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1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
1 Corinthians 10:1-22 ESV

I.SITTING DOWN WITH THE DEVIL (16-20)
A.Just like there was more to the Passover & Communion than a meal there was than a meal going on at pagan sacrifices.
B.At the center of all non-Judeo-Christian religions is demonic worship.

II.GOD’S GOODNESS TO ISREAL IN PAST & CHURCH NOW (1-4)
A.We should consider the way God operated with the Jews as His normative pattern.
B.Examples of God’s goodness to Israel
1.God made promises to Jews and & came to their rescue in Egypt. (Genesis 12:1-3)
2.God parted the Red Sea, protecting them from their enemies. (Exodus 14)
3.God was present with them wherever they went. (Exodus 13:21-22)
4.God sustained them by providing for their daily and spiritual needs. (Exodus 16-17)
C.If we belong to God through salvation in Christ, we have had the same experience as the ancient Jews with God.

III. GOD’S EARTHLY DISCIPLINE FOR SIN, THEN & NOW (5-14)
A.The people of Israel took God’s goodness for granted & suffered the earthly consequences & so will we if we do the same.
B.Examples of Israel’s flirtation with sin & presumption upon God’s grace:
1.The golden calf (Exodus 32)
2.Orgies with Moabite prostitutes (Numbers 25)
3.Constant complaining and never being satisfied with God. (Numbers 16-17, 20:2-13, 21:4-9)

IV.MISSING OUT ON GOD’S BEST FOR SIN NOW
A.The Israelites missed out on enjoying the fullness of what God had in store for them on the earth.
B.We don’t believe God has what is best for us, so we choose what we think is better for us, mainly idols.

V. THE SECRET TO OVERCOMING SIN (12-13, 20-22)
A. 4 things to remember about our sin:
1. We should never get cocky when it comes to sin.
2. Our temptation to sin is a common.
3. We should never think we can’t overcome sin and temptation by the power of God.
4. Never forget that sin and God are incompatible.

NEXT STEP
1.Be killing sin or it will kill you. (Colossians 3:5-6, Romans 8:12-13)

Next Week:
Glory of God in All of Life 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1