Warnings about sin and temptation encouragement

Introduction:

1 Cor. 10:1-13

“Take Heed Lest He Fall”

The Example of Israel (vv.1-10)

A. They Were Blessed (vv.1-4)

B. God Was Not Pleased with Most of Them (vv.5-10)

Application of Israel’s Example (vv.11-13)

1 Cor. 10:12-13

1. Warnings About Sin and Temptation

Don’t Let What Happened to Israel Happen to You (v.12)

“Therefore” Connects verses 12-13 to Israel’s Example

What Do We Learn from Israel’s Example?

Israel Was Abundantly Blessed by God (vv.1-4)

Israel

All Were Baptized Into Moses and the Sea

They All Ate the Same Spiritual Food and Drink

They Drank of the Rock that Followed Them, Christ

Christians

We Have Been Baptized

One of Two Possible Parallels

Lord’s Supper

Bread and Drink of God’s Word – John 6:31ff

Jesus Has Promised to Be With Us – Matt.28:18

God Was Not Pleased with Most of Them (v.5)

Israel’s Blessings Did Not Make Them Immune for Temptation or the Lord’s Displeasure

Why was God not pleased with most of them?

Some Lusted After Evil Things (v.6)

Some Were Idolaters (v.7)

Some Were Guilty of Sexual Immorality (v.8)

Some Tempted Christ (v.9)

Some Murmured and Complained (v.10)

If it happened to Israel, it can happen to you

You could ignore your blessings and advantages and turn away from God

2 Peter 1:8-9

Hebrews 6:4-6

Don’t Be Overconfident (v.12)

“let him who thinks he stands”

This is not merely the person who thinks he is faithful – it is the person who thinks he cannot fall

Peter is the Classic Example of Overconfidence

Mark 14:29

Overconfidence Eliminates Watchfulness

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be vigilant”

Matthew 26:41 – “watch and pray”

Temptation Is Inevitable

“Except Such as is Common to Man”

Any Passages that Affirms the Universality of Sin Also Affirms the Universality of Temptation

James 1:15

Matthew 18:7 – “offenses must come”

ESV – “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!”

2. Encouragement Concerning Temptation

You Are Not Alone in Battle with Temptation

Sometimes We Feel Like No One Knows What It Is Like to Struggle With My Temptations

My Temptations Are Not Unique to Me – They Are Common to Man

Devil always attacks in the same way – 1 John 2:16-17

He did in the garden of Eden – Genesis 3:4-6

He did with Christ – Matt.4:1-11; Heb.2:18; Heb.4:15

God Can Be Trusted – He is Faithful

He does not lie – Titus 1:2

If God says:

There is a way of escape – you can trust there is a way of escape

If God says I will not be tempted beyond my ability to endure – you can trust it

If God says he can help us in temptation – you can trust the Lord (Heb.2:16; 4:15-16)

God Will Not Allow You To Be Tempted Beyond Your Ability

This passage shows that God is watching over each of us personally and individually - Luke 12:7

God will not allow Satan to tempt and attack us beyond what we can bear

Job 1:12; 2:6

There is Always a Way of Escape

literally – “a exit, a way out”

For Joseph – the way of escape was to run out the door – Gen.39:12

For Jesus – the way of escape was in his knowledge of God’s word – Matt.4:1-11