*** Talk Outline: Observing the Memorial of Christ's Death, S-31, 1/93 ***

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OBSERVING THE MEMORIAL OF CHRIST'S DEATH

Song No. 87. Opening prayer

BEING HERE IS MOST IMPORTANT THING WE COULD DO THIS EVENING (3 min.)

We are here to commemorate the death of greatest man who ever lived

Jesus Christ commanded his followers to do this (Lu 22:19)

Apostles and early Christians observed Memorial of Jesus' death

Observance is also known as Lord's Evening Meal (1Co 11:20, 26)

Pertinent questions arise:

Why did Jesus command his followers to commemorate his death?

When should this be done?

What do the emblems, the bread and wine, represent?

Who are entitled to partake of the emblems?

WHY WE COMMEMORATE JESUS' DEATH (5 min.)

To magnify two greatest expressions of love

God showed love for world of mankind by giving his Son (Joh 3:16)

This was the greatest expression of love

It caused Jehovah great pain to see his Son suffer and die

Jesus' actions were next greatest expression of love (Joh 15:13)

Left heavenly glory to carry out God's will (Php 2:5-8)

Kept integrity to God, proving a perfect man could do so

Gave perfect human life to ransom sinful mankind (Mt 20:28)

WHEN THE MEMORIAL SHOULD BE OBSERVED (3 min.)

Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide assemble for Memorial on Nisan 14

Today, after sundown, is Nisan 14, according to Biblical calendar

On evening of Nisan 14, 1513 B.C.E., Israel held first Passover, so named because firstborn were 'passed over,' or spared (Ex 12:26, 27)

Next morning, still Nisan 14, Moses led Israel out of Egypt

Israel was commanded to celebrate this deliverance annually

Celebration involved roast lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread; wine was later added

On evening of Nisan 14, 33 C.E., Christ instituted Memorial of his death right after celebrating his last Passover and dismissing Judas Iscariot (Mt 26:17-19; Joh 13:21-30)

Memorial of Christ's death celebrated annually

It is thus observed only once a year, as was the Passover

WHAT THE BREAD AND WINE REPRESENT (5 min.)

Body and blood of Christ represented by the bread and wine

Apostle Paul recounts meaning of emblems (1Co 11:23-26)

Unleavened bread is symbol of Jesus' sinless body (1Co 5:7, 8)

Red wine pictured Christ's blood, which serves two purposes

Takes away sin (1Pe 1:18, 19)

Validates new covenant with anointed followers (Heb 9:15-20)

WHO PARTAKE OF THE EMBLEMS? (13 min.)

Only spirit-anointed ones are entitled to partake

Last year _________________ were present for Memorial

Only _________________ partook of the emblems

Why so few are partakers

Jesus is Mediator of new covenant foretold at Jeremiah 31:31-34

Its purpose is to gather spiritual Israel (Ac 15:14; Ga 6:16)

Spiritual Israel also termed "little flock," to whom God would give the Kingdom government (Lu 12:32)

All of little flock are in the covenant Jesus made with his apostles for the heavenly Kingdom (Lu 22:28-30)

They will rule as kings and priests over the earth (Re 5:10)

Number limited to literally 144,000 (Re 14:1, 3b)

Majority of these were gathered prior to our time, so that today only a remnant of the 144,000 are on earth (Re 12:17)

These are the ones who partake of Lord's Evening Meal

All of them must and do have the assurance that God is dealing with them as spirit- anointed ones (Ro 8:16, 17)

They must examine their faith and conduct (1Co 11:17-34)

Need to be genuinely imitating Christ

Bible tells of one salvation but two destinies (1Jo 2:1, 2)

Expression "our sins" designates special group of 144,000

These partake of Memorial emblems, for they are in new covenant

They will also reign with Christ

Expression "whole world's" embraces unlimited number of "other sheep," with earthly destiny (Joh 10:16)

These do not partake because they are not in new covenant, but they benefit from it by keeping God's laws and will enjoy eternal earthly blessings under the heavenly Kingdom

This calls to mind God's covenant with Abraham (Ge 22:17, 18)

"Seed" is Christ and anointed followers; have heavenly destiny (Ga 3:16, 29)

"All nations of the earth" are those with earthly destiny, today represented by "great crowd" (Re 7:9; 21:3, 4)

Provision for two destinies magnifies God's sovereignty, achieves his will for earth

CELEBRATING THE MEMORIAL OF CHRIST'S DEATH TODAY (12 min.)

Read and comment briefly on Matthew 26:26

Jesus offered prayer and passed bread to 11 apostles

Qualified brother (preferably of anointed) offers prayer, and then the bread is passed

Read and comment briefly on Matthew 26:27, 28

Jesus prayed and then passed the wine to his faithful apostles

Another qualified brother (preferably of anointed) prays, and then the wine is passed

[Optional whether speaker comments during serving of emblems]

BENEFITS FROM BEING PRESENT AT THIS MEMORIAL CELEBRATION (4 min.)

We have been reminded of Jehovah's greatest expression of love

Observance has also reminded us of Christ's love for God and for us

How one can show appreciation for the significance of the Memorial

Diligently study the Bible and Christian publications

Regularly attend five weekly meetings (mention times)

Serve Jehovah faithfully as Christian ministers

Work toward the goal of baptism, if not yet dedicated to God

Both anointed and other sheep must meet same Christian standards

Maintain fine conduct, walking closely in Christ's footsteps

Show brotherly love to fellow believers (Joh 13:34, 35)

Tell others about two greatest expressions of love (Mt 5:14-16)

We invite all qualified to share in field ministry this week

Jesus ended the Memorial celebration with song (Mt 26:30)

Concluding song, No. 105. Final prayer

[Only scriptures in bold type need be read. References: w90 2/15 10-20; it-2 268-71; gt 114, 115]

[Footer on page 1:] S-31 1/93      Printed in Canada

[Footer on page 2:] S-31--page 2      TO BE COVERED IN 45 MINUTES

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