13. How NOT to be a Corinthian! 1 Corinthians 10

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Stand with me as we open our worship with scripture this morning.

Opening Scripture:

Psalm 140 NIV

For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1 Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, 2 who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. 3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips. 4 Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet. 5 The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path. 6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.” Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy. 7 Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle. 8 Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord; do not let their plans succeed. 9 Those who surround me proudly rear their heads; may the mischief of their lips engulf them. 10 May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise. 11 May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent. 12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. 13 Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.

Prayer

Worship Set:

Prayer

Worship Through the Word:

How NOT to be a Corinthian! 1 Corinthians 10

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Careless About Little Things

Careless About Little Things

Last week, Paul addressed our liberties or freedoms, as Christians.  I addressed the fact that we no longer live by the law, but instead we are directed by the Holy Spirit, who often uses our conscience to alert us to danger.  This does not nullify the law, it just means we are better directed by the Holy Spirit who understands our personal strengths and weaknesses.  However, we must consider more than our own understanding of things.  As Christians, our actions should be governed by love, which calls for us to consider others who may not understand the choices we make and may be improperly influenced by us.

These decisions or choices I am talking about, are regarding subjects we call discernible matters.  They are behaviors that are not directly addressed in scripture but that we each need to decide for ourselves.

However, it is not just another person’s understanding that we need to be careful of.  Too often, it is the small freedoms that can lead us right back into the slavery of sin as well, if we are not careful. 

For better continuity of our topic, I am skipping chapter 9, and we will tackle chapter 10 today.  Chapter 9 is worth reading but Paul just demonstrates some of the liberties he has given up for the greater good of others.  He is also defending himself against some allegations made against him.  However, it is not anything that I feel is overtly relevant for us at this point and I want to complete this series with chapter 13 before we go into Advent.  (You may wish to open your Bibles and follow along in the sermon today).

1 Corinthians 10-11:1 NIV

1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 14Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. 18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? 31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved…1Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

The Word of God for the people of God.  Thanks be to God!

Pray

I. Use Freedoms Responsibly.  1 Corinthians 10

In chapters 8 & 10, Paul is addressing meat sold or offered at meals that may have been offered to idols.  Allow me to quickly recap the situation.

1. Meat that had been offered to the priests of pagan temples was being sold at cheap rates.  Sometimes this was bought by butchers and sometimes people were able to buy it directly themselves from the temple.  This posed two issues. 

a. Some Christians were buying this meat.  They had no fear of these fake gods and saw it as a cheap source for meat.

b. However, some young Christians were still weak in their faith and fearful of retribution from these gods if they ate this meat that was sacrificed in those pagan temples.  They still had not come to a full understanding that God is the only God.

c. Yet, other Christians (Jews most particularly) felt that buying any such meat that was offered to other gods was sacrilegious and should not be used period.

Now this posed a problem because when you bought meat from a butcher, you had no idea if this meat had come from those pagan temples.  So, those who objected were also concerned that they may be buying such meat unawares and questioned if this meant they needed to abstain from all meats.

2. In today’s passage, another issue that was similar in nature comes up as Paul circles another pass on this subject.  What if someone invited you to dinner?  How could you be sure the meat being served wasn’t from pagan temples? 

In chapter 8, Paul knew that this was not a simple answer because the answer was deeper than just the issue of “where did the meat come from?”  No matter what anyone’s view was of the meat, their response needed to go beyond that to take into account the welfare of others.  So, we found that...

A.  Knowledge Must Be Balanced By Love .  1 Corinthians 8

The long and short answer to that discussion was that our actions impact others.  Therefore, it is better to give up our liberties if they will cause another harm, either by leading them into sin or causing them to abandon the faith. 

As we move to chapter 10, we find that...

B.  Experience Must Be Balanced By Caution .  1 Corinthians 10:1-22

The emphasis last week was knowledge.  Those who were more mature in their faith had no concern over gods they knew to be fakes.  Now Paul points to experience.   He turns their attention to the failures in Israel’s history. 

1.  Privileges are no guarantee of success .  VV 1-5

As Paul talks of Israel’s rescue from Egypt, Paul’s terminology shows a link to our Christian salvation.  God saved Israel from Egypt, they had a baptism experience, yet they still failed and fell into sin.  The Corinthians were saved through Christ, they were baptized in repentance and through the Spirit, and they may have some maturity in their understanding, but this didn’t assure them of success over sin.  Maturity doesn’t assure us that we are out of danger from Satan’s temptations. 

Just last week, I came across a short YouTube video where well-known tele-evangelist Tony Evans was sharing an update since he stepped down from the pulpit for his sin.  We have seen far too many of these.  You may think, “well they probably were not real Christians,” but I have known some men I am sure were Christians, that I saw fall into this trap.  I truly loved God and was seeking to serve Him, when I made the sinful choice that propelled me to unwed motherhood.  No one was more shocked than I was because I was so sure that I would never be tempted in that way.  Just like Bobby Leach who went over Niagara Falls successfully, only to die later from a stupid accident when he thought he was safe, we all too often find our greatest failure is propelled by our over confidence. 

Next, we see that...

2.  Good beginnings do not guarantee good endings .  VV 5-12

1 Corinthians 10:6 NIV

6Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

Paul lists several events in Israel’s history.  God had continually performed incredible miracles before Israel, yet they continued to sin.  These sins are some of the same that Paul has already addressed in the Corinthian church (Be careful of who you judge harshly as you may someday find yourself in the same shoes). 

The account of Israel’s history is not just for a record of historical events but is meant to be an example to help keep those of faith from falling into the same patterns of sin. 

If Israel, with God right there in their midst performing such incredible visible acts of salvation and provision, could still fall into sin, then we must be very cautious for surely it is just, if not more, dangerous for us.

3.  God can enable us to overcome temptation if we heed His Word.  VV 13-22

If I were to compile a list of the best-known verses of the Bible, this one I am about to read to you from 1 Cor 10 would be in the list.  Yet, at the same time, I do not think we give it enough thought.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

When I look back at that time in my life when I entered that sinful relationship, I realize that God had warned me.  I heard Him but other people thought I was overreacting, and I chose to listen to them instead.  God also told me how to get out of the situation, but I didn’t trust Him enough to obey.  It demanded resources I didn’t have, and I didn’t trust that God could provide.  Since that time, I have experienced many similar situations that have proven God can supply our needs beyond our own resources.

At this point, Paul returns to the subject of meat sacrificed to idols.  It was true that these idols were nothing more than blocks of wood.  However, they were on dangerous ground if they treated this idea too lightly. 

As I shared, some went to these temples to get the meat.  They correctly understood that idols arefake, but demons are real, and behind the idols, demons are at play.  It is possible they even had to participate in some way at the temple to buy the meat this way.  I do not know exactly how that all worked but look what Paul says,

1 Corinthians 10:18–20 NIV

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

If they went to a pagan temple to receive the meat, perhaps even eating some there, they were opening themselves up to these demons.  Paul uses the example of communion and how when they take communion, it is an act of fellowship with God.  Well, if they go to the pagan temples and participate in any way there, they are entering into fellowship, not with pagan gods but with the demons who were behind such worship.  They were literally flirting with idolatry whether they considered it or not.

We need to be very cautious we do not do the same.  There are a lot of movies out there that people watch thinking it is nothing more than a movie, but I think it is best if we put distance between ourselves and movies that open us up to unholy things such as Satanism, seances, and demonic sacrifices.  There is something about the supernatural that can be alluring, but we need to remember that there may not be other gods, but there is an enemy of God and His name is Satan.  He has many demons who serve Him and their desire it to lure us away from God.  They do not do this in obvious ways but work like wolves in sheep’s clothing.  (TV about house with demon that made my soul clutch).

It is important to remember that 1 Corinthians doesn’t say we will not be tempted, but that we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear.  God provides a way of escape, but we have to seek that escape and then trust God enough to take it!

Let me ask you, when was the last time you admitted you were struggling with a temptation, and you dropped everything to seek alone time with God and His Word for an answer to the issue?  I suspect, more often we just keep moving and hoping it will resolve itself.  We are not interested in the “work” it takes to find that escape.  Ergo, the first problem.  We are too busy!

There are some great heroes of faith that show us how it is to be done. 

· Joseph, when confronted with a woman trying to seduce him, he spoke is his convictions but when that didn’t work, he ran away.  He literally high tailed it right out of the house at a dead heat run.

· Daniel, when presented with the king’s food, did not take time to debate within himself about it.  The Bible says, “he resolved” to do what was right and boldly requested what he needed trusting God to provide.

· Esther, when tempted to be quiet and save her own skin, instead called for time to be taken in prayer and fasting.  She sought God’s answer.

Everyone one of these people took risks by trusting God’s Words and seeking God’s wisdom, direction, and protection.  This requires knowing some of God’s Word to begin with, seeking answers when the answers are not known, and trusting in God’s Word and protection.

Notice Paul’s preface to verse 13.

1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV

12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be carefulthat you don’t fall!

In other words, “Do not get cocky!”  Do not get overconfident that you have it made.  Be humble, be watchful and cautious.  Put on your full armor every day as Paul tells us in Ephesians.

As Paul closes this subject, we find that...

C.  Freedom Must Be Balanced By Responsibility .  1 Corinthians 10:23-33

1 Corinthians 10:23–24 NIV

23“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Around the holidays, it is not uncommon to hear the following ads on television that say, “Drink Responsibly.”  Well, I would say, “Use your freedoms responsibly.”  Be more concerned with outcome than desire.

Paul concludes his discussion on the meat offered to idols by stating that if you are ignorant of the meat being offered to idols, then don’t worry about it.  It doesn’t matter if your meat is bought from a butcher shop or offered in fellowship by an acquaintance.  However, if you are told that the meat was offered, then you must refrain from eating it as to do so would be to accept that you are eating it in that same fellowship to their god.

As we come to the final verses, I find what I have termed...

1.  Keys for using freedoms responsibly.

•     Act based on your convictions not the convictions of others .  VV 27-30

If you are feeling uncomfortable about something, don’t do it.  I do not care who else IS doing it.  Trust your own convictions, not those of someone else.

•     Act to glorify God.  V 31

Always consider who you are glorifying.  Are you glorifying yourself and your own desires, or are you truly working to glorify God?  If you are glorifying God, you will not go wrong.

•     Be respectful of others. V 32-33

1 Corinthians 10:32 NIV

32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—

Be considerate of their convictions.  Consider how your actions will affect them?

•     Never do anything that will hinder another person's salvation .  V 32-33

1 Corinthians 10:32–33 NIV

32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Paul was not saying he was a people-pleaser.  He did not do things just to get their approval or their loyalty.  What Paul did was respect the maturity and the convictions of others.  He acted out of love for others and made choices that would benefit others.  This was more important to him than to provide for his own temporary pleasures.

•     Follow the Godly example of others.  1 Cor 11:1

Paul said,

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV

1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

The scriptures are full of Godly examples we can respect and emulate.  This does not mean we ignore our own convictions to adopt theirs.  However, we can look for people we respect and allow them to mentor us.  A good mentor will encourage you to trust your convictions but at the same time help you to learn and go deeper in your understanding of scripture and God’s call on each of our lives.

Conclusion:

I have listed in your notes some test questions we can use when evaluating freedoms you are feeling challenged by.  However, instead of reviewing those, I want to close with this clip from Charley Kirk’s memorial service.  Frank Turek (Charley’s mentor) did an awesome job of sharing the gospel and I think there is something here that we can take away regarding today’s sermon.  When he talks about Christ’s sacrifice and God’s grace, ask yourself this question.  Did Christ suffer all that so that His grace could continue covering us while we continue in sin?  Is that what our freedom is about?

Charley Kirk memorial clip

I do not believe our freedom is about a free license to continue in sin.  It was to free us from sin and the desire to sin.  If our eyes are fixed on the right place (that being God and glorifying God), then we do not have to worry about our freedoms because we will desire the right kind of freedoms.  Then it will be you that Satan shrieks over, “Oh no!  Their awake again!”

Prayer

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Tests (Added to the notes handed out)

Tests   1. THE WORLD TEST. Is it worldly? Will it make me worldly to do it (John 15:19, 1 John 2:15–17)?   2. THE QUALITY TEST. Is it good for me physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Rom. 12:9b)?   3. THE TEMPLE TEST. Can I do it when I remember my body is God’s temple and must not be marred or misused (1 Cor. 6:19)?   4. THE GLORY TEST. Will it glorify my Lord, or will it on the other hand possibly bring shame to His name (1 Cor. 6:20, 10:32)?   5. THE BLESSING TEST. Can I honestly ask God’s blessing on it and be sure I’ll not regret doing it (Prov. 10:22, Rom. 15:29)?   6. THE REPUTATION TEST. Is it apt to damage my testimony for the Lord (Phil. 2:15)?   7. THE CONSIDERATION TEST. Am I being considerate of others and the effect this might have on them (Rom. 14:7, 21)?   8. THE APPEARANCE TEST. Will it look bad? Does it have the appearance of what is wrong or suspicious (1 Thess. 5:22)?   9. THE WEIGHT TEST. Could this slacken or sidetrack me in running the Christian race (Heb. 12:1, 1 Cor. 9:24)?   10. THE COMING OF CHRIST TEST. Would I be ashamed to be found doing this when He comes again (1 John 2:28)?   11. THE COMPANION TEST. Can I invite Christ to go with me and participate with me in this (Matt. 28:20b, Col. 3:17)?   12. THE PEACE TEST. After having prayed about it, do I have perfect peace about doing it (Col. 3:15a, Phil. 4:6–7)?   Taken from Basic Bible Beliefs, Bible Baptist Church, Auburn, Wn., 1975, unpublished. From Training Manual for Local Church Visitation, Eugene A. Wood, DTS, ThM Thesis, 1980

Worship Set

Benediction