1 Corinthians 10:1–13 (ESV)

10 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

 

  1. Background (1 Cor 9:24-271 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV)

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

 

  1. Our Forebears Tasted and Saw the Gospel

    1. All under the cloud and passed through the sea (v1 – Crossing of the Red Sea)
    2. All were baptized into Moses in the Red Sea (v2)
    3. All ate the same spiritual food and drink (v3-4)
      1. Manna
      2. Water from the Rock which is Christ. They experienced a taste of the Gospel.
    4. The Lord was not pleased with them and the generation fell in the wilderness except Joshua and Caleb (v5)
  2. Given as Examples for us (Christians – they are our forebears in the faith)

    1. We ought not desire as they did (v6)
    2. Idolatry: “The people sat down and began to play” (v7) (Exodus 32:6 – The Golden Calf)
    3. Sexual immorality (v8) – Twenty thousand died by serpents (Num 25:9) (Midianites)

We must not put Christ to the test as some did and were destroyed (v9)

  1. We must not grumble as some did and were destroyed by the Destroyer (v10) (Exodus 14 – people rebel and Moses has to intercede)
  1. . Written for Our Benefit in the “Ages to Come”

    11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.

    1. How much more light?
    2. God plays for keeps
    3. The Gospel was given in seed form to our forebears and they rebelled.
    4. God swore in His wrath that they would not enter His rest
  2. Sober judgement from all of this:

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

 

  1. Are we the first believers who are free from danger?
  2. Do we have spiritual enemies?
  3. Has Christ provided a resource for us.
  4. We have been crucified with Christ and we no longer live but Christ lives in us.
  5. We have died to sin’s enslaving power
  6. But we are warned that we must exercise care and cling to Christ.
  7. He has given us each other toward that end.

 

  1. Encouragement and Comfort

    13 
    No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

    1. The reality of suffering (suffering, joy vs. happiness)

      “Life is but a Weaving” by Corrie ten Boom

 

My life is but a weaving

Between my God and me.

I cannot choose the colors

He weaveth steadily.

 

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;

And I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper

And I the underside.

 

Not ’til the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unroll the canvas

And reveal the reason why.

 

The dark threads are as needful

In the weaver’s skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned​.

 

  1. You are not alone
  2. Our Great Hight Priest
  3. Our brothers and sisters