Participation in the Table of the Lord

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. Appealing to his beloved congregation according to the wisdom that comes from God's Word, St. Paul urges the Corinthians to flee from idolatry. This is the only sensible thing to do because they are participants in the Lord's Table. There, they receive the cup of blessing, which is a participation in Christ's Blood, and the bread, which is a participation in Christ's Body. There, they are joined together with their fellow members in the Church. Although idols are nothing, demons stand behind idolatry. To participate in idol worship, therefore, is inconsistent with participation at the Lord's table and provokes Him to anger. “Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 1 Corinthians. In response to correspondence from the Christians in Corinth and reports about matters arising in the congregation, St. Paul writes to address various matters of Christian faith and life. Throughout it all, he directs our attention to the power and wisdom of God for our salvation: Christ crucified.