Learning From Others
1 Corinthians 10
Part of Crossing Culture—1 Corinthians 8-10
April 3, 2020

Crossing Culture: 1 Corinthians 10

Learning from Others

1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,

2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

3 all ate the same spiritual food,

4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. —1 Corinthians 10:1-5

We can all learn from every part of God’s story.

Humanists see this virus as the world resetting itself and cleansing itself.
Some Christians see this as God’s punishment.

God made a world that was perfect but when mankind rebelled against God sin entered the world and has corrupted not only us but the world we live in. Bad things happen- it’s not because God is mad. If anything, events like Covid-19 should make us more grateful that God so loved the whole world that He gave His Son. God hasn’t left us in a broken world alone. He made a way of salvation.

Don’t see this virus as punishment or some cosmic cleansing. In fact, think of SIN like a virus- when the sin-virus entered the world it did not discriminate in it’s corruption. Sin has affected the whole world.
But the good news is Jesus has made a way of salvation!

6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”

8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;

9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;

10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. —1 Corinthians 10:6-10

Example 1: Lust

Example 2: Idolatry

Example 3: Sexual Immorality

11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. —1 Corinthians 10:11-13

Know we are vulnerable.

The second step is to remember that there is no temptation that has overtaken us except what is common to man.

Bearing temptation is NOT based on my abilities but CHRIST IN ME!

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.

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?

17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?

20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.

21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.

22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? —1 Corinthians 10:14-22

25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake;

26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. —1 Corinthians 10:25-27

28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?

30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,

33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. —1 Corinthians 10:28-33

Let me RECAP our THREE BIG IDEAS FOR TODAY.

God is GOD IN EVERY CULTURE: this means that nobody has the market on God. Another way to say this is that we ALL have access to God through Jesus.

Because that is true let’s CHEERLEAD for each other as we all seek to love the people God brings into our lives. No criticizing others- that doesn’t build up and just because they have a different group of people they connect to than you doesn’t make you better or vice versa. Let’s cheerlead for each other- BUILD EACH OTHER UP!

THE IDOL OF SELF was alive in Israel, in Corinth and it’s still alive today.

The false gods make look different but they are still there. And the best way to fight the idol of self is to understand that it is ONLY by the GRACE OF GOD that we all stand. I am capable of falling into ALL SIN and it is GOD that is sustaining me. His power working in me is enough to get me OVER AND THROUGH life’s trials.

GOD’S GRACE does NOT mean I should do whatever I want. No, I want to ask myself what is the best way to love others and to point them to Jesus and will this glorify GOD?