October 5, 2003 Communion Dedication - Baldwin Christian Church

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

("Thank you" to Grace, Margaret, Sarah, Gini, Jennifer and Pastor Ray for being conduits of the loving grace, the "charis" that we receive through the ministry of music.)

Some of the most influentual and powerful sermons are delivered in hymns and spiritual songs. The pastor did deliver a wonderful sermon, but it was a hymn that urged me to leave the comfort of my pew thirty years ago, and enter the comfort of our Lord's embrace. Everything about that moment is clearly recorded in my memory, all except the sensation of my feet touching the floor as our Father drew me to His altar and a confession of faith in Him. It was Him and a hymn that lifted my heart and lifted my steps.

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

John 1:16 tells us that from His perfect sacrifice we've received gracious love on top of gracious love. Even though He was rich, for our sakes he left it all behind to become poor, that through His poverty we might receive the reward. There is no greater love than this. And what does He ask us in return? Let His word live in you. Make room in our hearts for it. Make time in our days to nurture it. Be ready to share it, using it to instruct and exhort each other. Sing to Him with the gracious love He's given us, and do this in remembrance of Him.