Communion Message
(Under His wings)
March 23, 2003
Pastor Leighton Sheley

There was an article a number of years ago in the National Geographic that provided a picture of God's protecting wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up the mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of the tree. Somewhat sickened with the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. And when he struck it three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. This mother, keenly aware of the impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings knowing instinctively that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety, but she refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother remained steadfast. Because she was willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live.

We find these words recorded in Psalm 91:
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you make the Most High your dwelling-even the LORD, who is my refuge-then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Blessed be the name of the Lord, our strength, our rock, our refuge. Some have observed that when Jesus voluntarily outstretched His arms upon that cross that it was as though He were saying, come onto Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. And rest and peace is found under the wings, the outstretched arms, of our Lord -- beneath the cross of Jesus. 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. The Scriptures say at times like these we should examine our self.

We are so thankful Lord that You have chosen to love us so much, that You have chosen to reveal to us that which we cannot see, our spiritual need. You have reveal to us Your answer for our need -- salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Thank you Lord for loving us so much, for caring for us so much, for guiding and protecting us so much. For every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord.

Let's pray: 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.

Lord, 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. And, Lord, as we partake of these elements today we do so in remembrance of You. Let's partake of the bread and also the cup.

Thank you Lord, thank you Lord for being our provider of everything that is good. In Jesus' name we pray, and let's altogether say, amen.