The Lord Expects Our Whole Heart

Introduction: The Lord Expects Our Whole Heart

Read Scripture Passage: 1 Cor 10.1-22

This is the Word of the Lord

Is it possible to be Pro-American AND Anti-American at the same time? No! It’s a contradiction.

Is it possible to be Pro-Christian AND Anti-Christian at the same time? No! Such is a contradiction.

Is it possible to be a true worshiper of God AND a worshipper of an idol? God says no!

Background for Paul’s letter: Paul originally planted the church at Corinth and was distressed to learn that the secular culture influences had brought divisions over various issues into the church.

As 1 Cor 1:2 indicates, Paul addressed the letter to the believers at Corinth to address the issues and to unify them in the love and work of the Lord.

Ch 1-9: Paul highlights the various divisions the church and and emphasized the importance of genuine love and affection for one another that was centered in others rather than self-centered, and a call for self-control and discipline.

He begins Ch 10 with, “I don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters.” It is Paul’s way of saying, “Given the spectrum of issues and your mild disposition toward some of them, it appears you may be unaware of something important that should be of immense help to you.”

It appears that some of those in the church may have the idea that because they were part of a congregation on which the grace of the Lord had been manifested, having been enriched in him in knowledge and not lacking in any gift, and had participated in Church ordinances, that they were safe and secure with little concern. As though God’s grace endorsed or condoned their actions.

In his great concern for them, Paul, referencing God’s word, points them to a group whose thoughts and dispositions had been similar to their own: Israelites during the Exodus: READ 1 Cor 10:1-5.

Notice that Paul includes himself as part of the community of believers (the Church) that are to apply the instructions and warnings of scripture: READ v. 6-12

Ultimately, in their unrepentant persistent unbelief, all but 2 of the 603,550 men, 20 yrs old and up that God led out of Egypt, God did not permit them to enter the promised land. 603,548 of them perished in the desert.

Paul pointed out in v.11 and 12, The things that happened to Israel were examples, written down for our instruction (or warning: NIV) and that those who think they stand should heed these examples and warnings lest he fall.

Paul’s argument is essentially simple, says John Calvin, 16th century theologian, pastor and reformer: ‘If God did not spare them, he will not spare us, for our situation is the same as theirs.’

As if anticipating excuses some might offer up as to how strong and seemingly irresistible some of the temptations may be and their perceived helplessness in refraining from giving in to them, Paul, in v.13, indicates that such excuses are invalid. Why? BECAUSE: (KIDS) “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

AND, since God will not let the believer be tempted beyond their ability to endure it, Paul appears to infer that the sin issues the Corinth church was facing was due, at least in part, to the influence of idolatry among some of their members, which he points out in the remaining verses of this chapter.

Paul makes the point, that, from God’s perspective, it is contradictory and therefore impossible to be a true worshiper of God and a worshiper of an idol. For a believer to worship an idol is to provokes his jealousy. God is not interested in a portion of a person’s heart, THE LORD EXPECTS OUR WHOLE HEART. Accordingly, idolatry is completely incompatible with Christianity: Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy, as ancient Israel did? Are we stronger than he?

Don’t think that Idolatry was just an issue in the ancient past.

Well known Pastor, teacher, and Author, John Piper affirms the prevalence of idolatry today. In an article on desiringgod.org he wrote: READ PIPER PAPER (with a peck of pickled peppers)

And Seminary Professor, preacher and author, who recently went to be with the Lord, OBSERVED: READ RC Sproul.

All the more we need to be mindful and careful.

Jesus prayer in John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

But, if we have beliefs about God that are inconsistent or contradictory with what God reveals about himself in scripture, how is that not a God of our own making: an idol? A god who winks at persistent sin, a god that can be mocked and despised, a god of love-only and void of any retribution or justic, a god of convenience, a god made in the image of our choice - a god just like me - is similar to the god ancient Israel imagined - a manmade God - an idol.

If we have a proper and healthy scripture-based understanding of who God is, then idolatry won’t be a problem. Joshua and Caleb (the two that God allowed to enter the promised land) had a different spirit than the rest - they believed the God of Moses, that he says what he means and he means what he says.

How can believers find themselves in such messes?

There is little doubt that believers are not immune to the influences of the culture: Corinth is our example, but so are 5 of the 7 churches Jesus rebukes in Revelation 2 & 3, especially when we take our eyes off of the Lord

Jesus identified core problem among believers:

Matt 24:12 Because lawlessness/iniquity will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Rev 2:4b You have abandoned the love you had at first.

AND the corrective action needed to be restored to fellowship: REMEMBER & REPENT

The question isn’t whether it’s possible for believers to be deceived, though they should do all they can to avoid it. The issue is what a true believer will do about it once they realize it. The answer to this last question is precisely why it is impossible for a true believer to persist in unrepentant sin.

Having a proper scripture-based understanding of who God is, his profound love and justice evidenced through the gift of his own Son, and that he is the God who says what he means and means what he says, then the true believer will repent in godly sorrow.

As Charles Spurgeon put it, “When the love of God is shed abroad in the heart, the idols will soon depart and the love of sin will take its flight.

The Apostle Paul’s letter provided the church at Corinth with a corrected understanding of God, which was found in his Word. Imagine the day the church at Corinth received that letter from Paul and as they read it aloud in the congregation.

We might expect that if there were any in the congregation of an unbelieving heart, like those who perished in the desert, they would have ignored or despised the admonition the Lord sent to them through Paul.

But the true lover of God who was faced with the weight and gravity of their sin would respond with heartfelt repentance as Paul indicates the church at Corinth did in his second letter: READ: 2 Cor 7:8-11.

THE LORD EXPECTS OUR WHOLE HEART; OUR EXCLUSIVE LOYALTY JUST AS HE EXPECTED OF ANCIENT ISRAEL.

The Lord is gracious, merciful and abounding in steadfast love. REMEMBERING the Lord in ALL he has done for us in calling us out of darkness into his marvelous light, taking upon himself the punishment due to sins, and the great and precious promises he has given us to look forward to is what we recall around the Lord’s Table.

The Lord’s table is open exclusively to those who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, who have placed their trust in him and have prepared their hearts to partake of the elements in a worthy manner. We invite those who have not yet placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ to sincerely do so here and now that you may join in our communion of remembrance with the Lord.

LET US TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO EXAMINE OURSELVES BEFORE THE LORD in preparation to receiving the elements.