Communion Message
(Daddy's love)
January 20, 2002
Pastor Leighton Sheley

In preparing for this time together today I had some things that went through my mind. You know, I've said it often, and it's true, that I have learned more about the love of our heavenly Father by being a father then I could have possibly ever learned if I had read 1000 books. And you who are fathers out there, nodding, and you know what I mean when I say that.

It wasn't too long ago when I was home and I was looking for my daughter and she disappeared. She was inside of the house, and when I found her she was in her room, and she was in her bed and she was crying from deep within-convulsive sobs. And I sat on the edge of her bed; it must have been for perhaps 45 minutes while she cried from deep in her soul. And when she had calmed a bit, I said, honey, what's wrong? What's going on? And then she poured out her issues with me. She's dealing with the same kind of issues that every young person deals with at that age.

And I told her, I said, you know honey, your daddy doesn't love you because you're smart. You are smart, but that's not why daddy loves you. And your daddy doesn't love you because you're pretty. You are pretty, but that's not why daddy loves you. And your daddy doesn't love you because you're athletic. You are athletic, but that's not why daddy loves you. Daddy loves you because you are daddy's girl; you are daddy's child.

God doesn't love us because of how smart we are, or how attractive we are, or how athletic, or how hard we work, or all of the many things that we might think will somehow improve God's love of us. Our heavenly Father loves us because we are His child.

As I was sitting on the edge of that bed, I realized that I had failed as a daddy because I hadn't told my daughter that enough. And so the next day I wrote her a love letter, because I know that through the course of a day she is being told by some of her friends that parents only love their children because of their performance. And any time she has a question whether or not her daddy loves her, she can pull out that love letter and read it again.

This is our heavenly Father's love letter to us (the Bible); and any time we have a question about why God loves us or if God loves us, all we need to do is read His love letter again. Like any good dad, He doesn't make trivia of our mistakes. But He says to us, like any good dad, hey, we'll work it out together; or, honey I know you can't take care of this, daddy will.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man, Jesus Christ, the many will be made righteous.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was 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.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation - but it is 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 put to death the misdeeds 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 have 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 coheirs 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.

I'd like to invite you at this time, if you're physically able, to join with me as we now kneel in the presence of our Lord and Savior. The Scriptures say that at times like this when we gather together and we're holding the elements that we should examine ourselves; and so let's observe just a few moments here of private meditation as we listen to what the Lord might be speaking to us.

Lord we're so thankful that can call You Father, and that Your love doesn't change based on what we've done or not done today. We know, Lord, You want us to be good because we are Your children, and You are good, and You want your children to be like You. This day, Lord, as we reflect on how perfect You are we're reminded of how imperfect we are. Each and every one of us each and every day has thought or said or done things that is displeasing to You.

Lord, we're so thankful that Your word says if we confess our sins You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And so Lord this day we do confess our sins to You and we ask You to forgive us of our sins, and we ask You to cleanse us from unrighteousness and even the appetite to unrighteousness. Thank you Lord for Your faithful us to us; even so, often when we are unfaithful to You.

Lord, the elements that we hold remind us of the great price that was paid -- that we could have forgiveness -- Jesus on Calvary's cross. And it also communicates to us how much You value each and every one of us, because if it had been one person, You would have still paid the price -- Cavalry's cross. You Yourself have said the value of one soul is greater than all the wealth this earth possesses. Help us Lord to understand better how much You love us and treasure us. Thank you Lord .

Let's partake of the bread and also the cup. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Thank you - O yes. In Jesus' name we pray, and let's say together, amen, which means so be it. Let's stand and greet our neighbors.