Picture the wonderful grace of God unfolded before us. A leper, unclean to community and to Temple, met Jesus. You could say, misery met majesty. Lepers had no life but misery. Cut off from society, he lived only on the good will of family or begging. He heard about Jesus, and came looking for Him.

Rome came to Jesus. This centurion soldier, a Gentile, came to Galilean headquarters of Jesus. The mighty met majesty. The centurion understood authority. He knew where the power lay for life. But to the rest, to those standing nearby, the soldier was no better than the leper. Gentiles were thought of as "far off" from God. But something beautiful happened on the road and at the headquarters of Jesus.

Unclean leper. Unclean Gentile. They could not see the wonderful grace of God before their very eyes. Those with eyes to see gave their witness - no matter your misery in life or your mighty power over life, our Lord stands with majesty for those who truly seek Him and need to be in communion with Him. Outcasts welcome!

I believe in the communion of saints. I do! This phrase in a sense defines the holy catholic church. His Church consists of outcasts welcomed into sweet communion with Him. "Communion," means to strengthen, or make fortification together. "Saints," means those set apart to be used by God. They are not plastic for dashboards of cars, nor marble for church buildings. No. Saints are people who know what they are - outcasts. But they know who loved them and included them in His Kingdom. They only had to come to His invitation. If we love Jesus, we are a company of believers, who love and serve Him!

...and I say to you, that many shall come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven... (Matthew 8:11)

The greatest thing about the early Christians was not their wealth. For the most part they were poor. They were not distinguished for their scholastic training. Most of them had only the basic educational experience. They were not known for their high social standing. Most were blue collar workers. But they were known for one unique thing among many - fellowship - the communion that they enjoyed together.

The event of Pentecost forever separated them from the world. Now they were deeply bound together in an unbreakable communion. You see, they not only belonged to something, but they believed in something - no- Someone! The two clear marks of the communion: acceptance and affirmation. They were accepted by Christ and affirmed by Him. Their life together would be in learning acceptance and affirmation of each other.

What a communion of saints we have. Now, I know that many Christians fail to see themselves or anyone in their church as saints. And we often let outsiders know that they are not always welcome. It’s tough to live with the communion of saints. You might have heard the rhyme,

To live in love with the saints above,

O that will be glory!

But to live below with the saints I know,

That’s another story

I’m glad we are considering this phrase on Communion Sunday. Our table stands ready with the bread and cup. We communion of saints will have holy communion with Christ and with each other. Let’s eat and drink with Jesus in fresh insight into just how far the communion of saints extends: how high and how far and how wide. Allow the Holy Spirit to show us again you and I are included in this great communion of saints.

First, the communion of saints extends heavenward. You were not redeemed with perishable things,...but with precious blood...the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you, who through Him you are believers in God...so that your faith and hope are in God! (I Peter 1.18-20) When we consider the cross of Christ, look at the vertical piece. Think of it reaching all the way from heaven to us. That truly pictures the love of God. He came for us. He died in our place. Sin made the cross necessary, but only the love of God made the cross possible. Our communion of saints started with God!

The communion of saints extends backward into history and eternity. Those first disciples became aware of this truth. They knew what it meant to sit at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They passed on the truth of Jesus Christ to the Fathers of the Church, then to artists and poets, theologians and reformers. All the saints who have gone before connect with us. Because of them...you know, grand parents and uncles and aunts and strangers years ago....you are included in this same communion of saints.

The communion of saints extends outward in the present. Look again at who Jesus touched: the misery of a leper and mighty Rome. He was the only One to bring them hope. He included them! We can do no less. But here we find the struggle. To be the communion of saints means that we must throw wide our arms and never be shocked when none of our own kind comes in. See the cross-piece of the cross as reminder!

Consider this community. Over 100 churches give the city stability. Right here in our worship today we can identify the cross-section of faith: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, and Methodists among others. It is good to open wide our arms. We discover the many gifts of Christ sitting with us at Holy Communion. Yet, even here in this city, I know of two churches of the same denomination who will not worship together. Petty differences drive them to isolation. Are there persons you know in our church who will not share in the sacraments? We have some work to do. Pray for them. They need to be included. Pray that forgiveness flows between those divided today!

Remember who can come to this Table. Holy communion is offered to any who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Your label of denominations do not matter. Only Christ matters for the communion of saints.

The communion of saints extends Heavenward, backward in time and eternity, and outward in the present. We dare not stop there.

The communion of saints extends forward. We cannot stay here all day. We are fed by the Word and meet Him in the sacred meal. Then, we must go forward to tell the world this wonderful message of grace. Our children, the friend, the stranger must hear. Those in misery and those who pretend to be mighty need to hear: Good news! A savior has come! You have hope! Jesus Christ loves you and wants you to know...YOU ARE INCLUDED. Go into all the world and preach the gospel...(Matthew 28)

We come to the Lord’s Table this morning to give open expression to our fragile but valuable relationships. The Table tells us again of the love of God. We take the bread and cup and remember they stand for the body and blood of our dear Savior. He loves us, accepts us, affirms us. You are included. He expects the same of us to tell His own: