Wrath, Repentance, and Righteousness
Messy Church - 1 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsGod’s wrath is demonstrated so that we might flee from all unrighteousness and do what is good.
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Transcript
If you have your Bibles, please open them to 1 Cor 10:31
Tonight, we are continuing our series ‘Messy Church’ where we have been looking at one of the most dysfunctional churches that we read about in the New Testament.
Remember, the Corinthians were an argumentative church that was divided over lesser things than the gospel
They were a church that was engaged in all sorts of sexual immorality, and even gave approval of things that godless people wouldn’t tolerate
And as of late, we have been talking about how they were even participating in idol worship and leading others Christinas into idolatry
Now, if we saw a community of faith today that looked like Corinthians, I doubt any of us would consider calling them Christians. But Paul saw something that we might often miss. Paul knew that even though the Corinthians were deceived they still belonged to God. Even though the Corinthians were in deep deep sin, they were also in Christ. In light of this, we should be encouraged! But all the same, don’t mistake this encouragement as giving us permission to sin. Because over and over again, Paul has called the Corinthians to repentance. This week is no different from the rest. Let’s look at what Paul said in 1 Cor 10:11
And as we do, please stand for the reading of God’s Word.
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.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
Let’s pray
Introduction
Introduction
As we get started I have a riddle for you all… it’s a simple question
Q: Which weighs more, a pound of feathers or a pound of bricks?
By show of hands, who thinks the pound of bricks weighs more than the pound of feathers
Now for those who raised their hand what if I told you that you were wrong.... A pound of bricks does not weigh more than a pound of feathers, because they both weigh a pound…
Here’s a tricky concept to try to understand… it is possible to think that we are right about something, when in fact we are wrong.
This happens all the time…
If a clock’s battery dies, it’s possible to read the time on the clock and think we know what time it is, but just because the clock is giving us information, does not mean that the information is accurate and right.
In the same way, it really doesn’t matter if we think we are right if in fact we are the wrong.
But this don’t just happen in riddles and when reading the time. This happens all the time in our Christian life. There are many times when we are in sin, but they we are often unable to recognize our sins as being a problem. For this reason, the Scriptures instruct us:
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
Here’s the deal… we can think we are right about something, and still be wrong.
Remember, the Corinthians thought that they were wise… they believed that they had all understanding and knowledge… And while they were sure that they were right the reality was, they had no idea just how wrong they were
Remember from two weeks ago:
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
The Corinthians had an understanding of God, that made them think it was okay to eat food offered to idols, but what they didn’t realize is that they only had a partial understanding of what they were doing. While the Corinthians thought they were in the right, they were actually sinning in as they partook of the food offered to idols. This is what Paul is going to show us this week. Let’s see how he says it,
1 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.
Paul here shows the Corinthians and us, that the children of Israel in the OT had a lot in common with those of use who are a part of the church.
In these verses we see that the Jews had their own type of Baptism
For just as baptism signifies God’s work of saving us from our slavery to sin, so too when Israel was led through the sea by the pillar of cloud, God delivered his people from their slavery in Egypt. In this way as they passed through the waters in Exodus, the Israelites recieved a type of baptism … what’s what Paul means when he says
English Standard Version Chapter 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,
and just as we partake in Christ every time we take the Lord’s supper, so too the children of Israel partook of Christ when he fed and nourished them in the wilderness… This is what Paul means when he said,
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.
Paul here is showing the Corinthians, and us just how similar we are to the Israelites after the Exodus… but Paul continued;
5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Pauls point is that we shouldn’t presume that God’s kindness towards us means that we are free to do whatever we want. And Paul applies the example Israel to the Corinthians and all those who belong to Christ. Paul says it this way,
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.
We must look carefully at what happened to the Israelites in the OT, because we bear a lot of similarities to them. Just as the Israelites were were God’s people who had been redeemed by him, so too we God’s people. And just as God was not pleased with Israel when they sinned, so too he is not pleased with us when we sin.
Listen to how Paul recounts the many sins of Israel and the consequences of their sins
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.
Four sins are listen in these four verses…
These are sins that Israel was guilty of… Idolatry, sexual immorality, putting God to the test, and grumbling against God… and the punishment for each of these sins was death. With this in mind, Paul tells us
not to be idolaters
He tells us not to indulge in sexual immorality
He tells us not to put Christ to the test
And not to grumble
These sins will all lead to death for Israel… And if we partake in sin, why do we think the outcome will be any different for us? Paul points these sins out because each of these sins that Paul describes are things that the Corinthians were guilty of and we are often guilty of them all the same.
While the Israelites presumed that they were delivered by God, they used their freedom for more sin… but God killed them. So too, God will destroy all those who presume upon his kindness and grace as a means of permissive sin.
And so Paul repeats himself:
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.
So here’s what we should see:
1. God's wrath was demonstrated in the past so that we would take sin seriously today.
1. God's wrath was demonstrated in the past so that we would take sin seriously today.
For the Corinthians, they assumed that since idols had no real existence other than being wood and precious materials, it was therefore was okay to eat this food offered to idols…
And while they were right about the substance and make up of an idol as not being a real god, they were wrong in assuming God didn’t care about their participation in idolatry…
But the applications to this are so numerous Paul himself sees this as being about far more than just idolatry… Paul shows us how all sin, is judged by God… yes even grumbling against God in anger because of the condition that we are in is a sin against God that leads to death.
So often we make so little of our sin… but God’s Word never takes sin lightly…
Paul reminded us of the severity of our sin, but let me continue on that theme:
When Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock out of his anger… God did not allow him to go into the promised land but instead Moses died in the wilderness.
When Aaron’s sons brought unauthorized fire into the presence of God… God killed them
When Adam and Eve ate the fruit that God instructed them not to eat… God cast them out of the garden, and they died.
Sin is serious...
So take your sin seriously…
This is what Paul tells us:
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.
The Corinthians thought they were wise… they thought they were standing strong… but Paul says… watch your life carefully so you do not fall…
Since sin is serious, we must flee from all temptations violently.
We aren’t to entertain it,
we aren’t to watch it curiously
We aren’t to hide it
We aren’t even to ignore it…
2. We must flee from every temptation in the power that God supplies.
2. We must flee from every temptation in the power that God supplies.
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
Now, just a word… Don’t harm yourself in hearing this Scripture from Matthew 5… but do recognize this; sin is dangerous and deadly so take it seriously. Talk to me about your sin, because I want to know about it so I can be praying for you, because God will give you power to overcome temptation… talk to your small group leaders about your sin so that they can help you and be praying for you… even more than all these, talk to your parents about your sin, so you can repent of and fight sin with the help of others who love you and want your best.
While it is a scary thing to confess sin, it is a far more terrifying to be judged by God for sin that goes on without repentance… so flee from every temptation.
While God is the one who cleanses us from our sins, Christ gives us brothers and sisters to help us see our sin clearly… Paul did this for the Corinthians.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Just as we need help seeing the severity of our sin, so too did the Corinthians need Paul’s help. But v 14-22 are very specific to pagan idolatry in Corinth. And while we could go through these verses and talk about them in greater detail, it probably won’t prove helpful for us tonight.
The point I want us to see is even though the Corinthians didn’t make much of their idolatry, Paul reminded them that their sin was demonic
So if like we said, we don’t always see our sins as we ought to, how then can we know as we ought to know? Remember, this is where we started, saying there are times that we are wrong even though we think we are right… so them, how can we know when we are wrong when we think we are right
In short… you will need help
three things that will help you
First, we can know we are wrong when by reading God’s Word.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Paul applied this on the first half when he walked through Israel’s story when they were freed from Egypt… so be reading your Bibles students. I’m constantly telling you all that you need to read your Bibles, but I don’t tell you this because I have nothing else to say… i say that because God’s Word is going to be your constant lifeline and means of killing sin in your life. So the first way to identify sin in your life is through reading Scripture.
The other way we know when we are in sin, is when we have a godly man or woman in our life who is able to recognize our sins that we are unable to see. Paul was this for the Corinthians… this is why he went through all this effort… chapters 8 9 and now 10 were all leading to this call to repentance for their ignorance regarding their idolatry. Do you have godly people in your life who can call you out on your sins? When your parents correct you for sin, does their correction produce repentance? If not, then don’t be a fool! Repent of your sins when your parents correct you!
So first read your Bibles to recognize and kill sin
Second have a godly person like a parent to hell identify your sins so you can repent of sin
And finally the way we can know when we are in sin is outlined here at the end… there is a general principle that we can apply to all of life
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
Do you see the principle that is laid out… While it was true, that we are now free from the Law in one sense, what is good is that we seek the good of others…
Paul goes on and applies this to the Corinthians context of eating food:
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
For the Corinthians, it was true that, eating this meat by itself was not a sin… but if eating food offered to idols caused another person to enter into idolatry, then they would have been sin for the Corinthians… so here’s the test to know if we are in sin or not: ask yourselves, are my actions for the good of others, or is it just for my own good? And ask again, can my actions cause another person to fall into sin? If so you best not do it…
This is a general principle that you ought to apply to all of your life… in all that you do, do it for the good of others and for the glory of God
So Paul concludes:
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
3. All that we do should glorify God and build one another up in love.
3. All that we do should glorify God and build one another up in love.
How can you know if your actions are sinful or not:
test your works and ask…
Does it glorify God?
And are my actions done in love for others?
If you say yes to both of those questions, you can know that you are not in sin!
Jesus summarizes it similarly: When Jesus was asked about the greatest command Jesus said:
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
In all these things let me remind you of three things lest you hear this sermon and think that all I have done is heap up a heavy burden onto your shoulders.
Christ came to forgive us of our sins
Christ came to free us from our sins
Christ will help you kill your sins
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.