Learn From The Past Series

1 Cor 10:1-13 Learn From the Past

Paul makes his concluding remarks here in chapter 10 still on the subject of exercising self-control and not becoming a stumbling block to others.

• We have rights and freedom but watch our conduct because not everything we do is beneficial.

• In the preceding section covered by Bro Lester last week, Paul emphasizes the importance of self-control in the Christian life.

• Runners or boxers in the Corinth games discipline themselves but only to strive for a perishable prize (a wreath).

• But for us, we do the work of God for an imperishable (ESV) crown that lasts forever (NIV).

It takes self-control and hard work but we want to because we want to finish the race and “win the prize” of hearing the Lord says: “Well done, good and faithful servant” when we see Him again.

• Hence Paul says we do not want to run this race “aimlessly” or like “beating the air”.

• We want to discipline ourselves and achieve something worthwhile and significant.

Paul concludes in our text today with a stern warning on the exercise of their freedom.

• He returns to the subject at hand – the insistence of some Corinthians on the freedom they have in attending the pagan feasts in the Temple claiming that they are just “eating meat” and not really “worshipping idols”.

• Earlier Paul stated the need to restrain themselves for the sake of their weaker brothers. Now he warns them of the danger of eating at these feasts.

Paul raised two reasons for this:

• (1) 10:1-13 - the danger of exposing themselves to temptations, and

• (2) 10:14-22 - such conduct is incompatible with the Christian life.

Paul cites the lessons from Israel’s history as warnings for them.

1 Cor 10:1-13 ESV

1For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3and all ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7Do 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.” 8We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.

11Now 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. 12Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13No 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.

Twice Paul uses the words “happen as an example” and twice “it is written”.

What has happened in the past now serves as examples for us – in verses 6 and 11.

• 6“Now these things took place as examples for us.” and

• 11“Now these things happened to them as an example…”

The past is not useless; they are not bygones. Our past teaches us and makes us wiser if we learn from them.

• God uses our past experiences, particularly our failures, to teach and warn us of the consequences of our mistakes and the folly of repeating them.

• Israel has experienced God’s blessings and privileges, and yet a fair share of failures and sinful mistakes. They are lessons for us today.

And twice Paul says, “as it is written” in 10:7 “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.”

• He quoted from Exo 32:6b. The context: Exo 32:5-6 “5When Aaron saw this [the golden calf they made], he built an altar before the calf and proclaimed: “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” 6So the next day they arose, offered burnt offerings, and presented peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to indulge in revelry.”

• And again in 10:11 “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.”