Introduction:      There is nothing like friends gathering around the table for food and fellowship. We can all remember times of great fellowship gathered around the table. Today we are gathered for a more significant time of food and fellowship. This is what we call "Communion" or "The Lord's Table". As we contemplate the fellowship around the table this evening, we are attempting to prepare our hearts for participation in this, the Lord's Table. These remarks are made to stimulate our thinking and sharpen our awareness of what we are doing. As we prepare for fellowship around the table, I want us to consider five things:

I.          THE PERFECT HOST - Luke 22:7-13

The host is the provider of the feast, the one who foot the bill for the food, and the one who prepared the food or made sure it was prepared. The perfect host does things just right to make the meal go perfectly. We do have a perfect host. It was the night before the Jesus' death. It was the Jewish feast of the Passover. Notice that the Lord was in charge of the meal. He was indeed the host. Also, notice that Jesus said to do this in remembrance of him. Thus, the Lord's Table was instituted by Him as a way you and I can have a memorial of what He has done for us on the cross. At this table today our Lord is host because:

A.     He Is Being Remembered.

B.     He Provides The Reason For The Bread And The Cup - His Death.

C.     He Is Right Here With Us. (Mat 18:20 ) "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

There should not be frivolity because He is here as Host and observer. There should not be impure thoughts because He is here and knows our thoughts. This should not be taken lightly because the bread and the cup are emblems of His body broken for our sins and His blood shed for our sins. This should not be done with a wandering mind for that would be disrespectful to our host.

II.         THE PROPER ATTIRE (Matt.22:9-13)
The Lord's Table requires certain clothing. The Lord's Table is not for everyone. Just as there is required dress for a formal dinner, and a different type of dress required at a picnic, there is proper attire to come before the Lord at His table.

A.                 The Requirement Is Righteousness Before God.

You must be declared righteous before God. This is difficult because of our sin. Romans 3:23, Isaiah 64:6. How can we be clothed in a garment of righteousness? (Titus 3:5) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" and (Rom 3:21-22) "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; {22} Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:"

In Matthew 22 our Lord tells the story of a marriage feast. Many made excuses for not coming, so the Lord sent his servants out into the highways and byways and compelled people to come. Evidently the Lord was providing the proper attire for those who would come in. And yet one man did not put on a wedding garment. He was sent out to punishment instead of enjoying the feast. Jesus Christ has provided the wedding garment for us.

B.                 It Is Righteousness Based On Faith In Jesus.

(Phil 3:9) "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" Put on that garment. Be ready for Heaven and then come to the Lord's Table. Romans 5:1

III.       THE PRESCRIBED GIFT - 1 Corinthians 11:27-31
Very often when we go to someone's house we bring a gift. It might be candy, flowers, or a little something for the hostess. Coming to a table where the Lord Himself has died to declare us righteous, we might hesitate about bringing a gift. What could we possibly bring to please this host? 1 Corinthians 11:28 tells us what to bring. We are called upon as Christians, who have on the proper attire of righteousness to come with

A.        Clean Hearts (Matt. 5:23 -25)

            B.         Cautious Responsibility (1 Cor.11:27)

Warns us of eating in an "unworthy manner." Everyone is unworthy, but to eat and drink in an unworthy manner is to come to the Lord's Table with unconfessed sin or frivolity. We must take action. (1 John 1:8-10) "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. {9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. {10} If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

IV.       THE PREPARED MENU - 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
Just as there is a menu of what you will serve when you have folks over for dinner, there is a menu for the Lord's Table. Of course, the purpose for this table is not for the purpose of filling us up, but for causing us to reflect, and be thankful for what Jesus has done for us.

A.        The Bread

Symbolic for the body of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was the body that was given for us.

B.         The Cup

Symbolic for the blood that was shed on our behalf. (1 Pet.1:18-19)

V.        THE PLANNED RESULT (V.26)
The planned result of the Lord's Table is that we will

A.        Preach To Others By Our Actions.

Just about everything we do preaches to others. When you cheer for a certain team, you "preach" what team you are for. When you smile or make a nasty face at the mention of someone's name you "preach" your feelings about that person. Your good works and bad works also "preach" what kind of a person you are.

B.         Preach His Death To Others Until Jesus Comes.

Conclusion:       The greatest message that you and I will ever preach is at the Lord's Table.