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Learning by ExampleFinagle’s laws of information 1. The information you have is not what you want. 2. The information you want is not what you need. 3. The information you need is not what you can obtain. 4. The information you can obtain costs more than you want to pay. How do you learn? Some people learn by acquiring information. Most people learn by experience, we go through life and gain experiences that help us learn. We learn to interact with others, we learn skills for our vocations, help us to parent our children, or help us to find our way through life. It has been said, “Experience is the best teacher.” That may be true but “experience is not always the kindest of teachers.” Often we learn by the mistakes we make, we learn by pain, like the child who touches the hot stove and gets burned, that type of experience is often the best teacher, but it is also a painful instructor. The bible gives us some better ways to learn. To learn lessons other people have learned, by God's revelation or through examples both good an bad. If someone has been burned by the hot stove, so I do not need to touch it to find out that it's going to hurt. Others have found that drugs and alcohol can be a mocker, so you don't have to. Others have learn the pain and sorrow of sin, so I can learn by their bad example - as well as the examples of those who have lived victorious lives. Rev. J. Stuart Holden tells when he was ministering in Egypt among some soldiers. He asked a rather large sergeant how he came to Jesus. His answer was by the example of another. “There was a private in our company who was converted in Malta before we came to Egypt. We all gave him an awful time. One night he came in from sentry duty, very tired and wet, then before going to bed he got down to pray. I struck him on the side of his head with my boots, and he just went on with his prayers. The next morning I found my boots beautifully polished by the side of my bed. It just broke my heart, and I was saved that day." In our ongoing studies of 1 Corinthians, we have seen the Apostle Paul telling the church in Corinth to never cause others to stumble, that it is better to give up you rights, to win others for Christ. Then Paul shows us how he gave his life as an example and laid down his liberties sacrificially, and runs his race purposefully. Now in chapter 10 Paul uses the nation of Israel as an example of those who lost their liberty needlessly. They are an example from the past, lessons we can learn to keep pain and sorrow from our lives. Lessons we can learn by the failures of others. READ THE TEXT 1 CORINTHIANS 10:1-14 -- LEARNING BY EXAMPLE Israel in their deliverance from Egypt gives us examples that we can learn by. Their journey is a picture of our deliverance from the bondage of sin, into the Spirit filled life. The promise land is not a picture of heaven, but a picture of the new life we have in Christ. It is a picture of the Spirit filled life. 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! When a man, a woman, repents and turns to God they are made new, by faith in Jesus. Israel in their deliverance from Egypt began well, but did not finish as a whole very well. Only two men, Joshua and Caleb, we able to enter into the promises of God. Where did they fail? What can we learn from them? Lets consider four things today.
Rom 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. God has blessed us with his word, to give us endurance and the encouragement, its our manual for eternal life the bible gives us direct revelation, and teaches us by both good examples, or the failures of others. Its been said that: “God’s word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from God’s word.” It was Mark Twain, who once said: “It is not the things that I don’t understand about the bible that bother me, its the things I do understand.” The Old Testament, teach us to be worshipers from David's life and writings. We learn the perfection of God, by his law, the commands. We learn how God works in both the miraculous and the common when we read Exodus, or Esther. Then nation Israel teaches us great lessons in their deliverance from Egypt. The parallels with the Christan life are obvious, they were delivered by the blood of a spotless lamb, they are delivered from death, they are delivered by God's provision and grace. So Paul lists three areas where God delivered them, so we can learn to walk in the deliverance he has given us. 1. UNDER THE CLOUD / THROUGH THE SEA. V1-2 Don't be ignorant that they were all under the cloud and went through the sea. It is a picture of baptism, just as when a believer is baptized they identify themselves with Jesus Christ. So with Israel when God protected them with the cloud, and as they passed through the Red Sea, they were baptized into Moses. They were identified with Moses and the deliverance of God. Have you been obedient to the waters of baptism? Some think of it as only a ritual, others see it as actually saving a person. John 1:12-13 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. Becoming a child of God does not depend on human decision, it is not a choice to be baptized that saves anyone, rather baptism is the outward sign of what God is doing -and baptism is a means of identification. It identifies our relationship with God, like a wedding ring identifies you as married. The ring doesn't marry you, it just identifies the wearer as one who is married. The ring identifies one who has made a total, lifelong commitment to another person. Baptism, is like that it identifies us with Christ's death and resurrection. Israel all went though their baptism, and were identified with Moses, yet they failed in living victoriously. 2. ATE AND DRANK SPIRITUAL FOOD. V3 God provided for them, he gave them Marna, bread from heaven when they needed it. He provided water from a rock when they were thirsty and that Rock was a picture Jesus Christ. So God has provided for us. He provided all we need in Jesus Christ to have peace with God. When Abraham was told by God to offer back the most precious thing he had, his son Isaac, he obediently went to Mt. Moriah and was going to offer Isaac to the Lord. Of course God stopped him as it was a test, but long before they reached the mountain, Abraham understood and believed that God would provide. Gen 22:7-8 (When Isaac said).. Father?" ... "The fire and wood are here," ... "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together. Abraham knew that God would provide, speaking prophetically about Jesus Christ, speaking in faith with the understanding that God would ether stop the entire thing or raise Isaac from the dead because he trusted in God's provision. Can you see the provision of God? When the world was dark when men could not see God, God loved the world so much he sent his son, born in the most humble of ways to deliver and provide for mankind that we might have a right relationship with God. Israel was baptized, they were provided for. 3. THEY WERE NOT VICTORIOUS. V5 They had God's provision, saw God's deliverance, yet they were not victorious. How many in the church live like that today? They give into temptations, live a mediocre life - instead of a victorious life. What can we learn from their mistakes? A whole lot of stuff, but Paul mentions four areas they failed - so we can learn and guard our own lives. 1. IDOLATERS. V7 They failed in idolatry, in Exodus 32, tired of waiting for Moses on the mountain, they built a golden calf and danced around it - even while the first commandment was being given that tells us not to put anything in priority before God. We don't dance around golden calves like the Israelites did, but we do dance around thousands of false values— materialism, love of leisure, sensuality, worship of self, pressure to conform. Idolatry is seen in what your life revolves around – what is the object of our affections, our efforts, and our attention? Where does the majority of our time go? Where do we spend the greatest amount of our resources? Are we dancing around the golden calves of the age we live in? Knowing God starts with loosing all the idols we have placed before him. This is the first example we learn from Israel, when they danced around the golden calf in the wilderness. Today people don’t dance naked around statues, well actually they do here in Nevada, in the Black Rock Desert, at the “Burning man time festival.” but that’s another story. Lesson for today examine your priorities, do we put things before the Lord? Do we place our lives, our problems, our careers, or families above loving God, and standing firm in his ways? Jesus said: Matt 6:33 ….Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Warnings about idolatry and right priorities. The second warning from Israel is.
2. SEXUALLY IMMORAL. V8 In Numbers 22-25 we read about how Balaam, a prophet of God, but a greedy man, was asked by Balak the king of Moab to curse Israel, but when Balaam tried all that came out of his mouth was blessings not cursing. So Balaam came up with a plan, although he could not curse Israel, they could curse themselves, with sexual immorality. He tells Balak to send the women of Moab into the camp of Israel and have them seduce the men, and it worked, the men began to party right in front of their own families. So God raised up a man named Phineas and he and some other men took their swords though the camp and that day, 23000 Israelites died because of sexual immorality. Those men got the point, literally, that sexual immorality cases men and women to fall. Today, we live in a society that is preoccupied with sexuality. Television, radio, and movies are making billions of dollars on selling sex, and trying to program us “not to be prudish - because all sexual behavior is to be enjoyed.” Sexual immorality killed 23000 Israelites in one day, 24,000 in all, how many more are dieing in our land, dieing of Aids, and other STDs. Or worse yet dying in the fires of Hell as they believe the lies of this world, and they create a god of their own liking. Sexual immorality kills, it kills families, it kills homes, and we are told in the bible to flee from it. The third example from Israel is that they. 3. TESTED GOD. V9 Israel tested God when they complained about what he had provided for them. He had given them what they needed, but they longed for more, so God sent the snakes - then he provided healing for them. Today, people have blessings all around them, yet they lust after more. We are told to pray, “give us this day our daily bread.” Not “give me this day all the material goods that every American is entitled to.” Matt 4:5-7 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test “Jesus, you can fly, the angels are at your command.” “Hissss...” “You can fly, you deserve more then you have.” Don't test God, there is nothing wrong with nice possessions, but lusting after what is outside God’s provision - is a form of testing God. That is the heart of the Health and Wealth Gospel, which says God wants everyone to be wealthy and healthy. This heresy preys upon the greed of men, and it is a lie from hell. The Gospel is not about me, it is about God, who sent his son to die in my place, and may send heartache and sorrow for our perfection. They were idolatrous, sexually immoral, they tested God, and they. 4. GRUMBLED V10 Israel complained against Moses, they grumbled against what God was doing. Why? Because they thought they knew better, they had a better plan. In Numbers 16, God told Moses and Arron he was going to wipe out all the grumbles. Now if I was Moses, I might think, “heres my opportunity.” But Moses and Arron fall face down and intercede for the people, and God did not wipe them out. Lesson for us, “You can be part of what God is doing or... you can grumble.” First we see examples from Israel, who they were/ what God had done for them and the sins they committed. Examples for us to learn by, so we do not need to endure the pain they did.
1 Cor 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! Israel knew what God had done for them, yet they thought they deserved more. The bible says. Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Trust in the Lord, not your own understanding, not your own strength. Then Paul reminds us that temptation will come but God can deliver us from it. The original word for temptation means “a putting to proof” it can mean temptation/ or trial, / or even discipline so I find V13 is one of the most comforting scriptures in all the bible. 1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it. It tells us that whatever we face, temptation, trail or even discipline from God - we go though it knowing that others have been there before us and God knows how much you can handle, so you can make it through the time of temptation. Paul was one who understood what trials and temptation were. He had been beaten, shipwrecked, stoned, falsely accused, imprisoned, gone without food and yet he said: Phil 4:11-13 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength. When we go thorough a tough time, maybe a trial, or willful disobedience, do we get the “poor-me’s” , and begin to complain, do we grumble against God. “Oh how hard it is, how much pain I am in, my problems, my trials, my pain.” I love this that: God reminds us here that our trails/ our temptations are common to men / common to women. When going through a tough time in my life, I like to think of those examples in scriptures. Like Abraham who God told to sacrifice his only son, as the ultimate test of faith. Of course Abraham passed his test instead of running from it. Or like Job, who was faithful in his service to God- even when God allowed the devil to ruin all that he had. When many might have been cursing God, Job never did. Job 1:22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. Or like Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, and yet when he has the chance to get even he recognizes that God is sovereign even in his brothers evil. Gen 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. The bible tells us to look beyond the situation and see the end result, that problems develop perseverance in our lives. Job did, Abraham did, Joseph did, and we believe. Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Trails, temptations, even discipline from God may not be fun while we are going though it, but for those God has called, they will - like Joseph said - work for God's glory and God's plan. So we simply pray, lead me not into temptation, but delivery me from evil. “Lord, help me to heed those examples given, and to know that temptation is common to man.” That brings us to a great promise that:
Do you know that today? As we live this life on earth, sometimes we face pain, and sorrow, problems, and troubles, that is all part of life. Some of those are because sin is in this world - some of those things happen because we like Israel set our own hearts on evil, but through all the problems in life, God is faithful. Faithful to keep his promises, like “Whoever believes in him shall not parish, but have everlasting life.” Promises like. Phil 1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. God is faithful, he was faithful to Israel even when they complained. He provided daily “Manna” for them, he provide water in a miraculous way from a rock, he gave them quail to eat, and faithfully provided shade from the sun... but they grumbled. I want to encourage you today church, God is faithful in fact faithfulness is part of his character and even his name. Rev 19:11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True…. In our text Paul reminds us of the faithfulness of God in knowing what you can handle, and that he will never give you more than you can bear. You could say, “OK Rich, you don’t know what I have suffered.” But again that is looking to self, God says: “Don’t look at how much you have suffered or even to someone who has suffered more, -- Look to Jesus. Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. He was tempted yet he served the people, he provided for them, and they killed him. Then even on the cross - a trial worse then anything you or I will ever face, Jesus cries out in faithfulness. Luke 23:34 ... "Father, forgive them , for they do not know what they are doing." Have you ever thought about why Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil? It wasn’t to see if he would fall, but to show us that he could stand. We stand firm in our faith because Jesus holds us in place. God is faithful, he will never leave nor forsake you, trust in him when temptations come/ when trials draw upon you, trust in the Lord for he will not allow more then you can bear. Poem: Help me to see the sunshine through the rain, - What I count loss may somehow be gain. Help me to sing when I would cry, - Knowing that thou are standing by. We have seen examples given, that temptation is common, and God is faithful, finally the application.
1 Cor 10:14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. Flee from idolatry, run away from temptations, run away from whatever is not of God. Col 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry . What is idolatry? Whatever belongs to the earthly nature, whatever is not of God. The best thing to do with temptation and sin is to run from it. And run toward God. 1 Tim 6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Run away from what is wrong and run toward the things of God, righteousness, godliness, faith, love the things we know are good. Stand firm in your faith, and don’t be moved, don’t waver in temptation, but run from idolatry. Israel failed, but they serve as our example, that we should not set our hearts on evil as they did. How do we stand firm in our faith? I would like to live you with three tools that enable us to stand firm. 1. STAND ON GOD’S WORD. We have seen that from God’s word, we have examples of frailer, but even better examples of success. We live in a world of darkness, full of evil, that can cause us to trip and fall. But the word of God will keep us on the right path. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the bible every verse every line speaks about the word of God, and the power of the word to help us. TURN WITH ME TO PSALM 119: 1-3/ 9/11/105/130/175-176 Like Jesus overcame temptation by the word of God. remember God's word will light our way, it will keep us from falling, it will preserve us, sustain us, and when it is deep in our lives, it will keep us standing firm in the trials. 2. STAND ON GOD'S PROMISES. Promises like God will provide a way of escape. Jude 24-25 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Promises like seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and God will provide. So worship the Lord, he will keep you from falling. Stand on the word, stand on the promises. Finally: 3. STAND FIRM / BE READY FOR BATTLE. 2 Cor 10:4-5 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. We have a real enemy, we fight spiritual battles, and we fight those battles not with our own abilities but with the weapons that God has given us. 2 Cor 6:7…Truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; Fight your battles with by the power of God/ with truthfulness,/ righteousness, and all the arsenal he has given us. The bible speaks about these weapons in Ephesians 6. Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on God's armor and stand against the devil's schemes. Fight spiritual battles with truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, prayer, and the sword of the Spirit - the word of God. When troubles and trials have you exhausted when you can no longer stand, take your stand on the foundation of Jesus Christ. We Concluded our text today. 1 Cor 10:14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. It seems to be a change in thought but whenever we see the word “therefore”, we ask “What is it therefore?” I believe it is there - for a warning to the church, “If you are going to stand in the face of problems, flee from idolatry.” Run away from anything that you place before God, do not set your heart on evil as Israel did. Then seek first the kingdom of God, seek first his righteousness - and let God work. PRAY / INVITE / BENEDICTION / SING Series: 1 Corinthians -Through the Bible |
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