•The world has been called and identify as a “wilderness” in the Bible, and we as Christians had been warned to be smart and to be very careful in everything that we do in the world.

•If we are not prepared we can be swallowed up by the attractions and the sins from this world, so we must be steadfast and ready to recognize when we are in trouble.

•The world has been called and identify as a “wilderness” in the Bible, and we as Christians had been warned to be smart and to be very careful in everything that we do in the world.

•If we are not prepared we can be swallowed up by the attractions and the sins from this world, so we must be steadfast and ready to recognize when we are in trouble.

1 Cor. 10:6,11 (NKJV)

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that

we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

. . . Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

•The examples recorded in the Old Testament are there for a reason -

•Past lessons effect the wise differently than the fool –

For the Christian, The For the Christian, The Danger of Falling is Danger of Falling is Real – And Must Be Real – And Must Be Taken Seriously!Taken Seriously! Hebrews 3:12-4:11;

2 Peter 1:5-10; 2:20-22

• Related to 9:24-27

• The Corinthians were baptized believers who partook of the Lord’s supper

• Many of them however were in jeopardy because of their carnality . . .

• Thus the example of Israel -

Egypt The world

Pharaoh Satan

Moses (deliverer) Jesus (deliverer)

Israel The church

Moses (Law giver) Jesus (Law giver)

Cloud & Sea Baptism

Wilderness Christian life

Canaan Heaven

1 Cor. 10:6 (NKJV)

Now these things became our examples, to the intent

that we should not lust after evil things as

they also lusted.

• Probably a reference to the Israelites who desired meat and return to Egypt – Num 11:4,34; Acts 7:39

• The Corinthians faced a similar temptation – To partake in the idolatrous feasts, returning to their previous fellowship with idolatry.

1 Cor. 10:6 (NKJV)

Now these things became our examples, to the intent

that we should not lust after evil things as

they also lusted.

• What are some ways that we could be guilty of this sin? Desiring to fulfill fleshly Desiring to fulfill fleshly

desires desires unlawfullyunlawfully - Mat 5:28; - Mat 5:28; Rom 1:27; 1 Thes 4:5; 2 Peter Rom 1:27; 1 Thes 4:5; 2 Peter 2:10; 2:10;

Desiring to walk in the works Desiring to walk in the works of of darknessdarkness - Rom 13:13; Gal - Rom 13:13; Gal 5:16; 5:16;

Loving the world and Loving the world and returningreturning to it - 1 John 2:15- to it - 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Pet 2:21,2217; 2 Pet 2:21,22

1 Cor. 10:7 And do not

become idolaters as were some of

them. As it is written, "The

people sat down to eat and drink,

and rose up to play."

• The Israelites & the golden calf - Ex 32:6-20

• A real problem for the church at Corinth - 10:14-22

• What are some ways that we could be guilty of idolatry?

1 Cor. 10:7 (NKJV)

And do not become idolaters as were some of

them. As it is written, "The

people sat down to eat and drink,

and rose up to play."

1) Our job

2) Our fun

3) Our family

4) Our hobby

1) Our job

2) Our fun

3) Our family

4) Our hobby

• “CovetousnessCovetousness" is idolatry - Ep 5:5; Co 3:5

• Whenever we make any thing other than God our priority in life, we are guilty of idolatry

1 John 2:151 John 2:15

1 Cor. 10:8 (NKJV)

Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them

did, and in one day twenty-

three thousand fell;

• Refers to the Israelites committing whoredomwhoredom with the daughters of Moab – Num 25:1-3

• Resulting in God’s wrathwrath being poured out on them by means of a plague - Num 25:4-9

• This fallfall was brought about by Balaam’s strategic counsel to Balak – Num 31:16

1 Cor. 10:8 (NKJV)

Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them

did, and in one day twenty-three

thousand fell;

FornicationFornication – πορνευω - porneuoThayer DefinitionThayer Definition: 1) to prostitute one’s

body to the lust of another 2) to give one’s self to unlawful sexual intercourse

• With fornication being a socially acceptable activity due to paganism – the Christians at Corinth were confronted constantly with this temptation.

• So are we! - What can we do to prevent ourselves from fallingfalling to this temptation?

1 Cor. 10:8 (NKJV)

Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them

did, and in one day twenty-

three thousand fell;

PreventingPreventing Fornication: Fornication:• UnderstandUnderstand the danger – Prov

5:1-3

• Understand the consequencesconsequences – Prov 5:4-6; 6:32; 9:16-18

• RUNRUN (Listen to God) - Prov 5:7-14; 1 Cor 6:18; Gen 39:12-18

• Fulfill sexual desires lawfullylawfully – Prov 5:15-20

• God is watching!! watching!! – Prov 5:21-23

1 Cor. 10:9 (NKJV)

nor let us tempt Christ,

as some of them also

tempted, and were

destroyed by serpents;

• Israel was not satisfied with God’s provisions – Numbers 21:4,5

• God sent fiery serpents – Num 21:6-9

• How might the Corinthians be tempted to fall prey to the same sin?

• How would they accept Paul’s rebukes, restrictions, & instructions?

• Would they desire to return to the world rather than comply?

1 Cor. 10:9 (NKJV)

nor let us tempt Christ,

as some of them also

tempted, and were destroyed

by serpents;

What About What About UsUs??• Could we become unsatisfied with

the spiritual blessings promised in Christ and long for materialism? materialism?

• Could we become dissatisfied with the spiritual work that God has given the church to do and pursuepursue secular work?

• Could we become dissatisfied with the worship God has prescribed and seek worship styles that please us please us instead?

1 Cor. 10:10 (NKJV)

nor complain, as some of them also

complained, and were

destroyed by the destroyer.

• Because of their dissatisfaction with God’s dealings with them – Israel complained, and did so often – Numbers 14:1-4; 16:1-48, (41)

• God destroyed them – Num 16:21-35,45-48

• The Corinthians could be guilty of the sin of murmuring due to the instructions given them Regarding:

• Division (1-3), church discipline (5), internal lawsuits & behavior (6) MDR (7)association with idolatrous practices forbidden (8,9)

1 Cor. 10:10 (NKJV)

nor complain, as some of them also

complained, and were

destroyed by the destroyer.

• Do not grumble against one another – James 5:9

• Being hospitable to one another – 1 Peter 4:9

• Do all things without complaining – Phili 2:14

Certainly we Certainly we would would never never have a problem with have a problem with

complaining . . .complaining . . .

1 Cor. 10:11 (NKJV)

. . . Now all these things happened to them

as examples, and they were written for our

admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages

have come.

•The examples recorded in the Old Testament are there for a reason -

•Past lessons effect the wise different than the fool –

•The danger of fallingfalling is just as real for us as it was for the Israelites and Corinthians . . .

•To think that we cannot fall is foolishfoolish . . .

1 Cor. 10:11 (NKJV)

. . . Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

1 Cor. 10:12 (NKJV)

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

1 Cor. 10:13 (NKJV)

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow

you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with

the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you

may be able to bear it.

• Temptation will come!

• God is faithful –

• The devil is limited –

• God will provide a way of escape

• We can do it