Communion Message
(Battleground)
May 19-20, 2001
Pastor Leighton Sheley

A pardon for sin and a peace that endureth. Reading selected verses from Romans chapter 8:

There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it is weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is leaving in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your immortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it's not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you have put to death the misdeed of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a Spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? And who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

No, in all of these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen?

Hallelujah. Lord, we are ever so thankful that You are ever so faithful to us. And Lord this day as we hold these elements, we are reminded that we are so often unfaithful to You. We do things. We say things. We think things that do not bring honor and glory to You. And Lord You have provided not only for our initial salvation, but also for our continuing salvation. For we can come to You and Your Word says if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This day we can come and we can leave our sins behind; leave them with You and walk out of this place changed and transform people because of the work that You have done paying the wages of our sin on Calvary's cross. Thank you Lord for Your great, great love and provision for us. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord.

The Scriptures tell us at this time that we should examine ourself, and so I would like to invite you, if you are physically able, to join with me as we now kneel in the presence of our Lord and Savior for a moment of private preparation.

Lord, we earnestly desire to bring honor and glory to You. And yet Lord, it's as though we live in the constant battleground within us. As the apostle Paul said, that which we would do, that which is pleasing to You, that which we want to do, that do not; but that which we would not do, that which is not pleasing to You, that do we do. O wretched people that we are. Who will save us from this body of death? Praise be to God, Christ Jesus. Thank you Lord for Your mercies that are new every morning, and Your graciousness towards us. Thank you Lord for Your promises. You who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. You are not going to give up on us. Thank you Lord that we can call upon You and Your name and ask forgiveness, confess our sins, repent, and enjoy freedom from sin, from its shame, from its control, and from its destination. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord for Calvary's cross. We partake now in remembrance of You. Let's partake of the bread and also the cup.

Thank you Lord for changing us, transforming us, in Jesus' name we pray, and together we say -- amen.