Forgotten Values
1 Corinthians 10:1-5NLT
I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. 2 In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. 3 All of them ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
In the exodus, the ancient Hebrews escaped the slavery and punishment of Egyptian rule. On their journey home to Israel, they witnessed the miracles of God’s parting the water at the Red Sea that brought doom to their Egyptians pursuers. There people had everything. God guided them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. They were surrounded by unparalleled privileges. God’s presence was constant. His workings were evident.
In fact, one would think these people would be the epitome of godliness, if for no other reason than out of gratitude for what God had done for them. But they weren’t. As they journeyed from Egypt, they played games with their lives and with their God.
What happened to these potential saints? What caused their demise?
I want to give you six reason’s God’s children weren’t successful or blessed.
The supernatural became commonplace.
It was taken for granted; no big deal.
Mark 11:22NKJ So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
They lacked a reverence and awe for God.
He wasn’t Holy in their eyes, because they weren’t holy. Proven fact: When you want to justify your actions you’ll find a way.
1 John 1:9NKJ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
They became calloused to the divine.
Matthew 13:58NKJ Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
God wasn’t special; Miracles weren’t important.
They became nonchalant in their values.
When Jehovah God becomes common place, and His commands are taken lightly, our values head in the same direction.
Matthew 5:48NKJ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Their heritage was forgotten.
The elders weren’t honored, and held in high regard.
Their relationship with God became a farce.
A Farce means means to laugh at- belittle to non sense.
Sound familiar? Never in the history of the world has one country been so blessed. We in America are inundated with churches, Christian radio and television, Christian magazines and books, Christian schools, Christian conferences and seminars.
Faith in God is the only answer; for He has faith in you!
Benediction.
