Temple Baptist Church - 1-7-2026
1 Corinthians 10:11-15
Introduction:
1. In verses 1-10, we saw: Great Privilege, Great Failure, and Great Warning. To whom much is given, much is required. The admonition to us, upon whom the end of the world has come, is to heed that warning.
2. We spent a couple of weeks looking at the Lord's chastening. Tonight, we will look at the potential for failure and God’s protection from failing.
A. Temptation is something that all of us face. Verse 13 uses the word “common.” Universal, common placed, familiar, or shared. We often call these shared places at universities called “Student Centers” or “Commons;” in Basic Training and AIT, Day Rooms; in the military, Service Clubs; in Laurens, the Town Square. When something unlawful is placed before our eyes, we face a “Common” battle. James chapter 1 thoroughly explains the where, when, and how of temptation.
James 1:12-16 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (13) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (16) Do not err, my beloved brethren.
B. With that said, it is good to know that we are all in good company! James uses the phrase “But every man.” There is nothing we are tempted with that others have not faced in the past millennia.
1. Talking about “good company,” our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted!
Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
2. Interestingly, the Bible says that when we are tempted, there is a blessing (“Blessed is the man”) attached to it for those who do not give in, along with a sure reward, the Crown of Life (one of five crowns to be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ).
3. The Crown of Life is a reward promised by God to faithful believers, especially those who endure trials, suffering, and persecution for Christ.
James 1:12-16 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
C. Though God has made us a precious promise in verse 13, we still, at times, fail God and give in to the flesh.
1. At this point, thank God for 1 John 1:9! There is an old-worldly expression from Hollywood that says, “The Devil made me do it!” Satan cannot make us do anything!
2. When we leave the will of God, we need to recognize that we made a conscious decision to do so, and that there is no one else to blame for the penalty we receive except ourselves. You cannot make me get out of the will of God!
D. So many Christians are now on the sidelines and out of God’s will while justifying where they are by blaming others and circumstances. If you fail God, take the blame and confess the sin. We sin because:
1. Because of the wickedness of our flesh - Romans 7:14-25 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
2. Because of the weakness of our flesh - Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
3. The Deceitfulness of our Heart - Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
E. God’s Grace is sufficient for us:
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
F. If God’s grace is sufficient, abounding, and manifold, then why do Christians fall into sin?
SIX REASONS FOUND IN THE CONTEXT TO SHOW WHY WE FALL
1. By Not Hearing God’s Word – Verse 11. “ensamples” Patterns, warnings, and object lessons for believers.
a. Through lack of Bible reading and study.
b. Through willful absence from church and the pulpit.
c. Through failing to make personal application of Scripture.
2. By Pride And Self Confidence – Verse 12. “thinketh he standeth” Confidence placed in experience, knowledge, position, or past faithfulness can lead to carelessness. Israel assumed they were secure because of their privileges, yet many fell in the wilderness. The Corinthians assumed liberty meant immunity.
a. Failing to realize the wickedness and weakness of the flesh.
b. Failing to realize that you are no better than anyone else and can also fall.
c. Failing to remove yourself from the presence of temptation to sin.
3. By Giving In To The Lusts Of The Flesh – vs. 13 “God is faithful…will not suffer” God does not promise a temptation-free life, but He does promise measured trials. He will not allow us to be tempted above our ability to bear it. The Lord controls the testing of His people.
a. Realizing that we are nothing and can do nothing without the Lord’s help.
b. Realizing that we are weak and have besetting sins.
c. Realizing that we can make no provision for the flesh and stay pure.
4. By Not Taking God’s Way Of Escape – vs. 13 “way to escape…may be able” This does not mean that God will remove every temptation, but that He will give the strength need to endure it without sin. The escape may be a verse of Scripture remembered, or the closing of a door, a conviction remembered, or the strength given to say no.
a. God is a faithful Friend.
b. God knows your needs and weaknesses and provides for them.
c. God will give you both the grace, direction, and strength you need to escape.
5. By Not Fleeing Idolatry – vs. 14 “flee idolatry” Paul addresses them as “my dearly beloved,” showing his pastoral care and affection for the Corinthians, along with the command to flee.
a. Idolatry is more than bowing to images or idols. It is allowing anything to take the place of God in the heart—desires, pleasures, ambitions, or liberties. Idolatry is whatever takes first place in your thinking or life.
b. Idolatry is a slap in the face to the Lord who owns us and loves us.
c. Idolatry leads to more idolatry: sin begets sin.
6. By Not Heeding God’s Warnings – 15 “wise men” vs. “foolish men” Truth brings responsibility. Great truth, great responsibility!
a. He has given us a plain picture of sin and failure.
b. He has given us a perfect and reliable Scripture.
c. He has given us a promise of wisdom and understanding.
No comments:
Post a Comment