2. Introduction 1 Corinthians 10:13 is a “refrigerator verse”:
It should always be before us reminding us: 2 Pet. 3:1
I used to carry it in my pocket on a laminated card: Deut. 11:18-21
Consider the context of 1 Corinthians 10:13:
The last part of chapter 9 (vv ) addresses our need to “be temperate in all things” that we might receive the “imperi-shable crown.”
To achieve this goal, we must “run…not with uncertainty” and “fight…not as one who beats the air.”

3. Introduction Consider the context of 1 Corinthians 10:13:
Chapter 10 opens by giving several notable examples of Israel’s failure to be faithful: 1 Cor. 10:1-11
In 10:6 Paul admonishes us these incidents are “examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted…”
In 10:11 Paul again reminds us these things “happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”
In 10:12 Paul issues another key warning: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

4. Introduction 1 Corinthians 10:13: Two-edged sword:
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Two-edged sword:
Edge #1: Negative since it tells us we are responsible when we sin! Jas. 1:13-14
Edge #2: Positive since God guarantees faithfulness is not impossible! It’s not too hard! God guarantees it’s not! 2 Chr. 16:9

5. God Is Faithful 1 Corinthians 10:13

6. 1. God is no respecter of persons
God does not single you and me out regarding temptation.
Guarantees we will only experience what is common to all.
Nothing “over the top” will come our way.
Paul guarantees: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man…”
All are subject to the 3 avenues of temptation: 1 Jn. 2:16
But, we will never experience what no one else does.
But, we will never experience to a greater degree than others.
So, never consider ‘throwing in the towel’ because “I’m being tempted more than others!”
God Is Faithful

7. 1. God is no respecter of persons
Let us take great comfort in the truth that: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man…”
Requires great faith on our part: Jas. 1:2-3; 1 Pet. 1:6-9
Requires conscious effort and preparation on our part: Eph. 6:12-13; 1 Pet. 5:8-9
God is up to the task IF we do our part! 2 Pet. 2:9
God Is Faithful

8. 2. God is faithful
The centerpiece of 1 Corinthians 10:13 is the faithfulness of God: Deut. 7:9; Psa. 36:5; 119:90
We’ve all been let down by someone we trusted.
Don’t worry about it with God! Psa. 100:5; 146:6; 2 Cor. 1:20
When God makes a promise you can “take it to the bank”!
This great attribute of God is stated throughout Scripture: “Great is Your faithfulness!” Lam. 3:23; Titus 1:2; Psa. 89:33
The only thing in doubt is my faith: 2 Tim. 1:13; 2 Thess. 3:3
The Lord’s part of the deal is not in question, only mine: Eph. 3:20; Heb. 10:23
God Is Faithful

9. 3. God is in control What wonderful guarantees!
God does not tempt us to sin: Jas. 1:13-15
God is greater than the tempter: 1 Jn. 4:4
God limited Satan’s power regarding Job: Job 1:11-12; 2:5-6
Our great High Priest has destroyed Satan’s power! Gen 3:15; Heb. 2:14-15
Doesn’t mean Satan is powerless; it means he is powerless over the faithful: 2 Sam. 2:9; Jas. 4:7
Once again, God’s promises of 1 Corinthians 10:13 requires our faithfulness: Jas. 4:7; 2 Pet. 2:9; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; 2 Pet. 1:10
God Is Faithful

10. 4. God knows our limits God knows exactly what you and I can endure.
This was vividly demonstrated in Paul’s life: 2 Cor. 12:7-10
Paul didn’t quit or blame God; he understood God’s intended purposes: Jas. 1:2-3; Heb. 12:5-11
That’s why Paul confidently said: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” : 2 Cor. 12:10
We too can have the same confidence when we face great trials and temptations by imitating Paul! 1 Cor. 11:1
God Is Faithful

11. 5. God is our deliverer
God is faithful not allowing us to be tempted beyond what we can endure; but He also provides the means of deliverance!
God is the great Deliverer: Psa. 18:2
Noah: Gen. 6-8
Lot: Gen. 19
Israel from Egypt: Ex. 3:8
Jews from Babylon: Ezra
David from Saul: 1 Sam. 19
Fiery furnace: Dan. 3
Lion’s den: Dan. 6
Haman’s plot: Esther 3-7
Therefore, we should have complete faith and confidence He “knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations” : 2 Pet. 2:9
God Is Faithful

12. 5. God is our deliverer
God provides the “way of escape” for every temptation, but we must be willing to take it.
Noah had to build the ark, etc.: Gen. 6-8
Lot had to flee Sodom: Gen. 19
Joseph had to flee Potiphar’s wife: Gen. 39:12
Children of Israel had to walk out of Egypt: Ex. 12
Children of Israel had to cross the Red Sea: Ex. 14:15
Jews had to defend themselves from Haman’s plot: Est. 8:11
Therefore, we have to summon the courage and faith to take the way of escape God so faithfully provides! Ex. 14:15
God Is Faithful

13. Conclusion We serve a great God!
His promises are great AND sure.
He promises you and me we won’t suffer any tempta-tion others are not called on to bear.
He promises you and me we won’t be tempted beyond our ability to endure.
He promises to faithfully provide you and me with a means of escaping every temptation we face.
The only issue in doubt is: Do I have enough faith in His promises to ACT?!
Do you?

14. Does the Lord delight in your heart?
1. Broken heart: Psa. 51:16-17
For many years I was naïve about teaching people the gospel:
Does the Lord delight in your heart?
“receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls”
—James 1:21
It is just a matter of the right “presentation.”
It just requires a bit of “massaging the message.”
People are impervious to the gospel if their heart is not broken! Rom. 1:16-17
Jesus told us this in the beatitudes: Matt. 5:3-5
Jesus told us this in the parable of the ‘sower and the seed’: Lk. 8:11-15
God has always required a broken heart: Isa. 66:2
God Is Faithful