Tag: 1st Corinthians 7-10
Powerful examples!
Scripture reading for November 24th: 1st Corinthians 7-10
I chose my life theme from going through Army officer’s leadership school. A key leadership principle that stuck with me was “Set the Example!” I was taught that one of the most powerful influences that a leader could have on others is their example. Jesus Christ modeled for us and his disciples by living a life centered on doing God’s will and serving others. The Bible records many examples that are not so good as well. Someone has said, “if you are not good for anything else, you can always be a bad example!”
In 1st Corinthians 10, Paul used some bad examples as warning for believers. Paul exhorted the Corinthians to remember the Israelites of the Old Testament. They had some great spiritual experiences with the Lord leading them by the cloud and fire and taking them through the Red Sea. They got to eat “manna” from heaven and drink water from the “Rock” for forty years while they wandered in the desert. They had God’s appointed leader, Moses, praying for them. However, God was not pleased with them! (1st Corinthians 10:1-5)
In spite of being supernaturally delivered by God from Egypt, many of them brought their idols with them! They were taught by God to be true to their wives, but many were sexually immoral as they worshiped these idols. Many grumbled against God and died from the bite of poisonous snakes and by the destroying angel of death. Their hearts were not right with God in spite of all the supernatural power that they witnessed. They thought they were right with God because of His blessings.
We should learn from their example. (1st Corinthians 10:8-10) America is a land of idols! Sports stars, entertainment figures, soap operas, movie stars, popular music stars and the like all serve as idols. We are sexually immoral and glorify sexual freedom that mocks God and His word because we are idolatrous!
Grumbling against God because of unbelief was also a characteristic of the Israelites. That grumbling kept them out of the land of promise and a whole generation died in the desert. These examples should drive us to Christ Jesus. He is our escape from sin, death and temptation. He is always faithful and delivers those who depend on Him!
Learning by example
Scripture reading for November 23rd: 1st Corinthians 7-10
I chose my life theme at Army officer’s leadership school. A key leadership principle that stuck with me was “Set the Example!” I was taught that one of the most powerful influences that a leader can have on others is their example. Jesus was a great model of this principle! The opposite can also true. It has been said: “If you are good for nothing else, you can always be a bad example!”
There were several things that Paul exhorted the Corinthians to learn from the example of the Israelites in the Old Testament. These people had great spiritual experiences with the Lord leading them. They got to eat “manna” from heaven and drink water from the “Rock” for forty years while they wandered in the desert. They had God’s appointed leader, Moses, praying for them. However, God was not pleased with them! (1st Corinthians 10:1-5)
In spite of the good example of God’s leadership and Moses’ prayers, many of them were sexually immoral as they worshiped idols from Egypt. Others grumbled against God or tested Him and died before reaching the promised land. Their actions indicated a lack of faith. They became examples for us of what not to do!
“Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. . ” (1st Corinthians 10:6-7a) America is a land of idols! Sports stars, movie stars, rock stars and government leaders all serve as idols for those without a true relationship with Christ. Our nation glorifies sexual freedom and immorality that mocks God and His word! We call stories filled with idolatry and immorality “entertainment” and many in the church support this by regularly partaking.
“We should not test the Lord, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.” (1st Corinthians 10:9) We challenge God by questioning His leadership and right to direct us. God’s goodness should never be questioned by His people.
“And do not grumble, as some of them did–and were killed by the destroying angel.” (1st Corinthians 10:10) Grumbling is a sin indicating unbelief in the heart. Grumbling is common today in our culture. It can be a besetting sin with church people. Grumbling kept the Isrealites out of the land of promised land and can do the same for us! Let’s wisely learn from these examples!
Learning By Example!
Scripture reading for November 24th: 1st Corinthians 7-10
I chose my life theme from going through Army officer’s leadership school. A key leadership principle that stuck with me was “Set the Example!” I was taught that one of the most powerful influences that a leader can have on others is their example. I find this to be biblical as well. Jesus Christ modeled for us and his disciples the way to live. He lived a life centered on doing God’s will and serving others. The Bible records many examples that are not so good as well. Someone has said, “if you are not good for anything else, you can always be a bad example!” In today’s reading the Apostle Paul reminds the church at Corinth of examples that should help them and us to live a blessed life.
In 1st Corinthians 10, Paul uses the bad examples as warning for us today. There were three main things that Paul exhorted the Corinthians to remember about the Israelites of the Old Testament. They had some great spiritual experiences with the Lord leading them by the cloud and fire and taking them through the Red Sea in a type of baptism. They got to eat “manna” from heaven and drink water from the “Rock” for forty years while they wandered in the desert. They had God’s appointed leader, Moses, praying for them. However, God was not pleased with them! (1st Corinthians 10:1-5)
In spite of being supernaturally delivered by God from idolatrous Egypt, many of them brought their idols with them! They were taught by God to be true to their wives and to Him, but many were sexually immoral as they worshiped these idols and lived in fleshly indulgence. Most grumbled against God and His provision and died from the bite of poisonous snakes and by the destroying angel of death that they had opened the door to. Their hearts were not right with God in spite of all the supernatural power that they witnessed. They thought they were alright with God because of God’s blessings. They became examples for us!
We should learn from their example. (1st Corinthians 10:8-10) They did not keep God first. Idolatry and sexual immorality always go hand in hand. America is a land of idols! Sports stars, entertainment figures, soap operas, movie stars, popular music stars and the like all serve as idols. We are sexually immoral and glorify sexual freedom that mocks God and His word because we are idolatrous! The church is even full of idolatrous behavior and sexual immorality!
Grumbling against God because of unbelief was also a characteristic of the Israelites. That grumbling kept them out of the land of promise and got a whole generation killed off in the desert. The destroying angel, Satan, killed them because of their greed, idolatry, and sexually perversion. These examples should warn us today and drive us to Christ Jesus. He is our escape from sin, death and temptation. He is always faithful and delivers those who depend on Him!