Communion Message
(Reading from 1 Peter)
August 10, 2003
Pastor Leighton Sheley

The great apostle Peter writes: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

May the Lord bless the reading of His holy word.

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

Thank you Lord for paying it all, all of the wages of our sin on Calvary's cross. Thank you Lord for Your word that tells us that if we confess are sin You are faithfully and You're just and You will forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank you God for keeping Your promises. The elements that we hold remind us that You kept a promise made to Adam and Eve that in the fullness of time You would send Your salvation. Thank you Lord for keeping Your promise, and thank you Lord for forgiving our sins and cleansing us as we now partake of these elements in remembrance of You. Let's partake of the bread, and also the cup.