Exhortation, First Sunday of Advent

When Jesus ascended into heaven, He poured out His Spirit on the church. According to Paul, He also gave gifts to men. These gifts included apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, given to the church to equip the saints for their work of service.

Paul gives us this picture of the church: The Spirit flows from Jesus the Head, through the teachers and leaders of the church, out to the congregation, so that each member can participate in the ministry of building up the body of Christ.

Most of you should have received an email this week explaining some changes we are making in the way we celebrate communion. Beginning today, the elders and deacons will take communion first, and then they will pass out the elements. Instead of waiting for everyone to get bread before eating, you should eat the bread as soon as you get it. And as you pass the bread and wine along the row, say to each other, “The Body of Christ” and “The blood of Christ.”

In this way, communion becomes a picture of the flow of grace from Christ through His ordained ministers to the church as a whole. Christ works through elders and ministers to build His church; but He also works through each of you to communicate Christ to one another.