Communion Message
Self-discipline
August 7, 2005
Pastor Leighton Sheley

We find these words written for us in Hebrews chapter 12: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children." As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all.

Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."

God wants His children to act like children of God should act, and sometimes He has to step in and discipline us because we refuse to discipline ourselves. I'm a father of two, and I have two wonderful children, but they are not perfect. I don't know anybody who has perfect children. But I have some great children and occasionally they don't exercise self-discipline, and Dad has to step in and discipline because they have not exercised self-discipline.

God wants His children to exercise self-discipline so He doesn't have to step in and discipline us. You know the Scriptures tell us that very clearly in 1 Corinthians chapter 11, the passage that is so familiar to us at times like this, communion, it says: if we contend with ourselves, if we discipline ourselves, we would not be disciplined by God and judged in this way; but when we are being disciplined by God, then we will not be condemned with the world.

Now the Scriptures say at times like this we should examine our self, and so I'd 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.

Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. These words expressed so many centuries ago by King David are our prayer to You this day Lord. We desire to bring honor and glory to the family name as Your children.

And Lord, each and every one of us each and every day fail to do that in some way, whether it be thought, word or deed. We are thankful Lord that You never abandon us, that You never discard us, that You always keep Your promises, You said You'd be with us always. Lord we thank you for Your patience with us. We thank you for Your Holy Spirit that lives within us and that gently, patiently, diligently transforms us a little more into the kinds of people that You want us to be.

Lord we come to You this day and we ask Your forgiveness and we ask Your cleansing, and Your word has You're faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank you Lord for Your great love for us. Let's partake of the bread and also the cup in remembrance.

Thank you Lord, thank you Lord. Hallelujah. Can we say hallelujah together? Hallelujah. Let's say it again. Hallelujah! Again. Hallelujah! You alone Lord deserve all of the praise and all of the glory - Hallelujah - in Jesus' name we pray, and all of God's people said...amen.