The table of the Lord

2 March 2008

1 Cor 10:14-22

The theme of the passage lies in verse: ‘Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.’

This is a strong command
‘Flee’ = escape; run away; shun; shrink back
This is more than a casual avoidance.
The Lord’s table is a place where we decide clearly who we will worship

1. Participation (16)

The table of the Lord is a participation in the body and blood of Christ
Participation (koinonia) = sharing, fellowship, communion, partnership
Through the Lord’s Table we express out partnership with Christ.
This involves commitment
This is an act of sacrifice – not again of Jesus (he died once for all – Heb 9:26-28) but of us!

2. Reconciliation (17)

Although we are many we come to one cup, one loaf, one table
This is a table of unity
There must be no broken fellowship here – either with the Lord or with our brothers and sisters
Scripture makes it plain that we cannot come in disunity to this table
Jer 7:8-11 – ‘Will you stand in this house…?’
Matt 5:23-24 – ‘First be reconciled… then come’
1 Cor 11:28 – ‘Examine himself before he eats’
1 John 1:7 – ‘If we walk in the light… fellowship’
Broken fellowship hinders revival
We need to put things right before we come to the Table.

e.g. In Uganda and Rwanda a revival began in the 1930s that lasted for decades. There were large annual conventions and regular revival meetings in churches. Repentance and confession went hand in hand—in fact, the word ‘repent’ basically came to mean ‘confess.’ Essentially, the movement was strongly biblical. Regularly, after the Sunday night service at the Angli¬can church, there was a fellowship meeting at which the Scrip¬tures were read and people testified. Commonly, their testimonies took the form of confession of sin. The leaders were careful that needless details were kept private and that other people were not implicated by individual confessions. Even the missionaries sometimes admitted to their sins in the presence of the people. Charles Taylor, a school teacher in Uganda for several years, observed that there was greater humility and less paternalism among those missionaries who were open in this way. ‘It was generally beneficial for all concerned,’ said Taylor.

Overall, the result was that those who participated lived more holy and more honest lives. ‘Employers worked hard to employ revived persons,’ explained Taylor, ‘because they were univer¬sally—and quite properly—acknowledged as being more honest and trustworthy.’

3. Separation (21)

This table calls us to separation from the world
We cannot partake of the table of demons and the table of the Lord
‘Table of demons’ = feast in honour of pagan gods
What are equivalents today of the ‘table of demons’?
Mardi Gras? (Romans 1:25). Night clubs? Business dealings? Parties? Gossip over coffee?
Events like the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras worship the created more than the Creator (Romans 1:25)
Christians are called to a different life style.
E.g marriage is the only sexual relationship endorsed by Scripture. No matter what modern culture says, no other sexual union is plainly approved by God.

4. Challenge (22)

While we live under grace, grace is no excuse for compromise
This table challenges us to total commitment to Christ.
‘So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God’ (1 Cor 10:31)
The table of the Lord is not just a religious ceremony or tradition. It is a challenge to us to continue our ongoing partnership with Christ and our ongoing separation from the world.
The Lord is jealous in the sense that he protects us and cares for us and desires u for himself. (Just as a husband does for his wife and children.) Shall we provoke this jealousy?

Norman Clayton (1903-1992) wrote many great songs including, ‘Now I belong to Jesus’. He also wrote the simple but challenging song, ‘Only to be what he wants me to be.’ The Table of the Lord reminds us of this great goal.

Only to be what he wants me to be
Only to be what he wants me to be
Every moment of every day
Yielded completely to Jesus alone
Every step of this pilgrim way.
Just to be clay in the Potter’s hands
Ready to do what his Word commands
Only to be what he wants me to be]
Every moment of every day.

Something to think or talk about

You don’t have to answer all the questions: choose those that seem most relevant.

Read 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Biblical

1. What does the Bible actually say about idols? Use a concordance. But you could start with Exodus 20:4 and Isaiah 44:9-23.
2. Why do you think Paul says ‘flee’ (14) rather than ‘turn away’ or ‘resist’ or ‘reject’ or ‘fight’?
3. Why do you think the communion cup is called a ‘cup of blessing’? (16)
4. How do we actually participate in the body and blood of Christ? (16)
5. How can we reconcile what is said about idols in verses 19 and 20?

Personal and practical

6. On the basis of this passage, what should our attitude be when we come to the Lord’s Table?
7. Name some things that have the potential to become idols in your life. How have you avoided this happening?
8. In practical terms, how can we ‘flee’ from idols?
9. How can we avoid the bread and wine themselves becoming idols?

Christian Life