Communion Message
(Ephesians chapter 1)
March 16, 2003
Pastor Leighton Sheley

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

May the Lord bless the reading of His word and let us pray together: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

The Scriptures say at times like these we should examine ourselves, and so I would like to invite you, if you are physically able, to join with me now as we kneel in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

Lord we are so thankful for Your holy word. For in it we find a light for our feet. Give us guidance down the path of life. Thank you for revealing to us the reality of that which we cannot see or experience through the five senses. Thank you Lord for Your promises which You always keep. Thank you Lord for Your mercy and Your grace towards us who are so undeserving. Your word says if we confess our sin You are faithful and just and will forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The elements that we hold now remind us of the price that has been paid for our sin, and that You always keep Your promises. Lord as we partake now we ask You to forgive us and to cleanse us, and we do so in remembrance of You. Let's partake of the bread and also the cup. In Jesus' name we pray, and all God's people said, amen.