“Walking In the Clouds”
1 Cor. 10:1-13
* Can you name with me our 5 core beliefs? 1) The Bible is our Guide Book, 2) God loves us & has a plan for us, 3) All people matter to God, 4) We seek to honor God in all we do, and 5) The local church is the hope of the world.
* Here’s the question, HOW can we accomplish this daunting task? My answer is one that I heard my mammaw use; “With God’s help.” Interestingly, she wasn’t the only one that I heard use this phrase, many people used to express it.
* To read the letter we call 1 Corinthians is to read Paul addressing a myriad of subjects. As we get to Chapter 10, we sense this is kind of an exclamation point on what it really means to follow Christ as well as a warning to those choosing NOT to follow Christ. Now if we are going to follow close to Christ, we must be where He is. Henry Blackaby tells us to find where God is working & go.(Read)
* If we are honest, to look at the title of this message brings about one of several natural, normal responses. For most, to be ‘in the clouds’ means ‘you’ve lost touch with reality.’ For others, it may conjure up the picture of living in the mountains ‘among the clouds.’ Still others see the clouds as a place of rain, storm, gray skies, darkness, & the like as well as a time of trouble. You understand, it is when you are so overwhelmed with grief, burden, heartache, and the like; that you feel alone, trapped, & like no relief is will come. It’s like you have a ‘blanket over your head & can’t get out.’
* However, let me give you another thought today, “God resides in the clouds.” If we desire to be close to our creator, go where He is.
* Exodus 13:21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
* Exodus 14:19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them,
* Exodus 16:10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.
* Exodus – 19:9 / 24:16 / 34:5 / 40:34-38
* 1 Kings 8:10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD.)
* 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang; "He is good; his love endures forever." Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, 14 and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God.
* Matthew 17:5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
* Acts 1:9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
* Revelation 14:14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one "like a son of man" with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.
* Taking this picture of God in the clouds let’s return to our Corinthians text & make it personal. To grasp the personal meaning of this truth for US, let by begin by considering how we & the Israelites are alike. Many people think that because the Israelites are in the Bible, we have little ‘in common’, yet to closer inspection will pique our curiosity & help us grow.
1. The parallels – to see how similar we are is to understand God’s plan;
SituationChildren of Israel21st Century PeopleIn BondageSlaverySinTaskmasterEgyptiansLawStatusHelplessHopelessNeedDelivererDelivererWhoMosesJesusCostDeath of 1st born - EgyptDeath of 1st born- Eternity* Here is the take-away; God is no respecter of persons. We are all in the same condition, with the same need. And God has a plan for every one of us. The problem which exists in many minds today is the faulty belief that we can walk ‘where we want’, ‘like we want,’ and make up the rule ‘which we want’, but we can still walk with God. To walk with God & have Him in our corner means we walk where, like, and how He wants us to and that we accept, receive & follow His deliverer, Jesus. It is only when we choose to accept God’s offer of salvation that our walk begins.
2. The Protection - When we accept his offer of salvation, we become like the Israelites. Look at verses 1-4 & count times Paul used the word ALL!
* Because of their position in God, they were altogether (like at Pentecost) and overcame some incredible odds through His protection. Consider the Red Sea experience. Without God, the Red Sea becomes a dead end as they were trapped by Pharaoh and his armies. They would certainly have been massacred. Yet, because they had trusted God their roadblock became a roadway and that roadway to life for God’s people became a roadway to death for God’s enemies.
* Let’s not pass this by without being clear about a very important objection heard today. Some say, “IF God protects believers, why do bad things happen to them?” First, never forget we live in a fallen world. Because of the sin in the Garden, bad thing will happen as a part of life. This is the death God spoke of when He warned Adam and Eve. But don’t miss this; “IF we are to remain under God’s umbrella of protection, we must consistently, daily, & routinely make right choices. God is under no obligation to bless our pagan choices.
* If we are going outside and it is raining, the only time we are protected is when we are under an umbrella. In the spiritual realm, we are only protected when we are under the umbrella of God’s word through our personal obedience. For me, when I am in spiritual battle, it is important to have on the right armor, which is the armor of God.
3. The Provision – When we walk with God, He provides for us. It’s kind of like being our shepherd (Psalms 23). A good shepherd protects his sheep (sometimes even from themselves) and then he provides them with what they NEED (not necessarily what they want). Think about the Children of Israel in the wilderness, did they have what they wanted to eat? Did they have what they wanted to drink? No, to both questions. But you know what? They had what they needed. God gives exactly what we need, exactly when we need it. Manna is a prime example. There was plenty of manna, BUT you only gathered for one day (except the day before the Sabbath) and trusted God for the next day. Can you see how God’s plan is for us to trust HIM? We can quickly be lure into trusting in the wrong things. The Psalmist writes, “Some trust in chariots, but we trust in the name of our Lord.” God is completely trustworthy & able to provide every need you have. Here is the question, “WILL WE TRUST HIM?” If we trust Him, will we obey Him even when it feels wrong? Will you trust His heart??
4. The Problems – I would be remiss if I didn’t spend a minute or two reminding us that if we are going to walk with God like the Israelites who walked with His protection and provision,
* Then we must be aware of the humanistic problems which we can be tempted with. Verse 5 brings this truth close to home. It says, “God was not pleased with most of them.” Is this sobering for anyone besides me? God brought “HIS PEOPLE” (remember that) out of bondage (1.2M) and how many of those entered the land of promise? Only 2. Here’s the point; you want to walk with God? Then never forget your actions & your decisions have an impact on the outcome. Spiritual types say, “If God wants it, it’ll be done.” It is true that God can accomplish anything He wants, but for some reason, He gave us a free choice, & our choice matters.
* Consider 4 problems mentioned here:
* Idolaters – They replaced God in their lives. Exodus 32 speaks of a golden calf and probably no one here has a statue they worship, but never forget that “anything which takes your #1 allegiance is god.” Anything we hold tighter than God is above Him.
* Immoral – (Numbers 25) The reasons why immorality is dealt with so severely are many. Scriptures teaches that sexual sin is a sin against your own body as such, brings judgment to yourself. (I.E. STD, Aids, emotional issues, etc) In fact, one the latest surveys revealed that couple who engage in sex (and live together) before marriage, increases the likelihood of the relationship ending prematurely. Additionally, as Numbers 25 reveals, immorality opens the way for other compromises in one’s life.
* Testing God – (Numbers 21) we are told where the COI tests God and HE sent snakes, deadly snakes (not Satan, God) Deuteronomy 6 says, “It is written, don’t tempt the Lord.” TG expresses no faith or lack of faith and trust.
* Complainer – (Numbers 16) we see rebellion against God’s anointed leadership and He responds with judgment by plague. Easy to get our eyes on the problems & off God, lured into trap. He knows best.
5. The Perseverance – Verse 13 is the most often quoted verse in the Bible. God will put more on you than you can handle by yourself-but there will always be a way of escape- in the cloud with HIM. As a kid, I heard this, “Lead me not into temptation because I can find it on my own.” Satan knows your weakness & when you are weakest. He will push your buttons, raise the stakes, & appeal to your pride.
* Let me appeal to your pride today, why not take a walk in the clouds with the creator of the clouds. To start you begin with a surrender and then you accept, join, and follow.
