1 Corinthians 10:6-11
Good examples:
In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul is working to strengthen the testimony of the Church. They should be setting the example of what victory in Christ looks like! The problems in Corinth have drained Gospel proclamation of its power. There is a race to run, a fight to win, and if you dont learn from the examples that have been given to you, you will end up losing... or you will be disqualified, and guarantee the ineffectiveness in proclaiming the Gospel - and others will lose. Winning those who have come out of idolatry, and sexual immorality calls for a deep look into the scriptures… Look at the examples that have gone before us. Good and bad, look and to learn from them.
So the lesson seems to be that although you won’t ALL fall in ALL of these areas, SOME of you will fall into SOME of these areas. Its a MESSAGE IS TO THOSE WHO ASSUME THEY ARE MATURE, AND think THEY can’t fail. Those who think they are going to “stand” at the judgement seat, and will be surprised.
WHO CAN THIS MEAN? The Lord is saying it could be you. So pay close attention.
What will you learn: All, most, Some. Last Week: The assumptions of the privileged… 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 They all had:
Learning from light of the past:
This letter, is addressing the assuming people who are preparing themselves to face the same fate as the children of Israel. Some who minimized their idolatry, some who lived immorally and thought the duplicity of their life is not problem. Some who tempted God, insulting his patience. Some who were grumblers in the face of Grace. Paul said what happened to them was instruction, so we could learn from their examples...“Example” is a word that you are going to see over and again in the NT.
The purpose of these examples is not presumed.... he gives it to us.
“that you may not desire evil as they did”: The words describe the direct impulse towards food, sexual satisfaction etc., and also desire in general. It came from a literal description of the hot coals that are at the bottom of a fire. You put the wood on those coals, and underneath the heat is building, and then the fire catches.
The goal of this is so that as a believer, you will be effective, and not disqualified for service. Its so you will be effective in winning others to Christ. No, you wont win everyone, but you can win someone. The question today is what does the Gospel taste like when served with your life?
Example 1: v7 Learn the power of separation to the Lord
Example 2: v8 Learn the power of Holiness
Example 3: v9 Learn the power of Contentment
Example 4: v10 Learn the power of perseverance
Philippians 2:14 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing,”
James 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”
These examples exist so that you will learn not to desire what is evil, and you won't end up disqualified in the fight. God wants to use you to impact the lives of others for his name sake. He wants the weak to be strengthened by you. He wants the lost to come to faith because of what they hear from you, and see in you.
A holy, sanctified, content, endurance that says… Christ is enough! They will get such a taste of Christ from your life, that they will be drawn to Him.
Conclusion:
They are known as the forty martyrs of Sebaste. (The Holy 40) Roman soldiers in the Legio XII Fulminata (Armed with Lightning)
In the famed Twelfth Legion (A legion consisted of from 3,000 to 6,000 infantry plus cavalry) of Rome’s imperial army there were forty soldiers who professed their faith in Jesus Christ. One day their captain informed them that Emperor Licinius had sent out an edict commanding all soldiers to offer sacrifice to pagan gods. These Christian warriors said, "You can have our armor and even our bodies, but our hearts’ allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forty_Martyrs_of_Sebaste
Heb 12:1-4 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. ...”
Separate, holy, content, and persevering so Christ will be preached with great power.