The Importance of Faithfulness

TEXT1 Cor. 10:1-13

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THE LESSON OF FAITHFULNESS IS BADLY NEED IN THE CHURCH

          (Matt. 10:22;  Rev. 2:10).

B.      ISRAEL SERVES AS OUR EXAMPLE (1 Cor. 10:6, 10).

I.      THE PRIVILEGES OF ISRAEL (vs. 1-4).

A.      GOD HAD ABUNDANTLY BLESSED ISRAEL.

          1.       God delivered them from Egypt when he caused them to pass through the sea

                   (Ex. 14:30-31).  Slaves 430 years (Gal. 3:27).

          2.       God chose them out of mercy for Abraham’s sake (Deut. 7:7-8).

          3.       God sustained a murmuring people in the Wilderness:

                    a.       Mana (Ex. 16).

                   b.       Water (Ex. 17 & Numbers 20).

          4.       God provided guidance (Ex. 13:21-22).

B.      GOD HAS ABUNDANTLY BLESSED US TODAY.

          1.       Delivered us from sin and Satan (Rom. 6:17-18;  Col. 1:13).

          2.       Delivered without merit (Titus 3:4-7).

          3.       We are sustained by the Bread of Life (John 6:30-35).

          4.       We are guided by faith in his word to our promised land

                   (Rom. 1:17;  10:17;  14:23).

II.     THE UNFAITHFULNESS OF ISRAEL (vs. 5-10).

A.      IN SPITE OF THE BLESSINGS, ISRAEL SINNED.

          1.       Sin of lust (vs. 6).

                   a.       Example (Num. 11:4-35).  Tired of manna, desired meat and Egypt.

                   b.       Punished with a great plague.

          2.       Sin of idolatry (vs. 7).

                   a.       Ex. 32.  The Golden Calf.

                   b.       3,000 died.

          3.       Sin of fornication (vs. 8).

                   a.       Num. 25:1-9.  Adultery with women of Moab and idolatry.

                   b.       24,000 killed by plague.

          4.       Sin of tempting God (vs. 9).

                   a.       Num. 21:4-9 at Mt. Hor.

                   b.       Fiery serpents.

          5.       Sin of murmuring (vs. 10).

                   a.       Num. 14:1-38.  12 spies – murmuring against Moses.

                   b.       40 Years.

B.      IN SPITE OF GOD’S BLESSING, WE SIN AS THEY DID.

          1.       We lust, looking back (Luke 9:62;  Rom. 12:9).

          2.       Idolatry, putting something before God (1 John 2:15;  Matt. 6:33).

          3.       Fornication – service to fleshly appetites (Gal. 5:19ff.).

          4.       Testing derives from a doubting heart (James 1:6-8).

          5.       Do we murmur and complain? (Phil. 2:12-15;  vs. 10).

III.    ENCOURAGEMENT TO FAITHFULNESS (vs. 10-11).

A.      A WARNING AGAINST SELF-SUFFICIENCY (vs. 11-12).

          1.       Vigilance (1 Pet. 5:8;  Eph. 5:15-16).

          2.       Introspection (2 Cor. 13:5).

          3.       We won’t just get by and get in (Luke 13:24).

B.      WE CAN BE FAITHFUL (vs. 13).

          1.       We all have temptation in common (Heb. 4:15).  God limits.

          2.       There is an escape (Eph. 6:16;  Phil. 4:4-7) Faith and Joy! (Phil. 4:13).

CONCLUSION:

A.      IT IS POSSIBLE FOR US TO OVERCOME AND REMAIN FAITHFUL.

B.      REMEMBER ISRAEL.