistakes of the past.

An observation of history demonstrates that we make the same mistakes as nations, as people, and even as churches as were made previously.

To combat forgetfulness, great effort is taken to setup reminders in our lives.

Recent visit to the 9/11 Memorial — Reminds us of the painful and difficult truth that there are those in the world who desire to take the lives of innocent men, women, and children, in the name of their twisted idea of what a god who is no god has told them to do.

Our nation is full of memorials…to remind us of those who have come before us who have paid dearly for the peace and prosperity we enjoy.

This idea of memorials…is a Biblical one…God had men set up memorials many times in Scripture.

Noah after leaving the Ark - Jacob - Stones in the Jericho - Passover - etc.

Today…we observe the Lord’s Supper…an ordinance of the church that the Lord gave us to remind us of what we are all about.

It is very easy in our day to forget what a church is supposed to be about.

Doing good things - Feeding the Poor - Counseling husbands and wives - Instructing young people.

These are good things…but they are not the BEST thing…or the PRINCIPAL thing the church is supposed to be engaged with.

The church has been given what is to be its primary focus and central animating truth…the shining of the light of the Gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection.

To remind us of this fact…the Lord provided for His church the observance of the Lord’s Supper

Yet…there is a great danger in religious exercise…to see only the exercise, and not that which the exercise is supposed to reflect.

There is, and probably always has been, a LOT more religious ceremony than true religious conviction.

It is far easier to light a candle, than it is to submit yourself to Christ in such a way as to have your heart lit on fire for Him and His cause in the world.

As we gather today and observe the Lord’s Supper…we want to be sure we are looking at the right things, and in the right direction.

Body

(1) A Look Backward (v.

23-25)

A look backward to THE pivotal event in all of human history

True that complete forgetting was unlikely

All that Jesus endured on the day He died.

The pain and the shame

A look back to our salvation

mat 27 24-

A look back to our salvation

A look back to our salvation

A look back on our lives since then and all that the Lord’s death has meant in the hard times of our lives

But “practical forgetfulness” was, and is, ever a risk in our lives

A look back on our lives since then and all that the Lord’s death has meant in the good times of our lives

(2) A Look Inward (v.

27-32)

When Jesus first said this, I wonder how many of the men at the table thought to themselves, “In remembrance of you…I will never forget you…how could I ever do so?”

True that complete forgetting was unlikely

But “practical forgetfulness” was, and is, ever a risk in our lives

Introspection a vanishing practice in our culture.

Living as though we have forgotten what Christ has done for us is all the evidence needed to demonstrate the reality of practical forgetfulness in our lives.

Living as though Christ never died

Living as though we were not changed at salvation

Living as though what Christ has done is a separate thing in our lives…with no direct impact on our day to day

Is your salvation as near, or preferably nearer to you now, than the day you were saved?

Or do you hold it at a distance in your life?

Is it something that “happened”…but does not influence your life daily?

The Lord’s Supper given to shine a light on this possibility in our lives

(3) A Look Outward

(3) A Look Outward

SubPoint Number Three

Remember WHY - Not JUST to save you, me, or even our own families…but to save ALL!

After we appropriately look inwardly…our eyes ought to next settle upon those around us…at the world around us and the people who need to hear the truth of the Gospel.

It is good that we look inward…it is necessary that we look inward…but may we not shut ourselves off from looking outwardly.

One of the greatest limiting factors to missions is that we look back and see Christ’s death…we look inwardly and understand what His death has meant, and still means for us today…but come short of then looking outwardly on a world that Jesus Himself was looking upon when He died.

Text

(4) A Look Upward (…till He come)

The Lord’s Supper should remind us that we are to be looking upward in expectation of Christ’s return

Guard’s against an improper investment in this world

The life of the child of God should include frequent consideration that one day, Jesus is going to return just like He said He would.

As we show the Lord’s death in this observance of the Lord’s Supper, as we look back, inward, and outward…let us know forget to also look up.

To renew our commitment to living in the light of the certain and imminent return of Christ.

Text

The look up is the look that has the power to give hope and peace through any of life’s circumstances

A child of God living without hope and peace is failing to look up...

2 chronicles

Text

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Conclusion

A look backward…a look inward…a look outward…and a look upward.

Are you looking in these four directions as we assemble here today?

Are you looking in these four directions in your life?

ALL four?

I thank the Lord for what He did on the cross as I look backward…for the salvation his death made possible for me as I look inward…for the opportunity provided for others to find Him as I look outward…and for the hope He gives me as I anticipate His return while looking upward.

SubPoint Number Two

SubPoint Number Three