1 Corinthians 10:14-22 · Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 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. 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord's jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

What kind of Cup Do You Bring?
1 Corinthians 10:14-22
Sermon
by Various Authors
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The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? (v. 16a)

The Christian faith at times expresses itself in strange ways. It talks about persons losing their life to find it. "Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 16:25b) It talks about persons finding strength through acknowledging their weaknesses. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) It talks about persons finding their freedom through bondage. "Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free."

Today, as we come to the Lord’s table, I would like to employ similar paradoxical imagery to express an important truth of the Christian faith. I would like to etch deeply in your minds and hearts as you come each week to worship a…

CSS Publishing Company, Take, Eat and Drink, by Various Authors