1 Corinthians 10

Objectives

• The student will ask themselves if they have allowed their freedom as a Christian to allow sin to creep into their life.
• The student will ask themselves if there are any routines, activities that they need to consider giving up out of love for others.
• The student will commit to doing all for the glory of God.

Main Body

An Example of Israel

The Facts (v. 1-5)

• What great privileges did Israel enjoy as they left Egypt as discussed in verses 1-4?
  • They were guided by the very presence of God.
  • They witnessed the parting of the read sea.
  • They were able to sit under the leadership of one of the greatest spiritual leaders the world has ever known.
  • They were provided with sustenance from heaven.

There is actually an interesting reference in verse 4. The Jews had a legend that the actual rock Moses had struck followed them throughout the wilderness wanderings and continued to provide water for them. Paul emphasizes that it was the pre-incarnate Christ who provided for His people in the wilderness.

• Of all the people who left Egypt and wandered in the wilderness, how many of them managed to show enough obedience that God was pleased and allowed them to enter the promised land?
  • Only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the land (Numbers 14:29). Even the spiritual giant Moses was forbidden from entering the land (Numbers 20:12).
• What does this show us?
  • If even Moses could mess-up then we need to be careful that our actions please God. Israel had great privilege, but they still made devastating mistakes.

The Application (v. 6-11)

• What symptom of sin is discussed in verse 6?
  • Lusting after evil.

Sin rarely seems to capture someone by surprise. Instead sin begins in the heart and is realized later. We should not underestimate the power sin can have over us when we lust after that which is sinful. James 1:13-15 is a particularly strong statement that sin originates in the heart.

• What are some very real sinful areas that an individual might lust after?
• What four sins are discussed in verses 6-11?
  • Idolatry
  • Sexual Immorality
  • Testing God
  • Complaining

The Warning and Promise (v. 12-13)

• What warning is given in verse 12?
  • It is very easy to fall into sin. The Christian must be very careful to take heed of sin.
• What promise is made in verse 13?
  • God is faithful to protect us from temptations that we cannot, through His grace, overcome.

Explicit Prohibition

The Statement (v. 14-15)

• What does Paul call on the people to do?
  • Paul calls on the people to flee idolatry.

The Explanation (v. 16-22)

• What examples does Paul use as his argument?
  • Communion
  • Jewish temple sacrifices.

Paul's Conclusion

The Rule of Life (v. 23-24)

• What rule of life does Paul give in verses 23 and 24?
  • Just because it is legal does not make it acceptable. Edification and help for others should be our determining factor. In other words, you can be perfectly "legal" in your actions and completely wrong.

Applying the Rule of Life to a Specific Situation (v. 25-30)

• How does Paul apply the rule of life to the specific situation?
  • In short, ignorance is bliss. More seriously, the Christian did not need to go about ensuring that everything they ate had never been sacrificed to idols, but, if they found out that it had been sacrificed to idols the rule was simple, it was off-limits.

Closing

• We live in a culture that has rejected moral absolutes. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul not only gives a few absolutes (don't eat food that has been sacrificed to idols) he also establishes a rule of life. We are to let love govern our freedom in Christ. What does it look like when an individual fails to allow love to govern their freedom? What does it look like when an individual allows love to govern their freedom?
• What does it take to ensure that all we do is for the glory of God?
• Are their any areas of your life where you have allowed sin to creep in through the excuse of freedom?