Introduction

Introduction-1

• In 9:24-27 Paul emphasized the importance of self-denial in serving Christ.
• In matters of liberty, such as eating meat sacrificed to idols, self-denial is necessary if by eating it would lead a weak brother to stumble, 8:13.
• Or, if some action would be misunderstood and hinder the cause of the gospel, like receiving support from Corinth, which Paul had denied himself, 9:12, 15.

Introduction-2

• A third reason for self-denial is now introduced.
• If indulgence imperils one’s soul, do not walk on the edge – That is, attempting to live close to sin without falling.
• “If any man thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall.”
• To make this point he cites the example of the children of Israel.

Preliminary Thoughts

Preliminary Thoughts-1

• In this chapter Paul is still dealing with the question of eating meat which has been offered to idols.
• This passage deals with the over-confidence of some of the Corinthian.

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Preliminary Thoughts-2

• From the start of this letter Paul was dealing with brethren who thought highly of themselves.
• Their over confidence in their knowledge, standing with God, and freedom to do what they like.
• 1 Cor. 3:18; 1 Cor. 4:8; 1 Cor. 5:2; 1 Cor. 6.

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Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. - 1 Cor. 3:18

You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! - 1 Cor. 4:8

And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. - 1 Cor. 5:2

Preliminary Thoughts-3

• Their point of view was one of spiritual safety.
• We have been baptized - we are one with Christ
• We have partaken of the Lord’s Supper and therefore we have partaken of the body and the blood of Christ.
• We are in Christ and Christ is in us.
• Therefore we are quite safe.
• We can eat meat offered to idols and take no harm.
• There is no possible danger for us."

Preliminary Thoughts-4

• So in this passage Paul warns the people who speak with a confidence and with the danger of over-confidence.

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Chapter Synopsis

1 Corinthians 10

Chapter Synopsis

• 10:1-13 – Old Testament examples of the children of God who fell to temptation.
• 10:14-22 – You cannot partake of the Lord’s table and the table of demons.
• 10:23-33 – Give all glory to God and give no offence to the church.

1 Corinthians 10:1-4

Children Of God Can Be Cast Off

Children Of God Can Be Cast Off

• Paul Did Not Want Them To Be Unaware Of These Dangers
• 10:1-4 – Israel Was Delivered From Bondage And Was In Fellowship With God.
• vs. 3-4 – They Ate Of The Manna Supplied From Heaven And Drank Of The Water Which Came From A Rock.

For I proclaim the name of the Lord: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. - Deut. 32:3-4,

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...And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation. - Deut. 32:15,

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Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful,

And have forgotten the God who fathered you. - Duet. 32:18.

Children Of God Can Be Cast Off

• Paul Did Not Want Them To Be Unaware Of These Dangers
• 10:5 - Those Baptized Unto Moses And Fed By Christ Were Cast Off From God.

1 Corinthians 10:5-10

Many Israelites Were Overthrown In The Wilderness

God Overthrew Many Israelites

• “all” Appeared Five Times They All Stood In The Same Spiritual Favor With God.
• all These Privileges Israel Possessed, And Yet In Spite Of Them They Failed.
• Paul Was Drawing A Parallel To Warn The Corinthians.
• we Must Note The Temptations And The Failures Which Paul Points Out.
• this Context Is To Warn About Indulgence In Certain Practices

The Five Sins Israel Was Guilt Of

The Sins of Israel

• Vs. 6 – Lusting after evil things. (Num. 11:4-34)
• Vs. 7 – Worshiping idols. (Ex. 32:1-6)
• Vs. 8 – Sexual immorality. (Num. 25:1-9)
• Vs. 9 – Putting God to the test. (Num. 21:4-9)
• Vs. 10 – Grumbling. (Num. 16:1-50)

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[4]Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? [5]We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; [6]but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”… [13]Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’… [33]But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was aroused against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very great plague. - Num. 11:4-33

The Sins of Israel

• Vs. 6 – Lusting after evil things. (Num. 11:4-34)
• Vs. 7 – Worshiping idols. (Ex. 32:1-6)
• Vs. 8 – Sexual immorality. (Num. 25:1-9)
• Vs. 9 – Putting God to the test. (Num. 21:4-9)
• Vs. 10 – Grumbling. (Num. 16:1-50)

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And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” - Ex. 32:4-5

The Sins of Israel

• Vs. 6 – Lusting after evil things. (Num. 11:4-34)
• Vs. 7 – Worshiping idols. (Ex. 32:1-6)
• Vs. 8 – Sexual immorality. (Num. 25:1-9)
• Vs. 9 – Putting God to the test. (Num. 21:4-9)
• Vs. 10 – Grumbling. (Num. 16:1-50)

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Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.... And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand. - Num. 25:1-2; 9

The Sins of Israel

• Vs. 6 – Lusting after evil things. (Num. 11:4-34)
• Vs. 7 – Worshiping idols. (Ex. 32:1-6)
• Vs. 8 – Sexual immorality. (Num. 25:1-9)
• Vs. 9 – Putting God to the test. (Num. 21:4-9)
• Vs. 10 – Grumbling. (Num. 16:1-50)

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And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” so the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. - Num. 21:5-6

The Sins of Israel

• Vs. 6 – Lusting after evil things. (Num. 11:4-34)
• Vs. 7 – Worshiping idols. (Ex. 32:1-6)
• Vs. 8 – Sexual immorality. (Num. 25:1-9)
• Vs. 9 – Putting God to the test. (Num. 21:4-9)
• Vs. 10 – Grumbling. (Num. 16:1-50)

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[3]They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”…[23]So the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, [24]“Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.’ ”…[31]Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, [32]and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. - Num.16:3; 23; 31; 32.

Consequences Of Unbelief �And Belief

Numbers. 14:22-24

• Unbelief, Lack Of Trust - God Denied Them His Promise.
• Belief, Unwavering Trust - God Granted Them His Promise

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because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.

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But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. - Num. 14:22-24.

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1 Corinthians 10:11-13

If Any Man Thinks He Stands, Let Him Take Heed, Lest He Fall

Take Head Lest You Fall

Paul Concludes This Section By Saying Three Things About Temptation

• He Is Quite Sure That Temptation Will Come. That Is Part Of The Essence Of Life.
• Any Temptation That Comes To Us Is Not Unique.
• With The Temptation There Is Always A Way Of Escape.

Conclusion

Conclusion

1. Those Who Forget History Are Doomed To Repeat It.
2. We Should Learn From Others Mistakes And Others Successes.
3. We Should Never Take God For Granted.
4. Be Aware Of Temptations And Look For That Way Out. It Is There!
5. Temptations Are Not Designed To Make Us Fall, But To Make Us Stronger.

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