Israel’s Failures (1 Corinthians 10)

What can we learn from Old Testament Israel’s self-willed ways? Are we just as sinful?

1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

What spiritual lessons can the Exodus generation teach us? Is the word baptize always used literally in the Bible?

1 Corinthians 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

As Christians are baptized “into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), so the Exodus generation “into” [same word] Moses. Was this non-immersion experience also a “baptism” for both adults and children?

1 Corinthians 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

Their physical food was manna (Exodus 16:13), and something deeper was going on. The true bread of heaven (John 6:32) fed them, prefiguring communion and the bread of life. What did they drink?

1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Christ as God with us (Matthew 1:20-23) was also the Lord God of the Old Testament (John 1:1-3, 14). Why did many Israelites fail?

1 Corinthians 10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Only two of that generation were allowed to enter the promised land, Joshua and Caleb. What were some of their significant sins?

1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

1) Israel lusted, such as for the food they left behind in Egypt (Exodus 11; Numbers 11).

1 Corinthians 10:7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

2) Israel feasted and danced to idols such as the golden calf (Exodus 32).

1 Corinthians 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

3) Israel committed fornication for instance with the daughters of Moab (Numbers 25).

1 Corinthians 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

4) How could they have tempted or tried Christ, except that Christ was the Lord God of the Old Testament (Numbers 14:22).

1 Corinthians 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

5) Israel complained (Numbers 16), and murmuring is still a common sin in churches today.

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Christians who toss out the Old Testament are ignoring instructions like this. Apart from faith in Jesus, we are just as dead in our sins, and apart from the Holy Spirit, we are just as incapable of holy living as they.

1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

We can fall so easily into lust, idolatry, fornication, tempting God and complaining.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

With each temptation to sin, God provides a way out, so that we don’t have to just give in.

1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

One example of a way out is taking drastic action by fleeing. Rather than seeing how close we can get to sin, let’s see how far we can run.

1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

What are we to consider?

1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

The mystery of communion, because it contains physical elements, can be treated in an idolatrous manner. Yet, what are we partaking of?

1 Corinthians 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

How does this relate to the temple sacrifices?

1 Corinthians 10:18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

Some of the Old Testament sacrifices were taken as a communal meal.

1 Corinthians 10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

What really happens in idolatry?

1 Corinthians 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

Whereas communion involves fellowship with God, so idolatry is fellowship with demons.

1 Corinthians 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Worship of God can be the opposite of fleeing idolatry. Some unwise practices of later Christian tradition have actually moved believers dangerously closer to idolatry rather than further away.

1 Corinthians 10:22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

Do we really want to pick a fight with God?

1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

Because of personal sensitivities, or because weaker members can only handle milk of the word, it is not always necessary to serve strong meat.

1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth [good].

Seeking what is good for our neighbor is the essence of Christians love.

1 Corinthians 10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

How could this apply today? Let’s say we boycott a company because of unethical practices. Do we then boycott every company, because all sin? Perhaps it’s sometimes better not to ask too many questions.

1 Corinthians 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

At the end of the day, everything belongs to God.

1 Corinthians 10:27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience's sake.

Need Jewish Christians just not ask what kind of meat they have been served? Should vegetarians, vegans and healthy eaters just not worry so much about what is set before them?

1 Corinthians 10:28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

In cases of potential offense against the conscience of another it is better not to eat. The same might apply to clean and unclean meats, vegetarianism, alcohol consumption, drinking coffee, eating meat on Fridays, and so on.

1 Corinthians 10:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

We should consider the weak consciences of others. Our freedom in Christ might be misjudged by someone newer in the faith.

1 Corinthians 10:30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

Why expose yourself to potential gossip? It’s not worth it.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Remember that though we are free to partake of many things, wisdom might suggest abstaining, lest God be brought into disrepute.

1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

This is difficult advice to follow. We all offend at times. But let’s not do so unnecessarily.

1 Corinthians 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

More important than always eating what we desire are the souls of those observing us.

We fall into lust, idolatry, fornication, testing God and murmuring because we are thinking of self. There is a better way, even abstaining from things that might be legitimate, yet offend their consciences. The opposite of the sins of ancient Israel is thinking of others, and how we can show love to them.

Sermon: Baptisms

Intro 

Why are churches divided over the issue of baptism? Must we be literally immersed as some people claim? What about infant baptism? Is it just wrong? Are those who are baptized by the wrong method shut out from his kingdom? 

Goal 

Some churches have attacked those of us who baptize by sprinkling or pouring as being heretical, apostate, and shut out of the kingdom. This sermon will correct their error. 

Sermon Plan 

In this sermon, we will look at 1) different baptisms that are described in the Bible, 2) whether or not immersion was always the case and the only style for Christians, 3) how baptism by fire was on the head and an immersion, and then 4) we will look at whether or not infant baptism is biblically sound. 

     1. How Many Baptisms 

How many baptisms are there in the Bible? Mark 1:1-8 mentions a baptism of repentance, a baptism in the Jordan and a baptism of the Holy Spirit. Elsewhere we read of a baptism of fire, the baptism of water, the baptism of repentance also called the baptism of John, baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is also like a washing (Acts 22:16) and a death (Romans 6:3-4). Jesus’ death on the cross is referred to as a baptism (Mark 10:38). It is tied in with spiritual circumcision (Colossians 2:11-15). Israel was baptized into Moses (1 Corinthians 10:2-5). Even though we find so many baptisms described, Paul reminded the Ephesians that there is essentially only one baptism (Ephesians 4:6). All Christians are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27).

     2. Baptism is not Immersion ONLY 

When people say that the word baptism means only immersion, they are ignorant of the whole truth from the Bible. The Holy Scriptures use the word in other senses. It was used to mean wash in several places (Mark 7:4; Luke 11:38; Acts 22:16) and it described the passage of Israel through the Red Sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-4). Not all washing is a dipping, though that could be argued. However, the Israelites were not literally immersed in the Red Sea, but figuratively. According to the historic account they walked through with dry feet. They were baptized into Moses without being literally dipped or immersed in the water. So, biblical use of the word baptism reveals that it can be either immersion or some other use of water such as washing or a symbolic passage via water. 

     3. Baptized on the Head by Fire 

Bishops wear a miter hat remembering the tongues of fire resting on people’s heads at Pentecost (Acts 2). Some church fathers and John of Damascus described this as the baptism of fire predicted by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:1-12. That is why some churches also recognize a baptism of water on the head. If we accept that the children of Israel were baptized into Moses in a non-literal sense because they walked through dry shod, then the door is open for the word baptism to also have a non-literal meaning. Other baptisms with fire are perhaps an immersion experience. Early Christians suffered great persecution, which we call a trial by fire or baptism of fire. Also the unrepentant who choose hell over heaven will sadly be cast into a lake of fire possibly resulting in their total immersion. 

     4. Infant Baptism is Biblical 

Does Acts 2:38 demand that only someone old enough to believe can be baptized? Are churches that baptize infants wrong? An honest look at the very next verse would reveal that children are included in the promise that accompanies baptism. Another case study is much clearer about children being included in baptism. The entire families of ancient Israel were baptized into Moses in the Red Sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-4). On three separate occasions in the New Testament whole households were baptized (1 Corinthians 1:16; Acts 11:13-14; Acts 16:15, 31, 33). Logic dictates a high probability that at least one of those households contained a child. Baptism also pictures circumcision (Colossians 2:11-12) a ritual performed on infants and adults. Churches that include infant baptism with confirmation of faith later in life have reasonable biblical precedent. 

Outro 

There is no reason for division between churches over the issue of baptism. While the word baptism literally means immerse, it is not always used literally, even in the Bible. And as far as infant baptism is concerned, there is plenty of precedence for it in adults and children being baptized to Moses, circumcision (which pictures baptism) performed on adults and children and at least three cases in the New Testament where whole households were baptized. God is big enough to allow people baptized by immersion, sprinkling or pouring into his kingdom. If we are unnecessarily divided over the issue of baptism, how many other issues that divide us are just plain silly? Many!