February 11th, 2024
Message Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
“Immature”
Service Orientation: Certain immature behaviors disqualify you from the race. A lesson from Israeli history will verify this. God is wanting us to finish mature, strong and confident.
The Word for the Day: Immature
Memory Verse: So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! — 1 Corinthians 10:12
Background Information:
- Paul ends chapter 9 likening the Christian pilgrimage to a race. You compete to win. No matter what it takes, you sacrifice to win a perishable prize. How much more should we sacrifice to win an eternally enduring prize?
- (vss. 3-4) Paul describes Israel’s experience of the miraculous bread (Ex 16:4-30) and miraculous drinking of water from the rock (Ex 17:1-7; Nm 20:2-13) as a form of “spiritual eating,” unquestionably viewing it as a type/analogy of the Lord’s Supper. (Gordon D. Fee, The New International Commentary on the NT: 1 Corinthians, 446)
- (v. 4) A rabbinical legend held that a portion of the rock at Kadesh accompanied the Israelites in the wilderness for forty years and continually supplied them with water. Paul corrects that legend; it was Christ who provided both the water and the manna in the wilderness. (Carleton A. Toppe, The People’s Bible: 1 Corinthians, 90)
- (v. 5) Paul seems to be addressing the Corinthians as believers. But, the context of the NEVERTHELESS of verse 5 sheds doubt as to the assurance Paul or even the Corinthians might enjoy concerning their salvation. The ancient Israelis were baptized (v.2), they were all exposed to the miracles God performed for them (v.1), they all received the gracious blessings at the hand of God (vss. 3-4); and yet they fell.
- (v. 8) Paul may be using round numbers, or he may also be making allowance for those slain by the judges of the people (Nm 25:5). (Toppe, 93)
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Those who can’t remember the past are condemned to repeat it. —George Santayana
What kind of behaviors disqualify us from the race?
I- Idolatry: Looking to anything other than God for your happiness, provision, identity, security or purpose. (1 Cor 11:7; see also: Ex 20:3-6; 23:33; ch. 32: 34:14, 17; Lv 19:4; 26:1; Dt 4:28; 5:7-9; 27:15; 1 Sm 15:23; Ps 81:9; 115:4-8; Isa 45:20; Jer 13:10; Acts 17:16-29; Rom 1:22-25; 1 Cor 5:11; 6:9; 8:4; 10:14; 2 Cor 6:16; Gal 5:10; Col 3:5; 1 Pt 4:3; 1 Jn 5:21)
An idol is something that we look to for things that only God can give. Idolatry functions widely inside religious communities when doctrinal truth is elevated to the position of a false god. This occurs when people rely on the rightness of their doctrine for their standing with God rather than on God himself and his grace. It is a subtle but deadly mistake. (Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods, 131)
We think that idols are bad things, but that is almost never the case. The greater the good, the more likely we are to expect that it can satisfy our deepest needs and hopes. Anything can serve as a counterfeit god, especially the very best things in life. (Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods, Introduction xvii)
Idols are the children of covetousness. Born of an adulterous affair with the world. An affair that began with a recognized discontentment with God. —Buddy Briggs
If you are discontented with God, you are discontented with an idol. For only an ignorant, arrogant, wicked fool could be discontented with the real God. —Pastor Keith
The greatest adversary of love to God is not his enemies but his gifts. And the most deadly appetites are not for the poison of evil, but for the simple pleasures of earth. For when these replace an appetite for God himself, the idolatry is scarcely recognizable, and almost incurable. (John Piper, A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer, 14)
I don’t think being mature Christians means getting to a place where we never deal with idolatry. Rather, maturity comes when we become aware that this is going to be a lifelong battle…and we make up our minds to engage in it on a daily basis. (Pete Wilson, Empty Promises, 196)
An idol is anything that should be used but is worshiped or anything that should be worshiped and is used. —Augustine
If I cry out against God because of a great loss, I have just revealed my idol; that thing or person he blessed me with, rather than He who blesses me. —Buddy Briggs
II- Sexual Immorality: Using sex only for sensual pleasure instead of seeing it as a multi-faceted, covenant, renewal ceremony. (1 Cor 11:8; see also: Ex 32:6; Num 25:1-9; Ps 106:29; 1 Cor 5:1-11; 6:9-19; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 4:17-19; 5:5; Col 3:5; 1 Thess 4:5; 1 Pt 4:2-3)
Indeed, sex is perhaps the most powerful God-created way to help you give your entire self to another human being. Sex is God’s appointed way for two people to reciprocally say to one another, “I belong completely, permanently, and exclusively to you.” You must not use sex to say anything less.
So, according to the Bible, a covenant is necessary for sex. It creates a place of security for vulnerability and intimacy. But though a marriage covenant is necessary for sex, sex is also necessary for the maintenance of the covenant. It is your covenant renewal service. (Timothy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage, 257) (red emphasis – Pastor Keith)
Any notion to the effect that the marital act tends to a lowering of the spiritual temperature and is not compatible with the highest demands of Christian devotion is one that, from its inception, is an assault upon the handiwork and institution of God. It is no wonder that the apostle elsewhere should characterize the prohibition of marriage as a doctrine of demons (1 Tm 4:1, 2). The false asceticism which has come to expression in the demand for a celibate clergy springs from a bias that has no affinity with the Christian ethic and is antithetical to the whole spirit of the biblical revelation. (John Murray, Principles of Conduct, 65-66) (red emphasis – Pastor Keith)
The intertwined relationship of sexuality and spirituality is emphasized throughout the Scriptures by the frequency with which God uses sexual images to admonish Israel. Rebukes for “going awhoring after other gods” occur almost twenty times in the First Testament, revealing the interconnection between making sexual intercourse an idol and giving our love promiscuously to any of a mutiplicity of other gods. (Marva J. Dawn, Sexual Character, 58)
The ancient Jewish text The Holy Letter (written by Nahmanides in the thirteenth century) sees sex as a mystical experience of meeting with God: “Through the act [of intercourse] they become partners with God in the act of creation. This is the mystery of what the sages said, ‘When a man unites with his wife in holiness, the Shekinah is between them in the mystery of man and woman.’” The breadth of this statement is sobering when you consider that this shekinah glory is the same presence experienced by Moses when God met with him face-to-face (see Ex 24:15-18). (Gary Thomas, Sacred Marriage, 206)
Your sexuality is an intense battle because it is the arena where God desires to demonstrate who He is and what He’s like. Through sexual intercourse, God desires to demonstrate what communion with Him is meant to be. It’s the taste of the intimacy we crave. (Michael John Cusick, Surfing for God, 113)
Theologian Christopher West remarked, “If the body and sex are meant to proclaim our union with God, and if there is an enemy who wants to separate us from God, what do you think he is going to attack? If we want to know what is most sacred in this world, all we need do is look at what is most violently profaned.” (Christopher West, Theology of the Body for Beginners, 11) (red bold emphasis – Pastor Keith)
III- Testing God: Doubting God’s character unless He follows our agenda. (1 Cor 11:9; see also: Ex 17:2; Num 14:22-24; 20:2-13; Dt 1:32; 6:16; Jdg 6:36-40; 2 Kgs 17:14; Ps 31:6; 37:3; 78:18-22, 41, 56; 106:14; Prv 3:5-6; Mal 3:10; Mt 4:7; Lk 4:12; 10:25; Acts 5:1-9; 15:10; 1 Cor 6:9-20; 1 Cor 10:9)
The words {1 Cor 10:9} come from Dt 6:16 and refer to the time when Moses struck the rock in order to get water to satisfy the grumbling Israelites (Ex 17:1-7). It is not our prerogative to place God on trial. Faith is simple trust, not “doubt looking for proof” (Barclay, Vol. 1, 69 as quoted by Robert H. Mounce, New International Biblical Commentary: Matthew, 31) (red bold emphasis – Pastor Keith)
It is wrong to test God by demanding that he rescue us or provide for us in ways that we stipulate. God is sovereign and omniscient and knows when it is best to allow us to go through difficult experiences and when it is better to keep us from them. (Davidson 1998: 305 as quoted by G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, Commentary on the NT Use of the OT, 16)
IV- Grumbling and Complaining: God is sovereign. Therefore any grumbling or complaining is ultimately against Him. (1 Cor 10:10; see also: Ex 15:24; 16:2, 7-9, 12; 17:3; Nm 11:1; 14:2, 27, 29, 36-38; 16:11, 41; 17:5, 10; 21:4-9; Dt 1:27; Josh 9:18; Job 10:1; 21:4; 23:2; 33:13; Ps 64:1; 106:25; Isa 29:24; 40:27; Mt 20:11; Jn 6:43; Phil 2:14; Jms 5:9; 1 Pt 4:9; Jude 1:16)
Too often I complain about the struggle rather than try to find God in the middle of it. (Traylor Lovvorn; Strength from the Struggles: Key Life Magazine, 2020, 11)
When we complain, what we are really saying is, “I could have done a better job than God in this instance. If I had made the choice, I would have done this and so…” This is blasphemy. (Gary L. Thomas, Seeking the Face of God, 95)
God’s people are never justified in complaining and worrying about their needs. If we live by faith in Him and in obedience to His Word, we will never lack anything we really need. (John MacArthur, The MacArthur NT Commentary: Matthew 1-7, 91)
Worship Point: You are what you worship. Only authentic, mature believers, who have not been disqualified, can worship in Spirit and in Truth. (Gn 22:5; Ex 20:5; 23:24-25; 34:14; Dt 5:9; 8:19; 12:4, 31; 13:2-13; 29:18; 2 Ki 17:34-39; Neh 9:6; Job 1:20; Ps 97:7; Isa 29:13; Mt 4:9-10; 15:9; Mk 7:7; Lk 4:7-8; Jn 4:20-24; Rom 12:1; 1 Cor 6:18-20; Phil 3:3; Col 2:23)
When the church gets into the business of staging experiences, that quickly becomes idolatry…Increasingly you find people talking about the worship experience rather than the worship service. That reflects what’s happening in the outside world. I’m dismayed to see churches abandon the means of grace that God ordains simply to conform to the patterns of the world. (Interview with Jim Gilmore, “No Experience Necessary,” Leadership 22, p. 31 as quoted by Philip Graham Ryken, Give Praise to God A Vision for Reforming Worship, 185) {bold red emphasis Pastor Keith}
Every time a church family gathers for worship, we come as idolaters or recovering idolaters. We all fight allegiances to someone or something other than God that make a claim on our lives. To pretend otherwise is to be naive and unprepared for the serious work of realignment we need. (Mark Labberton, The Dangerous Act of Worship, 62)
God could reject our worship for a number of reasons. He specifically condemns acts of worship associated with idolatry, unbelief, disobedience, and evil motives (Jer 13:10; Ex 30:9; 32:22-27; Jer 6:21-26). Rehearsing this list makes me aware that our offerings of worship will never please God on their own. Try as hard as we can, our hearts and worship will always be tainted in God’s sight.
The ultimate factor of acceptable worship is faith and union with Jesus Christ. Our spiritual sacrifices are “acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pt 2:5). It is his sinless offering of worship that cleanses and perfects ours. (Bob Kauflin, Worship Matters, 74)
Gospel Application: Jesus died to pay the price for our sin (spiritual disqualification). The Spirit reminds us of the REALITY of our immaturity and encourages us to ALWAYS look to Jesus when we are tempted. Not only as an example on how to live fully devoted lives; but, more importantly, to see in Jesus the righteousness we need and credits to our account through faith in Him. A righteousness we could never produce on our own. (Acts 21:13; Rom 2:6, 16; 10:4; 14:9-12; 1 Cor 4:4-5; 2 Cor 5:10; Phil 3:8-9; 2 Tm 2:13; 4:1, 6-8; Heb 4:13; 9:27; 10:31; 1 Pt 1:13, 17; 3:18-22; 4:6 Rev 20:11-15 see also: John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 16:31; 17:31; Rom 3:23; 5:12; 6:23; 2 Cor 5:21; 13:5; Eph 3:12; Heb 6:11, 19; 1 Pt 3:18)
Outside of the saving work of Jesus on the cross there is no assurance of salvation. Outside of Jesus, what hope does anyone have to stand before the judgment seat of God the Father? Jesus is our ONLY hope of surviving the final judgment.
Spiritual Challenge: Spiritual disqualification is a universal human problem that everyone must recognize and fight against. God provides us with His Word, His Spirit and His Church so you might have victory over temptation. Recognizing Jesus’ love for you IN SPITE of your immaturity will empower you towards maturity so you can begin to follow Jesus with ALL your heart, mind, soul and strength. (Lk 7:47; 1 Cor 11:11-13; Eph 4:11-13; Col 3:5-8; 4:12; 2 Tm 2:22; Heb 5:14; Jam 1:2-4, 12-14; 1 Pt 2:2) (Temptations reveal what need to be renewed for one to become mature: Prv 17:3; 27:21; Eccl 3:18; Jam 1:2-4; 1 Pt 1:6-7)
After all, when I am perfectly satisfied, then what can tempt me? When I am perfectly loved, then what else do I desire? When I am eternally secure, then what can threaten me? (Bryan Chapell; Holiness by Grace, 109)
Self-reliance is not the way to holiness, but the negation of it. Self-confidence in the face of temptation and conflicting pressures is a sure guarantee that some sort of moral failure will follow. (J. I. Packer; Rediscovering Holiness, 92)
Mature Christians are the end-product of testing. (Douglas J. Moo, Tyndale NT Commentaries: James, 61)
Let us recognize before we do warfare that the areas we hide in darkness are the very areas of our future defeat. Often the battles we face will not cease until we discover and repent of the darkness that is within us. (Francis Frangipane, The Three Battlegrounds, 16)
Temptations that have been anticipated, guarded against, and prayed about have little power to harm us. Jesus tells us to “keep watching and praying, that you may not come into temptation” (Mk 14:38). Victory over temptation comes from being constantly prepared for it, which, in turn, comes from constantly relying on the Lord. (MacArthur, 89)
So What?: No one wants to finish the race only to be told you were disqualified. If you do not care at all about staying in the race, then it is likely that you are not even a Christian. And, like the faithless Israelis of Exodus, you will never enter the Promised Land (heaven) because you are disqualified. Spiritual confidence, or assurance of salvation, comes only by trusting in Jesus. ( Heb 3:7-4:11; Rom ch 7; Eph 6:10-20) (A willingness to suffer for Jesus works to verify true saving faith: 1 Pt 4:1-2; see also: Ps 27:3-5; 46:1-3; Mt 10:24-33; Acts 21:13; Col 2:1-10; 1 Pt 2:18-25) (Saying no to sin works to verify true saving faith: 1 Pt 4:1-4; see also: Ps 4:3; Prv 15:9; Isa 32:17; Rom 6:1-14; 12:2; 13:12-13; 1 Cor 6:9-11; Gal 2:20; 5:19-24; Eph 4:17-24; Heb chps 3 & 4; 10:22; 1 Pt 1:17)
2 Cor 13:5 Examine. . . Test. See 1 Cor 11:28; Gal 6:4. Paul’s words help clarify the doctrine of assurance of faith. Paul asks the Corinthians to examine their own lives for evidence of salvation. Such evidence would include trust in Christ (Heb 3:6), obedience to God (Mt 7:21), growth in holiness (Heb 12:14; 1 Jn 3:3), the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22, 23), love for other Christians (1 Jn 3:14), positive influence on others (Mt 5:16), adhering to the apostolic teaching (1 Jn 4:2), and the testimony of the Holy Spirit within them (Rom 8:15, 16). (Luder Whitlock, New Geneva Study Bible (1995): KJV, 1844)
Without assurance of salvation, Christians simply cannot live lives as God would have us. — Richard Sibbes
Disobedience and assurance do not sleep in the same bed. (Alister Begg; sermon on 2 Peter 2)