The Tabernacle Communion Table

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Sept. 12, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. 

THE TABERNACLE COMMUNION TABLE

By Michael D. O’Neal                    Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church                    Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Exodus 25:23-30

Text: Exodus 25:23

Exodus 25:23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

Introduction: I have shown you that the tabernacle was a type or prophetic picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. The tabernacle was made,
said God, “that I may dwell among them” (v. 8). The tabernacle was a figure, or type, of the true dwelling of God among men later, in the
form of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.

“and dwelt among us.”

The tabernacle was made for God to dwell among men. Jesus Christ was “made flesh” in John 1:14 “and dwelt among us.”

I pray that the Lord will help us to see JESUS in the tabernacle, especially in the mercy seat tonight, as we remember the words of our
Lord:

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Those scriptures were specifically Genesis through Deuteronomy, the first five books of the Bible, for the Lord further stated:

John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

Tonight we are going to look at the TABLE OF SHEWBREAD and look for JESUS.

The Old Testament table remembered the crossing of the Red Sea and the escape from captivity in Egypt.

The New Testament table remembers the cross of the Redeemer and our escape from captivity of the Evil One.

Before we show the similarities of the table of shewbread to our own communion with the Lord Jesus Christ, let’s take a look at a passage
describing the table:

Leviticus 24:5-9 And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake. 6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD. 7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 8 Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant. 9 And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.

I. THE TABLE IS FOR FOOD (BREAD)

Leviticus 24:5-6 And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake. 6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.

A. Jesus is saving bread

B. Jesus is sustaining bread

C. Jesus is strengthening bread (Psalm 104:15)

II. THE TABLE IS FOR FELLOWSHIP (OF THE PRIESTS)

We are kings and priests (Revelation 1:6; 1 Peter 2:9), and we meet for fellowship (1 John 1:3)

     A. It is a holy fellowship

     B. It is a heavenly fellowship

     C. It is a happy fellowship

III. THE TABLE IS FOR FOCUS

Leviticus 24:7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, thatit may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fireunto the LORD.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I have received of the Lord that which also Idelivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he wasbetrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, andsaid, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do inremembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, whenhe had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: thisdo ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often asye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death tillhe come.

A. On the loaves – broken bread

B. On the lamb and the blood that was shed

C. On the Lord who was brought up from the dead

IV. THE TABLE IS FOR FAMILY

Leviticus 24:9 And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.

Because of Jesus, the bread of life, WE ARE PART OF:

A. God’s family

B. A growing family

C. A grateful family
   1. Observing “thanksgiving” 365 days a year!