The Lord's Table Manners

Sunday Service

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

In this passage, Paul explained FIVE WAYS we are supposed to act whenever we come around the Lord’s Table in order to avoid the discipline of the Lord. In other words, these are the five things we need to do whenever we celebrate communion.

1. COMMEMORATION - Remember the death of Christ (vv. 23-25)
Communion is a time to remember the sacrificial death of Christ. It is also a time to recall Jesus and His life, and express respect for Him.

2. PROCLAMATION - Profess faith in Christ (v. 26a)
Communion is also a time to profess faith in Christ and proclaim His death and resurrection. Every time a Christian takes communion, he or she is proclaiming the gospel message of Christ - that they are a sinner, that Jesus payed the penalty for their sins on the cross, and the only way that they can be forgiven is to repent of their sins and put their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

3. ANTICIPATION - Anticipate the return of Christ (v. 26b)
Communion is also a time to anticipate the return of Christ. We proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again. It is a time to look forward to His promised return (Matthew 26:29), and it serves as a link between Christ’s first coming and His eventual return.

4. EXAMINATION - Check for sin against Christ (vv. 27-32)
Communion is an opportunity to check for sin against Christ. It is a time for self-examination. Partaking of Communion in the belief that it is a ritual which provides a means to salvation, or taking it with an unrepentant heart, or taking it irreverently are all unworthy and dishonoring to the Lord Jesus Christ.

5. UNIFICATION - Unite with the body of Christ (vv. 33-34)
Communion is an opportunity to come together as a body of believers so that they may share their commonality in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16). It is a time to remember that we are all part of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:3) and we share the unity and harmony that is in Him.

Pray that you would never dishonor the Lord’s Table but it would always be special to you.