WEBVTT STYLE ::cue { color: #ffffff; } 00:00:00.650 --> 00:00:01.662 To you from God, 00:00:01.716 --> 00:00:03.054 our Father and our Lord and 00:00:03.092 --> 00:00:04.560 Savior Jesus Christ. 00:00:06.850 --> 00:00:08.974 Today's sermon concludes the 00:00:09.012 --> 00:00:11.082 series on the Small Catechism 00:00:11.226 --> 00:00:13.082 here in this year's chapel. 00:00:13.226 --> 00:00:16.170 And it is as we just recited 00:00:16.329 --> 00:00:18.222 over that question of who 00:00:18.276 --> 00:00:20.606 receives the sacrament the 00:00:20.628 --> 00:00:22.750 Lord's Supper worthily. 00:00:24.050 --> 00:00:25.794 The question of out worthy 00:00:25.842 --> 00:00:27.478 reception, I believe, 00:00:27.564 --> 00:00:31.110 is best heard as ultimately an 00:00:31.180 --> 00:00:33.378 invitation to desire 00:00:33.474 --> 00:00:34.870 Holy Communion. 00:00:35.290 --> 00:00:37.694 While it also involves biblical 00:00:37.762 --> 00:00:39.254 instruction on the literal 00:00:39.302 --> 00:00:41.274 meaning of Christ's words which 00:00:41.312 --> 00:00:43.306 we've heard in other sermons as 00:00:43.328 --> 00:00:45.046 we go through the catechism, 00:00:45.238 --> 00:00:48.442 it also involves teaching about 00:00:48.576 --> 00:00:50.402 repentance and faith, 00:00:50.486 --> 00:00:53.134 law and gospel to receive what 00:00:53.172 --> 00:00:55.918 is being given. And of course, 00:00:56.004 --> 00:00:57.242 when it comes to leadership 00:00:57.306 --> 00:00:58.202 in congregations, 00:00:58.266 --> 00:00:59.246 as we discuss here 00:00:59.268 --> 00:01:00.298 at the seminary, 00:01:00.474 --> 00:01:03.838 it also involves setting helpful 00:01:04.013 --> 00:01:06.942 parameters for faithful 00:01:07.006 --> 00:01:09.090 participation to guard against 00:01:09.160 --> 00:01:10.606 spiritual peril. 00:01:10.798 --> 00:01:13.102 That is what guides a faithful 00:01:13.166 --> 00:01:15.330 practice of closed communion. 00:01:16.170 --> 00:01:19.174 But these practices are always 00:01:19.292 --> 00:01:22.214 and only for the sake of 00:01:22.252 --> 00:01:24.902 receiving Holy Communion with 00:01:24.956 --> 00:01:26.440 God and his people. 00:01:27.470 --> 00:01:29.450 Listen again to Luther's words 00:01:29.520 --> 00:01:32.422 and hear them as an invitation 00:01:32.566 --> 00:01:33.930 to commune. 00:01:35.710 --> 00:01:37.590 Fasting and bodily preparation 00:01:37.670 --> 00:01:38.970 are certainly a fine 00:01:39.040 --> 00:01:40.140 outward training, 00:01:40.610 --> 00:01:42.906 but that person is truly worthy 00:01:42.938 --> 00:01:45.754 and well prepared who has faith 00:01:45.802 --> 00:01:48.522 in these words given and shed 00:01:48.586 --> 00:01:50.794 for you for the forgiveness 00:01:50.842 --> 00:01:51.790 of sins. 00:01:52.630 --> 00:01:54.322 But anyone who does not believe 00:01:54.376 --> 00:01:56.114 these words or doubts them is 00:01:56.152 --> 00:01:58.834 unworthy and unprepared for the 00:01:58.872 --> 00:02:01.810 words for you require all 00:02:01.880 --> 00:02:03.300 hearts to believe. 00:02:05.110 --> 00:02:06.178 In these words, 00:02:06.264 --> 00:02:07.650 these words of invitation. 00:02:07.730 --> 00:02:11.014 I find two aspects that teach us 00:02:11.051 --> 00:02:13.282 to desire the Lord's Supper. 00:02:13.426 --> 00:02:14.886 One is quite obvious, 00:02:14.988 --> 00:02:16.134 the other is a little more 00:02:16.172 --> 00:02:18.762 subtle and is picked up in the 00:02:18.896 --> 00:02:19.766 scripture reading 00:02:19.798 --> 00:02:20.842 we heard before. 00:02:20.976 --> 00:02:23.818 But the first is this that we 00:02:23.904 --> 00:02:25.706 learn to desire the body and 00:02:25.728 --> 00:02:28.826 blood of Christ in faith for 00:02:28.848 --> 00:02:30.570 the forgiveness of sins. 00:02:31.410 --> 00:02:32.314 And secondly, 00:02:32.362 --> 00:02:34.682 that we desire the Lord's Supper 00:02:34.826 --> 00:02:37.262 as Holy Communion with 00:02:37.316 --> 00:02:38.880 God and his people. 00:02:40.130 --> 00:02:41.280 In other words, 00:02:41.650 --> 00:02:43.434 faithful preparation, 00:02:43.562 --> 00:02:46.782 desires Christ's forgiveness and 00:02:46.836 --> 00:02:48.670 his fellowship given 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:49.950 in this meal. 00:02:51.490 --> 00:02:51.854 Well, 00:02:51.892 --> 00:02:53.630 these desires sometimes begin 00:02:53.700 --> 00:02:55.622 like they did for some friends 00:02:55.676 --> 00:02:58.146 of mine named Eric and Vicky 00:02:58.258 --> 00:02:59.460 about 20 years ago. 00:03:00.890 --> 00:03:02.778 It started with an introduction 00:03:02.874 --> 00:03:05.166 from their friend to me as the 00:03:05.188 --> 00:03:06.830 pastor of a congregation. 00:03:07.330 --> 00:03:08.542 And it went something 00:03:08.596 --> 00:03:11.274 like this. Pastor, 00:03:11.402 --> 00:03:13.166 you met Eric and Vicky at 00:03:13.188 --> 00:03:15.440 Vacation Bible School last week. 00:03:15.970 --> 00:03:17.870 They came to church with us 00:03:17.940 --> 00:03:20.382 today and they re interested in 00:03:20.436 --> 00:03:22.506 being part of our congregation 00:03:22.698 --> 00:03:24.542 after their experience during 00:03:24.596 --> 00:03:28.120 VBS not an uncommon thing. 00:03:28.570 --> 00:03:28.982 Well, 00:03:29.036 --> 00:03:32.198 I visited with this couple and 00:03:32.284 --> 00:03:33.286 in the few minutes we 00:03:33.308 --> 00:03:34.274 had before church, 00:03:34.322 --> 00:03:36.262 I could share with them a few 00:03:36.316 --> 00:03:37.734 things and told them we could 00:03:37.772 --> 00:03:39.786 talk more after the service. 00:03:39.888 --> 00:03:41.626 But I wanted to make sure that 00:03:41.648 --> 00:03:42.710 they felt comfortable 00:03:42.790 --> 00:03:43.498 and welcome, 00:03:43.584 --> 00:03:45.450 just as they did at VBS. 00:03:46.190 --> 00:03:47.994 So I explained a few 00:03:48.031 --> 00:03:49.180 things to them. 00:03:49.790 --> 00:03:53.002 I shared that in the service and 00:03:53.055 --> 00:03:54.238 I know your friends are going to 00:03:54.244 --> 00:03:55.374 be sitting with you because 00:03:55.412 --> 00:03:56.414 they said they would. 00:03:56.531 --> 00:03:58.382 In the service we'll have 00:03:58.436 --> 00:03:59.934 scripture readings and 00:03:59.972 --> 00:04:01.098 there'll be a sermon, 00:04:01.194 --> 00:04:02.378 there will be prayers 00:04:02.474 --> 00:04:03.690 and singing. 00:04:03.850 --> 00:04:06.146 And I also explained that at a 00:04:06.168 --> 00:04:07.906 particular time in the service 00:04:08.088 --> 00:04:09.970 that people will come forward 00:04:10.040 --> 00:04:11.550 to the altar rail. 00:04:11.709 --> 00:04:13.554 And I invited them to come 00:04:13.591 --> 00:04:15.233 forward, if they chose to, 00:04:15.352 --> 00:04:17.186 to receive a blessing at 00:04:17.207 --> 00:04:19.077 the altar. And I said, 00:04:19.164 --> 00:04:20.406 cross your arms over your 00:04:20.428 --> 00:04:21.813 heart and bow your head. 00:04:21.932 --> 00:04:23.014 When I come around, 00:04:23.132 --> 00:04:24.786 I'll give you a blessing. 00:04:24.978 --> 00:04:26.885 And I also noted that there will 00:04:26.908 --> 00:04:29.226 be other people attending who 00:04:29.248 --> 00:04:31.146 will be up there to receive what 00:04:31.168 --> 00:04:33.110 we call Holy Communion. 00:04:33.270 --> 00:04:33.962 And I said, 00:04:34.016 --> 00:04:36.186 we'll discuss what that's about 00:04:36.288 --> 00:04:37.610 later, after the service, 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:38.860 if you would like. 00:04:39.630 --> 00:04:43.054 So we did that and they 00:04:43.172 --> 00:04:44.558 participated in the service. 00:04:44.644 --> 00:04:46.974 They came forward to receive a 00:04:47.012 --> 00:04:48.366 blessing at the altar with a 00:04:48.388 --> 00:04:50.014 big smile on their face. 00:04:50.212 --> 00:04:52.454 And afterwards we discussed 00:04:52.522 --> 00:04:53.460 more of this. 00:04:53.990 --> 00:04:54.354 Well, 00:04:54.392 --> 00:04:56.290 that's how their journey to 00:04:56.360 --> 00:04:58.909 desire Holy Communion began. 00:04:59.070 --> 00:05:00.354 Obviously not with 00:05:00.392 --> 00:05:01.310 Holy Communion, 00:05:01.390 --> 00:05:03.506 but the desire began there. 00:05:03.688 --> 00:05:07.010 That led to instruction, 00:05:07.170 --> 00:05:09.960 that led to attending services. 00:05:10.330 --> 00:05:12.741 And during those times they 00:05:12.796 --> 00:05:14.902 heard a message that 00:05:14.956 --> 00:05:16.038 captivated them. 00:05:16.124 --> 00:05:17.734 What first captivated them was 00:05:17.772 --> 00:05:19.018 the desire to be in 00:05:19.024 --> 00:05:19.914 this community. 00:05:20.111 --> 00:05:21.514 The second thing though was 00:05:21.552 --> 00:05:22.966 hearing this message of sin 00:05:22.998 --> 00:05:25.590 and grace, law and gospel, 00:05:25.750 --> 00:05:28.282 repentance and faith, and then, 00:05:28.336 --> 00:05:28.826 of course, 00:05:28.928 --> 00:05:30.686 specific instruction into 00:05:30.788 --> 00:05:32.270 the Lord's Supper. 00:05:32.850 --> 00:05:34.030 At the end of that, 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:36.142 they joyfully came forward to 00:05:36.196 --> 00:05:38.478 receive those gifts of Christ 00:05:38.563 --> 00:05:40.014 and still continue to 00:05:40.052 --> 00:05:41.919 do so to this day. 00:05:42.850 --> 00:05:44.734 I share that as a way of 00:05:44.772 --> 00:05:46.970 describing how faithful 00:05:47.050 --> 00:05:48.457 participation in the Lord's 00:05:48.474 --> 00:05:50.974 Supper can also be loving and 00:05:51.012 --> 00:05:52.510 caring participation. 00:05:53.810 --> 00:05:54.462 Well, 00:05:54.596 --> 00:05:57.494 how ever your journey began to 00:05:57.532 --> 00:05:59.780 desire the Lord's Supper, we 00:06:00.090 --> 00:06:02.606 have words in our text today 00:06:02.788 --> 00:06:05.118 that remind us how we can 00:06:05.204 --> 00:06:08.510 continue to desire to read that, 00:06:08.580 --> 00:06:10.910 to receive that gift. 00:06:11.410 --> 00:06:13.086 So that was their story. 00:06:13.188 --> 00:06:15.630 You have yours, I have mine, 00:06:17.570 --> 00:06:19.342 whatever that your story is. 00:06:19.396 --> 00:06:22.062 The Catechism's invitation is 00:06:22.116 --> 00:06:24.330 that we continue to desire 00:06:24.410 --> 00:06:25.586 the Lord Supper. 00:06:25.698 --> 00:06:27.078 So we're going to pause for a 00:06:27.084 --> 00:06:29.446 few moments and reflect on the 00:06:29.468 --> 00:06:31.762 words of Jesus that Luther 00:06:31.826 --> 00:06:33.814 quotes in the text and also 00:06:34.012 --> 00:06:35.702 those that are given in First 00:06:35.756 --> 00:06:38.226 Corinthians. Specifically, 00:06:38.338 --> 00:06:39.786 most of our attention is going 00:06:39.808 --> 00:06:41.082 to be on these words, 00:06:41.216 --> 00:06:42.602 given and shed for you, 00:06:42.656 --> 00:06:44.970 for the forgiveness of sins. 00:06:46.190 --> 00:06:46.602 Well, 00:06:46.656 --> 00:06:48.582 Luther taught people to receive 00:06:48.646 --> 00:06:49.866 the body and blood of 00:06:49.888 --> 00:06:51.390 Christ in faith, 00:06:52.050 --> 00:06:54.510 trusting in the pure gift. 00:06:55.170 --> 00:06:56.190 In his day, 00:06:56.260 --> 00:06:57.486 this was one of the reasons he 00:06:57.508 --> 00:06:59.742 wrote the Catechism people had 00:06:59.796 --> 00:07:01.694 for years been taught that this 00:07:01.732 --> 00:07:03.162 was simply an ordinance, 00:07:03.226 --> 00:07:05.234 a church rule or law that 00:07:05.272 --> 00:07:06.926 they had to obey. 00:07:07.118 --> 00:07:08.674 The church required them to 00:07:08.712 --> 00:07:10.046 attend the Lord's Supper. 00:07:10.158 --> 00:07:11.620 So they went, 00:07:12.230 --> 00:07:14.194 and it was a focus on their 00:07:14.232 --> 00:07:15.874 works of devotion, 00:07:16.002 --> 00:07:17.922 not on the gift of Christ's 00:07:17.986 --> 00:07:19.718 forgiveness being given, 00:07:19.884 --> 00:07:21.266 at least in most cases 00:07:21.298 --> 00:07:22.440 that we know of. 00:07:22.810 --> 00:07:24.482 When The Reformation began, 00:07:24.546 --> 00:07:25.159 however, 00:07:25.690 --> 00:07:27.926 Luther still needed to exhort 00:07:27.957 --> 00:07:28.778 people to go to the 00:07:28.784 --> 00:07:29.930 Lord's Supper, 00:07:30.270 --> 00:07:33.050 but rather to come in faith, 00:07:33.470 --> 00:07:35.322 focusing on the words and 00:07:35.376 --> 00:07:37.734 promises of Jesus and exhorting 00:07:37.782 --> 00:07:39.210 people to trust those 00:07:39.280 --> 00:07:41.722 promises. That yes 00:07:41.856 --> 00:07:43.966 when Jesus instituted this on 00:07:43.988 --> 00:07:44.734 the night in which 00:07:44.772 --> 00:07:45.850 he was betrayed, 00:07:45.930 --> 00:07:46.906 before he would die 00:07:46.938 --> 00:07:47.514 on the cross, 00:07:47.562 --> 00:07:48.686 before he would rise from 00:07:48.707 --> 00:07:50.542 the dead, he said, 00:07:50.596 --> 00:07:52.850 this is given and shed for you 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:55.090 for the forgiveness of sins. 00:07:56.310 --> 00:07:58.126 And in the Large Catechism, 00:07:58.238 --> 00:08:00.754 Luther writes about how you 00:08:00.792 --> 00:08:02.286 should approach this if you're 00:08:02.318 --> 00:08:04.194 not feeling this need. 00:08:04.392 --> 00:08:07.030 And he stresses there about 00:08:07.180 --> 00:08:09.202 recognizing your sinful flesh 00:08:09.265 --> 00:08:10.806 and the sinful world and the 00:08:10.828 --> 00:08:12.385 reality of the devil. 00:08:12.578 --> 00:08:15.765 And you can find this also in 00:08:15.788 --> 00:08:17.774 your hymnal in the Catechism, 00:08:17.842 --> 00:08:18.938 section four. 00:08:19.104 --> 00:08:20.361 Not Luther's words, 00:08:20.416 --> 00:08:22.282 but really based on those words 00:08:22.336 --> 00:08:24.794 of Luther in a section called 00:08:24.912 --> 00:08:26.074 Christian Questions, 00:08:26.192 --> 00:08:27.930 and their answers still 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:29.580 very useful today. 00:08:30.610 --> 00:08:32.861 So the first aspect of our 00:08:32.915 --> 00:08:35.066 desiring worthy preparation, 00:08:35.258 --> 00:08:36.682 receiving the forgiveness 00:08:36.746 --> 00:08:38.830 of God as a gift, 00:08:39.250 --> 00:08:41.741 is this thing that we sometimes 00:08:41.876 --> 00:08:44.910 call the paradox of preparation. 00:08:45.490 --> 00:08:48.286 And the paradox is this you are 00:08:48.388 --> 00:08:50.030 worthy or you receive this 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:52.234 worthily when you don't 00:08:52.282 --> 00:08:53.434 feel worthy. 00:08:53.562 --> 00:08:55.906 When you recognize your own sin, 00:08:56.018 --> 00:08:57.862 and when you see that here is 00:08:57.915 --> 00:08:59.446 forgiveness promised for you 00:09:00.170 --> 00:09:01.082 for the forgiveness 00:09:01.146 --> 00:09:02.350 of your sins. 00:09:03.490 --> 00:09:03.998 So, 00:09:04.084 --> 00:09:06.174 brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:09:06.372 --> 00:09:08.382 I exhort you like Luther does 00:09:08.436 --> 00:09:09.950 in the catechism here, 00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:11.914 to receive this promised 00:09:11.962 --> 00:09:13.482 forgiveness of Jesus, 00:09:13.626 --> 00:09:16.814 given at his table of mercy for 00:09:16.852 --> 00:09:18.960 sinners like you and me. 00:09:19.970 --> 00:09:20.334 Well, 00:09:20.372 --> 00:09:21.994 the second aspect of worthy 00:09:22.042 --> 00:09:25.026 participation is in repentance 00:09:25.178 --> 00:09:26.934 faith in Christ's death and 00:09:26.972 --> 00:09:30.102 resurrection that gives perfect 00:09:30.236 --> 00:09:33.414 fellowship with God and others. 00:09:33.612 --> 00:09:35.686 This is what Paul exhorted the 00:09:35.708 --> 00:09:38.362 Corinthian Christians to do in 00:09:38.415 --> 00:09:40.300 using some rather hard words. 00:09:40.990 --> 00:09:42.986 The situation in Corinth when 00:09:43.008 --> 00:09:44.665 the apostle wrote the words of 00:09:44.688 --> 00:09:47.514 today's reading was that people 00:09:47.632 --> 00:09:49.242 in their house churches were 00:09:49.296 --> 00:09:50.954 receiving the sacrament 00:09:51.082 --> 00:09:53.150 in an unworthy manner. 00:09:53.890 --> 00:09:54.762 Specifically, 00:09:54.826 --> 00:09:56.654 they were sinning against one 00:09:56.692 --> 00:09:58.830 another and against the Lord. 00:09:59.170 --> 00:10:01.322 They were acting in divisive, 00:10:01.386 --> 00:10:02.154 judgmental, 00:10:02.202 --> 00:10:05.665 and unloving ways to others in a 00:10:05.688 --> 00:10:08.450 rather factuous congregation. 00:10:09.110 --> 00:10:10.738 They were thus sinning against 00:10:10.824 --> 00:10:12.530 the body of the Lord. 00:10:12.950 --> 00:10:14.814 So the Apostle Paul calls 00:10:14.862 --> 00:10:16.386 them to repentance. 00:10:16.578 --> 00:10:18.550 They were to examine themselves, 00:10:18.700 --> 00:10:20.310 confess their sins, 00:10:20.970 --> 00:10:23.074 and then be prepared to receive 00:10:23.122 --> 00:10:24.614 Christ's body and blood in 00:10:24.652 --> 00:10:26.902 communion with Christ and their 00:10:26.956 --> 00:10:28.134 brothers and sisters 00:10:28.182 --> 00:10:29.420 gathered with them. 00:10:30.910 --> 00:10:32.282 Luther's question about 00:10:32.336 --> 00:10:35.062 worthiness engages this aspect 00:10:35.126 --> 00:10:36.970 of preparation in a rather 00:10:37.040 --> 00:10:38.300 indirect way. 00:10:39.230 --> 00:10:41.165 It actually is in the words of 00:10:41.188 --> 00:10:42.990 Jesus I referenced before, 00:10:43.140 --> 00:10:44.846 given and shed for you for 00:10:44.867 --> 00:10:46.590 the forgiveness of sins. 00:10:47.010 --> 00:10:48.622 The literal meaning there 00:10:48.676 --> 00:10:50.800 is shed for you all. 00:10:51.569 --> 00:10:54.658 The word Jesus used here 00:10:54.824 --> 00:10:56.690 is in the plural, 00:10:57.030 --> 00:10:58.658 the plural form of you. 00:10:58.744 --> 00:11:00.100 It's to you people. 00:11:00.550 --> 00:11:02.594 He institutes this sacrament for 00:11:02.632 --> 00:11:05.290 his people as a Holy communion 00:11:05.390 --> 00:11:06.360 among them. 00:11:07.370 --> 00:11:09.298 When Jesus instituted the Lord's 00:11:09.314 --> 00:11:11.346 Supper during that Passover, 00:11:11.538 --> 00:11:14.514 he was doing this to establish 00:11:14.642 --> 00:11:17.802 them as his people with this 00:11:17.856 --> 00:11:19.558 special communal meal, 00:11:19.654 --> 00:11:21.354 to keep them together 00:11:21.552 --> 00:11:22.982 until he returns. 00:11:23.046 --> 00:11:24.970 That's why we keep doing this. 00:11:25.040 --> 00:11:26.486 That's why Paul instructs 00:11:26.518 --> 00:11:28.230 this in First Corinthians. 00:11:28.390 --> 00:11:30.114 As the collect indicates, 00:11:30.182 --> 00:11:31.934 it's a foretaste of 00:11:31.972 --> 00:11:33.440 the feast to come. 00:11:34.690 --> 00:11:36.074 Along with the forgiveness 00:11:36.122 --> 00:11:36.810 it promises 00:11:36.890 --> 00:11:38.814 the fellowship of this meal is 00:11:38.852 --> 00:11:42.206 another aspect of what it gives 00:11:42.308 --> 00:11:43.870 and what we desire. 00:11:44.610 --> 00:11:46.366 I have a few features I want you 00:11:46.388 --> 00:11:48.014 to consider before we wrap up 00:11:48.052 --> 00:11:50.350 today, this catechetical sermon. 00:11:51.090 --> 00:11:51.646 First, 00:11:51.748 --> 00:11:53.918 consider that it promises you 00:11:54.084 --> 00:11:56.534 perfect unity with God and 00:11:56.572 --> 00:11:58.242 others. That's a reality. 00:11:58.386 --> 00:11:59.700 We confess it, I believe in 00:12:00.250 --> 00:12:02.538 the one Holy Christian 00:12:02.634 --> 00:12:04.430 and Apostolic church. 00:12:04.850 --> 00:12:06.942 The sin that separates from God 00:12:06.996 --> 00:12:09.086 and one another is removed in 00:12:09.108 --> 00:12:10.734 the mystical communion of 00:12:10.772 --> 00:12:12.270 Christ and His Church. 00:12:12.770 --> 00:12:14.926 This unity is given through the 00:12:14.948 --> 00:12:17.440 forgiveness Jesus gives to you 00:12:18.210 --> 00:12:20.942 that can then help you work in 00:12:20.996 --> 00:12:23.262 manifesting that unity in your 00:12:23.316 --> 00:12:25.350 life of love towards others. 00:12:25.540 --> 00:12:27.126 Something Paul was exhorting the 00:12:27.148 --> 00:12:29.160 Christians at Corinth to do. 00:12:30.170 --> 00:12:32.262 We saw a version of that last 00:12:32.316 --> 00:12:33.586 week in the Multiethnic 00:12:33.618 --> 00:12:34.630 Symposium 00:12:36.090 --> 00:12:37.966 there we celebrated Holy 00:12:38.018 --> 00:12:39.066 Communion right in 00:12:39.088 --> 00:12:40.474 the middle of it. 00:12:40.672 --> 00:12:42.550 During the Festival of Nations 00:12:42.630 --> 00:12:44.730 we came together with people 00:12:44.800 --> 00:12:46.170 of different races. 00:12:46.830 --> 00:12:48.346 And then that day as 00:12:48.368 --> 00:12:49.530 well as the next, 00:12:49.680 --> 00:12:52.046 we talked together about how we 00:12:52.068 --> 00:12:53.982 can serve God's kingdom and 00:12:54.036 --> 00:12:56.922 manifest our unity in ministry 00:12:56.986 --> 00:12:58.282 efforts to various 00:12:58.346 --> 00:12:59.710 ethnic groups. 00:13:00.530 --> 00:13:01.710 That's the first one, 00:13:01.780 --> 00:13:03.486 that we have this perfect unity. 00:13:03.598 --> 00:13:05.182 The second is the promised 00:13:05.246 --> 00:13:06.862 fellowship of Holy Communion 00:13:06.926 --> 00:13:10.866 means that you are not alone in 00:13:10.888 --> 00:13:12.542 the midst of this conflicted 00:13:12.606 --> 00:13:13.314 world. 00:13:13.512 --> 00:13:15.006 In the midst of social 00:13:15.128 --> 00:13:16.150 isolation. 00:13:16.490 --> 00:13:18.290 In the midst of the separation 00:13:18.370 --> 00:13:20.630 of distance and even death, 00:13:21.210 --> 00:13:23.142 you are in fellowship with God 00:13:23.196 --> 00:13:24.614 and his people in this 00:13:24.652 --> 00:13:26.470 very real communion. 00:13:27.870 --> 00:13:29.286 Next Wednesday, 00:13:29.478 --> 00:13:31.146 many of you will celebrate the 00:13:31.168 --> 00:13:33.866 Lord's Supper for the last time 00:13:33.968 --> 00:13:35.766 being together physically 00:13:35.878 --> 00:13:37.930 before Christ returns. 00:13:38.590 --> 00:13:40.750 We will be saying goodbye to 00:13:40.900 --> 00:13:43.360 folks who we have known here. 00:13:43.730 --> 00:13:45.040 But in the future, 00:13:45.569 --> 00:13:47.514 you can be comforted whenever 00:13:47.562 --> 00:13:49.482 you come to Holy Communion 00:13:49.626 --> 00:13:50.906 by faith, 00:13:51.098 --> 00:13:53.034 knowing you are still together 00:13:53.172 --> 00:13:56.002 in this one Holy Christian or 00:13:56.056 --> 00:13:58.450 Catholic and Apostolic Church. 00:13:59.270 --> 00:14:01.006 This is a dearer and dearer 00:14:01.038 --> 00:14:03.022 comfort to me as I get older, 00:14:03.086 --> 00:14:04.642 as more gray hairs happen 00:14:04.696 --> 00:14:06.302 and more hairs fall out. 00:14:06.456 --> 00:14:08.146 As I think of the saints whose 00:14:08.178 --> 00:14:10.246 funerals many that I have 00:14:10.268 --> 00:14:12.200 participated in over the years 00:14:12.650 --> 00:14:15.986 and as I think of those who I've 00:14:16.018 --> 00:14:17.894 been together with in the past, 00:14:18.012 --> 00:14:20.380 but now, whom I no longer see. 00:14:21.550 --> 00:14:23.046 When I go to the Lord's Supper 00:14:23.078 --> 00:14:24.854 with angels and archangels, 00:14:24.902 --> 00:14:27.146 as well as with you and all the 00:14:27.168 --> 00:14:28.700 company of God's people, 00:14:29.069 --> 00:14:32.286 I find peace now and hope for 00:14:32.308 --> 00:14:34.446 the future with that feast to 00:14:34.468 --> 00:14:35.534 come when Christ our 00:14:35.572 --> 00:14:36.830 Lord returns. 00:14:39.090 --> 00:14:39.994 As a pastor, 00:14:40.042 --> 00:14:42.638 one often wonders how those 00:14:42.723 --> 00:14:45.514 people are doing whom you taught 00:14:45.562 --> 00:14:46.880 and ministered to. 00:14:48.050 --> 00:14:49.680 A couple of years ago, 00:14:50.050 --> 00:14:52.122 I was blessed to have a random 00:14:52.186 --> 00:14:54.042 encounter with my friend Eric 00:14:54.106 --> 00:14:55.046 that I mentioned before. 00:14:55.108 --> 00:14:57.526 I happened to be at the 00:14:57.548 --> 00:14:59.140 Denver Airport and I was on a 00:15:00.250 --> 00:15:01.210 vicarage visit. 00:15:01.370 --> 00:15:03.114 I was there with my head buried 00:15:03.162 --> 00:15:04.382 in my computer trying 00:15:04.436 --> 00:15:05.914 to take some notes. 00:15:06.042 --> 00:15:07.614 And then out of the blue I heard 00:15:07.652 --> 00:15:09.834 this voice say, pastor, 00:15:09.882 --> 00:15:10.958 is that you? 00:15:11.124 --> 00:15:13.550 And I looked up and it was Eric. 00:15:14.050 --> 00:15:15.760 It had been a long time, 00:15:16.370 --> 00:15:17.674 but it was a blessing 00:15:17.722 --> 00:15:18.880 to catch up. 00:15:19.250 --> 00:15:21.214 Yet I have to say that the 00:15:21.252 --> 00:15:22.446 real blessing to me, 00:15:22.468 --> 00:15:23.822 because I often wonder about 00:15:23.876 --> 00:15:26.774 this was to hear that he and his 00:15:26.812 --> 00:15:27.702 family were still 00:15:27.756 --> 00:15:28.950 going to church. 00:15:29.610 --> 00:15:31.334 It was wonderful to hear that 00:15:31.372 --> 00:15:33.282 we still share in that Holy 00:15:33.346 --> 00:15:34.982 Communion even though we're not 00:15:35.036 --> 00:15:37.334 together physically and that we 00:15:37.372 --> 00:15:39.282 look forward to that blessed 00:15:39.346 --> 00:15:41.926 reunion at the feast to come 00:15:42.028 --> 00:15:43.670 when Christ returns. 00:15:44.730 --> 00:15:46.886 So may the faithful receiving of 00:15:46.908 --> 00:15:48.486 Christ's body and blood that 00:15:48.508 --> 00:15:50.382 gives the peace of God and 00:15:50.436 --> 00:15:52.078 fellowship with one another 00:15:52.244 --> 00:15:54.334 whose unsurpassing grace and 00:15:54.372 --> 00:15:56.762 mystical communion surpasses 00:15:56.826 --> 00:15:58.506 all understanding. 00:15:58.698 --> 00:16:00.762 Keep your hearts and minds 00:16:00.826 --> 00:16:03.194 together in the Holy Communion 00:16:03.242 --> 00:16:05.806 of Christ until he returns and 00:16:05.828 --> 00:16:08.526 we celebrate the feast face to 00:16:08.548 --> 00:16:10.586 face in his eternal kingdom. 00:16:10.698 --> 00:16:11.626 Amen.