Foundations for a Faithful Church

We come before You with hearts full of gratitude, recognizing that You are the foundation of all truth and wisdom. As we begin this study in the pastoral epistles, we ask for Your guidance and wisdom to be upon us. Open our hearts to receive Your Word, and may Your Holy Spirit illuminate our minds so that we may understand and apply the teachings of Scripture faithfully.

Lord, help us to be a church that stands firm on the foundation of Your truth, committed to being a light in a dark world. As we explore the instructions You have given us through the Apostle Paul, may we be strengthened in our resolve to be faithful stewards of Your church, reflecting Your grace, mercy, and peace in all that we do.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our hope. Amen.

Greeting:

“Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 Ti 1:2.

Today we begin a new journey through the Pastoral Epistles.

This term “Pastoral Epistles” was coined by the German theologian Paul Anton in the early 18th century, around 1726.

Paul Anton used this term to refer to the three New Testament letters—1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus—because these letters are primarily concerned with the duties, responsibilities, and conduct of pastors or leaders within the Christian church.

Anton’s designation of these letters as “pastoral” emphasized their focus on pastoral care, church leadership, and practical advice for overseeing congregations, which distinguishes them from Paul’s other epistles that are generally more doctrinal or theological in nature.

But the big Question for us this morning is: Why study these letter now?

Yes we know that the all of the word of God is profitable, but why should our Church, specifically at this time, in this season of our Church, study these three letters?

There are two reasons that our elders decided, after much prayer, to embark on the study and teaching of these letters.

We want to be a Faithful Church (The Life of the Church).

To be a faithful Church we must conform to Scripture on matters of the Church. Being reformed is all about reforming.

Because we are a Church plant that is growing, and with growth, comes a lot of challenges and difficulties, especially as it relates to the nature and function of the Church.

Our Church plant is still in its infancy. Everything we do is foundational.

Examples: How we handle church discipline, of course, our church polity and governance (Elders, Deacons), the roles of men and women in the Church, the order of worship, and simply solidifying what constitutes a faithful Church.

How do we as a Church operate is such a way that is honoring to God and faithful to scripture, as the Lord, if he so decides to continues to grow us and keep us here in the city of Sanford for years to come?

First and Foremost we want to be a faithful Church (The Life of the Church).

We want to be a Church that is a light to the World. (The Identity & Purpose of the Church)

To be a Church that is a light to the world, we must be a Church that stands unwaveringly upon the truth of Scripture.

We live in a day and age where the Church is no longer seen as a place that can be trusted.

It’s no longer known as a place of purity and a place of truth.

Why? Because the Church has lost its Identity and Purpose.

In a culture of fake news, and where truth is relative, and where so called Churches are leaving orthodoxy, And where wolves are dressed up in sheep's clothing that are liberals preaching in pulpits cloaked as faithful men of the cloth; we need a Church at this hour that is anchored in the truth and equipped to call out lies and refute false teaching in love, and preach the truth and uphold and Model purity to a world that is angry, confused, mislead, distorted, and defiled, and most importantly, hopeless and heading towards eternal destruction.

What we need most in this hour is a faithful Church that is a light to the world.

Now of course, our convictions for preaching through these letters were derived directly from the Apostle Pauls aim and intention for these epistles.

We find the Spirits aim for these three letters in 1 Timothy 3:14-15

1 Timothy 3:14–15 (ESV)

… I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

Paul has two intentions for this Letter:

How we (the Church) ought to behave or conduct ourselves in God’s House (the life of the Church).

This Church is not our Church, Church is not our idea, it’s God’s, the living God, mind you; therefore the identity and purpose of the Church: is IN the living God TO BE a pillar and buttress of the truth. (The Identity & Purpose of the Church)

There are a lot of evangelical books out there that seek to deceive you regarding the identity and purpose of the Church. Most of which are driven by the liberal agendas of the day.

Most of these books are theologically way off in regards to purpose, at best, and at worst, they are purposefully leading people astray from their identity in Christ and His Church.

But let us be clear here today at the onset of this study:

The Church is God’s idea and not ours.

The Church belongs to God not us.

The Church is governed by God (I.E. His Word) not by the philosophies of the day or what you and I think would be best.

The Churches purpose and mission is to be the pillar and buttress of the truth not an activist and propagator of the Philolophsies and ideologies of the day.

Which, mind you, only brings about confusion, instability, falsehood, and deception.

These letters are missional.

They were given to the Church so that we might be a light to a dark world.

We can’t be a light, beloved, unless we are healthy.

A Church is healthy insofar that it is faithful.

What our world needs more than ever are faithful Churches.

What we will see today and throughout this letter is what I entitled my sermon:

“Foundations for a Faithful Church”

The two main foundations for a faithful Church as we will see it here in Paul’s greeting to Timothy and The Church;

The Foundation of Authority

The Foundation of Affection

Brief Context of the Letter:

Before we dissect these verses under these two headings, let us first begin with a bit of context to help us better understand the who, what, where, when, why, how of this letter.

We know that the author of this letter is the Apostle Paul(Although within the scholarly community there has been some debate).

We will discuss more about Paul when we look at verse 1.

Paul wrote this letter roughly around A.D. 62 to 64, and Chapter 3 informs us that Paul wrote this letter From Macedonia.

Paul is of course writing this letter to a man named, Timothy, whose name means “One who honors God”.

Timothy was a disciple of the Apostle, and he served as the pastor of the Church at Ephesus by Paul’s commission.

All of this is recounted in these letters, and documented by Luke in the book of Acts.

We will go into more detail about Timothy and His pastorate at Ephesus when we unpack verse 2.

I think that is enough context to help us get started as we unpack our text this morning.

So let’s begin by looking at this salutation (greeting) by the Apostle Paul. The Spirit writes:

1 Timothy 1:1–2 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

If are honest this morning, we would admit that most of the time we skip over the greetings that are in the NT.

Of course, we do ourselves a disservice by doing that. Because greetings in the NT set the stage for entire letters.

I remember reading through 1 john with our men at our men of the word; and I remember thinking to myself, wow, this is not only a theologically rich introduction, but a necessary one that helps us prepare what we will embark to study.

It’s no different here with Paul’s greeting.

It’s astonishing to me that in just a few words:

A large part of the the issues at Ephesus are addressed here in this greeting:

A problem at Ephesus arose because the Church there had turned away from Paul’s authority and from the salvation through Christ that Paul preached. (We learned that last week, didn’t we!)

So what does Paul do? He begins this letter asserting that his apostleship is in fact by the command from God and Christ Jesus.

This of course is going to be directly contrasted against the self-appointed teaches that Paul addresses in this letter- and those as he mentions in verse 7, who merely desire (“wish” in the greek) to be teachers of the law but have no calling and no clue what they are talking about and doing.

The core of Pauls solution to this issue is also given Here in this greeting.

The solution is quite simple: They should listen to Paul because he has divine authority from God and Christ, and therefore they should listen to Timothy’s teaching rather than his opponents because He is not only Paul’s true son in the faith but carries with him Paul’s authority from God.

Timothy is authorized, and His opponents are not.

Lastly, the tension between this letter being a private letter for Timothy and corporate letter for the Church is established.

This letter is private in that it is, of course, written to Timothy, but it is corporate or public, in that Paul is writing THROUGH Timothy TO the Church.

We actually see this at the close of this letter in 1 Timothy 6:20-21

1 Timothy 6:20–21 ESV

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

The you there in the greek is actually plural. It renders “Grace be with you all”. Or for all my southerners out there “Grace be with y’all”.

I digress.

Let’s now turn our attention to our first point: The Matter of Authority.

Foundation Number One of a Faithful Church is a Matter of Authority.

Point One: The Foundation of Authority

1 Timothy 1:1 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own world, that we think to ourselves that this is the only generation in Church history that has had major issues.

No, Since the inception of the Church, there has been problems.

There is no perfect Church.

Charles Spurgeon once said,

“If I had never joined a church till I had found one that was perfect, I should never have joined one at all; and the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect church after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us.”

The problem in the Church at Ephesus was that people were turning away from Paul’s gospel and following other self-appointed heretical teachers/leaders.

So what does Paul do? Well, he greets Timothy and the Church at Ephesus with authority.

He doesn’t wait to address this issue of authority after the greeting, He just says “Let’s get right to is, shall we”!

And He does.

So to get down to this issue of authority, we must first deal with the issue of Apostleship.

Apostle Definition: An apostle is someone sent as an official representative, bearing the authority of the one who sent the apostle.

For Paul, what Apostle meant was:

1. Directly appointed by Jesus Christ and empowered and authorized by him (Gal. 1:1, 11–17; 2 Cor. 12:12; 1 Thes. 2:6),

2. An eyewitness of the resurrected Christ (1 Cor. 15:3–9; cf. Acts 1:22; 1 Cor. 9:1),

3. A foundation stone of the church along with the prophets as a bearer of the gospel and of God’s revelation (Rom. 1:1; Eph. 2:20 and 3:4, 5; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:11), and thus

4. First in leadership and authority in the church along with the other apostles

George W. Knight, The Pastoral Epistles: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1992), 58.

This is precisely why there are no apostles in our day.

Now, there are other nuances that come along with this term “apostle” but what we can’t miss in this context, is that apostle means authority.

The false teachers at Ephesus were challenging Paul’s apostolic authority.

This was not just an issue at Ephesus but one must assume that arose in the other Churches during Paul’s time as well.

As a matter of fact he introduces himself as an apostle In the letter to the Romans, Corinthians, and the Galatians.

Here is what I know about Church from serving the Lord and His Church for almost 17 years.

That the majority of issues in the Church boil down to issues of authority.

Typically when we are not living as we should, when we are not conducting ourselves as we ought in the household of God, we either avoid authority or we buck at it.

Let me make my self crystal clear here:

The only authority a pastor has is the authority of God’s Word.

I have no authority in and of myself.

Here is the Church governing structure of our Church. (How Authority works in our Church)

Our Church is

Jesus ruled( Governed by His Authority)

Elder led

Deacon served

Congregationally accountable

This reason I bring this issue up of authority as it relates to the Church, is because when issues of authority arise in the Church, a faithful Church, will not govern by culture, or by partiality or feelings, but a faithful church will govern by the sole authority of God through his written word.

And so when you buck up to authority in the Church, in a Church that is truly governed by God’s word, you are actually challenging the authority of God himself.

And this is where the Church at Ephesus finds themselves with the Apostle Paul.

By challenging Paul, they are actually challenging God and Christ Jesus.

God himself commanded Paul to the ministry.

We learned last week that command means “will of God’.

It’s exactly how Paul introduces himself in the second letter to Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:1–2 (ESV)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus BY THE WILL OF GOD…

In Titus He says it this way,

Titus 1:3 (ESV)

and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

It was by the will of God that Paul was not only saved but called into the ministry.

Paul was a persecutor of the Church.

Paul knew first hand that if it wasn’t for God commanding him to the ministry, He would not be FOR the church BUT against it.

This is exactly how he describes how he was called into the ministry in 1 Timothy 1:12-13

1 Timothy 1:12–13 (ESV)

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy…

Listen to Paul’s conversion story in the book of Acts chapter 9.

Acts 9:3–6 ESV

Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

Fast forward:

After the Lord instructed Ananias where to go and what to do. He could not believe that the Lord was calling him to take in this persecutor Paul who was breathing threats and murders against the disciples of Jesus Acts 9:1.

And the Lord responds to Ananias’ doubt in his plan, and says to him,

Acts 9:15–16 (ESV)

… “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Paul had no sights on being used for God to make Jesus known.

BUT when God commands something to happen there is nothing we can do to stop it.

This should give us a great hope.

Why?

Because this means that the least of us.

Those among us that think to themselves “I could never be used by God”.

“I could never be a pastor or missionary or church planter or a ministry leader”.

Now, because of the gospel, and accounts like these we are reminded that this is exactly the people that God is going after to make his name great Among the nations.

The Lord is going after those whom every one runs from and has counted out, to be His shepherds.

Humbling. Overwhelming.

I think of Traie and what God has done in his life.

He should be serving a life sentence in prison, but God not only saved him by his grace, but caused the judge to release him, and called him into a pursuit of pastoral ministry.

Praise God!

Friends, this is all very significant.

Paul was given authority by God his savior and of Christ Jesus his hope.

Mentioning God as “our Savior” and Christ Jesus as “our hope” says much about how Paul viewed his apostolic authority.

Throughout history, many men have misused their authority to position themselves as the savior and hope of others, seeking their own gain and glory.

However, Paul makes it clear that the authority graciously given to him by God is meant to magnify the one true and living God as the true Savior for sins and Christ Jesus as the only hope that the world has.

It was incredibly important that Paul mentioned Jesus as our hope because of the false teaching he is addressing in this letter.

The promise of hope was one of Christianity’s most outstanding features in a time in the word that had little hope.

The popular belief of the time was saturated by pessimism.

Most people in Pauls time much like ours were crippled by fear.

Why?

Because the false teachings of the day.

If you think for a second that hope is not tied to what you believe, you’re fooling yourself.

This is why what we believe matters!

Hope or hopelessness is a direct result of what we believe.

This is why in Pauls day, there was such hopelessness and pessimism.

Because of what they were believing.

Stoicism which was a dominate false teaching of the day, plagued people with hopelessness.

Stoicism is alive and well today.

Stoicism teaches an apathetic determinism in which individual choice and freedom are absent; essentially one must simply accept whatever fate Decides.

Fate does not generate hope.

There are many among us who think this way; and we too find ourselves with fear of the future.

We too find ourselves drowning in pessimism.

Friend, what you believe matters.

We have to be very careful what kind of teaching we sit under; what we listen to and watch, and read.

There are many false teachers, health and wealth preachers, charlatans just like Pauls day (right up the road, Jesus image. People like Steven Furtick, TD Jake’s, Mike Todd and many others) whose aim is to draw you away from the hope that Christ alone gives to a yoke of slavery and hopeless.

Be careful!Watch out! Stay on guard!

There are plenty of great podcasts, and YouTube channels, and books that our elders can recommend to you.

If you start to sense yourself self going into a bad place, ask yourself:

1. Who am I listening to?

2. Who am I watching?

3. What am I reading?

4. What am I believing?

But here is the point folks; What we believe matters. It’s a matter of hope.

Jesus is our hope here at restoration.

He is the reason we can lay our head on our pillow at night in perfect peace.

He is the reason why we can have joy in the midst of trouble.

It’s because of the written word of God that tells us about what Christ has accomplished for us and the promises he has for those who love him, that we can have hope. An ever increasing hope!

Not only is Jesus the object of our hope, but he is the author and substance and foundation of our hope.

William Mounce said this in his commentary:

Unlike secular apathy and pessimism, Christian hope is sure. It is never a fearful dreading of what lies ahead; rather it is an eager and confident anticipation of what God has in store for believers. It is not so much a subjective emotion as an objective fact. It is sure because it is centered on Christ and is a gracious gift of God.

Jesus is not only the foundation of authority in the Church, he is the foundation of our hope.

Now the Apostle Paul transitions from defending himself , his teaching, and his authority to defending Timothy, His teaching, and His authority, but he does so , with a focus on affection.

Point Two: The Foundation of Affection

1 Timothy 1:2 ESV

To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

It’s been said that leadership is more caught than taught.

It’s true.

(Example of the way I was trained to lead with fear at Mobile Solution. Contrasted with the example of Pastor Dustin’s leadership In ministry.)

Paul’s leadership is fully on display here with his protege Timothy.

His love and affection for Timothy is demonstrated in the words he uses here in verse 2.

Mind you, this is a letter that will be broadcasted to the Church.

What I want you to see here is that Paul is not only transferring authority to Timothy, but Paul is ceasing an opportunity to display to Timothy, the young pastor, and the Church HOW one is to exercise authority in the household of God.

So Pauls example of exercising authority is one of affection and not fear.

It’s an example of not only servant leadership, but leadership that is rooted in the love of Christ.

Paul understood if you have not love you are nothing and you gain nothing.

Christians, here me on this: The Church should not look like the world!

But sadly, we often do.

Leadership in church often looks like and sounds no different than Fortune 500 companies who treat employees like numbers rather than people.

There was a report of a pastor of a big mega church with many campuses who would scream at his staff with profanities, and even get physical when things didn't go his way.

Unacceptable.

But let’s bring it down from the Church to our secular Jobs.

Many of us Christian’s who are leaders treat those who are underneath us like this too.

We threaten, we wield our authority to get results, we treat people poorly, talk bad about them, then we wonder why people at our job don’t like us, but worse than that, why they want nothing to do with Christ and His Church.

Biblical authority must be exercised with affection.

We look to Jesus, and this is exactly what we see, don’t we?

He was stern with the truth, and yet love marked his discipleship.

He was careful to not break a bruised reed, and lead in such a way where the smoldering wick of peoples souls were not snuffed out.

Who might come to mind here is the apostle John. Who pens five times that He is the disciple whom Jesus loved.

Authority must be exercised with love.

People must know you care for them and love them Before you can truly lead them.

Biblical leadership cares more about the person than the task.

This is clear with Paul and Timothy.

Every time Paul speaks about Timothy it’s always in high regard and with great affection.

Philippians 2:20–22 ESV

For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

Let me ask you a question christian?

Is this how you speak of your brothers and sisters in Christ who labor and serve beside you?

Dwell on that for just a moment.

But Why was Pauls affection so great for Timothy that He would refer to Him as a “True Child in the Faith”?

To answer that question we have to get to know Paul and Timothy’s relationship a bit better.

Here is what Luke accounts for us about Timothy, and Paul’s initial recruitment:

Acts 16:1–3 ESV

Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

What should stand out about Paul’s recruitment here of Timothy is that Paul circumcised Timothy, and Timothy allowed Paul do this, for the cause of gospel.

This is a level of commitment to the mission of Christ that many would baulk at today.

Many would be weeded out of the ministry at this level of commitment.

But this really helps us to understand Pauls wording here.

Timothy is tried and true.

“True” here means that Timothy is legitimate.

He has been tested.

Timothy traveled with Paul.

Timothy faced many difficult tasks given to him by the Apostle.

Not only did he prove himself true, but he proved himself faithful to the Lord and to the mission of Christ. (Read Acts)

Timothy is Paul’s legitimate spiritual son.

Paul has witnessed the Lord test his faith and character, and he has proved to be a true child of God.

Matthew 12:46–50 ESV

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Therefore verse 2 I think can be translated “To Timothy, my true legitimate son because he has been faithful to the will of God.”

Our elders understand this, and this is why we have a 1 year pastoral residency, and we are actually working on extending it beyond a year For this exact reason.

Too many pastors have not been tried and proven faithful for the task of elder.

And I believe that is why so many pastors are being exposed.

Some were never called to ministry, others were not affirmed by faithful pastors, and some were simply not prepared.

This phrase “True Child” indicates that Paul’s relationship to Timothy was one of Affirmation, Affection and Authority.

Timothy is Paul’s spiritual son, and therefore He carries Paul’s authority to the Church at Ephesus.

This also communicates to the Church that anyone who oppose the authority and teaching of Paul, and now Timothy, His true child, resists the authority of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope.

Not only that: This relationship, marked by affection between Paul and Timothy, is now the standard for leadership in the Church, especially among those in the pastorate.

It’s a relationship of truth, love, grace, mercy, and peace.

So this final sentence in the greeting is fitting.

Conclusion:

Paul’s final sentence encapsulates not only the central message and theology of the gospel and the foundation of this letter, but it also captures the heart of God’s command on Paul’s life to be an apostle—and on the life of anyone called into the service of King Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:2 (ESV)

To Timothy, my true child in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

If it were not for the grace of God, Paul would not be who he was, and he would not be able to do all that He did.

He would be a footnote in history, if that.

Paul was a trophy of God’s Grace and this is also true of Timothy and every believer.

Listen to Paul’s own words in 1 Cor.

1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

It was grace that marked Paul’s life, Paul’s ministry, Pauls Praises.

Why?

Because if it were not for God’s unmerited favor on Him, if it were not for this most precious gift of God (Salvation) He would still be still be a persecutor, a blasphemer and an insolent opponent of God.

But he says, 1 Timothy 1:14 “ the grace of [the] Lord overflowed for [him] with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

Then he says in verse 16,

1 Timothy 1:16 ESV

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

But what about Mercy and Peace?

Mercy and Peace are based on the fact that believers have a relationship with God, and consequently God has mercy on the believer and the believer has peace with God.

God acts in accordance with the relationship as he has defined it, and that includes having mercy.

Believers do not just feel peaceful; they actually are at peace with God, and the feelings of peace and security that evolve from such a relationship are more secure than mere emotions.

Grace, mercy, and peace are all freely given to undeserving people like Paul, Like me.

If We had to earned grace, mercy and peace, we could not , for no price would be sufficient (Ps 49:7–9, 13–15; Matt 16:26).

Rather, this trilogy comes only as a gift (GRACE), and this is why the Christian hope is secure.

Our hope resides not in human ability but in divine grace.

Although christians can never and nor should they ever demand grace, God will shed his mercy on those who are in relationship with him.

True children of God do not just feel peaceful; they actually are at peace with God.

Therefore, the Christian hope is sure as it looks forward to Jesus’ return and the salvation and mercy coming at the final judgment.

It is precisely because God is our savior that our salvation is secure and our hope is unshakeable.

Looking for hope? Come to Jesus.

Is your foundation Jesus Christ this morning, beloved?

If not, come build your house upon the rock of Christ.

Let come to the table together remembering and rejoicing in Christ Jesus our hope.

PRAY

Gracious God,

We thank You for the truth of Your Word that we have studied today. As we prepare our hearts to partake in the Lord’s Supper, we remember the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for us. Help us to approach Your table with reverence and gratitude, mindful of the grace, mercy, and peace that flow from Your love.

May this time of communion strengthen our fellowship with You and with one another, reminding us of the unity we have in Christ. Keep us faithful to the teachings we have received, and may we live as a reflection of Your grace in the days to come.