He alone is worthy. He alone is worthy of our praise. As we go to this time of communion we focus on the cross and Calvary and all that Jesus has done for us, and we go to those familiar words of the apostle Paul, who under the anointing of Christ wrote these words, even declared that it was given to Him by the Lord. He says, I received from the Lord that which also I deliver 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 that 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 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.

I want to focus, if we can today, on the blood of Christ and its meaning to our life. A number of years ago when I was pastoring in Stevenson Washington we had a family member of our church involved in a horrific accident. He was rushed to the hospital bleeding internally and sixteen units of blood later they were able to save his life because of blood transfusions. We probably know of people or are aware of people who, every so often, have to go to the hospital for a blood transfusion because of a blood disease or whatever in order to sustain life. We realize how important blood is. In fact, the Bible says life is in the blood. And because blood flows through our veins our hearts beat and we function and live. If the blood were let out of our body, we would not last very long. But I like to think in terms of a spiritual blood transfusion -- that on Calvary Jesus poured out His blood into our veins to give us eternal life.

There is a song that just came to my mind as we were talking before the service today where this thought really probably comes from - it's called I'm a child of the King. And one of the lines says His royal blood now flows in my veins. And if we have identified with Jesus Christ, in a very spiritual sense the blood of Jesus flows in us because of Calvary. The blood that guarantees the forgiveness of our sins also gives us eternal life. And so as we focus on communion today I want you to focus with me on what it means to have Jesus' blood applied to my life. Let's bow in His presence. You can kneel or sit, which ever you're most comfortable doing.

Hallelujah, hallelujah. Father, we hold these emblems in our hand and each time we do they remind us of the cost of Calvary. And we kneel in awe of Your willingness to be poured out in such a humiliating way to give us life. And Lord I pray that you'd help each one of us who are here today, who know You, to come to understand what it means to have the blood of Jesus flowing in our life. If there is anyone here today Lord that's partaking communion for the first time, identifying with Jesus Christ, may they understand it's the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from all sin - not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us. We pray Your blessing upon the bread that represents Your brokenness to make us whole, and upon the cup that constantly reminds us we are clean in Jesus. Let's partake of the bread together. And then the cup.

Thank you Jesus. Thank you Lord that Your royal blood does flow in our veins and we who are lost now are clean. We're a child of the King. We thank you for the eternal life that is ours in Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, amen. Let's stand together and greet those around us - welcome them to the house of the Lord.