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OPENING
We live in a society today that is dependent upon technology and machines to communicate, work, drive, play, and just about everything in our lives.
And all of that technology and machinery requires regular maintenance and updates in order to keep running properly.
But as Christians, we also need to perform regular maintenance and update our relationship with God.
The danger of not continuing to nurture and grow in our relationship with God is that we can allow sin to creep into our lives that can cause us to fall.
However, there are some biblical ways we can make sure that we keep ourselves from falling.
Roller skating
SCRIPTURE
MESSAGE
Paul gives a sobering warning to the church at Corinth
The problem is with those who “think they stand.”
They think they are ok, when they are really not.
They think they have firm footing, when they really don’t.
Paul warns them to “take heed.”
In other words they need to open their eyes.
They need to discern the danger that is in front of them.
They are to take heed, “lest they fall.”
What does Paul mean here by “fall?”
In the context of what Paul is addressing here in Chapter 10, it clearly means to fall away from God.
In Chapter 10, Paul is describing Israel’s falling, or backsliding, away from God.
In Chapters 8 and 9, Paul addressed the subject of food offered to idols.
Paul argues that, in some cases, it is ok for them to eat food sacrificed to idols:
Because they know that the idols are false gods, and
Because they are not participating in the pagan practices themselves.
But Paul warns that if eating food sacrificed to idols causes your brother or sister to stumble, then you shouldn’t participate in it.
What is Paul’s point?
Just because something is permissible, doesn’t mean it is beneficial.
Just because something is technically not a sin, doesn’t mean it is ok.
What Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to do is avoid anything that could cause someone else to stumble in their faith.
Even if something is not directly a sin, but you knowingly keep doing it even though you know it can or has caused someone else to stumble, it becomes a sin for you.
Let’s look at what Paul had to say at the beginning of Chapter 10.
God Was Not Pleased with Israel’s Behavior
under the cloud
The cloud was the Shekinah glory of God that overshadowed Israel during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.
During the day it was a cloud that sheltered them from the desert sun.
At night it was a pillar of fire that provided light and warmth.
The cloud was a constant reminder of God’s glory and presence.
passed through the sea
This is in reference to the crossing of the Red Sea.
God miraculously parted the Red Sea and they walked across on dry ground.
baptized into Moses
This is a picture of a believer’s baptism.
They were “baptized” in the sense that they were “under the cloud” and “passed through the sea.”
the same spiritual food
Israel was miraculously sustained by God’s provision of food and drink in the wilderness.
This is an picture of the spiritual food and drink we receive from fellowship with Jesus Christ.
that Spiritual Rock
God provided Israel with water from a rock.
Paul identified this rock as none other than Jesus Christ.
Jesus was present with Israel in the wilderness and provided for their needs.
God was not well pleased
Despite all these blessings, Israel did not please God.
And it wasn’t just a few of them, it was “most of them.”
This is because Israel did not maintain their faith in God.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
As a result, their bodies were scattered in the wilderness
In other words, God made them to wander for 40 years until all those who were 20 years old and older when they came out of Egypt had died.
What a sad ending to their story.
They never entered into the Promised Land.
These Things Were Written As an Example to Us
these things became our examples
Israel’s failure is an example to us, in a negative sense.
In other words, they give us an example of what not to do.
So in what ways did Israel fail God?
we should not lust after evil things
First, they gave into their own lustful desires.
Paul warns us here not to lust after evil things.
This is a quotation from Exodus 32:6 and the episode where they created and worshiped the golden calf.
They were falling into idolatry by worshipping the gods of the Egypt that they had just been delivered from.
This episode is recorded in Numbers 25:1-6.
Israel committed fornication and idolatry by taking wives from the Moabites and worshipping their gods.
God had specifically warned them against taking wives from foreign nations for this very reason.
This episode is recorded in Numbers 21:5-9.
Israel spoke against God.
They complained that God had brought them out of Egypt and had not provided them food or water.
As a result, God sent “fiery serpents” which bit and killed many Israelites.
God instructed Moses to make a serpent out of bronze and set it on a pole.
Those who looked on the bronze serpent would not die.
This was a picture of Christ who would be lifted up on a Cross.
All those who look on Christ in faith, will not die, but will have everlasting life.
This episode is recorded in Numbers 16:41-50.
The people complained after many died in Korah’s rebellion.
God’s anger was kindled against Israel and sent a plague among the people.
Aaron took a censer, put fire in it, and ran into the congregation and stood between the dead and the living to make intercession for the people.
God stopped the plague.
But 14,000 died as a result.
We actually have a greater responsibility to avoid these sins than Israel did.
Because we have the opportunity to learn from Israel’s mistakes.
Take Heed Lest You Fall
Is is possible for a Christian to fall?
There are some warnings here for us
The warning here for us is not to get too comfortable.
The warning here for us is not to give into lustful desires.
The warning here for us is to make sure we are standing on a solid foundation.
So how to we keep from falling?
CLOSING
Don’t fall into the same traps that Israel fell into:
Idolatry
Immorality
Blaming God
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