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OBSERVING "THE LORD'S EVENING MEAL"
Song No. 8 and Opening Prayer
PATTERN FOR "LORD'S EVENING MEAL" WAS SET BY JESUS (3 min.)
The ?rst Lord's Evening Meal was observed Nisan 14, 33 C.E.
Jesus and his 11 faithful apostles were present on that occasion
Jesus knew that he would soon give his life as a perfect sacri?ce
He arranged for his sacri?ce to be remembered in a simple ceremony [Read Luke 22:19, 20]
Jesus' death is commemorated once each year; this serves as a reminder of loving provision of ransom, which is Jehovah's means to deliver, or save, humankind from sin and death
Why was such a ransom needed?
WHY A RANSOM WAS NEEDED (7 min.)
When Adam sinned, he lost the prospect of living forever
All descendants of Adam were born in sin
Wages sin pays is death
By means of the ransom, however, God provides gift of everlasting life to mankind through Jesus Christ
[Read Romans 6:23]
Adam lost a perfect life; by sacri?cing his own perfect life in ?awless obedience to God, Jesus paid the price for Adam's sin, opening the way for o?spring of Adam to get life
Must exercise faith in Christ [Read John 3:16]
"Exercising faith" calls for action on our part [Read James 2:24, 26]
"LITTLE FLOCK" AND "OTHER SHEEP" BENEFIT FROM THE RANSOM (13 min.)
The Bible explains two hopes for faithful mankind, who will become part of either the "new heavens"
or the "new earth" (2Pe 3:13)
Jehovah chooses place where each dedicated and baptized one will serve, whether in heaven or on earth
A limited number-a "little ?ock"-receive everlasting life in heaven (Lu 12:32) Number limited to 144,000 [Read Revelation 14:1]
Majority of these were gathered prior to our time; only a remnant remain
For example, Memorial attendance last year worldwide was__________, but only______partook of the emblems, indicating heavenly hope
Those of the "little ?ock" bear the name of Jehovah God and of Jesus Christ (Re 14:1; re 200) Will "rule as kings over the earth," bringing untold blessings to obedient humans (Re 5:10) Have been brought into new covenant, on basis of which spiritual Israelites are gathered
Since Jesus referred to "new covenant" when instituting the Lord's Evening Meal, only those in new covenant partake of emblems (Lu 22:20)
How does a Christian know whether he has the heavenly hope and is thus in the new covenant? God's spirit gives those of the "little ?ock" personal assurance that they have heavenly hope [Read Romans 8:16, 17]
Anointed called "firstfruits to God" [Read Revelation 14:4]
This expression implies that others are also in line for God's favor
"Other sheep" will enjoy everlasting life on earth [Read John 10:16]
Are also highly favored by God; Jehovah called them "blessed" and "my people" [Read Isaiah 65:21-23]
While anointed partake of emblems, other sheep attend as respectful observers, re?ecting appreciatively on ransom
Members of both the heavenly and the earthly classes have reason to be grateful for kind provision of ransom
WHAT THE EMBLEMS REPRESENT (2 min.)
Bread and wine represent body and blood of Christ, the perfect sacri?ce
Unleavened bread represents Jesus' sinless body (1Co 5:7, 8)
Red wine pictures his blood poured out in sacri?ce, which provides the basis for the new covenant and makes possible forgiveness of sins (Mt 26:27, 28)
OBSERVING THE MEMORIAL OF CHRIST'S DEATH TODAY (12 min.)
Tonight we will follow the pattern Jesus set for observing the Lord's Evening Meal
[Read and comment briefly on 1 Corinthians 11:23, 24]
Jesus o?ered prayer and passed bread to 11 apostles
Quali?ed brother (preferably anointed) o?ers brief prayer, and then the bread is passed
[Read and comment briefly on 1 Corinthians 11:25]
Jesus prayed and then o?ered wine to followers
Another quali?ed brother (preferably anointed) prays brie?y, and then the wine is passed
[Optional whether speaker comments while emblems are being served]
BENEFITS FROM BEING PRESENT AT THIS MEMORIAL OBSERVANCE (8 min.)
How can we show appreciation for the Memorial?
If you are not yet baptized, continue working toward that goal
Build faith by taking in knowledge (Joh 17:3)
As your faith grows, you will have strength to ful?ll other requirements-repentance, conversion, dedication, and baptism
Once baptized, you must remain faithful
All must attend meetings regularly, not merely on special occasions, such as this one (Heb 10:23-25) Engage in preaching work (Ac 1:8)
We invite all quali?ed ones to share in ?eld ministry this week
Continue to take in knowledge of Jehovah's purposes
Song No. 109 and Closing Prayer
[Only scriptures in bold type need be read. References: w90 2/15 10-20; it-2 268-71; gt 114-15]
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(((huggles yall)))
