Even Moses and his generation were disqualified (9:27).
Disqualification was Paul’s worry. So he ran his race well.
Moses and his generation didn’t receive everything God had for them. They were kept out by unbelief.
Did they receive salvation? Yes. Full blessing? No.
1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
1 For I do not want you to be unaware:
Paul had told them of the disciplined run/life.
He did not want to be disqualified (9:27).
Nor did he want them to think God’s discipline was unlikely.
1 Our fathers: His remedy was to remind them of ancient Israel, who he calls ”our fathers”.
The Corinthians were a primarily Gentile church, but Paul considered the ancient Israelites their fathers.
Galatians 3:29 (ESV) — 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Make friends with the Old Testament saints (David’s life).
1 That our fathers were: Paul will describe five blessings Israel experienced (perhaps these are spiritually true for the church).
1 1 Under the cloud: The glorious presence of God.
Exodus 13:21 (ESV) — 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
Cool for the day, heat for the night.
Benefit 1: Supernatural presence (including guidance).
2 1 Passed through the sea: The Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-23).
Benefit 2: Miraculous deliverance.
Matthew 1:21 (ESV) — 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Galatians 1:4 (ESV) — 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
3 2 Baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea: They were united and identified with their leader.
Benefit 3: Unification with our leader.
John 1:17 (ESV) — 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Romans 7:4 (ESV) — 4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.
4 3 All at the same spiritual food: Manna — daily, just enough, no leftovers.
Spiritual: these physical objects were a means of grace to God’s people.
Benefit 4: Spiritual food.
John 6:32–33 (ESV) — 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
5 4 All drank the same spiritual drink / they drank from the Spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ:
At the beginning of their journey (Horeb - Exodus 17:6). At the end of their journey (Kadesh - Numbers 20:11).
Paul concluded that Christ was with them the whole time.
A clear statement of the preexistence of Christ.
Note the use of ‘Rock’ as a divine name in the OT (Deuteronomy 32:4, 15, 18, 30, 31, 37; Psalms 18:2, 31; Isaiah 30:29).
We ought to notice that our Lord Jesus Christ’s deity is plainly taught here through the transfer of Old Testament references to the Lord Jehovah being given to him.
Moses should have struck it in Horeb, but not in Kadesh (Num 20:11).
Jesus only had to be struck once.
Benefit 5: Spiritual drink.
Living water / never thirst (John 4:10, 14, 7:38).
John 4:10 (ESV) — 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
John 4:14 (ESV) — 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 7:38 (ESV) — 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”
We get to drink of His Living Water.
5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased: Joshua, Caleb, and those under 20 years old entered the Promised Land. They had all those benefits, but they were still DQ’d. WHY!?
They were saved under the Passover.
They were separated through the Red Sea.
They were supposed to grow and mature - Paul goes to work to find out the reasons they failed.
Note: Even Moses was kept out of the promised land.
All this should have served as a dire warning to the Corinthians.
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.
6 Examples: 5 great benefits + 5 great failings = disqualification from race.
6 Desire evil as they did:
Numbers 11:4–6 (ESV) — 4 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. 6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”
This is the first step in disqualification — desire for evil.
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) — 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, [from Exodus 32:6] “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.”
7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were:
Israel engaged in idolatry (Exodus 32).
The Corinthian application was obvious - some wanted more than idol’s meat!
Aaron created a golden calf for Israel.
The Egyptians: worshipped beetles, frogs, cats, crocodiles, bats, and bulls.
Aaron mixed this calf in with the LORD - Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD (Exodus 32:5).
They thought they could possess their own god, just like the Egyptians!
This is the second step in disqualification - you begin to create your own religion.
Idolatry: Puts the worshipper in the driver’s seat.
Form of godliness, but you get to make the rules, you are on the throne.
8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.
8 Sexual immorality: A part of the “worship culture” in Corinth. They were obviously confused in Corinth (1 Corinthians 5, 6:18).
Israel engaged in gross sexual immorality.
Balak caused Israel to fall through Balaam’s counsel with Moabite women (Numbers 25).
23,000 of them died in one day.
This is the third step in disqualification - you begin to engage in immorality.
Israel lusted after forbidden women.
Put away the immoral practice far from you.
Be radical (Matthew 5).
9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,
9 We must not put Christ to the test:
Their attitude: Numbers 21:4–5 (ESV) — 4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”
So the LORD sent fiery serpents they could only be healed from if they looked at the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:5-9).
Jesus used this story as a foreshadowing of the cross.
John 3:14–15 (ESV) — 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
This is the fourth step in disqualification - you begin to speak against God.
Your soul is discouraged. You blame God.
Many Corinthians thought they knew better than God.
10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.
10 Nor grumble: This was the ultimate and final straw for Israel. They complained about God when they heard of the giants in the land (Numbers 14:2-32). They were destroyed in the wilderness.
This is the fifth and final step in disqualification - you give up on God entirely.
Have faith in God.
Many Corinthians complained against Paul.
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but [HCSB, NASB, NIV — and] they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come [we are in the final age].
11 For our admonition: To train us - goodness of the OT.
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No 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.
1 Everyone is vulnerable to temptation.
12 Take heed lest he fall: Overconfidence.
Proverbs 16:18 (ESV) — 18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Paul: Don’t assume your are immune from temptation.
2 Every temptation is common.
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man:
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) — 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.
You are not the special circumstance or impossible case.
All temptation is common to mankind.
3 Every temptation is escapable.
13 With the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it:
God provides your escape.
Not always taken (Corinthians didn’t).
Look for the way out.
Eve’s was the TRUTH & Jesus’ was the TRUTH.
God Himself: Father (world), Spirit (flesh), Son (Satan).
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
14 Flee from idolatry:
Parents sometimes lecture. The Corinthians may have felt this way about Paul’s answer regarding the eating of meat.
TRUTH: They had technical rights (chapter 8).
Love is the rule (8:1).
Paul would lay down his right to eat meat if it would stumble someone (8:13).
EXAMPLE: Paul laid down his rights (chapter 9).
EXAMPLE: Israel was disqualified in the wilderness (10:1-13).
Paul will now answer their question.
Should we eat meat in the temple feasts?
Should we eat meat from the meat market?
Should we eat meat in someone’s house?
As modern Christians we face many of the same issues.
Paul will actually challenge us to set our aim on something else.
Glorify God (31).
Benefit Man (33).
This is the bulls-eye we ought to target.
The house of idols was the Corinthian danger-zone.
That was a place of danger for the Corinthian believers.
It was a house of temptation, a place of compromise.
Paul exhorts them to actually take the way of escape provided to them.
Corinthian: “I don’t know what happened. I was just there and committed idolatry.”
Paul: You toyed with it. You didn’t flee from it. You thought you were strong.
14 Flee: Flee the house of temptation, the place of compromise.
Take the way of escape God has provided for you.
Flee, don’t toy. Don’t go to the temple of idols.
15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
16-17 The bread that we break / one bread / one body / one bread: Paul mentions the spiritual connection that takes place with God during our spiritual dinner. That meal is a memorial, but so much more.
Unity, with one another, but here we have a reference to our unity with Christ when we eat his bread.
18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?
18 Consider / Israel: Sacrifices were still ongoing in Paul’s day.
18 Participants in the altar: God had his piece, while the worshipper had his.
Paul’s point: Those spiritual dinners have spiritual meaning, so watch out for the idol-dinners.
19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.
19 What do I imply then?: 2 clarifications before his answer.
Clarification 1:
19 That food offered to idols is anything?: No!
1 Corinthians 8:8 (ESV) — 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.
Clarification 2:
19 That an idol is anything?: No!
1 Corinthians 8:4 (ESV) — 4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.”
20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God:
Participants: Koinonia.
Demons (explain) were behind those ancient idols.
21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
21-22 Cup of the Lord / demons / jealousy / stronger than he: Believers should renounce all other worship, drinking only the cup of the Lord.
You cannot two-time Jesus Christ.
Many do: New Agism, Eastern Religions, or Sorcery are often mixed with Jesus Christ.
World Philosophies with Jesus Christ.
Ex. Oprah, Ellen, or whoever + the Word of God.
22 Jealousy: An intelligent man would never attempt to marry two women, but often times a person will try to marry Jesus with some pagan thing.
Jesus longs for an exclusive relationship with you.
James 4:5 - yearns jealously.
Ex. Christina’s house before marriage.
He doesn’t need to be needed, but He is dying to bless you.
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
23 All things are lawful: Again, the Corinthian claim.
23 Helpful / Build up:
Paul gives us an incredible filter for decision making.
We make decisions constantly about what we will allow or not allow into our lives.
Looking back, we’ve all made decisions we wish we could reverse.
Relationships, purchases, education, nutrition, work habits, or church habits.
Looking forward, we can assume we will make more decisions we’ll regret.
Filter Question: What is the most helpful and edifying thing for me to do at this moment?
What is the most beneficial and constructive? - NIV
What is the most expedient, profitable, and wholesome? - Amplified
What is the wisest thing for me to do at this moment? - Me
Filter Question of too many: What is lawful, permissible, or legitimate?
They want to know if there is a verse or sermon against it.
Don’t allow the dominant question of your Christianity be, “what’s legal?”
Ask the best question.
We should stop and ask ourselves if this is the wisest thing.
24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
Meat Market (25-26)
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For [from Psalm 24:1] “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”
25 Meat market / question: You don’t want to accidentally activate someone’s conscience - not ours, but theirs (29).
26 For “the earth is the LORD’s…”: Out of Psalm 24:1. Go ahead and eat. It belongs to God.
Friend’s House (27-28)
27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience—
28 For the sake of conscience: The NKJV adds another quotation of Psalm 24:1 — ”For the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.”
Verse 26: Eat it! All is of God!
Verse 28: Don’t eat it! All is God’s, so you have plenty of options!
29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
29-30 Determined by someone else’s conscience / denounced because of that for which I give thanks: Paul recognized that Christians wouldn’t like this calling. Who wants to think of others to that degree? Paul, a man who understood the extreme principles of Christian liberty, gladly laid down his rights.
31 Do all to the glory of God: Our principle.
Principled people don’t need to know what’s legal. They aren’t asking how much they can get away with and still be a Christian.
32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
33 Saved: Paul’s goal was very clear.
Be wise.
Give God glory.
Give people salvation.
So we find encompassed by these verses the two great commandments—love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37–39).