Communion Message
(Gospel story in hymn)
February 13-14, 1999
Pastor Don Sheley

For I have received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me. In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. It's always a joy to my heart when we come together for worship with song. It lifts our hearts right into the very presence of God. And song was a part of that supper long, long ago. In fact, Luke tells us that when the supper was finished they sang a hymn. So hymns have always been a part of an expression of the meaning of this glorious commemoration to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. And Paul tells us that as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup we make a proclamation. We declare the death of Jesus Christ and the glorious gospel of his grace. As you have worship with us over the years you know that each communion time is different. We've approached this moment in so many different ways. A couple of weeks ago we all of us had a tract, and we read that tract together which was an explanation of the gospel, and God did marvelous things in the hearts of many that day. I've received many reports. And so we approached the table as the table of the gospel. Some months ago, in my studies, I was listening to one of the great worship tapes, the singers began to sing the hymn that we're going to listen to in just a moment and I could do no less than get on my knees and once again thank my Christ for dying for me. What the songwriter did in this hymn that we're going to listen to, he took the gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ and he put it in a beautiful story form. If today you're here and you're searching for reality and purpose in your life, you're searching for truth and your heart is open, listen to the singers as they sing and then when the hymn is concluded just say, Lord Jesus, I open my heart to you today. Please come and be my savior. Let's kneel as the singers sing our hymn for us.

O broken Lamb of God 
It was for me He died 
For all my sin and shame 
My Lord was crucified 
But through His brokenness 
I am made whole again 
And I see loveliness 
In Christ the broken Lamb

The Lamb of God 
Became the sacrifice 
It was my debt 
And still He paid the price 
For every sin 
And all iniquity 
The precious Lamb of God 
Was broken for you and me 
The precious Lamb of God 
Was broken for you and me

Glory, glory Glory to the Lamb (Repeat)

For He is glorious 
And worthy to be praised 
The Lamb upon the Throne 
And unto Him 
We lift our voice in praise 
The Lamb upon the Throne

They took Him from the cross 
And laid Him in a tomb 
Where hope seemed all but lost 
Their hearts were filled with gloom 
But early Sunday morn 
He rose triumphantly 
And purchased for all men 
The hope to live eternally

The Lamb of God 
Became the Lord of lords 
And He will reign 
As King forevermore 
He conquered death 
And now He holds the key 
The Lamb of God bought 
Eternal life for you and me 
The Lamb of God bought 
Eternal life for you and me

Amazing love 
How can it be 
That thou my God 
Shouldst die for me

Amazing love, Lord Jesus, that You would come to this earth and take upon Yourself our human form, become a servant even unto death for us to be our substitute to die in our stead, and as the singers have reminded us, You didn't' stay in that grave, You rose again and You secured for us the marvelous gift of eternal life. Thank you Lord Jesus. We worship You today. We love You. Let's take the bread together, shall we? Your word has reminded us Lord Jesus that as oft as we do this we once again proclaim Your death. For it was through Your death we have been granted the gift of life eternal. Let's drink the cup, shall we? Marvelous Jesus. Matchless Redeemer. Precious Christ. Glorious Redeemer. Our coming King. We love You and we worship You. And everybody said. Amen. Let's stand and greet the folks that have come to worship with us.