The Table is Exclusive

Open: One of the greatest sins of our emotion-driven, overly sensitive culture of the 21st century is to exclude someone. To say to a person, ‘you cannot participate because you do not qualify.

Consider the outcry when illegals are turned back from entering the USA; think on the moral outrage when a biological male is prevented from dominating (I meant competing) in women’s sports, or when homosexuals are denied adoption by Christian Adoption agencies.

Transition: Sadly, all three examples of exclusivity are being trampled in our society. Leftists and politicians who succumb to pleasing those with loud voices are busy manipulating the laws to end these so-called barbaric and outdated standards.

They are achieving temporary “success,” but make no mistake - God’s standards do NOT change and when declares something to be exclusive, it WILL remain so.

We are reminded of this truth when we examine our text. In the 10th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul deals with this topic and uses the Lord’s Table to emphasize his point. Let’s read the text and then discover several important principles that relate to our daily lives as believers.

READ the Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, then drop down to verse 14, and read verses 14-21.

Background of the Passage

In Chapters 8 through 10 Paul deals with the topic of pagan worship of idols. In 1C 8:1 Paul begins the new section by stating “Now as touching things offered unto idols.” In the course of these 3 chapters, he defines idolatry as the worship of false gods (little “g”) and gives several principles for Christians to consider as relates to their culture.

For our purposes today, we are only looking at one section of this discussion, the segment that specifically relates to idols and the Lord’s Table. Paul gives several principles that are instructive for us as we prepare our heart for Communion

Church people can enjoy God’s good Provision and still fall short of saving faith (1 Corinthians 10:1-5)

Explanation: In verses 1-4 Paul summarizes God’s Provision for the wilderness generation. Paul reminds his audience how God miraculously provided for them. He tells how God led them in the desert by a burning light at night and a cloud during the day; how God brought all of them through the Red Sea on dry ground, and how He gave them food and drink during the 40 years. He specifically mentions the bread and the drink, and then emphasizes that is was Jesus who was with them during their journey. Christ was their Spiritual Rock who sustained them.

Argument: In spite of the good provision of God, Paul shares the distressing news: “But with many of them, God was not well pleased.” (v. 5) The sad truth is that even though they enjoyed the good gifts from God, their hearts remained hard and they grumbled, murmured and rebelled for the entire 40 years!

Application: Are you enjoying God’s common grace and enjoying the blessings of being in the presence of godly believers while remaining outside the family of faith? Attending worship services at a Bible-believing, Christ-honoring fellowship is good, but just being present does not qualify you to participate at the Lord’s Table

Church people can get snared by idolatry, so God warns us to flee from it (1 Corinthians 10:14-15)

Explanation: We did not read verse 6 through 13, but Paul shares more details of the sins of the Wilderness generation, specifically how they comprised by embracing the evil practice of idolatry. When he arrives at verse 14, he gives the forcible command: flee from idolatry!

Argument: The lure of false worship is a powerful temptation and believers are told to flee from it. Most of the time in Scripture God tells His people to stand firm. However, in two areas, sexual immorality and idolatry, we are told to flee. We would do well to heed this command!

We consider ourselves more sophisticate in modern times, but that just means our idols aren’t carved out of wood and placed on the kitchen table. Our idols are made from plastic, metal and glass and fit in out pockets and purses. Our idols are personal autonomy (no one is the boss of me! Our idols can even be having a grossly distorted view of a Jesus who approves of our sin.

Application: Be on guard against compromising the truth faith. The first and greatest commandment is to “love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37)

Participation in the Lord’s Table is a sacred privilege (1 Corinthians 10:16-18)

Explanation: Paul inserts a teaching about the Lord’s Table immediately after the warning to flee from idolatry. He explains the significance of the Supper by drilling down on its nature: At the Table of the Lord there is communion between redeemed people and Jesus who gave Himself as a sacrifice. The bread and the cup that are shared form a sacred space for those involved.

Argument: Being qualified by God to participate at the Table is a privilege. When we understand the ugliness of our sin and the unworthiness we possess in ourselves, we begin to understand our privileged position. The unbelieving world does not have the right to be at His Table, but the redeemed are welcomed into His presence.

Application: The repeated return to the Table is a time of reflection. God can and does use the Table to lead His children in spiritual “housecleaning.” Consider your life in terms of worldly compromise. Are you allowing the sin of idolatry to creep into your life and take away from the Exclusive Worship that belongs to the Lord? If so, repent of it and return to a place of full devotion

The Lord’s Table is exclusively reserved for those who are in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:19-21)

Explanation: Paul clearly points to the exclusive nature of the Lord’s Table. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul establishes the Dividing Line: a person cannot have communion with the Lord while being in fellowship with demons at the same time. (v. 21)

Argument: The clarity of this statement does not sit well with the multi-cultural sensitivity of the spirit of the age. How dare we tell another that he or she is not allowed in our sacred spaces! How intolerant and bigoted!

First, we must understand this is not our opinion - it is the unchanging and inerrant Word of God.

Second, we must clarify that ALL people are welcome in God’s house. We do NOT prohibit anyone from entering in to hear His Word.

Third, the focus of exclusiveness is found at the Table. God is the Creator, and He is the One who sets the standard. He is the One who mandates that access to Him is found ONLY through Jesus (John 14:6, Acts 4:12)

Fourth, we must be clear in our thinking of biblical categories. God divides the world into 2 groups: those who are IN Christ, and those who remain IN Adam - there is no third category of “good” people.

Conclusion: The Table of the Lord is a space reserved for those who are IN Christ. It is a time of reflection and worship as believers give praise and glory to Jesus who qualified us to be at His Table. It is a time to consider the nature of the body - our fellowship - and how we can corporately reflect His glory to the World.

As we approach the Table I also want to share that a person being excluded from the Table does not have to remain in that position. While the Table will always be exclusively reserved for believers, it is definitely possible for those on the outside to join with those who are on the inside. Jesus is Mighty to save and the Spirit of Christ is present. If you are receiving Conviction from the Holy Spirit, yield your life to Christ today - bow the knee and proclaim He is your Lord and your Savior and join in with the Redeemed!