Our text this morning will be 1Corinthians 10:1-6 Context is always critical to proper understanding, and therefore, proper application of God’s Word. In this case, Paul has previously endeavored to show that while certain activities (like the eating of meat sacrificed to an idol) may be indeed be an acceptable liberty in Christ, care must be taken lest it cause others to stumble, cf. 8:7-9. He then uses himself as an example to demonstrate that one must sometimes deny self that which is otherwise acceptable for the benefit of others, chp.9. It is in this context of the essentiality of self-denial for the benefit of others, and to avoid becoming personally disqualified for the lack thereof, that we find our text.

The Example of Israel to the Corinthians and Us The Commonality of the Example (which shows applicability), vv.1-4:  All were under the cloud, v.1a- a reference to being under the common leadership of God, cf. Ex.13:21;  All passed through the sea, v.1b- had the same challenge to their faith, cf. Ex.14:10-15, 30-31;  All were baptized unto Moses, v.2- their immersion in the cloud and sea saved them by committing them to Moses as their leader just as baptism by the water and the Spirit commits Christians to Christ: both became savior and law- giver to their respective followers, cf. John 3:5 and 1:17.  All ate the same spiritual food, v.3- the spiritual part of this food was its origin, not its content; manna was sent by God from heaven for their sustenance, cf. Ex.16.  All drank the same spiritual drink, v.4- their water of life came from the Rock that was Jesus Christ in a metaphorical sense, cf. Ex.17:6 > John 4:10-14.

The Example of Israel to the Corinthians and Us The Point of the Example, v.5:  Despite having: The common leadership of God, The common salvation (baptism/birth) through obedience to God’s appointed leader, The common food of God’s provision, and The common drink through Christ’s provision,  “Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.”  Their common leadership by, salvation in, commitment to, and provision from God did not prevent their disobedience- and subsequently, their rejection and destruction by Him. Now….

The Example of Israel to the Corinthians and Us What do you think this was supposed to mean to:  The factious and divided, 1Cor.1:11?  The carnally/fleshly-minded, 1Cor.3:1ff?  Those who go beyond what is written, 1Cor.4:6?  The arrogant who willingly fellowship sin, 1Cor.5:1-13?  Those who go to law with their brethren, 1Cor.6:1-8?  Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers, 1Cor.6:9-10?  Those who assume that they can eat/drink/do anything without worry because they belong to God, 1Cor.8-9,11?

The Example of Israel to the Corinthians and Us What do you think this was supposed to mean to us?  That we can divide the body of Christ into as many denominations/divisions as we wish? 1Cor.1:10  That we can turn the spiritual Church of Christ into something which fulfills all our physical desires for secular education, entertainment, and social interaction? 1Cor.3:16-17  That we can do away with biblical authority in faith and practice? 1Cor.4:6 >  That we can accept into fellowship those whom God rejects? 1Cor.5:9-13  That we can do what we want because we have been saved in Christ? 1Cor.8:12 You just cannot legitimately get such from 1Cor.10:1-6!

The Example of Israel to the Corinthians and Us Conclusions:  If most of God’s people, Israel, could be lost in the wilderness despite their common salvation in, experiences with, and provision by, God- SO CAN WE!  If some of God’s people, the Corinthians, were so warned by the example of Israel against losing their salvation- WE NEED TO HEED THE WARNING ALSO!  If you need to come to God for salvation, or need to come back to God lest you lose eternally what once was yours in promise, HEED THE WARNING OF ISRAEL given to the Corinthians and Us!