Communion Message
Reading from Ephesians
September 14, 2003
Pastor Leighton Sheley

Paul the apostle prayed this prayer. It's recorded for us in the book of Ephesians, he said, For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you might be filled to the full measure of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

And then he continues writing, he says, As a prisoner for the Lord, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling that you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ might be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

And so I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regards to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; and instead to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work and do something useful with his own hands, that he can have something to share with those who are in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful to building others up in accordance with their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

The Scriptures say at times like this we should examine our self and so 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.

Lord, Your word says that we should examine our self. After hearing the charge, the challenge, that Paul puts forth to us to live according to the call that we have been called, by You, adopted children, we find that we are reminded once again of how sinful we are. Lord I have had ungodly attitudes this week. I have said ungodly things, and I have done ungodly things, as has every single person that's here today. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all; has laid on Christ our sin.

Thank you Lord for Your holy word that says if we confess our sin You are faithful and just and will forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all righteousness. As we partake of these elements we do so in remembrance of You. Let's partake of the bread, and also the cup. Thank you Lord for your graciousness and goodness to us, in Jesus' name we pray, and all God's people said, amen.