Be Careful How You Commune
Part of Embodied Spirituality—A Study of First Corinthians
August 13, 2023

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1 Corinthians 10:1-13 (New International Version)

10:1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.

I. The importance of Christian Community (vv. 1-5)
• The gospel creates a

with other believers that makes the into a Christian’s ultimate .
• The Christian relationships are essential to , personal growth, and spiritual .
• Salvation is a personal decision that also needs to be .
• Baptism and communion are an of community.
• Baptism is not essential for salvation but is foundational to .
• The Lord’s Supper displays of the body and the love of Jesus, allowing Christians to focus on Jesus’ death and resurrection.

II. How not to commune (vv 6-11)
• Communion with God keeps communion with others

.
• Idolatry is putting else ahead of God.
• Sexual immorality goes against God’s design of love.
• Sharing our with others in community helps us .
• Trust and authenticity are necessary of community.

III. Communion can help overcome temptation (vv. 12-13)
• God does not

Christians to sin.
temptations strengthens our faith and the faith of others.
• Christians need help to overcome temptation.
• Christian friendships are , where each person helps the other to become more like Christ.
• God provides a way out of we just need to take it.