1 Corinthians 10:6,11

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after

evil things as they also lusted… Now all these things

happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the

ages have come.

• The examples recorded in the Old Testament are there for a reason.

• Past lessons affect the wise in a different way than they do the fool.

For the Christian, the danger of falling away is real, and it must be taken

seriously!

Hebrews 3:12-4:11;

2 Peter 1:5-10; 2:20-22

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

TheLesson

toLearn

• Related to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

• The Corinthians were baptized believers who partook of the Lord’s supper.

• Many of them, however, were in jeopardy because of their carnality.

• Thus, they were repeating Israel’s example.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

TheLesson

toLearn

Egypt The world

Pharaoh Satan

Moses (deliverer) Jesus (deliverer)

Israel The church

PastFiguresof the

Present:

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Cloud and sea Baptism

Wilderness Christian life

Canaan Heaven

Moses (Lawgiver) Jesus (Lawgiver)

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

PastFiguresof the

Present:

1 Cor.10:6“Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.”

• Probably a reference to the Israelites who desired meat and to return to Egypt. – Numbers 11:4,34; – Acts 7:39.

• The Corinthians faced a similar temptation – to partake in the idolatrous feasts, returning to their previous fellowship with idolatry.

• What are some of the ways we could be guilty of this sin? Desiring to fulfill fleshly desires

unlawfully.– Matthew 5:28; Romans 1:27;

1 Thessalonians 4:5; 2 Peter 2:10.

1 Cor.10:6“Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.”

• Desiring to walk in the works of darkness. – Romans 13:13; – Galatians 5:16

• Loving the world and returning to it. – 1 John 2:15-17; – 2 Peter 2:21,22

1 Cor.10:6“Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.”

1 Cor.10:7“And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."

• Israel and the golden calf– Exodus 32:6-20

• A real problem for the church at Corinth

– 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

• In what ways could we be guilty of idolatry?

• “Covetousness" is idolatry.– Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5

• Whenever I make any thing other than God my priority in life, I am guilty of idolatry. – Job– Fun– Family– Hobbies

1 John 2:151 John 2:15

1 Cor.10:7“And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."

1 Cor.10:8“Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.”

• Refers to the Israelites committing whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

– Numbers 25:1-3

• As a result, God’s wrath was poured out on them by means of a plague.

– Numbers 25:4-9

• This fall was brought about by Balaam’s strategic counsel to Balak.

• Numbers 31:16

FornicationFornication – πορνευω - porneuo Thayer DefinitionThayer Definition: 1) To prostitute one’s body to the lust of

another.2) To give one’s self to unlawful sexual

intercourse.

• Since fornication was socially acceptable due to paganism, the Christians at Corinth were constantly confronted with this temptation.

• So are we! What can we do to prevent ourselves from falling to this temptation?

1 Cor.10:8“Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.”

Preventing Fornication:Preventing Fornication:

• Understand the danger.– Proverbs 5:1-3

• Understand the consequences. – Proverbs 5:4-6; 6:32; 9:16-18

• Remember that God is watching!!– Proverbs 5:21-23

1 Cor.10:8“Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.”

Preventing Fornication:Preventing Fornication:

• RUN (listen to God).– Proverbs 5:7-14;– 1 Corinthians 6:18; – Genesis 39:12-18

• Fulfill sexual desires lawfully.– Proverbs 5:15-20

1 Cor.10:8“Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.”

1 Cor.10:9“Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents.”

• Israel was not satisfied with God’s provisions.– Numbers 21:4,5

• God sent fiery serpents.– Numbers 21:6-9

• How might the Corinthians be tempted to fall prey to the same sin?– How would they accept Paul’s rebukes,

restrictions, and instructions? Would they comply or return to the world?

What About Us?What About Us?• Could we become dissatisfied with the

spiritual blessings promised in Christ and long for material things?

• Could we become dissatisfied with the spiritual work that God has given the church to do and pursue secular work?

• Could we become dissatisfied with the worship God has prescribed and seek worship styles that please us instead?

1 Cor.10:9“Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents.”

1 Cor.10:10“Nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.”

• Because of their dissatisfaction with the way God dealt with them, Israel complained, and did so often.– Numbers 14:1-4; 16:1-48, (41)

• God destroyed them.– Numbers 16:21-35,45-48

• The Corinthians could be guilty of the sin of murmuring due to the instructions given them regarding:– Division (1-3) – Church discipline (5), – Internal lawsuits and behavior (6) – Marriage (7) – Forbidden association with

idolatrous practices (8,9)

1 Cor.10:10“Nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.”

• Do not grumble against one another.– James 5:9

• Be hospitable to one another.– 1 Peter 4:9

• Do all things without complaining– Philippians 2:14

Certainly, we would never have Certainly, we would never have a problem with complaining . . .a problem with complaining . . . 1 Cor.10:10

“Nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.”

1 Corinthians 10:11

“ . . . Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they

were written for our admonition, upon whom

the ends of the ages have come. “

• The examples recorded in the Old Testament are there for a reason.

• Past lessons affect the wise in a different way than they do the fool.

• The danger of falling is just as real for us as it was for the Israelites and Corinthians.

• To think that we cannot fall is foolish.

1 Corinthians 10:12

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take

heed lest he fall.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not

allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will

also make the way of escape, that you may be

able to bear it.”

• Temptation will come!

• God is faithful.

• The devil is limited.

• God will provide a way of escape.

• We can do it.