1 Corinthians 10 (3)

Pray Psalm 115.1-3.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
Why should the Gentiles say,
“So where is their God?”
But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.

Sing Psalm 115.1-3.
(Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us, but unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness, ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, “Where is their God on high?”
You rule us, LORD, on high: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Read 1 Corinthians 10.1-17; meditate on verses 14-17.

Preparation
1. How did Paul describe the cup of communion?

2. How did he describe the communion bread?

Meditation
After a chapter or so of side-tracking, Paul wrapped up his argument about meat offered to idols by saying simply, “Flee idolatry” (v. 14). If you have doubts about food offered to you, that it might in any way be associated with idols, just say No. But why?

Because belonging to Jesus is all-demanding and all-consuming. We cannot serve God and idols. If we are wholly devoted to Jesus and one together with the rest of His Body, we will not risk any association or identification with idols or any other sin. We will recognize and resist every temptation that threatens to cut off the fellowship (“communion” NKJV) of Jesus which we enjoy.

Fellowship of, the Greek says, not with. The NKJV got that right.

With implies distance. Of implies oneness, participation, Him increasing in us rather than merely us following along beside him, imitating what we see. What we who know the Lord possess, and what is so powerfully symbolized and realized in the Lord’s Supper is the fellowship of Jesus which we have entered by grace through faith. For us to live is Christ, as Paul wrote to the Philippians (Phil. 1.21). Not beside Christ or with Christ—Christ!

Our hope of glory, that is, our hope of seeing God in His glory and of living for His glory in all we do is not that we follow Jesus, but that Jesus is in us and we enjoy fellowship of Him (Col. 1.27). This makes the communion which we join with other believers the purest expression of our oneness in Jesus that we can know.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“For we, though many, are one bread and one body;
for we all partake of that one bread” (1 Cor. 10.17).
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Ps. 133.1)

A simple science experiment will explain what Paul is saying.
The supplies needed: plain white carnations, a vase, and red food coloring.
1. Trim the stems of the flowers.
2. Place in vases filled with water.
3. Add red food coloring to the water.
4. Watch in amazement as the flowers absorb the water and change from white to red.

We are all different people. But place us in the same communion, partaking of the same Jesus, and we will—similarly—become like Him.

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 Jn. 3.2, 3). Partaking together in communion of His Body and Blood is a foretaste of our eternal oneness with Him, in Him, and with each other.

“Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6.11).
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (Jn. 7.37).

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 Jn. 5.20, 21).

Paul and John had the same message for us. Keep yourselves from idolatry and flee from it. 
Better to keep ourselves firmly in the communion of God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and fellow Christians. Absorbing the same life from the same source—the precious blood of the Lamb.

Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful power in the blood.

Would you be free from your passion and pride?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide?
There’s wonderful power in the blood.

Would you do service for Jesus your King?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you live daily His praises to sing?
There’s wonderful power in the blood.

There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.
(Lewis E. Jones, 1899)

For reflection
1. Communion is a “participation” in the Body and Blood of Jesus. In what sense is that true?

2. How does partaking of communion express our oneness in Christ? How does it enhance that oneness?

3. How should you prepare for this most important aspect of our fellowship of Christ?

Through those elements the Lord wished to entrust to us his body and the blood which he poured out for the remission of sins. If you have received worthily, you are what you have received. Augustine (354-430), Easter Sermon 227

Pray Psalm 115.9-18.
Thank the Lord Jesus for the fellowship you have of Him, your participation in His death, life, and reign; and call on Him to live His life through you today.

Sing Psalm 115.9-18.
(Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
All who trust in Jesus yield—ever to His Name be glory—
find in Him their help and shield: Ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the LORD! He helps us evermore!
Fear Him obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Blessings from our gracious LORD—ever to Your Name be glory—
will attend us evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, LORD, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Grant us, Savior, great increase—ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless us with eternal peace: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Heaven and earth are Yours; let every soul adore
and bless You evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

T. M. and Susie Moore

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.