First Corinthians 10:1-14.

First Corinthians 10:1-14. Moses and Christ. (God is faithful – Christ the Rock).

Paul continues to encourage and challenge the people in Corinth, 2 weeks ago Paul used the running and boxing metaphor, and discipline and self-control as elements of the life with Jesus, - to walk in them, keeping the body under control and training it, not to be idolaters and sexual immoral. Instead holding on to Christ’s teaching.

Paul also reminded them about how much he had done to serve them, (as an example that believers can give up their rights for the God of other believers) Paul showed them how he served people trying all things that some might be saved.

Paul will today explain about how God was working and how Christ was leading and guiding the Israelites as they journeyed out of Egypt, on dry land in the sea, - all of them were there and saw God’s deliverance, in a sense as Paul writes the passing of the sea they all got baptized in to Moses (salvation from Egypt), by sea and Cloud – Gods presents with them.  (Christians are baptized into water to show what Jesus Christ has done and that salvation comes by Jesus’ life and work).

God providedfood – spiritual food from heaven manna for that generation – (pointing to the bread of life that would come later Jesus). They all drank the same spiritual drink – they drank from the spiritual Rock – Christ. Paul is saying that Jesus was following them the rock was Christ – that Moses hit to get water – Jesus was hit so they could drink. (God giving water, by striking Jesus, later living water will come from Jesus, the Holy Spirt).   

God did all that for that generation provided, walked with them guided them, let his son suffer for them.

5 But God was not pleased with most of them, and they died (was struck down) in the wilderness.

6 This is an example for us Paul writes to the Corinthians – so we would not desire evil. – as they did. And ended up dead in the wilderness.

7 Paul then lists the sins they did: idolaters – the worshiped and longed for other Gods. They made a golden calf and worshiped that. Ex 32:6.

8 Sexual immorality, - 23,000 died, Numbers 25:1-9. Marriages with Moab. Killed because they yoked them self to Bahl. Because of sexual immorality.

9 Testing God with a bad attitude and mistrust, lack of faith in God, Why, why, where is the water where is the bread, where is…. After God had provided food, - why can’t we have other food why did you bring us in to the wilderness to kill us…  God send snakes to kill them.

10 grumblingand the destroyer killed them

11 Paul explains why – people in the wilderness became an example, (of what not to do) that the others at that time might not do that. And it was written down for our instruction, - what we might not act like that, we know what can happen if we do. (Trust Christ, trust God, know he is faithful, flee sexual sin, and what the world has to offer, and enjoy Jesus and walk with him as God provides what we need).

12 Be careful, watchful not arrogant, you can fall down even when you think you will not. Don’t be overconfident have a sober judgment of your maturity and faith. That you may not fall in to the sins just mentioned.

13 Key verse. Paul is explaining that there are few temptations and they are common, (Examples are idolatry, being one’s own God, sex, power, money, status, fear, mistrust, grumbling), they are known to people then and now, and easy for people to see. People know the temptations. Even if it seems very hard to combat or not give in, Paul points to a great truth God is faithful, and will not let you drown in the temptation and ability to stand, but will show a way to run from it, a way of escape, that you may endure the temptation. (For the Corinthians – I know your culture is full of this, and that, - God also knows you, and Jesus knows what you are in and he knows the temptations and God will make a way, out a path sometimes to run away from the temptation, are you aware where you are most likely to fall in to temptation, look for a way out to run) Because Paul writes that there will be provided a way out - run.

14 My beloved – Paul’s love for the people is what is driving the letter – flee, from Idolatry. Stay with Jesus, and run away from temptation and sin.  The devil, world, flesh always uses the same things be aware and when it is too much run – the path that God shows just run)

Paul is very practical – he shows them how easy it is to be lead astray from Gods good plan and provision, to worship other Gods, to worship sex, food, power, money – how it can be easy to fall in to complaining, and not trust God’s plan, - to not see how God is working, to not see how much God had done for them and us. (What do we do when we fail?)

Christ was the rock that was beaten in the Old testament (pointing to the cross of Christ), - the bread from heaven was pointing to Jesus, as the bread of life, water of life – Holy Spirt and God was leading and guiding and providing, and still, - the people rebelled against God many times and many died. Don’t do that, so don’t be proud and puffed up, or you will fall, - instead humble yourself and keep trusting in Jesus Christ.

God provided – and Jesus protected and led the people. God provided then and now, - Jesus got beaten as the rock and provided physical water to save the people from physical death, -

When we see the goodness of God (leads to repentance) we can see how God provided for us and them the amazing offer to set us free from sin, idolatry, sexual immorality – all the sins mentioned before that so easily entangles us, we should run from them and trust in the one that laid down his life for whoever would believe, Jesus the author and perfector of our faith, Lord, God savior. The amazing good news. Even when we all have failed, and fail, we run to Jesus, God provided for us in Jesus. How? Jesus, came lived perfectly obedient to God no sin, and choses to die and become sin that we might have our sins taken away, and be given Jesus’ righteousness. God providing for us in Jesus Christ.  

But why does Paul warn and encourage the Corinthians?  And us?

 Well, life is hard, questions and temptations will come, did God really say? Is God for me, is Jesus with me, I can get what I want now, whatever sin, idolatry, money, sex, wisdom of the world will be temptations that the devil will use to draw us away from God. To worship other things or our self.

- Why do we doubt? Why do you doubt? Is God good also to me? Can God provide for me?

Can I serve God in Jesus Christ? Dose my life matter?

Paul makes us aware that it is easier to fall if we are confident we can never fall. Titanic – this ship can’t sink, well it could. If we stand alone in our own strength it is very easy to fall, - are we standing in Christ Jesus full of him and surrounded with his people trusting and knowing that God is still working in us and in the people around us and we and they have more to grow and understand about what God is doing.

Paul ends – I hate you all – no he does not he ends with

 my beloved, flee from idolatry, - run to Jesus instead trust in him and bring me and others great joy as we can see you walking with him, and living and serving him. You will not find what you seek in the other gods, they are false and will fail you, and hurt and kill you and others. No, Jesus gives life, and life to the full, God provides life everlasting in Jesus Christ, and comes and dwells in you by the Holy Spirt – I am reminding you that is the truth hold on to it.  (Use discipline and self-control).