Embracing Unity and Hospitality at Christ's Table

Devotional

Day 1: Christ Breaks Down Walls and Makes Us One

In a world where divisions are often built by fear, pride, or prejudice, Christ transforms our barriers into a place of unity and belonging. The love of Jesus turns walls into tables, inviting all people—regardless of background or status—to sit together as one family. This radical welcome is not just a future hope but a present reality, as we are called to live out this unity in our daily lives, breaking down invisible walls and making room for others at the table of grace. [42:57]

Ephesians 2:14-19 (ESV)
"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."

Reflection: Who in your life might feel like an outsider or stranger—how can you intentionally reach out and invite them into your circle this week, breaking down a wall with Christ’s love?

Day 2: The Table of Grace Welcomes All

At Christ’s table, there is no hierarchy or exclusion; every person is welcomed equally, regardless of their story, status, or background. Communion is a powerful reminder that the ground is level at the foot of the cross, and the same grace is offered to all. Whether the bread is torn by hand or placed reverently, whether the cup is ornate or simple, the invitation is the same: you belong, you are family, and there is always room for you. [47:05]

Galatians 3:26-28 (ESV)
"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Is there someone you have unconsciously excluded or overlooked in your community or church? What is one step you can take to make them feel truly welcomed and valued?

Day 3: Communion Connects Us Across the World

World Communion Sunday reminds us that when we gather at the Lord’s table, we are united not just with those in our own congregation, but with believers across continents and cultures. The bread and cup may look different, but the story and promise are the same: Christ’s body broken and blood poured out for many. As we receive, we are spiritually nourished and connected to a global family, carrying Christ’s peace into the world. [53:26]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV)
"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: As you take communion this week, can you picture brothers and sisters around the world sharing in the same meal? How might this global connection shape your prayers and actions today?

Day 4: Living as a Family of Forgiveness and Faithfulness

Being part of God’s household means living out forgiveness, listening deeply, and opening our hearts and hands to one another. The church is not perfect, but it is called to be faithful—quick to forgive, eager to serve, and always ready to add another leaf to the table. Each gathering, each act of love, is a rehearsal for the heavenly banquet, where all are fed and all belong. [51:40]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive or listen to more deeply? What is one practical way you can show Christlike love to a fellow member of your church family this week?

Day 5: Carrying Christ’s Peace Into the World

After we leave the table, we are sent out to carry the peace of Christ into our daily lives, becoming agents of reconciliation and hope. The grace we receive is not meant to be kept to ourselves but shared with a world in need—through acts of kindness, advocacy for the hurting, and a commitment to live as peacemakers wherever we go. There is always room for one more at Christ’s table, and we are called to extend that invitation in word and deed. [54:36]

Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Reflection: Where do you see unrest or division in your community or world? What is one concrete action you can take this week to bring Christ’s peace into that situation?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the profound unity and radical hospitality found at Christ’s table, especially as we celebrate World Communion Sunday. In a world often marked by division—by walls both visible and invisible—God calls us to a different way of living, one where the table is always growing, always making room for one more. The table is not just a piece of furniture or a ritual; it is the very heart of our faith, a place where all are welcomed, nourished, and reminded that we belong.

The imagery of the family table, ever expanding to accommodate new faces, mirrors the kingdom of God. No matter our backgrounds, our stories, or even our imperfections, there is a seat for each of us. Baptism declares our welcome into this family, and communion continually nourishes us, reminding us that we are never strangers but beloved members of God’s household. The bread and the cup, whether ornate or simple, in grand cathedrals or humble sanctuaries, carry the same promise: Christ is present, and his grace is for all.

Paul’s words remind us that Christ is not just the giver of peace—he is our peace. This peace is not something we manufacture; it is a reality we step into when we gather at the table. The walls that once divided—by race, by opinion, by pride—are transformed into a table that stretches across continents and cultures. Here, CEOs and single parents, Republicans and Democrats, the seasoned believer and the seeker, all receive the same grace.

Every time we gather—whether for communion or a church potluck—we catch a glimpse of the heavenly banquet. The laughter, the stories, the shared food, and the love are all reminders that God’s table is already among us. We come not because we have it all figured out, but because we are hungry for grace and because we belong. As we receive the bread and the cup, we join with believers around the world, carrying Christ’s peace with us and making room for every single person.

Key Takeaways

1. The Table as a Symbol of Radical Welcome The family table, ever expanding to include new faces, is a living picture of God’s kingdom. No matter our backgrounds or how mismatched we may feel, there is always a seat for us. This is not just sentimentality; it is the gospel in action, where love keeps adding leaves to the table and makes space for all. [38:44]
2. Christ is Our Peace, Not Just the Giver of Peace Paul’s teaching goes beyond the idea that Christ gives us peace; he declares that Christ himself is our peace. This means peace is not a commodity to be achieved but a person to be encountered and lived into. When we gather at the table, we step into this peace, allowing it to break down the walls that divide us. [44:13]
3. Communion as a Rehearsal for Heaven Every time we share in communion, we are rehearsing for the heavenly banquet where all are welcome and the ground is level at the foot of the cross. The bread and cup, in all their varied forms around the world, carry the same story and the same grace, reminding us that we are part of a global family. [51:40]
4. The Call to Tear Down Walls and Live as Family The church is called to stop rebuilding the walls that Christ has already torn down. Living as family means forgiving quickly, listening deeply, and opening our hearts and hands to one another—not because it’s easy, but because that’s what love does. This is how we embody the gospel and witness to the world. [50:57]
5. Carrying Christ’s Peace Beyond the Table The peace and belonging we experience at Christ’s table are not meant to stay within the sanctuary. We are sent out to carry that peace into our schools, workplaces, and communities, making room for others and showing God’s love in tangible ways. The table is both a place of nourishment and a launching point for mission.

** [54:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[13:16] - Celebrating Baptisms and Youth Ministry
[16:56] - Opening Prayer and Blessing
[20:03] - Children’s Moment and Community Life
[21:24] - Gratitude for God’s Work and Giving
[23:38] - Offering and Blessing the Gifts
[29:57] - Prayers for Students and World Communion
[31:11] - Prayers for a Broken World
[37:58] - Music Ministry and Worship
[38:44] - The Family Table: A Place for All
[41:31] - Paul’s World: Walls and Divisions
[42:57] - When Walls Become Tables
[44:13] - Christ is Our Peace
[47:05] - Communion: Level Ground and Shared Grace
[49:23] - The Bread and the Cup: One Story
[50:57] - Living as Family, Tearing Down Walls
[51:40] - Communion as a Glimpse of Heaven
[53:26] - The Table Stretches Wide
[54:36] - Joining the Global Church in Communion
[56:01] - Invitation to the Table
[57:05] - All Are Welcome: Serving Communion
[62:02] - Prayer of Thanksgiving and Sending
[63:43] - Closing Blessing and Song

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:13-19 (ESV) — But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

Luke 22:19-20 (ESV) — And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 2, what has Christ done to the “dividing wall of hostility” between people?
In the sermon, what are some of the “walls” that still exist in our world and even in our churches today? ([41:31])
What does the bread and the cup represent in communion, and how does the sermon describe their meaning across different cultures and churches? ([49:23])
How does the sermon describe the family table and its connection to God’s kingdom? ([38:44])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Paul doesn’t say Christ gives us peace. He says, Christ is our peace.” What is the difference between Christ giving peace and Christ being our peace? ([44:13])
Why do you think the sermon emphasizes that “the ground is level at the foot of the cross” during communion? What does this mean for how we see ourselves and others? ([47:05])
The sermon shares a story about Protestants and Catholics sharing communion in Northern Ireland. What does this story teach about the power of the table to heal divisions? ([43:32])
The sermon says, “The church should stop rebuilding [walls]. Our job is to live like a family.” What are some ways churches might unintentionally rebuild walls, and what does it look like to live as family? ([50:57])

Application Questions

Think about a time when you felt like an outsider. How did someone make room for you, or how could someone have done so? How can you help make “the table” bigger for others in your life or church? ([38:44])
Are there any “walls” in your heart—such as opinions, pride, or fear—that keep you from welcoming others fully? What is one step you could take this week to break down that wall? ([42:19])
The sermon says, “Every time we gather—whether for communion or a church potluck—we catch a glimpse of the heavenly banquet.” How can you be more intentional about making everyday meals or gatherings a place of welcome and grace? ([52:15])
When you take communion, do you see it as a personal ritual or as a connection to a global family? How might your experience of communion change if you remembered believers around the world each time? ([53:26])
The sermon calls us to “forgive quickly, listen deeply, and open our hearts and hands.” Which of these is hardest for you, and what is one practical way you can practice it this week? ([50:57])
The peace and belonging we experience at Christ’s table are meant to go with us into our daily lives. Where is one place (work, school, neighborhood) you feel called to carry Christ’s peace this week? ([54:36])
The sermon says, “We come not because we have it all figured out, but because we are hungry for grace and because we belong.” How does this truth challenge or encourage you in your faith journey right now? ([53:02])

Sermon Clips

My favorite memories are all around the table. And I nodded because I knew exactly what they meant. In their house, the table was the heart of everything. And when the family grew, the table grew also. Eventually, they didn't have enough chairs, so someone would always have to sit on the ice chest or the old piano bench. But it didn't matter, because every single person had a place, because that's what love looks like. It keeps adding leaves to the table. [00:38:20] (71 seconds) #LoveAddsLeaves

That's the world that Paul is writing into, a world where walls divided people by religion, by race, by power. Now, I know that we don't have temple walls in our churches today, but let's be honest, and we might as. To be honest anywhere. We still kind of build walls of our own version. Sometimes they're made of opinions. Sometimes those walls are made out of fear. Sometimes those walls are made out of pride. Most of the time they're invisible, but they are very real. A feeling that certain people don't belong. That grace has boundaries. And when they do, something beautiful happens. The wall becomes a table. [00:41:37] (85 seconds) #WallsBecomeTables

And that is the power of the Gospel. That's what God Jesus does. He takes what's broken and he makes it whole. It back together again. He doesn't just reconcile us to God. He reconciles us to one another. Paul doesn't say Christ gives us peace. He says, Christ is our peace. But when peace is a person, when peace is Jesus himself, then peace is not something that we can achieve. Peace is something that we live into. And that's what the table is all about. [00:43:56] (67 seconds) #ChristIsOurPeace

Paul goes on to say, you are no longer strangers or aliens, but citizens with the saints. Think about that. You don't have to ask if there's room for one more. You already have a seat. That's what baptism declares. And communion reminds us that you are still a part of this family. One welcomes us in and the other nourishes us along the way. [00:45:14] (57 seconds) #YouHaveASeat

``Every time we gather for communion, we're reminded that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. The bread doesn't come in different flavors for different people. It's the same grace for every single person. That's the beauty of the table. There is the CEO and the single parent. There is the Republican and the Democrat and the Independent all at the table together. Person who is just starting to find their way all together at the table. All receive the same grace. [00:47:17] (54 seconds) #GraceAtTheTable

Maybe you can remember, just like me, those holy moments of receiving Holy Communion when we really break it all down. Here's the thing. Every single loaf carries the same story. This is my body broken for you. In some places, the bread today is going to be torn by hand. In other places, the bread will be placed reverently on a person's tongue. And some are going to dip and. Some are going to pass trays in their pews. But in every one of those moments, we can trust that Christ is present, as real as he was with those disciples in that upper room over 2000 years ago. [00:49:12] (57 seconds) #ChristIsPresent

The church should stop rebuilding them. Our job is to live like a family. We're not perfect, but we live to be faithful. That means that we forgive quickly, we listen deeply, we open our hearts and our hands. Not because it's easy, but because that's what love does. And remember, every time we come to this table, it is a rehearsal for heaven. [00:51:05] (45 seconds) #FaithfulFamilyLove

So we choose to come to the. Understand it all, but because we're hungry for grace. We come because we belong and because this table belongs to Christ. At this table, you are not a stranger. You are family. [00:52:52] (29 seconds) #BelongAtChristsTable

Church. This is the heart of world communion. Sunday, the walls come down. The table stretches wide. So when we receive the bread and the cup today, I wonder if you might be able to imagine the faces of our brothers and our sisters, our. In Haiti and Honduras, in Kenya, in Korea, in Ukraine, and right here in Indiana, all of us lifting the same. Jesus is our peace. And when we leave this place, we carry that peace with us. Because at Christ's table there is and there always will be room for every single person. [00:53:21] (88 seconds) #PeaceForEveryPerson

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