1 Corinthians 10:5-11 “Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 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.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 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.”
Pastor Kyle continued that God gives us all the same examples, but it’s up to us to follow them. Every Christian has the same Bible which contains biblical teachings, statues and commands of God with multiple stories as examples for our understanding and application and following in life. Biblical examples are the very best way to learn a life lesson. Pastor believes that there are three main ways to learn a lesson in life. (1) Following the teachings of the Holy Scripture in the Bible – the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 tells us, “From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
The Old Testament Exodus Israelites had the epic miracles of God, yet fell back to flesh desires and Egyptian idols. Likewise, the Corinthian church had Christ, Savior and Lord, Light of the world and the Bread of Life, yet fell back to flesh desires and pagan idols. The lessons in the Bible remain so that people do not need to repeat those lessons. Christians today heave the indwelling Holy Spirit and the Word of God, yet in the sinful flesh and, unless walking in the Spirit, tend to sometimes have modern idols and we unwisely grumble at God when our emotions get the best of us; hopefully less and less as we grow and mature as Christ-following children of God. Biblical history is there to teach us and save us from deceptive distractions. Following God’s holy Word and the examples written for us therein is our best resource for learning and avoiding mistakes in life.
(2) The second way to learn a lesson is through the example of godly leaders or brethren who have gone before us successfully on this journey called “life”. There are people, who by trial and error along the path, have made the errors and taken the wrong side-trails so that we don’t need to in your life. Their wisdom and knowledge can be great teachers of life’s lessons for all of us to learn a great many things. (3) The third way to learn a lesson about life is the school of “hard knocks”. Learned people may say: “Don’t touch the oven, it’s very hot and you will burn yourself.” But, some people have to put their hands on the oven window to see for themselves. The Apostle is clear that he doesn’t want us to learn our life-lessons that way. Use the examples written in the Bible and use wise counsel, then believe, follow and implement them. People have gone before you, so that you don’t need to make these same mistakes.
Idolatry in 2022 A.D., probably doesn’t look like it did in the times of the Bible. Today it is less about false god worship and more about godless materialism, hedonism, celebrity worship. Luxury, popularity, trends, sensuality and entertainment are the idols of the day; worshipping distractions. One thing that is similar between then and now is that every society has had some kind of sexual immorality component to idolatry as a universal theme. The same Creator God of the Bible is calling all back to following His holy ways over our sinful ways; seeking His fulfillment over our fulfillment. God has been giving that same message, literally, for millennia and the same examples within the pages of the Bible continue to speak to today. It is up to us to follow the examples and teachings of the Word of God.
Let's continue Pastor Kyle's message on the immutable "sameness" of God in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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