Before I get to the point of this blog I just want to announce to everyone that the next TWO Sundays at 9:00am in DISCOVERY CLASS, I will be teaching on Spiritual Language (Tongues). Of all the gifts of the Spirit this one can really light up a discussion. Most people aren't so much against the possibility of a Spiritual language as much as they are confused, untaught, and have seen the questionable. I believe there is a legitimate use and practice of this gift. If you want to slip into the 9:00am class, you are invited to do so.

Also, this weekend we will be receiving Communion and I think I have some interesting insight to share with everyone. I am going to continue our series: EMBRACE THE GRACE, but the emphasis in the message will be Communion and we will be receiving the Lord's Supper at the end of service.

I tell you this because as I was reading I Corinthians 11, where Paul speaks about what he received from the Lord, I was struck with a thought that I will elaborate in greater detail this Sunday. The thought was concerning v.30, where he explains why many are "weak, sick, and literally dying". Apparently, not receiving the communion meal appropriately could have dire consequences. However, the question arises that if indeed that is the case, then why do we not see the correlation today? And beyond that if we are handling the communion table well then why do we not see healings, miracles, and supernatural moments?

I will give you that answer Sunday, but I want to leave you with just one precept that I believe is a Scriptural one which we find over and over again in the Bible. It will be important as I answer that question later. I call it this:

BEHIND EVERY DEAD, FAMILIAR, RELIGIOUS ACT OR RITUAL THERE WAS ONCE DIVINE LIFE AND GLORY.

Let that settle in for just a moment.

Think about all the religious ritual and acts in the Bible that once had incredible power associated with them, but now they are relics of familiarity that mean little and contain even less power. Think about how God established the tabernacle, the temple, the sacrificial system, and all the protocol of these things and He would show up so powerfully in His glory that the Bible tells us on several occasions that "the priests were unable to stand". Yet now, these things are lifeless. There was a time Moses had to wear a veil to keep the children of Israel from being alienated from the glory of God; yet when the glory lifted, he (Moses) kept the veil. The veil became unneeded, yet Moses kept it intact without the accompanying glory.

I have often wondered if today in the church we keep things intact, but never realize that the glory is no longer upon those things we do. Let's take for example...communion. We do this out of obedience to Scripture and we know this to be something that is important, but do we really "get" that there is a glory that may be missing? Have we kept the ritual intact, but lost the glory? And beyond that again, can the glory be recaptured? Perhaps if it was then v.30 would make a whole lot more sense. To be candid, I have participated in many a communion service where I was obedient to the ritual, but I can't say I sensed any glory. I would very much like to change that.

This Sunday we will be receiving the elements again at the Table of the Lord. I am dedicating a whole message (which I have never done to my knowledge) to restoring the grace and glory upon the table. I have been sensing in greater measure the glory and presence of God in our worship and in our services. I want to believe that this time when we gather at the Table, there will be an unexpected power that is awaiting us as we partake. Would it not be just like the Lord to take something as ritualistic as the Communion Supper and turn into a revival moment? I won't "make" anything happen, but I believe that as we pray and prepare our hearts this week that something can come to life like never before.

May it be so Lord!

Pastor