Our Time At The Lord's Table

1 Cor. 11:17-34 OUR TIME AT THE LORD’S TABLE

Intro: Jesus left His church 2 ordinances. One is Baptism and it is the immersing of the believer in water as a symbol of the new life of Christ on the inside. The other is the one, which we are going to celebrate this morning. The Lord’s Supper. This too, is a symbolic observance. Yet it is one that holds get meaning for the child of God. In the Lord’s Supper, we can find the reason for our very existence as believers, and hope for our future as well.This morning, I would like to talk to you about The Lord’s Supper and give you a little insight into what it symbolizes and what is expected of us as we come to the Lord’s Table. Our time at His table should be a blessed one and can be so if we understand just what it is that we are doing. Today, I am going to preach for a while on the subject of Our Time At The Lord’s Table.

I. v. 24-26 IT IS A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE

A. v. 24-25 Remember An Agonizing Lord – (The bread and the juice represent the body and blood of the Lord Jesus. The body that was broken and the blood that was shed.) Ill. The cruel death that He died to save our souls! In dying, He opened wide the gates of salvation and now whosoever will can enter freely. As you swallow the bread and the juice, please remember just what He did for you at Calvary – Isa. 52:14.

B. v. 26 Remember An Achieving Lord – When Jesus died, He didn’t stay that way for long! Thank God 3 days later, He arose from the Dead and conquered death, hell and the grave, insuring eternal life for all who will receive Him by faith! (Ill. Matt. 28:1-6) (Ill. This is why the Lord’s Supper is nothing more than a symbol. Jesus is alive and well this morning! Yes He died, but now He is evermore alive!)

C. v. 26 Remember An Appearing Lord – After Jesus rose from the dead, He ascended back to Heaven and took up His place at the right hand of the Father, Heb. 10:12. His promise then was that He would return some day for His people – John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11. (Ill. Every time we take the bread and the juice, we are to remember that He died, He lives and one day soon, He is returning to take us to be with him in Heaven!) (Ill. I Thes. 4:16018; 1 Cor. 15:51-52.)
II. v. 27-30 IT IS A TIME OF REPENTANCE
A. v. 27-30 From Our Sins – These verses paint a very solemn portrait of the Lord’s Supper service. It seems the Lord takes it very seriously! He expects us to deal with our sins before we partake of the bread and the juice! That is why we have a time of altar prayer before the elements are given out. God hasn’t changed His mind! (Ill. The situation at Corinth. It wasn’t being taken seriously and people were sickly and dead because of their taking the Lord’s Supper lightly.) (Ill. If you have sinned, there is forgiveness in Jesus – 1 John 1:9)

B. v. 17-22 From Our Selfishness – (Ill. The attitude and practice at Corinth.) The Lord’s Supper is a time when we are to remember the selflessness of Jesus and make that trait paramount in our own lives. In other words, we are to place others ahead of ourselves. It is a good time for the saint to remember:
1. Those who lack in the fellowship – Gal. 6:22. Those who are outside Jesus and lack salvation – Isa. 51:1 (Ill. These people need an insider to tell them about Jesus!) (Are you casting your net?)3. That without Jesus we are nothing – 1 Cor. 15:10; John 15:5

III. v. 31 IT IS A TIME OF RENEWAL
A. Our Vows – What have you promised the Lord that you haven’t carried out? (Ill. Eccl. 5:1-5) Before the bread and juice are taken this morning, look closely at the things you’ve promised the Lord. Have you done them like you said you would? Examine yourself, judge yourself, and He won’t have to judge you for your error!

B. Our Vision – This time at the Lord’s table is a great time for us to remember why we are here anyway. We should all take this time to ask the Lord to renew our vision of:

1. A World Lost Without Jesus. (Ill. The horrors of the lost man – Eph. 2:12)2. A Lord Worthy Of Our Best Service, Faithfulness and Worship.3. A Church With A Future Only As Large As Our Commitment.

C. Our Victory - This is a great time to bring your defeats, your trials, your valleys, your hurts and struggles to the Lord and let Him remind you that He hasn’t forgotten you. That He is working everything out for your good – Rom. 8:28. That in Him you always walk in victory – 1 Cor. 15:57. That in Him, you are more than a conqueror – Rom. 8:37.
Conc: Before we have our time at the Lord’s Table, let’s spend some time at the Lord’s Altar! The invitation is three-fold today:1. If you are unsaved and God has dealt with your heart, I invite you to come to Jesus now and receive Him as your Savior.2. If you are saved, but there are things in your life that are hindering your walk with God, bring them to this altar this morning and let Him take care of those needs. Get rid of those weights that slow your progress for Jesus.3. If you are in a storm today, come to Jesus and let Him remind you of your great victory in Him.Whatever the need, bring it to Jesus today and He can and will meet it. Will you come?