THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITHFULNESS
1 Cor. 10:1-13
(Note: This sermon was originally in "Sermons for Saints and Sinners"
by Eugene Clevenger, but has been completely reworked by David Riggs
and John Cripps).
Intro.
A. Lessons on "The Importance of Faithfulness" are sorely needed
in the Lord's church today.
1. Many have obeyed the Gospel, but few are remaining
faithful. Matt. 24:12
2. In view of the danger and consequence of unfaithfulness, all
of us need to regularly examine ourselves regarding our
standing with the Lord.
B. In 1 Cor. 10:1-13, Paul gives strong warning and exhortation
for the Corinthian brethren to remain faithful.
1. He uses the example of the Israelites to show the
possibility and the results of unfaithfulness.
2. Let us examine Paul's words in 1 Cor. 10:1-13 verse by
verse.
I. THE BLESSINGS AND PRIVILEGES OF ISRAEL. Verses 1-4
A. God had abundantly blessed the children of Israel.
1. God delivered them from Egyptian bondage when He caused
them to pass through the Red Sea.
a. They had been slaves of cruel taskmasters for 430 years.
Gal. 3:17; Ex. 12:40
2. God permitted them to be baptized unto Moses by a
figurative baptism.
a. When the Israelites went down into the Red Sea, with
the water on either side and the cloud over them, they
were baptized unto Moses; that is, they were freed from
the Egyptians and were now under his leadership. Ex.
14:26-31
3. God gave them food and water in their wilderness
wanderings.
a. The supernatural food was manna.
b. On more than one occasion water was brought forth
miraculously.
4. God led them by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night
on their journey to the promised land. Ex. 13:21-22
5. That spiritual Rock which provided those blessings was
Christ. Verse 4b
B. The application to us today is obvious. God has abundantly
blessed those of us who are members of the body of Christ.
1. God has delivered us from the bondage of sin and the power
of darkness. Rom. 6:17-18; Col 1:12-14
a. The bondage to sin is far worse than the slavery the
Israelites experienced in Egypt.
2. God has permitted us to be baptized into Christ. Gal. 3:26-
27; Rom. 6:3-4
a. There is no greater honor than to be united with, and be
disciples of, the Son of God.
3. God spiritually sustains us by the Rock (Christ) who is the
Bread of Life. John 6:48-51
a. He is the Water of Life. John 4:13-14; 6:35b; 7:37
b. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6
4. God is leading us by His Word as we journey to that
heavenly Canaan where we shall be blessed and satisfied
forever.
5. The blessings of Israel were but a type of the greater
blessings which we enjoy in Christ. Eph. 1:3
C. In spite of the many blessings and privileges of the Children
of Israel, they were counted unworthy by their unfaithfulness.
II. THE UNFAITHFULNESS OF ISRAEL. Verses 5-10
A. In spite of God's blessings, Israel sinned and proved
themselves to be unfaithful even though they had often promised
allegiance. Josh. 24:21-24
1. Paul first lists the sin of lust which causes the people to
depart from the Lord. Verse 6
a. This reference is based on Num 11.
(1) The people were tired of manna and longed for the
land of Egypt with its fruits and meats. Num. 11:4-
6
b. God was highly displeased with them and punished them
with a great plague. Num. 11:33
2. Secondly, Paul lists the sin of idolatry. Verse 7
a. The reference here is to Exodus 32.
(1) Under the leadership of Aaron, as they waited for
Moses to come down from the Mountain, the
people built the golden calf and worshiped it.
b. God was sorely displeased with the people and their
attitude and 3,000 men were killed. Ex. 32:26-28
3. Thirdly, the sin of fornication is listed by Paul. Verse 8
a. The reference here is to Num. 25
(1) This is the incident of Israel's adultery with the
women of Moab and the idolatry that followed
this. Num. 25:1-5
b. God's righteous anger caused 23,000 people to be
struck down in one day. 1 Cor. 10:8
4. Fourthly, there is the sin of tempting the Lord. Verse 9
a. This reference is made to Num. 21.
(1) Once again the people of Israel tried God's
patience at Mt. Hor regarding their food and their
drink.
b. God in His displeasure sent fiery serpents to bite and
destroy the people. Num. 21:4-9
5. Fifthly, the sin of murmuring. Verse 10
a. One example of their murmuring is found in Num. 14.
(1) They heard the evil report from the ten spies and
murmured against God, Moses, and Aaron. Num.
14:3-4
b. God in His displeasure decreed that they would wander
around for 40 years and all those who where 20 years of
age and older would perish, except Joshua and Caleb.
Num. 14:26-32
B. Again, the lessons are obvious. In spite of the many blessings
that Christians receive today, some are falling into the very
same sins of the children of Israel.
1. Lust or evil desire is sinful and Christians must abstain
from it. 1 John 2:15-17 ; Rom. 12:2
a. Dancing, drinking, vulgar language, immodest dress,
and the immoralities which are so prevalent today, the
Christian is to abhor. 1 Pet. 2:11
2. Idolatry. When one puts anything above God, it is idolatry.
a. Thus, when we put our jobs, recreation, families, etc.,
before God, it is sin.
b. God desires that we put Him and His kingdom first.
Matt. 6:33
3. Fornication and Adultery are too often found in, and
tolerated by, the church.
a. Those immoralities should not be among us. Eph. 5:3-7
4. Children of God frequently tempt God by being discontent
with His dealings concerning them.
a. They tempt God by expecting Him to condone things
which are questionable and often contrary to His will.
b. They make demands of God when they pray to Him.
5. The sin of murmuring is the expression of discontent.
a. To grumble, to complain is as sinful today as it was
then.
b. Instead of complaining, we need to be rejoicing because
of our many blessings.
c. That old question is a good one, "Are you humbly
grateful, or are you grumbly hateful?"
C. Having seen the great privileges and the dangers concerning
unfaithfulness, Paul turns His writing to encouragement.
III. PAUL'S ENCOURAGEMENT TO BE FAITHFUL. Verses 11-13
A. Those things concerning the Israelites were written for our
admonition.
1. We need to learn from their mistakes.
2. They suffered bitter consequences as the result of their
unfaithfulness, and we serve the same awesome God today.
3. Notice that we are in the last age now. Verse 11b
a. In other words, what God has supplied for us (His
written admonition) is all that He will give.
b. There will not be another age or dispensation wherein
man might be given a second chance to be faithful to
God.
B. We need to take "heed lest we fall." Heb. 2:1
1. The Israelites did not take heed and they fell.
2. The admonition is for self-examination regarding our own
faithfulness. 2 Cor. 13:5; 2 Pet. 1:10; Heb. 3:7-19
3. Too many are resting on baptism, attendance, God's mercy,
satisfaction with the minimum requirements, and think they
are bound for the promised land.
C. Faithfulness is possible because all temptations are capable of
being withstood.
1. Our temptations are no worse than those of others - "Except
such as is common to man."
a. Our temptations might be strong; however, consider
Moses', David's, Paul's and Christ's.
2. Our temptations are controlled by God - "Who will not allow
you to be tempted beyond what you are able."
a. Our temptations may be very severe, but we can be
victorious over them.
b. Consider the example of Job and what he faced. Very
few people have had it as rough as Job, but he remained
faithful to God. Job 1:22; 2:5-10; James 5:11
3. Our temptations always have a way of escape - "With the
temptation will also make the way of escape."
a. If we want to escape it (overcome it), God will provide
a way for us.
b. From this verse (vs. 13), we have no excuse for our
guilt in yielding to any temptation.
Concl.
A. Brethren, faithfulness is possible and is vitally important and
necessary for our salvation.
B. Let us not fail as Israel did, but by the grace of God and the
strength of Christ, let us overcome the evil of this world and
replace it with good.
C. If Christ should come today, would He find us faithful and
ready?
1. Will He find you and me still watching and waiting?
2. Song: "Will Jesus Find Us Watching?"