A Sensible Relationship With God Series

A SENSIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

1 CORINTHIANS 10:14 – 11:1

INTRODUCTION: Last week we looked at the sobering thought of our own relationship with Christ. We saw how passionate Paul was regarding his walk with Christ. Paul, the greatest missionary of all time was concerned that he might be disqualified in his Christian life. We also noticed that as the activities of Israel were given to us as an example and a warning, that out of the whole nation of Israel, some 600,000 men and probably 2,000,000 people total, only two men – Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the Promised Land. Even Moses was disqualified from all that God wanted for Him. As a result, we came to the conclusion that we must guard our Christian walk so as to receive all that God would have for us. This morning, we dig a little deeper into what it means to have a sensible relationship with God, one that does not disqualify us from everything God wants for us.

I SOME FOUNDATIONAL THOUGHTS – 1 CORINTHIANS 10:14

A Therefore

1 A word that forces us to look at the previous context

2 Word asks us to consider what we do next in light of disqualification

3 Referring us back to the consequences of not following God as He instructs and doing things our own way

a Am I going to indulge in my own wants and desires or am I going to be diligent for God’s wants and desires for me?

b Am I going to succumb to the temptations of my old life or am I going to seek God’s way of escape and victory over the pull of my old life?

c Am I going to release the thought that I am untouchable and depend more on God’s grace and power to get me through each day?

B Flee

1 We do not do what we need to do leisurely

a Our activities from here on out are not a stroll in the park

b Cannot afford to take our time

c More time we take the more time we lose

2 We are to act quickly

a People do not flee anything slowly

b If we flee slowly, we will be overtaken and consumed

c We need to make our changes quickly!

II SENSIBLE PEOPLE THINK ITS IMPORTANT TO FLEE IDOLATRY – 1 CORINTHIANS 10:14b-15

A Last week we looked at what idolatry is and we saw that idolatry was putting something ahead of God

B Now I need to add an additional definition to idolatry

1 Trusting anything for what God alone supplies

Luke 11:1-13 (NIV) Lk 1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." 2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: "’Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.

3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’"

5 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ’Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,

6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’

7 "Then the one inside answers, ’Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’

8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

a Man knows how to meet needs, if only for a while

1) If your bold enough

2) If you have the right connections

3) Your needs can be met

4) It is foolish to think that all we need to be satisfied is some bread and eggs

b Man looks for things that will satisfy him