Take Heed

Today we are going to continue working through 1 Corinthians. If you will, open your bibles with me to . To begin, let us read the passage in its entirety and then I will return to the beginning and try to explain the passage to the best of my ability.

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, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil 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 rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 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.

This is the word of the Lord. Let us pray.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

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, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil 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 rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 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.

Lord your word leads us to Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life. As we open it this morning, may our hearts be receptive to Him. Speak to us Father we want to hear from you. Holy Spirit help us to discern the truth, for as Paul states, "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." We acknowledge that it is you, Holy Spirit, who opens our eyes to the Truth and for this reason we ask you to give us eyes to see and ears to hear. amen.

This is the Word of the Lord

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

In verses 1-5 Paul is making a really interesting comparison between the Israelites and Baptized believers such as you and I.

. In verses 1-5 Paul is making a really interesting comparison between the Israelites and Baptized believers such as you and I.

He is making the claim that the Israelites were no less the people of God than we are. Just like us they were saved by faith, just like us they went through the water of baptism and just like us they received the sacraments of the Lords supper.

How so? Well that is a great question and to answer it we need to remind ourselves of the story of Israel.

You see the story of Israel is a story of deliverance. It is a story of a people who were oppressed in Egyptian slavery, under the tyranny of Pharaoh, but who by the Grace and power of God, were miraculously moved from slavery to freedom.

We all remember the story well. Although God besieged Egypt with a myriad of plagues: flies, darkness, locusts, boils, gnats, frogs, disease, hail and fire. But Pharaoh would not relent and insisted that the Israelites remain his slaves. However, do you remember the story of the final plague?

Let us read from Exodus 11

Let us read the final story from Exodus 11

11 The Lord said to Moses, “Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here...‘About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt, 5 and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. 6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again. 7 But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’

plagueAlthough God pounded Egypt with plagues, Pharoah would not relent and insisted that the Isrealites remain his slaves. However, the final

4 So Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt, 5 and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. 6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again. 7 But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’

The reason that the Israelites were immune from the final plague was because God provided a sacrifice for the Israelites. He instructed each family to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and take the blood from the lamb and put it on the doorposts of their house. Thus by believing in God and responding to his command in faith, the Israelites were spared the judgment of God by means of a sacrificial lamb.

Just like Abraham who the scriptures tell us “ believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”.

“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”.

Just like Abraham, who the scriptures tell us “ believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” (.) So to did the Israelites believe God and rely upon him for their salvation and they were then considered the people of God.

Romans 4:3 ESV

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Calvin says it this way

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), . Thus by believing in God and responding to his command in faith the Israelites were spared the judgment of God through a sacrifical lamb.

In this we see act we see a type of Christ. That spotless lamb that removed the penalty of death prefigures Jesus Christ who is the sinless sacrifice that saves us from death and gives us the gift of life.

“the Passover, which was instituted to celebrate the remembrance of their deliverance, was nevertheless, at the same time, a sacrament of Christ. How so? Because God had, under a temporal benefit, manifested himself as a Saviour.”

In this we see act we see a type of Christ. That spotless lamb took away the penalty of death prefigures Jesus Christ who is the sinless sacrifice that saves us from death and gives us the gift of life.

John Calvin and John Pringle, Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, vol. 1 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 314.

Therefore, In this deliverance we see Christ. That spotless lamb that removed the penalty of death prefigures Jesus Christ who is the sinless sacrifice that saves us from death and gives us the gift of life.

Do you see what Paul is showing us? He is saying that, although the Israelite people lived on the other side of the cross, they were still saved by means of the cross.

“the Passover, which was instituted to celebrate the remembrance of their deliverance, was nevertheless, at the same time, a sacrament of Christ. How so? Because God had, under a temporal benefit, manifested himself as a Saviour.”

Today, if somebody accepts Christ as their Lord and Saviour what is the next step for that individual? We encourage them to get Baptized.

John Calvin and John Pringle, Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, vol. 1 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 314.

It is Baptism.

Interestingly, this too is the next step for the people of Israel. First they believed that the sacrificial lamb would save them from death and free them from slavery. And then after they put their faith in the sacrifice, Paul tells us that the people were baptized as they passed through the red sea. Just like us, the Israelites were removed from slavery (for them it was a physical slavery while for us it was a slavery to sin) and they were raised to walk in newness of life as they pursued Gods leading towards the promised land.

English Standard Version Chapter 6

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. .

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

Just like us, the Israelites were removed from slavery (for them it was a physical slavery and for us it was a slavery to sin) and they were sent on a journey towards a promised land — they were raised to walk in newness of life as they pursued Gods leading towards the promised land

Although the were removed from slavery, this promised land was still a future reality for they still had to walk through the desert. The Israelites had a long trek ahead of them in the wilderness in which trusting in God was going to be of the upmost importance. Just because they were free from slavery did not mean that they would be free from difficulty.For instance, where does one find food water and shelter from the heat of the sun in a desert? Finding such things in the desert is a hard enough task for one person let alone a large group of people. But Paul tells us that God provided for his people in each of these 3 ways.

The Israelites had a long trek ahead of them in the wilderness in which trusting in God was going to be of the upmost importance. Moreover, just because they were free from slavery did not mean that the Israelites were free from difficulty.

The Israelites had a long trek ahead of them in the wilderness in which trusting in God was going to be of the upmost importance. Just because they were free from slavery did not mean that they would be free from difficulty.

Firstly, by leading them under a cloud (which was the presence of God) the people were provided shade from the sun.

For instance, where does one find food water and shelter from the heat of the sun in a desert? Finding such things in the desert is a hard enough task for one person let alone a large group of people. But Paul tells us that God provided for his people in each of these 3 ways.

Again we see the similarities between the Israelites physical story and our spiritual story. For while we are saved from the shackles of sin, we are still on a sanctification journey and our complete sanctification is a future reality.

Secondly, God provided a miracle food for them (manna) which appeared with the dew every morning.

Firstly, by leading them under a cloud (which was the presence of God) the people were provided shade from the sun.

Lastly, God provided water for the Israelites that flowed from a rock -- and Paul tells us that Rock was christ. Moreover, Paul goes on to say that the manna and the water flowing from the rock were divine tokens of grace which correspond to the Lords supper.

For while we are saved from the shackles of sin, we are still on a sanctification journey and our complete sanctification is a future reality.

Secondly, God provided a miracle food for them (manna) which appeared with the dew every morning.

Lastly, God provided water for the Israelites that flowed from a rock -- and Paul tells us that Rock was christ. Moreover, Paul goes on to say that the manna and the water flowing from the rock were divine tokens of grace which correspond to the Lords supper.

Isn't it interesting to ponder the ways in which the Israelites movement from slavery to freedom is similar to our own Journey. For while we are saved from the shackles of sin, we are still on a sanctification journey and our complete sanctification is a future reality. Just like them, we were slaves to sin but thanks to Christ, we are now free to take off our chains and start walking towards the promised land! This is an interesting meditation that Paul encourages us to think about.

So as we have seen, although the Israelites lived before the time of the cross, they, just like us, were saved by faith, were baptized and regularly partook in the Lords table by receiving the manna and the water from the rock which were tokens of his grace in which God manifested himself as saviour.

The reason Paul is pointing out the similarities between us and the people of Israel is because he is about to point out the ways in which God was disappointed with MOST OF THEM You see before Paul reveals the seriousness with which God punishes Israelite disobedience, he does not want us to be fooled into believing that, because we have accepted Christ and have been baptized and participate in communion that we are somehow different than the people of Israel.

Yes that is correct, God was not pleased with the Israelites and Paul does not want his readers to be fooled into believing that , because they have accepted Christ and have been baptised and participate in communion that they are somehow different than the people of Israel.

Isn't it interesting to ponder the ways in which the Israelites moved from slavery to freedom is similar to our own Journey. This is an interesting meditiation that Paul encourages us to think about.

In verses 6-10, Paul recounts 5 instances in which that the Israelites disobeyed God and the corresponding consequences of their disobedience. He does so in order to remind his readers of the severity with which God will treat our disobedience. In effect, this passage is meant to penetrate our calloused hearts a healthy fear of God. For as the the Proverb declares "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." .

For as the the Proverb declares "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." .

Paul tells us that the Israelites:

1. Desired Evil

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

2. They were Idolaters

3. They Indulged in Sexual Immorality

4. They put Christ to the test

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

5. They grumbled about their circumstances.

Each of these five warnings correspond to a specific Old testament account, and while all five are worth exploring, today we are going to examine the The first of these five which is that they desired evil.

But more and the consequences of their disobedience. He does so in order to remind his readers of the severity with which God treats our disobedience. In effect, this passage is meant to stir up within our calloused hearts a healthy fear of God. For as the the Proverb declares "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." .

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Pr 1:7.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

The Text tells us that the Israelites

1. Desired Evil

2. They were Iolaters

3. They Indulged in Sexual Immorality

4. They put Christ to the test

5. They grumbled about their circumstances.

Each of these five warnings are worthwhile exploring but today we are going to dive in and look at the The first of these five is that they desired evil. Although God miraculously saved the nation of Israel, the people soon began to grumble saying

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

John Calvin and John Pringle, Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, vol. 1 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 321.

The first of these five is that they desired evil. Although God miraculously saved the nation of Israel, the people soon began to grumble saying

is that they desired evil. Although God miraculously saved the nation of Israel, the people soon began to grumble saying

Remember how God miraculously saved the nation of Israel, by creating a passage way through the Red Sea and how he provided Manna (which was like a magical bread that fell with the dew in the morning ) and provided water for his people in the wilderness from a rock? Well in-spite of this divine activity, the people soon began to grumble saying:

“Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. 6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” .

7 Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. 8 The people went about and gathered it and ground it in handmills or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. 9 When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with it.

The first of these five is

Numbers 11:4–9 ESV

Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. The people went about and gathered it and ground it in handmills or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with it.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, .

Of course there is nothing wrong with cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. The fact that the Israelites desired such things was not the issue. But rather, it was a matter of trust. You see their hearts began to doubt that Gods way was the best way and as this doubt settled in to their thinking they began to desire things that were outside of Gods plan. They began to doubt that Gods was the best way. You see rather than looking to God and trusting Him to be leading them to the promised land, when things got hard, they looked back to their life in slavery and lusted after that food of Egypt and by doing so they despised the peculiar way in which God was provisioning for his people that is through the manna and the water that flowed from the Rock. You see their hearts had grown calloused to Gods miraculous deliverance and his provision — they desired to be slaves with good food as opposed to trusting that Gods plan was for their good and his glory.

So what happened to those who desired their old life? The Bible tells us that “the anger of the Lord blazed hotly.... and a wind from the Lord sprang up, and it brought quail from the sea and let them fall beside the camp… And the people rose all that day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail.... While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague. Therefore the name of that place was called the graves of lust, because there they buried the people who had the craving.

And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly .

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

Wow what a sobering passage.

Now they sinned in two ways, for they despised the peculiar gift of God, and they eagerly longed after a variety of meats and delicacies, contrary to the will of God. The Lord, provoked by this lawless appetite, inflicted upon the people a grievous blow. Hence the place was called the graves of lust, because there they buried those whom the Lord had smitten. (.) The Lord by this example testified how much he hates those lusts that arise from dislike of his gifts, and from our lawless appetite, for whatever goes beyond the measure that God has prescribed is justly reckoned evil and unlawful.

Quail and a Plague

My friends, Paul tells us that this took place as an example for us! An example for us so that we might not desire evil things. Yet how often do we, just like the Israelites, look fondly upon things of this world. How often do we, look back to our Egypt, to our slavery to sin, and by doing so reject the leading of our Lord who is leading us through the desert to the promised land.

Rather than believing that Gods plan for your sexuality is actually what is best for you, rather than trusting in God to lead you to a promised land flowing with milk and honey, you secretly seek out pornography on your phone or seek to satisfy that sexual craving in your relationships — statistically this is the case. The largest consumers of porn are boys between the ages of 12-17. Moreover, the statistics are not more favorable within the walls of the church. For instance, out of 500 Christian Men surveyed at a men's retreat, 90% of them admitted that they were feeling disconnected from God because lust, porn, or fantasy had gained a foothold in their lives. According to a study done at the University of Alberta, 70 percent of female youths reported accessing sexually explicit media content at least once in the past year.

Maybe you have been wooed by the worlds obsession with sex and you desire to satisfy erotic cravings outside the God given context of marriage. Rather than believing that Gods plan for your sexuality is actually what is best for you, rather than trusting in God, you secretly seek out pornography on your phone, to satisfy that sexual craving. Statistically this is the case. The largest consumers of porn are boys between the ages of 12-17. Moreover, the statistics are not more favorable within the walls of the church. For instance, out of 500 Christian Men surveyed at a men's retreat, 90% of them admitted that they were feeling disconnected from God because lust, porn, or fantasy had gained a foothold in their lives. According to a study done at the University of Alberta, 70 percent of female youths reported accessing sexually explicit media content at least once in the past year.

Or perhaps for you it is not porn. But are there desires in your life that are contrary to what God has clearly laid out in his word. This is a worthwhile thought to meditate upon. Ask yourself what it is that drives you? Is it your self image? If you are being honest with yourself, have you ever teared someone down so that you could look good to your friends? Have you ever spread gossip about others so that you could have a laugh at their expense?

Do you seek these things more than your heavenly father?

You see, we are no different than the Israelites. Through Jesus Christ, we have been freed from slavery to sin, Through our baptism we have been delivered through the Red Sea and are now free to journey towards the promised land. And yet, so often we look upon the chains of our sin with a fondness, and a curiosity and often we submit ourselves to the rule of sin as opposed to the rule of God.

We are no different than the Israelites, so often we look upon sin with fondness, curiosity and we desire to explore. But in this passage Paul warns us that the plague God sent upon the Israelites — the plague that was so deadly that the area was given the name the grave of lusts — that happened as a warning for

But in this passage Paul warns us that the plague God sent upon the Israelites — the plague that was so deadly that the area was given the name the grave of lusts — that happened as a warning for us today!

31 Then a wind from the Lord sprang up, and it brought quail from the sea and let them fall beside the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and a day’s journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the ground. 32 And the people rose all that day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail. Those who gathered least gathered ten homers. And they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. 33 While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague. 34 Therefore the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had the craving.

Perhaps you are thinking, yeah but that was during the Old Testament era and things were different back then than they are now.

I find Calvin to be helpful here. He states that many people believe that God was more severe under the Old Testament, and always ready and armed for the punishment of crimes, where as he is now more ready to forgive. But what says Paul? If God inflicted punishment upon them, he will not the more spare you. Away, then, with the error, that God is now more remiss in exacting the punishment of crimes!

Perhaps you are saying to yourself — I am different because I have Christ and have been baptized and participate in communion. — Oh but wait — Pauls point, as we saw earlier, is to say that the Israelites were just like us — they were baptized through the waters of the red sea and the partook in the lords supper through the manna and the water of the rock.

But this statement of Paul is at variance with the common opinion—that God, while more severe under the Old Testament, and always ready and armed for the punishment of crimes, has now begun to be exorable, and more ready to forgive. They explain, also, our being under the law of grace, in this sense—that we have God more placable than the ancients had. But what says Paul? If God inflicted punishment upon them, he will not the more spare you. Away, then, with the error, that God is now more remiss in exacting the punishment of crimes! It must, indeed, be acknowledged, that, by the advent of Christ, God’s goodness has been more openly and more abundantly poured forth towards men; but what has this to do with impunity for the abandoned, who abuse his grace?

But what says Paul? If God inflicted punishment upon them, he will not the more spare you. Away, then, with the error, that God is now more remiss in exacting the punishment of crimes!

Perhaps you are saying to yourself — I am different because I have Christ and have been baptized and participate in communion. — Oh but wait — Pauls point, as we saw earlier, is to say that the Israelites were just like us — they were baptized through the waters of the red sea and the partook in the lords supper through the manna and the water of the rock.

After going through five examples of the way the Israelites sinned and God punished them severely, Paul repeats himself again saying: "this was written down for our instruction"

But this statement of Paul is at variance with the common opinion—that God, while more severe under the Old Testament, and always ready and armed for the punishment of crimes, has now begun to be exorable, and more ready to forgive. They explain, also, our being under the law of grace, in this sense—that we have God more placable than the ancients had. But what says Paul? If God inflicted punishment upon them, he will not the more spare you. Away, then, with the error, that God is now more remiss in exacting the punishment of crimes! It must, indeed, be acknowledged, that, by the advent of Christ, God’s goodness has been more openly and more abundantly poured forth towards men; but what has this to do with impunity for the abandoned, who abuse his grace?

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .Now they sinned in two ways, for they despised the peculiar gift of God, and they eagerly longed after a variety of meats and delicacies, contrary to the will of God. The Lord, provoked by this lawless appetite, inflicted upon the people a grievous blow. Hence the place was called the graves of lust, because there they buried those whom the Lord had smitten. (.) The Lord by this example testified how much he hates those lusts that arise from dislike of his gifts, and from our lawless appetite, for whatever goes beyond the measure that God has prescribed is justly reckoned evil and unlawful.

Isn’t it easy to to get comfortable with our sin — At first, we offer come up with excuses for our disobedience and then over time we grow accustomed to the ways that we fall short and then the sin just stops feeling like sin. And then we begin to believe that because we are Christians we are somehow immune from the consequences of sin. But as we have seen, God will punish those who abuse his grace.

John Calvin and John Pringle, Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, vol. 1 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 322.

For this reason, Paul gives us a set of instructions saying: 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. .

1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV

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

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

The Instruction is clear. Paul says that we are To take heed. To take heed means to pay attention, to consider something, to be self-reflective, to meditate upon, to be quiet before the Lord and listen for his voice. Thus taking heed is an action that we must engage in.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .To take heed means to pay attention, to consider something, to be self-reflective, to meditate upon, to be quiet before the Lord and listen for his voice. Thus taking heed is an action that we must engage in.

To take heed means to pay attention, to consider something, to be self-reflective, to meditate upon, to be quiet before the Lord and listen for his voice. Thus taking heed is an action that we must engage in.

Let me repeat this another way: The Bible is the primary mode through which God speaks to us his people. And the word of the Lord has said the following to you today: For those of you Christians who think you stand in a good place before the Lord -- I want you to take take heed to meditate to reflect upon your life and examine it for sin so that you do not suffer a similar fate to that of the Israelite people.

wo when they were miraculously delivered from the tyranny of slavery by way of the of the presence of God in the form of a cloud as he parted the red sea, and the partook in the lords supper through eating the Manna that was provided for them in the wilderness

This is what we are going to do this morning. We are going to invite the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, our motivations, our desires and invite him to convict us of the sin in our lives.

If the Holy Spirit has convicted you today I want to invite you to repent.

Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness. It therefore has nothing to say to people who do not know they have done anything to repent of and who do not feel that they need any forgiveness. It is after you have realized that there is a real Moral Law, and a Power behind the law, and that you have broken that law and put yourself wrong with that Power—it is after all this, and not a moment sooner, that Christianity begins to talk... Now repentance is no fun at all. It is something much harder than merely eating humble pie. It means unlearning all the self-conceit and self-will... It means killing part of yourself, undergoing a kind of death. Remember, this repentance, this willing submission to humiliation and a kind of death, is not something God demands of you before He will take you back and which He could let you off if He chose: it is simply a description of what going back to Him is like. If you ask God to take you back without it, you are really asking Him to let you go back without going back. It cannot happen.

C. S. Lewis, Words to Live by: A Guide for the Merely Christian, ed. Paul F. Ford, Adobe Digital Edition (HarperCollins e-books, 2009), 249.

Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who must lay down his arms. Laying down your arms, surrendering, saying you are sorry, realising that you have been on the wrong track and getting ready to start life over again from the ground floor—that is the only way out of a “hole.” This process of surrender—this movement full speed astern—is what Christians call repentance. Now repentance is no fun at all. It is something much harder than merely eating humble pie. It means unlearning all the self-conceit and self-will that we have been training ourselves into for thousands of years. It means killing part of yourself, undergoing a kind of death. In fact, it needs a good man to repent. And here comes the catch. Only a bad person needs to repent: only a good person can repent perfectly. The worse you are the more you need it and the less you can do it. The only person who could do it perfectly would be a perfect person—and he would not need it.

Remember, this repentance, this willing submission to humiliation and a kind of death, is not something God demands of you before He will take you back and which He could let you off if He chose: it is simply a description of what going back to Him is like. If you ask God to take you back without it, you are really asking Him to let you go back without going back. It cannot happen.

C. S. Lewis, Words to Live by: A Guide for the Merely Christian, ed. Paul F. Ford, Adobe Digital Edition (HarperCollins e-books, 2009), 249–250.C. S. Lewis, Words to Live by: A Guide for the Merely Christian, ed. Paul F. Ford, Adobe Digital Edition (HarperCollins e-books, 2009), 249.

For the next few minutes , I want everybody in this room to bow your heads and to prayerfully take heed of the way you have been living your life. Go ahead and do this right now.

Take Heed

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