Come to the Table

See also: Baptism; Lord’s Supper A sacrament is a visible sign of a sacred thing, or a visible form of an invisible grace.

Saint Augustine of Hippo

Genesis 1:1 NKJV

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Psalm 85:9 NKJV

9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.

Psalm 85:10–11 NKJV

10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Psalm 85:12–13 NKJV

12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.

In Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, Ann Spangler & Lois Tverberg sum up the beauty of table fellowship like this:

“Though the Israelites didn’t have fancy tables or place settings, they had something better. For them, the table was much more than a place to eat. It was a place of mutual trust and vulnerability. Sitting down at the table to eat with someone meant you had a protected relationship with them. Whom you ate with revealed something important about who you were, showing to whom you belonged.Just as the word “house” could mean your family lineage or the word “bed” could mean your intimate relationship, the word “table” could stand for family and friends—all those you trusted and on whom you depended. These were the people with whom you enjoyed table fellowship. In fact, table fellowship implied a nearly inviolable relationship. To be a guest at a family’s table meant that you were under their protection. As long as you were with the family, they were honour bound to defend you, even at the cost of their lives.”

How would you look at life if… invited you to sit down with them for a meal?

Psalm 23:5 NKJV

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

Acts 2:46–47 NKJV

46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Exodus 24:9–11 NLT

9 Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain. 10 There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. 11 And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence!

“The altar is the blood ritual. It is the moment of atonement and forgiveness. God cleanses his people with blood. But the altar is followed by the table. The blood covenant established our relationship with God so that we may eat in his presence. The table is the experience of reconciliation and fellowship. While the altar may be a time of sadness, penance and guiltiness, the table is a time of joy, communion and commitment.”

John Mark Hicks

“In Luke’s gospel Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal, or coming from a meal.”

Tim Chester

1 Corinthians 10:16–18 NKJV

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. 18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

When we come to the Lord’s table, we do not have to try to bring His presence. He is here!27

A. W. Tozer

Communion activated the Blessings!

1 Corinthians 11:27–32 NKJV

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

3 Questions:

What is God saying to you?

What are you going to do about it?

How can I pray for you?

Souls, Souls, Souls!!!!!!!!!