Biblical Ignorance - The Chastening of God

Temple Baptist Church - 6-10-2012

1 Corinthians 10:1-15

Introduction:

A. Paul, when writing to the carnal Corinthian Church, uses an all familiar phrase (I would not that ye should be ignorant) when dealing with the possibility of personal failure. He uses the example of Old Testament Israel delivered from Egypt only to fall in the wilderness.

B. Key word in this passage is “all” God is no respecter of persons without the body of Christ or within the body of Christ. We all are loved and provided for equally.

1. Protection – vs. 1 - “all. … under the cloud” Psalms 121:5-8 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. (6) The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. (7) The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. (8) The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

2. Deliverance – vs. 1 – “all … through the sea” (Not around it! Some through the water, some through the flood, some through the fire, but all through the blood!) Job 5:19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

3. Leadership – vs. 2 – “all … Moses” Psalms 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

4. Communion – vs. 3 – “all … spiritual meat … spiritual drink” Isaiah 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

5. Presence – vs 4 – “they (all) … spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

C. Israel failed God in spite of His faithfulness in temptation. (vs. 13) The Lord knows our every desire and temptation and has given to us either the grace to endure or will remove the temptation. He will never allow us to be tempted above our ability to withstand.

D. Spiritual or moral failure is always a perilous possibility for all of us.

1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

E. Vs. 5 – Now “all” becomes “many.” Not all sinned but many did. Not all of us will fail but some may.

1. They Lusted After Evil Things - vs 6 (things God did not want them to have)

2. They Became Idolaters - vs 7 (they put worldly things ahead of God)

3. They Fell Into Immorality - vs 8 (gave themselves over to sexual sin)

4. They Tempted God - vs 9 (questioned God’s provision and care)

5. They Murmured - vs 10 (God hates complaining and murmuring)

SIX REASONS FOUND IN THE CONTEXT TO SHOW WHY WE FALL

1. By Not Hearing God’s Word – 11 “ensamples”

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 – 12 “thinketh he standeth”

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 fall also.

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”

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”

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”

a. Idolatry is whatever takes first place in you thinking or life.

b. Idolatry is a slap in the face to the Lord who owns us.

c. Idolatry simply leads to more idolatry: sin begets sin.

6. By Not Heeding God’s Warnings – 15 “wise men” vs. “foolish men”

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.