OUR CUP OF THANKSGIVING!
1 Corinthians 10:14-22
INTRODUCTION: In our text for this morning Paul discusses the significance of communion which he refers to as “the cup of thanksgiving and participation in the blood of Christ. Paul then warns of the dangers of participating in idolatry by partaking of things offered to idols. 1 Corinthians 10:21. We will share just two main points today as we talk about the communion of the Lord: 1. The Cup of Blessing. 2. The Cup of Devils.
I. THE CUP OF THANKSGIVING!
The apostle Paul called the bread a participation in the body of Christ. That word for participation is the Greek word “koinonia” which means “fellowship.” 1 Corinthians 10:16; When Christians come together to partake of the Lord’s Supper it is in common fellowship: 1 Corinthians 10:17. We as one body in Christ are the people of God: 1 Corinthians 10:18. The privilege of our partaking of the body of Christ came at a very high price: Hebrews 9:12; Matthew 26:27-28; Isaiah 53:7. In grace, motivated by His great love for us Jesus Christ died on the cross shedding His blood to rescue us from the kingdom of darkness: John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:18-19.
II. DO WE FULLY APPRCIATE OUR PRIVILEGE OF PARTAKING OF OUR LORD’S SUPPER?
Our question for today is: “Do we fully appreciate and understand the privilege that is ours to partake of the Lord’s Supper?” 1 John 3:1-3. Is your purpose today in taking communion to become more like your Savior or just to fulfill an obligation? Today we will remember the high price our Lord payed for your salvation: 1 Corinthians 11:25. We take communion today inanticipation or our Lord’s soon return: 1 Corinthians 11:26; Colossians 3:4; Acts 1:9-11.
III. THE CUP OF DEVILS!
Just as Israel was one with God in their sacrifices, and just as Christians are one in communion and fellowship at the Lord’s Table, so also those who participate in things offered to idols become one with Satan and his demons. 1 Corinthians 10:20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-7; 1 Corinthians 10:14-15. Our Lord has always had a very strong stand towards His people separating themselves from idolaters. Deuteronomy 7:1-6: God commanded Israel to break down all the pagan altars and to destroy the pagan idols and to be a separated people; so it is today: 1 Corinthians 10:21. So we need today to know what are the idols of our day that we must, as God’s people be separated from? 1 Corinthians 10:19 tells us that an idol is anything that a man puts before God: 1 Samuel 15:20-23. So you understand that our God wants first place in our lives all the time? Deuteronomy 6:5. We today are God’s temple: 2 Corinthians 6:16-18. Sadly far too many Christians take it as a light thing to have the Spirit of God dwelling within them: Deuteronomy 12:30; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; 1 Corinthians 10:21-22. We have the capacity to create what can devour us. Goals and dreams can consume us. Possessions and prosperity can turn on us and destroy us. The wrong people in our lives can turn our hearts away from our Lord: 1 Timothy 6:6-12.. Communion service: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32.