Communion Message
Reconciliation between Mankind
November 2, 2003
Pastor Leighton Sheley

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

The Scriptures say that we have been reconciled to God through Christ's work on Calvary's cross. Reconciled means to bring back into a former state of harmony. We were alienated by sin. We were in disharmony with God, but we have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

Jesus was asked by His disciples how they ought to pray and He taught them what we know as the Lord's Prayer. Let us pray that together now:
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.

And then the next verse continues the words of Jesus: when He says,
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

You see, Jesus came not only that there might be reconciliation between man and his creator, the Almighty God, but Jesus also came that there might be reconciliation between mankind. Forgiveness is not making oneself a doormat for future abuse. Forgiveness is not by our silence condoning a condition of continuing evil. That's not forgiveness.

What forgiveness is is to leave one by not taking him is a companion. We don't harbor bitterness, anger, unforgiveness; and if we forgive one another then we can enjoy God's forgiveness for us. I'd like to invite you, if you're physically able, to join with me now as we kneel in the presence of our Lord and Saviour. The Scriptures say at times like this we should examine our self.

Lord Your word is very clear. Forgive us our debts, our trespasses, as we forgive our debtors and those who trespass against us. Lord we thank you for choosing to forgive us our sin, for our sin is great and its greatness is described by the elements that we hold. For it took the sacrifice of Your only begotten Son on Calvary's cross to remove our sin as a barrier of separation.

Lord we've examined our self and Your Holy Spirit has brought to our attention those that we need to forgive, that we might be forgiven. 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. Lord as we now partake of these elements we ask You to forgive us and cleanse us in Jesus' name. Let's partake of the bread and also the cup. Thank you Lord, thank you Lord, in Jesus' name we pray, and all God's people said...Amen.