I
Cor. Chapter 10:1-33
Memory
verses for this week: 1 Pet 3:14 But and if ye
suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of
their terror, neither be troubled;
Introduction:
Last
week in Chapter 9, Paul defended his apostleship and showed how that
he not only had been called to be an apostle, but by his life, he
lived for the glory of God. At
the end of the chapter, he exhorted us to run the race of our lives
with determination and control of the flesh.
Many run, but only one is crowned.
Paul knew what it took to run the race pleasing to God.
I.
Examples from Israel’s History
1 Cor 10:1
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant,
how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea;
1 Cor 10:2
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1 Cor 10:3
And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
We’ve mentioned before in
the studies how that being a Jew had certain privileges that came
from Israel being God’s chosen nation.
While today they have turned from God, one day (and probably
very soon), this nation will be gathered again and born again in a
day. And once again,
the Jews will serve God and live for God’s honor and glory.
God led the Israelites out of Egypt where they had served in
bondage for 400 years to be a separated people unto the Lord.
They passed through the sea on dry land, and were all
baptized unto Moses in the cloud.
The people learned many lessons in Egypt, and many more as
they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.
Perhaps the greatest lesson was to no longer serve idols.
Exo
15:1 Then sang Moses
and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake,
saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously:
the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Exo
15:2 The LORD is my
strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and
I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt
him.
Exo
15:3 The LORD is a man
of war: the LORD is his name.
Exo
15:4 Pharaoh's chariots
and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are
drowned in the Red sea.
Exo
15:5 The depths have
covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
Exo
15:6 Thy right hand, O
LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath
dashed in pieces the enemy.
Exo
15:7 And in the
greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up
against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as
stubble.…..
Exo
15:19 For the horse of
Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the
sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but
the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.
Exo
15:20 And Miriam the
prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all
the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
Exo
15:21 And Miriam
answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed
gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
The verses from Exodus Chapter
15 tell how the children of Israel crossed over on dry ground.
Not a person had a drop of water on them.
The water, according to the song of Miriam, not only opened,
but stood up as walls and congealed.
When they went down into the walls of the water, the cloud
covered them, thus they were baptized in the cloud.
The people were provided sustenance in the wilderness by
spiritual meat called manna.
1 Cor 10:4
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of
that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
1 Cor 10:5
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were
overthrown in the wilderness.
When there was no water to be
found, God provided water from the rock which Moses smote with his
rod. The water
represented the living water Christ provides while the Rock
represented Jesus Christ. Christ
followed His people through the wilderness and provided for all
their needs. In spite
of these blessings and privileges, many complained and God was not
pleased with many of them.
Some wanted to return to Egypt where they could have all of
the special foods they had grown accustomed to through the years of
bondage. We know from our earlier lessons that only 2 men above the
age of 20 lived to enter the promised land, that being Joshua and
Caleb, the two spies who believed God and said they could take the
land despite the giants and walled cities.
1 Cor 10:6
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should
not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
The bible gives us these
examples as to why they were overthrown.
The purpose is to give each of us a warning to not lust after
evil things. On
Sundays, it is easy to dress up and come to church and live for God.
But the true test comes throughout the week as we face the
multitude of temptations that Satan throws in our path.
Then we find out what we are really made of, which is
normally not good. God
help us to live Godly lives that glorify our Lord, and give an
example to the lost of the world to turn to Christ for salvation.
Num
11:4 And the mixed
multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of
Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
Num
11:5 We remember the
fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the
melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic:
Num
11:6 But now our soul
is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before
our eyes.
God has promised to
provide all of our needs. Sometimes
he provides our wants also, but he promises to provide for our
needs, and that should be enough to keep us satisfied.
The nation of Israel was not pleased with God, and lusted for
things they did not have.
We need to seek to be like Paul, and be content in whatsoever
state we find ourselves in each day.
Phil
4:11 Not that I speak
in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content.
Phil
4:12 I know both how to
be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I
am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and
to suffer need.
Phil
4:13 I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1 Cor 10:7
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is
written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
1 Cor 10:8
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed,
and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
God was very displeased with
those who worshipped idols and rose up to play.
How similar our world is today to the people of Israel.
People are so intense on serving themselves and things that
bring pleasure. We
as Christians need to serve God, reject the idols of this world, and
live good lives. Those
who serve the flesh pay a dear price, as did those 23,000 that
perished in one day for committing fornication.
(Numbers 25:9)
1 Cor 10:9
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted,
and were destroyed of serpents.
1 Cor 10:10
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were
destroyed of the destroyer.
Verse 9 says they tempted
Christ, and because of this, God sent serpents among them.
Num
21:6 And the LORD sent
fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much
people of Israel died.
Num
21:7 Therefore the
people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken
against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take
away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
Num
21:8 And the LORD said
unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and
it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he
looketh upon it, shall live.
Num
21:9 And Moses made a
serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that
if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of
brass, he lived.
Many died of the fiery
serpents. The serpent
of brass that Moses created that was lifted up on the pole pointed
to Jesus Christ. All who look to him are saved and can now truly live.
Verse 10 says they murmured against their God-appointed
leader. Because of
their ingratitude, God sent the destroying angel among them and many
were destroyed.
Num
16:41 But on the morrow
all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against
Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the
LORD.
Num
16:42 And it came to
pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against
Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation:
and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD
appeared.
Num
16:43 And Moses and
Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num
16:44 And the LORD
spake unto Moses, saying,
Num
16:45 Get you up from
among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And
they fell upon their faces.
Num
16:46 And Moses said
unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar,
and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make
an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD;
the plague is begun.
Num
16:47 And Aaron took as
Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and,
behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on
incense, and made an atonement for the people.
Num
16:48 And he stood
between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
Num
16:49 Now they that
died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside
them that died about the matter of Korah.
Num
16:50 And Aaron
returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation: and the plague was stayed.
1 Cor 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and
they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world
are come.
1 Cor 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he
fall.
1 Cor 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way
to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Cor 10:14
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
1 Cor 10:15
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
All of the things
written were for our benefit, that we might learn from those who
have failed and not make the same mistakes.
And we need to be sure we see ourselves in a true light, and
not think we are beyond sin and temptation.
We must take heed lest we fall.
I’m sure you’ve heard people say that if they had lived
back in the old days, they could have lived with less sin because
the world is so evil today. Verse
13 says that no temptation we face is more than what is common to
man, and God will provide a way of escape if we will but look to Him
for help in our hour of tempting.
God will provide us a way out, but we must be living a spirit
directed life, or we will fail and serve the flesh.
II.
Fellowship at the Lord’s Table Demands Separation
1 Cor 10:16
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion
of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the
communion of the body of Christ?
1 Cor 10:17
For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all
partakers of that one bread.
When we partake of the
Lord’s Supper, one of the two ordinances of the church, we
proclaim that we are saved by the redeeming blood of Christ.
The cup, with the fruit of the vine, represents the shed
blood Christ paid for our sins.
And the bread speaks of His broken body there on the cross as
he paid our sin debt. In
Corinth, there were many members of the church, but there was only
one body. The church is
the body of Christ.
Matthew Henry had this to say
about these verses:
Did not the joining in the
Lord's supper show a profession of faith in Christ crucified, and of
adoring gratitude to him for his salvation? Christians, by this
ordinance, and the faith therein professed, were united as the
grains of wheat in one loaf of bread, or as the members in the human
body, seeing they were all united to Christ, and had fellowship with
him and one another. This is confirmed from the Jewish worship and
customs in sacrifice. The apostle applies this to feasting with
idolaters. Eating food as part of a heathen sacrifice, was
worshipping the idol to whom it was made, and having fellowship or
communion with it; just as he who eats the Lord's supper, is
accounted to partake in the Christian sacrifice, or as they who ate
the Jewish sacrifices partook of what was offered on their altar. It
was denying Christianity; for communion with Christ, and communion
with devils, could never be had at once. If Christians venture into
places, and join in sacrifices to the lust of the flesh, the lust of
the eye, and the pride of life, they will provoke God.
1 Cor 10:18
Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the
sacrifices partakers of the altar?
1 Cor 10:19
What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is
offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
1 Cor 10:20
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they
sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should
have fellowship with devils.
In Leviticus Chapter 7, we
find that the priest of Israel did eat of the sacrifice that was
offered on the altar. Paul
insists that behind the idol worship there was demonic power.
We are to flee from worship of idols, and serve the one and
only true God, the God Jehovah.
1 Cor 10:21
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils:
ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of
devils.
1 Cor 10:22
Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
Paul is teaching that you
simply can not serve two masters.
If you want to serve at the Lord’s table, you have to
forsake the table of devils. This
is far more than just eating… our whole life needs to be lived, 7
days a week, for the glory and honor of God.
We are the servant of whom we serve.
Rom
6:16 Know ye not, that
to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to
whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto
righteousness?
We must constantly remember
that we serve a jealous God (Exodus 20:5).
He wants our entire devotion, and anyone serving a false God
for serving the flesh will cause Him to be angry.
And as verse 22 points out, we are not stronger than God, and
we need to follow His commandments.
III.
The Law of Love
1 Cor 10:23
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not
expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Paul was a master in putting
the brethren before his own desires and pleasure.
He explains that all things may be lawful, but not all things
are expedient. If we
take our grace to the limit, we will not honor and glory God like we
should. We may have
great freedom in Christ, but we need to practice common sense with
it All things do not
edify or build us up. We need to be people who live to exhort one another to
greater service for our Lord.
1 Cor 10:24
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
1 Cor 10:25
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no
question for conscience sake:
1 Cor 10:26
For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
1 Cor 10:27
If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be
disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no
question for conscience sake.
A Christian that is being led
by the Spirit will have a desire to not only consider our own
interests, but the effect our lives will have on others.
God desires that we be happy in our current situation.
He knows all about it, and if it needs to be different, God
will provide a way for us to have a better situation.
If Jesus never had a home of His own, we sure should be
thankful for whatever God has provided for us.
When it speaks of the shambles, this meant the meat market.
1 Cor 10:28
But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice
unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience
sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
1 Cor 10:29
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why
is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
1 Cor 10:30
For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for
that for which I give thanks?
1 Cor 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do
all to the glory of God.
1 Cor 10:32
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles,
nor to the church of God:
1 Cor 10:33
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own
profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Paul summarizes the whole thing in verse 31.
Whatever we do, in body and action, let it all be done for
the glory of God. If we
will question our motives, and put the interests of others before
our desires, I believe God will greatly bless us.
His desire is for us to live a life that others might see
Christ living through us.
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Practice
Random Acts of Kindness. Each
act spreads, and many will be blessed.