How To Keep Oneself From Falling

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 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.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 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. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 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.

Title - How To Keep Oneself From Falling

Background

Paul continues on the subject of disciplines but turns the focus to the church as a whole.

Paul highlights the danger of “falling”

falling down -

falling away

falling out

My Main Point

When Christians fall, it is always dues to their own wrong decisions and actions. There is a guaranteed way to destruction, and there is a guaranteed way to victory.

Sermon Points

Many Christians “fall”

The warnings say it all

1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV

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

1 Corinthians 10.

2 Peter 3:17 NKJV

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

Hebrews 4:11 NKJV

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

Hebrews 6:4–6 NKJV

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

Hebrews 6.

Hebrwes 4.11

The fall comes in different forms

Basic meaning - to be separated from God due to sin committed

to die as a consequence of one’s sin

to be separated from fellowship

fall out -

to renounce the faith h=once held

to be removed from the covenant of grace

How do you keep yourself from falling?

Do not depend on your spiritual experiences

1 Corinthians 10:1–5 NKJV

they all had the same experience of the supernatural

1 Corinthians 10.1-

under the cloud

passed through the (red) sea

ate the same spiritual food

drank the same spiritual drink

Spiritual and supernatural experiences do not guarantee salvation.

Hebrews 6:4–6 NKJV

Do not lust after evil things

1 Corinthians 10:6 NKJV

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

1 Cor 10.6

Israel “lusted” after evil things

Egypt’s food -

idolatry

sexual immorality

they tempted/tested God

they complained against God

To “lust after evil things”

it means one is not yet “dead to sin” ()

Lusting after evil things is a guaranteed way to destruction.

Do not ignore admonitions

1 Corinthians 10:11 NKJV

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.

1 Cor 10.

Admonition means “cautionary advice against something”

they are warnings from God against committing sin.

Admonitions are especially written for “end-time believers” of God

Admonitions

for us upon whom the ends of the age have come

Trust in the faithfulness of God

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

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.

God’s faithfulness dictates that

He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our capacity

He will provide a way of escape when temptations come

To trust in God’s faithfulness means

to be comforted by His promises

to be confident in one’s faith

to prepare oneself for the fulfilment of God’s promise

to rejoice in His work

Conclusion

When a Christian falls, it is alway due to his or her wrong decisions and actions.

When a Christian overcomes, it is always because God was able to do His work in his or her life.

Philippians 2:12–13 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13 NKJV

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Song

I Will Be An Overcomer

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