Message: In 1 Corinthians 10 Paul was talking to the church of Corinth
about some of the stories we just finished reading in Numbers. The children of
Israel followed God by a cloud and he fulfilled their needs when they drank
water from the rock. Even though they followed like this 23,000 were struck
down because of their unfaithfulness. Paul was warning the church not to
partake in sexual immorality because we can’t drink from the rock of Jesus and
also the cup of satan at the same time.
Command: Obey out of maturity, not because there are rules
holding us in place.
Promise: When we choose obedience out of
maturity we deepen our relationship with God.
Warning: “Everything is permissible but not
everything is beneficial.”
Application: Further along Paul acknowledged that
everything is permissible but everything is not beneficial. This doesn’t mean
that it’s ok to do what we want. It just means we no longer have the law to
hold us accountable. We have a conscience that guides us to choose right for
the benefit of ourselves and others instead of a fear of the consequences of
the law. This is maturity just like giving up our rights. We choose well
because we can’t drink from both cups and maintain a real relationship with
God. It’s permissible for me to eat whatever junk food I want. There is no law
against it, but my maturity advises me to make healthy choices because there
are consequences to poor diet choices.
