Communion Message
(They're cheering us on)
July 13, 2003
Pastor Donald Sheley

The writer to the Hebrews seems at this moment to see a picture, and this is what he sees: he says there in the heavens there is a vast host of people so great a cloud of witnesses; they've already made the journey; they're in heaven; they've already been placed there for all of eternity. And he says, that cloud, that great group of witnesses, is watching and beholding. When I try to understand I say, is what You're saying dear God in Your word is: if we could only see into the spiritual, we would see this vast host of Christian saints that have gone on to heaven and they're observing this scene today. They're watching us in our journey as we make our journey homeward.

And the Bible says they're the witnesses; they've already proven that it can be done. And if they had something to say to us it would be this: lay aside every weight and every sin that would ensnare us and run with a patience towards our eternal home. That's one of the great joys of our communion time. We have the opportunity to go to our knees and say, Lord Jesus, I need You to forgive me. I'm human. I failed You. I transgressed Your laws. I'm asking You to be my Savior and to forgive me of all my sins. The writer says as we do that we keep our focus on Jesus, looking onto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith. Who for the joy -- and that's an interesting phrase to me -- who for the joy that was set before Him.

We often think of that road to Calvary. It's called the road of sorrows, at least that's what mankind has called it. But there was a joy that was in the heart of Christ as He moved towards that cross and as He took the shame and the disgrace of that moment, yet there was a deep abiding joy knowing that the day would come when multitudes would find peace and forgiveness in what He was going to there at that cross. And so the writer to the Hebrews says we've got a great witnesses, there's a vast number of saints who've made it on to glory, and they're viewing this scene and they're cheering us on. And they're suggesting that in this journey we keep ourselves from sin and we keep our focus on Jesus. He's the author and the finisher of our faith, and with joy He procured our salvation for us at Calvary.

If it's possible, somehow today, if you're discouraged, you find that your faith is really floundering; you've been hit with a number of things that just cause you to wonder and you're almost that your wits' end, just remember there's a vast, numerous number of folks who are in heaven who say, look at: Just keep on the journey; keep faithful; it's worth it all. Heaven is our home. Keep your focus on Christ.

So let's take a moment in our communion time just to get a refocus. Just remember we're just passing through. We're just pilgrims here, and we're just passing through. We're on a journey. The cheering crowd is ahead of us and the Christ and wants to guide us is available to us. Let's go to our knees, shall we today?

Lord Jesus on this beautiful Sunday morning we wanted to be in Your house. We wanted to come for worship, and we're here, but life has a tendency to take some of our joys and even at times to almost rob us of our faith. We get hit with all of the circumstances around us and all of the problems that mount upon us, and for some of us to kneel here today our hearts are really crying out to You dear God. We need You.

For some of us who kneel here today, we've wandered far down the pathway of disobedience and we've transgressed Your holy laws. We've sinned, and we're sorry dear God. So we come to this moment realizing that Your word tells us there's a vast host that's cheering us on. But the saints that have gone before us they were not perfect either. They had their struggles; they had their intense moments of disappointment just like us. The journey for them is over and they're telling us to keep pushing on. So in this moment around Your table, dear God, we ask You to once again touch us with Your presence. May we sense Your nearness to us. Push away all that would seem to take away the joy of our salvation. Draw very near to us O sweet spirit of God. Forgive us, cleanse us, draw us near to You.

Thank you for this beautiful moment because we hold in our hands that obvious reminder that everything we prayed for You've already answered, because these elements the broken bread speaks of Your body given in sacrifice, and the cup speaks of Your precious blood for our cleansing. And You promised that if we confess our sins You would be faithful and just and would forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And we've confessed we need You dear God; we failed You. And these elements we hold make the promise that You've heard us, You've forgiven, and You love us, for these emblems bespeak of Your precious love, and we thank you for that dear Jesus. Let's take the bread together, and then the cup. And everybody said, amen. Let's stand and greet one another, shall we?