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?"