Lessons from the Past

Introduction:

Life is full of trials & temptations. We know how God wants us to handle them; how can we do this?

LET’S LOOK AT WHY IT MATTERS, WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM THE PAST, AND THE RESOURCES GOD GIVES TO US WHEN TRIALS & TEMPTATIONS COME.

I) Why it matters How We Handle Testing (vv. 1-5)

A. A Concern: Don’t Take Perseverance for Granted

i. Context: The need to persevere (see 9:24-27)

1. Paul has urged the church to persevere…but perseverance isn’t easy!

2. Like Israel: The joy of “Exodus” can give way to realities of life (vs. 6)

3. EXAMPLE: marriage grows stale; money is tight(cut corners?)

ii. “Temptation” is an attraction to sin (vv. 13)

1. QUOTE temptation "as the desire to seek out something of our own that reposes in ourselves rather than in God, -- J. Calvin

2. EXAMPLE: Financial mismanagement ßsubstituting money for God

iii. “Testing” is adversity (vs. 9)

1. Job lost all, in a way that revealed his character

2. EXAMPLE: car breaks down, lose your job unfairly: What character?

B. A Caution: Complacency can lead to spiritual ruin

i. Concern for the Corinthians: Complacency in the face of adversity: (vv. 1-5)

1. Many participated in Israel’s life but failed to receive the Promised Land

2. But they never received the PL: Why? trials/temptations destroyed them

ii. You Can’t Ride Coattails to Heaven

1. Some: “Baptized” into Christ; eaten spiritual food/drink; heard the gospel at home, at school

2. BUT: For some adversity reveals character, drives us away from Christ

THIS IS WHERE PAUL WANTS TO INSTRUCT US, AND TO DO THAT, HE TAKES US TO THE PAST.

II) Learning from The Past: What Not to Do (vv. 6-11)

A. What Not to Do: A Case Study from Israel’s Past

i. We must not turn away from God to idols (vs. 7, Exodus 32)

1. Israel grew impatient with God, and created a substitute for God

2. EXAMPLE: Power, pleasure, wealth: OR, Approval

ii. We must not defy God with immorality (vs. 8, Num. 25)

1. The Israelites flaunted God’s law, daring him to do anything about it

2. EXAMPLE: Our culture downplays, minimizes sin before a holy, God

iii. We must not grumble to God (vv. 9-10, Num. 14)

1. Grumbling: accusing God of malpractice when plans don’t go as we hope

2. EXAMPLE: Testing leads us to resentment

Transition:

III) Facing Adversity: What to Do When Testing Comes (vv. 11-13)

A. Heed God’s Warning (vv. 12, 1, )

i. We must learn from the experiences of our spiritual forebearers

1. Israel is OUR people – and we must learn from them (vs. 1)

2. Christ was a shadow for Israel we have a greater reality! (vv. 4, 9)

3. Therefore: More reason to be careful, more reason to be hopeful!

B. Trust God’s Promises (vs. 13)

i. God is Faithful:

1. Persevering isn’t something we can do on our own strength, but in God’s

2. We may trust our faithful God to carry us through adversity

3. EXAMPLE:

ii. No Temptation will be beyond our ability

1. This doesn’t mean that you are strong enough for whatever comes…just the opposite!

2. We are weak & powerless but God’s strength is perfect in our weakness

iii. God will provide the way of escape

1. When face with temptation, God will provide a way out

2. EXAMPLE: A Christian friend who can hold you accountable;

Transition:

Conclusion

Spiritual food at the Lord’s Table