INTRODUCTION
1. Subject of the chapter:
· At the end of chapter nine Paul compares how athletes run to compete for a prize to how believers “run” to compete for an “imperishable crown.” In the first four verses of chapter ten, Paul refers to five blessings that Israel experienced in the wilderness. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (1Co 10.5 esv)
2. The specific issue in verses 5-13
· Peter uses this word for pleased (eujdokevw yoo-dok-eh'-o) in 2 Peter 1:17 when he describes his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration. He said that a voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
· What causes God to not be pleased with us? Paul gives examples of five disqualifying sins.
· In verses 6-10, We must take heed of the disqualifying sins of lust, idolatry, immorality, tempting Christ, & grumbling..
· These particular sins are rehearsed for our example and admonition. We must avoid the tendency to say to ourselves, “Well, I could never do something that bad.” These sins are the ones that we need to take heed of. This is us!
—————Stand to read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13—————
I. Take heed of Cravings
A. Greek word
ejpiqumevw ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o “to have a passion for”
Also used in Romans 13.9 repeating some of the ten commandments and is translated “covet.”
Also used in 1 Timothy 3.1 “ If a man desire the office of bishop…”
B. OT allusion
Numbers 11. 4-6, 31-32 (also Psa. 106.13,15)
They were dissatisfied with the manna and wanted meat. (How soon we forget).
C. Application 1 Timothy 6 contentment
What is your meat? It is easier to identify when we can’t get it. I am afraid that we may not notice it because we can obtain it.
II. Take heed of Idolatry
A. Greek Word
eijdwlolavtrhs i-do-lol-at'-race lit. to serve an image or idol
used as a sin of unbelievers and believers in 1 Corinthians 5.9-11
B. OT Allusion
Ex 32.6 “Sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” suggests lewdness or immorality
v.1 Moses delayed; people wanted an image to go ‘before’ them
v.7 corrupted themselves
v.8 turned out of the way commanded
v.8 made, worshiped, & sacrificed to the image
v.9 stiffnecked
C. Application
We would probably never be so crass as to serve a statue. You cannot serve God and money.
What does God have to “compete with in my life?”
Do you notice the relationship between passions/craving and idolatry?
III. Take heed of Immorality
A. Greek Word
porneuvw porn-yoo'-o sexual immorality (root of the word pornography)
1 Corinthians 7.2 The right place for sexual relations is between a wife and husband. All others fall under the general term.
In 1 Corinthians 6.18 we have the noun form of the word. It is a sin against our bodies.
It is a sin that carries a special stigma.
B. OT Allusion
Numbers 25.1-9 Israel was on the border of Moab and Barak couldn’t get Balam to curse Israel, so Balam advised Barak to send the Moabite women into the camp to engage them in the worship of Baal Peor and immorality.
Phinehas, the priest, stopped the plague by killing two of the sinners.
Plague killed 24K
Note appearant contradiction: 24K in Num. & “23K in one day” in 1 Cor.
Possible explianations: 1. actual number between 23K and 24K and was rounded differently
2. 23K in one day and the other 1K before or after
3. copyist error
C. Application
Notice the relationship between immorality and idolatry. When we commit a sexual sin is does something to our spirit. It is not a sin to be taken lightly.
It is a sin of pleasure over fidelity and therefore a double sin.
IV. Take heed of Tempting Christ
A. Greek Word
peiravzw pi-rad'-zo In a positive way to “test or prove” In a negative way to “ensnare”
used in Matt 4 & Luke 4 of the temptation of Christ
used of the lawyer who tempted Christ with a question in Luke 10.25
B. OT Allusion
Numbers 21.4-9 esp 5 Spoke against God and Moses by questioning his power, faithfulness, and the value of the manna He provided.
comp. w/ Psa. 78.18 “tempted god in their heart by asking for meat”
comp. w/ Heb. 3.8-9
“Harden not your hearts, as in the day of provocation in the day of temptation in the wilderness
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.”
“The Israelites tempted Him, or “tried His patience and forbearance,” by rebellion, complaining, impatience, and dissatisfaction with His dealings.” —-A. Barnes
C. Application
What is the difference between Ex 17 “Is the Lord among us or not?” —- Num 21 and Malachi 3.7
Mal. 3.7 bring tithes prove me see if I do not open the heavens
1. obedience
2. faith-hope expectation
3. submission (vrs. rebellion)
4. How do we tempt God or “try His patience” today?
V. Take heed of Grumbling
A. Greek Word
gogguvzw igong-good'-zo to mrmer, mutter, grumble
Used in Matt 20.11 The parable of the laborers Those who worked longer “complained” about what they were given.
B. OT Allusion
Numbers 14.2-4
Why has the Lord brought us into this land to die by the sword...?
questioned God intentions and ability to sustain them.
Would it not be getter for us to return to Egypt?
dissatisfied with God’s provision
Lack of Faith, rebelliousness, questioning God’s provision and intentions
C. Application
What is the opposite of grumbling? THANKFULNESS is a fruit of the Spirit Eph 5.20 and commanded Phil’p 4-6 “...with thanksgiving let your requests be know to God…”
What do you complain about? What sinful attitude does it reveal in you?
Malachi 3.13 It is not useless to serve God.
Galatians 6.9 “And be not weary in well-doing, for in do season we shall reap if we faint not.”
Grumbling is all about me. Phil’p 2.13,14 “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing,”
CONCLUSION:
1. Presumption is the greatest of all dangers.
2. Temptation works like rocks in a harbor; when the tide is low, everybody sees the danger and avoids it. But Satan’s strategy in temptation is to raise the tide, and to cover over the dangers of temptation. Then he likes to crash you upon the covered rocks.
3. Exodus 13.17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." 18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. God knows what we can endure and is faithful to moderate our temptations.
4. We have a high priest who can empathize with our weaknesses (Heb 4.12) “Let us run with patience … looking unto Jesus.” “Consider Him who endured such heostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” Heb 12.1-3
