The Great Invitation

September 7, 1997

HAVE YOU RECEIVED AN INVITATION LATELY?

There are all kinds of invitations going around— some are more than invitations— they are SUMMONS: Come, or else we'll come after you! Some are to parties or special occasions but really are FUND RAISERS, or SALES EVENTS. They really don't want YOU— they want your MONEY! And then some PROMISE THE WORLD ("You have already won! If you are chosen you will win $1,000,000.00!!!)

So it is only natural that we have become very SKEPTICAL OF INVITATIONS. We have learned that if it is too good to be true, it is too good to be true! The problem is— we carry that skepticism into our spiritual life as well. We don't know who to believe when everyone claims to have the true faith. We even wonder if God is to be trusted— and if we can get past this preacher's spin or that denomination's sacred cow to find what God really is saying. Then even when we are pretty sure God is asking us to walk with Him and be his friend— we're pretty sure God has some ulterior motive in mind.

WHY WOULD GOD WANT TO ASK ME TO BE HIS FRIEND?

Then we find out that if we are going to follow God— sure enough— he wants us to learn from him, and take his mannerisms, and do his will. AHA! WE SAY— JUST AS I THOUGHT! GOD WANTS TO MAKE US HIS SLAVES!!!

What we don't stop to realize is that there is one— just one— Person in all this Universe who knows all about life! What we don't stop to realize is that every real commandment of God is based on the LOVE of God— and is for our ultimate happiness and joy and fulfilment.

Did you ever hear the story about the village that was seeded all around with landmine. Hardly a week went by but someone or other was either killed or their feet blown off by stepping on a mine as they walked through the fields and forests around the village. Then one night a village elder had a dream. In his dream he saw where every landmine had been planted. Quickly he arose and drew a map, and marked every place of death and danger. The next morning he called the village together and showed them the map, and they rejoiced! They copied the map— and those who were careful to stay in the paths were safe.

God's invitation to life is like that— there are no strings attached— he loves you as you are. But then he provides all you need to come to him and walk with him, and finally to spend eternity with him.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

COMMUNION IS A SACRAMENT OF THE CHURCH THAT 'DRAMATIZES', IF YOU WILL, THE GREAT INVITATION OF GOD FOR US TO DRAW NEAR AND BE HIS PEOPLE

THIS SACRAMENT WAS FORESHADOWED BY THE PASSOVER NEARLY 4,000 YEARS AGO

THE LORD JESUS HIMSELF OBSERVED PASSOVER WITH HIS DISCIPLES THE NIGHT BEFORE HE WAS CRUCIFIED FOR OUR SINS

AND THAT NIGHT HE TRANSFORMED IT FOR CHRISTIANS INTO A MEANS OF GRACE FOR THE WHOLE CHURCH— ALL BELIEVERS WHO CALL JESUS LORD

SINCE THAT NIGHT COMMUNION LOOKS BACK TO THE CROSS, WHERE JESUS BECAME OUR 'LAMB OF GOD' TO TAKE AWAY OUR SINS AND THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD

AND IT LOOKS FORWARD TO THE GREAT BANQUET TO WHICH WE ARE ALL INVITED

EVERY TIME WE COME TO THIS TABLE WE ARE ONE WITH ALL CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD AND IN HEAVEN, ALL WHO CALL JESUS 'LORD!"

Will you prepare, with the help of God the Holy Spirit, to come to Christ's Table?:

The Law Read and Confession Made

The Lord Jesus Christ has said to us: "Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This if the first and great commandment. The second is like unto it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Shall we pray:

LORD, YOU KNOW US BETTER THAN WE KNOW OURSELVES. YOU KNOW WE CANNOT LOVE YOU AS WE SHOULD APART FROM YOUR GRACE. YOU KNOW WE SOMETIMES SLIP INTO SELFISH WAYS, AND WE NEED YOUR LOVE TO ENABLE US TO LOVE EACH OTHER AS WE SHOULD. Forgive us where we have been selfish, or insensitive, or sinful in any way.

Brothers and sisters, let us search our hearts. In silence let us ask God to draw us near to Himself so that we can come to his table with confidence.

We do not presume to come to this table, O God, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your great mercy and grace. Grant us to eat the Bread of heaven, and drink the blood shed for the remission of sins, that we may live in Christ, and Christ may live in us forever. Amen

O LORD GOD, FORGIVE THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR NEED OF GRACE.

WE ACCEPT YOUR GRACE OF FORGIVENESS JUST NOW.

LET US CONFESS OUR FAITH:   

The Apostles' Creed ..... (STL # 8)

The Informal Invitation ("This is not my table . . . ")

The Words of Institution

On the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to You he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, "Take eat: THIS IS MY BODY, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. After supper he took the cup and when he had give thanks he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you; THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink this, do it in remembrance of me: Amen O GOD, We praise you for the mystery of our salvation! We truly believe Christ has died!Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

Bless these emblems, O God, and make them to us the Body and Blood of your Son, spiritual food, and spiritual drink of new and unending life in Jesus Christ.

And now, together, we pray, as Jesus taught us:

Our Father which art in heaven . . . (partake together // instructions if otherwise)

Now, humbly we receive the Gifts of God for the People of God