1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Are you comfortable?

Setting Corinth Relatively new (Destroyed and Rebuilt) Nouveau Riche/Upward Mobile Special metal Port City/Commercial route Sailors - Sexual Immorality “Istman” Games

Setting Lots of Temptation “What happens in…” Freedom in Christ Misunderstand new teaching Taking it to far Paul’s letter to set them straight

The Letter Paul’s letter Arguments against their ways Proper instruction Answering questions Chapter 10 Paul sets an example He goes to the Scripture

The Letter Paul’s smart Knowledge of laws Argues with Philosophers Appeals to Higher Authority Concrete Example Vrs 6 “Now these things took place as an example for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.”

Exodus: The Example Slaves freed by miraculous means Maybe not everyone clear Led by a Pillar of Cloud/fire Edge of the sea, Complaining Exodus 10:12 Pass through the sea Praising, Singing, Joy How long does this last?

Exodus: The Example 3 Days! (Exodus 15:24) Month later, Hungry (Exodus 16) Thirst again (Exodus 17:2-3) Gold Calf - Revelries (Exodus 32) Banished to Desert (Numbers 14)

Was Egypt so Bad? Exodus 14:12 “Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” Exodus 16:3 “and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

Was Egypt so Bad? Exodus 17:3 “But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” Exodus 32:1 “When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”

Was Egypt so Bad? Do you see a common theme? Israelites asked for Freedom What were they asking for? No longer slaves But not “comfortable” Didn’t want to make effort Ready to head back

Corinthians Epitome of “Wanting cake…” Believers - Followers Unwilling to make sacrifice (work) Slightly different from Israelites Had instead of wanted Both unwilling to grow

Corinthians Vrs 11 reemphasizes example Reminder to us It’s all been seen before Vrs 12 predicting push back Everyone susceptible Moses and Aaron “Pride comes before the fall”

Verse 13 Thankfully doesn’t stop there Not just warning Common to Man Reminder “Not alone” One of the best lies “alone” God is Faithful Not doing it alone He wants to help (Matthew 7:7-10)

Verse 13 Not let you be tempted/Way of Escape Promised help Everything can be overcome Beyond your ability/Able to Endure Still requires effort God honors, blesses, strengthens and multiplies our efforts

Verse 13 Growth, Character building comes with Pain Like going to the Gym What is your “Red Sea” moment? What miracle led you to faith? Why are you sitting here this morning?

Conclusions What were you expecting from your “Freedom”? Struggles to disappear? Desiring comfort? We sell an easy Grace Holds us back instead of pushing us We don’t work for our salvation Asked to be his hands and feet To reflect Him, To do Miracles Examples