A. The sacrifices of the OT were commanded by God. They were far more important than we sometimes think today. Let me remind you of some passages:
1. Ex. 22:20 “Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.”
2. Ex. 34:10-15
3. 1 Kings 11:1-10
4. Mal. 1:7-14
B. The system of sacrifices was more than just doing something to “appease” God, to make him “feel better,” or to “boost his ego.” A sacrifice was a time of entering into relationship and worship. It was a drawing of the people to God and God teaching his people about obedience. Therefore, a time of sacrifice was very important within the Jewish culture. But the Roman/Greek culture also viewed sacrifices as holy and relational with their “gods.” When they participated in a sacrifice, they did so honor their gods, show support and to proclaim their deity.
C. When we come to our text, God wants us to understand what it means to “come to the table.” He was teaching people who understood the concept better than we do. So today, we need to understand the “table that unites.”
D. As we walk through this passage, dig deep within the meaning for us today, we should come away from today understanding how much God desires for us to be wholly devoted to Him and in relationship with Him.
I. Teaching #1
A. Verse 14 – Flee from idolatry. Here is the problem. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters.” (Matt. 6:24) The reason why is because money became a new idol. It was something people worshipped and sacrificed to. Idols come in many forms. While in Corinth we are dealing actual temples with idols and sacrifices for both Jews and Romans the teaching for us centers around fellowship. What do you seek to unite with? What drives your life?
B. Paul sometimes uses sarcasm in his opening phrase, “I speak to sensible people,” but there is no indication of that his time. (verse 15) Paul wants these Christians to think as someone who is mature. And he asks them to come to a conclusion.
C. Verse 16-17 – Christian communion in worship is a unity movement because we are all in Christ. The key word here is “participation” in the NIV, “communion” in the KJV, and “sharing” in other translations. It is a derivative the Greek word koinonia. The teaching is that of fellowship or being united. When we partake of the communion each Sunday, we enter into a relationship testimony with Christ and with each other. It was never intended to be individual. While there is nothing wrong with a shut-in or person in the hospital wanting someone to bring them communion on a Sunday that was not the intent of the communion. It is not some holy food used to heal us. This is a time of fellowship and participation.
D. The drinking of the cup and the eating of the bread is a sharing in the blood and body of Jesus Christ. Paul wants them to realize the depths of Jesus did and how we are bound to one another. We miss out when we think of the church of “they” or “what I go to” instead of “us” and “who I am.”
E. Understand that table unites us as one body. This is more than just a congregation, just a church, or just a place of worship. We, the people, are bound together as one in Christ when we participate in the communion with Christ each time we drink the cup and eat the bread. Paul will give us a more full teaching about the communion service soon, but here, the desire here is a teaching about unity, oneness, and a connection we have in Christ.
II. Teaching #2
A. Paul then gives a second teaching using the communion setting as a sacrifice at the altar. What Jesus did at the cross was not for him alone. An altar was used for the sacrifice. The cross is the altar and Jesus is the sacrifice. Verses 18-22.
B. Remember our opening readings from the OT. What we are learning here is of great importance. When you come to the table, you participate in the offering of the sacrifice. The thought is that by sharing in the sacrifice you enter into a relationship with the god of the sacrifice. Pagan gods or the true God.
C. How can a Christian be a participant with demons? Think through this. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Here is the point. It is not about the food, it is not about buying food from the market that might have been sacrificed to an idol. The teaching here is that you can seek to live in two worlds at the same time. You cannot come to worship God, partake of the body and blood of Jesus, and then leave the fellowship of Christians to have a fellowship with sinful activities. Christianity is more than a Sunday morning worship time. That is the lesson we must take from this passage.
D. Too often we as Christians have reduced God to cracker and grape juice, and worship to two hours on Sunday morning and feel like we’ve “put in our time.” That type of minimal Christianity is exactly what causes God pain.
E. The conclusion is a two-fold question: Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Stop. What’s your point in coming here to worship God if you plan to leave here today and enter into a sinful activity that hurts your relationship with God? What’s the point of participating in the communion that binds us together and proclaims your faith in Jesus if your desire is not to be wholly committed to Christ? That is what his is about. Our sinful actions always hurt God. When we participate in sin and then give the show of Christianity we better be prepared for the consequences.
Conclusion:
A. The last question: Are we stronger than he? Brethren we fail to teach about the power and wrath of God. We are not strong enough to stand up to the Almighty as though we have any power. We are insignificant compared to power of God. Our freedom of choice should never be seen as power, but as responsibility.
B. How much God do you want in your life? Are you willing to give yourself over to him completely? When you partook of the Lord’s table today, did the people here mean anything to you or was it so personal that you missed the fellowship of the table?
C. If you are ready to give commit your life to Christ, sharing in the blessings and feasting at the table, we stand ready to help you on the journey. All you must do is come.
