Communion Message
(By His Invitation)
April 27, 2003
Pastor Leighton Sheley

I find this in Revelation chapter 5. Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" Amen, amen.

The music that we have sung this morning seems like it was taken right from this particular passage for we have joined with the angels, with the elders, and with those four creatures in giving praise and adoration to Him who sits upon the eternal throne, our Lord and Savior. And Lord, we thank you for Your holy word which reveals this to us, and for Your holy Spirit who opens our eyes and our minds to see its truth.

Lord we are so thankful that You have chosen us by Your holy Spirit to draw us into relationship with You. And Lord this morning we also recognize that it is sin that separates. It was sin that separated Adam and Eve from You and Your presence in the garden. It is sin in our lives that causes separation between You and us. And Lord we are so thankful we can come together this day by Your invitation, to Your table, confess our sins, and be forgiven and cleansed. Thank you Lord, thank you.

Scriptures say at times like this we should examine our self. I want 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 as we began our expressions this day we sang these words: Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne; Listen! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own! Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee, and hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the Lord of life: who triumphed over the grave, who rose victorious to the strife of those He came to save. His glories now we sing, who died and rose on high, who died eternal life to bring and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of heaven: one with the Father that's known. One with the Spirit through Him given from yonder glorious throne. To Thee be endless praise, for Thou for us hast died; be Thou, O Lord, through endless days adored and magnified.

And we do adore You, and we want You magnified this day. We want You lifted up. We want men and women and children drawn to You as Lord and Savior. We want You glorified in our lives and our living. And yet so often Lord we fail You. We sin against You with thought, word, and deed; and how poorly we reflect Your perfection. Lord we are so thankful for Your holy Spirit and Your patience with us. We are so thankful Lord for Your holy word that says if we confess our sin You are faithful and just and will forgive us our sin and cleansed us from all unrighteousness.

Lord, we want to leave this place without the burden, without the shame, without the guilt of our sinful ways. As we partake of these elements in remembrance of You, we ask You Lord to forgive us and cleanse us in Jesus' name. Let's partake of the bread and also the cup.

Thank you Lord for making us a kingdom and priests for service to our Lord.