INTRO: In the context of 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul has been talking about the problem of worship.  Chapters 8-10 will deal with the false worship of idolatry.  Chapter 11 will deal with proper worship in the local assembly.  In dealing with false worship, Paul had been talking about meat that was offered to the idols.  The Corithians Christians were saved out of paganism where idols were worshipped and meat was offered to the idols.  Meat offered to idols was offensive to some of the fellow Christians at Corinth.  Although Paul and other believers were free in Christ to eat meat that was offered to idols, it was best (expedient) not to do so and offend a weaker brother.  Using himself as a good example of freedom in Christ, Paul stresses in chapter nine that he was free in Christ as an apostle to charge for his ministry, but he would not do it, lest the ministry become an offense to the Jew, Gentile, believer, or unbeliever.  Paul maintained his freedom in Christ by not being bound to his own freedom!  The children of Israel (in chapter ten) are an example of a people who lost their freedom in Christ. They were given every provision for living a victorious life of faith.  They were 1) under the cloud; 2) they passed through the sea; 3) they baptised unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 4) they ate of the same spiritual meat; and 5) they drank of the same spiritual drink.  Christ was with them in the OT wilderness wanderings.  They lost their freedom in Christ, however, because they did not walk by faith. They sinned in five ways that brought death to the camp of Israel. I believe Paul is reminding his NT readers that these same sins today can bring death to the Christian. Let us be warned.

I. LUST, 10:6

OT Text: Numbers 11, Israel lusting for the things of Egypt

History: It probably did not take long for Israel to wish she had never left Egypt. She was tempted by all of the good things that she had in that land: things like fish, leaks, garlic, cucumbers, etc. The parallel for us is lusting after the things of the world.

No. Killed: a number killed, a very great plague (Num 11:33)

The Way Out: Learn to appreciate the manna. If the manna is a picture of the bread of life, the Word of God, learn to love God’s word. It is heavenly food as sweet as honey (Exo 16:31). Sometimes the Word of God can become so common place that it is like loathesome manna.  Don't let it get like this; keep it fresh.  There is much to say in the NT about lust, particularly in James.  The way out of lust is to sanctify yourself (Num 11:18). Separate yourself from lust and sin, and set yourself apart unto the holy Word of God.

II. IDOLATRY, 10:7

OT Text: Exodus 32, Israel worships the golden calf

History: Israel is warned about the potential for idolatry. However, she does not heed the warning and falls prey to this false worship. All the nations around her are idolatrous. If we do not watch it, we will fall prey to the gods of the nations around us.

No. Killed: 3,000 killed (Exo 32:27-28)

The Way Out: The way out of idolatry is to destroy the idol. Moses ground the golden calf to powder (Exo 32:20). Get the idol(s) out of your life. Consecration to the Lord is a must (Exo 32:29). Atonement is necessary to cover the sin of idolatry (Exo 32:30).

III. FORNICATION, 10:8

OT Text: Numbers 25, Israel committing whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

History: In this story the men of Israel fell for the daughters of Moab. Balaam just finished preaching against Moab. However, he was a false prophet and it is very possible that he convinced the men of Israel to compromise with the Moabite in an unholy alliance. The text tells us that they not only fell to the women of Moab, but they fell to worshipping their gods. Often idolatry leads to spiritual fornication. Physical fornication in turn will lead to idolatry.

No. Killed: 24,000 killed (Num 25:9). Paul evidently gives the numbers here because it is the largest group killed with one plague. The 1,000 difference may be because Paul is talking about 23,000 killed in one day. It may also be that 1,000 were already hanged by the judges of Israel (see Num 25:5).

The Way Out: The way to stop fornication is to break it off. Paul tells us to flee fornication (1Cor 6:18); avoid fornication (1Cor 7:2); and abstain from fornication (1Thess 4:3). The leaders in fornication were hanged (Exo 25:4). The practicers of fornication were slain (Exo 25:5). In a local church context, we must cut off the fornicator from fellowship (1Cor 5).

IV. TEMPTING CHRIST, 10:9

OT Text: Numbers 21:4-9, Israel bitten with fiery serpents

History: Paul is the only one that tells us that this story is a record of tempting Christ. In the previous verses (1Cor 10:1-4) Paul teaches us that Christ was with the OT Israelite. So, in tempting God, they were tempting Christ. In this story the people of Israel were discouraged; they spoke against God, and against Moses. They falsely accused God of bringing them into the wilderness to die. God sent fiery serpents to bite the people that they died.

No. Killed: much people of Israel died (Num 21:6)

The Way Out: Look and live. The direction away from tempting Christ is to trust Christ. He knows what he is doing; trust Him.

V. MURMURING, 10:10

OT Text: Numbers 16, Israel complains during Korah’s rebellion

History: Israel murmurs and complains many times throughout the wilderness wandering. She complained when there was no water (Exo 15:24; 17:3). She complained about the loathesome manna (Exo 16). She complained against Moses (Exo 16:2; Num 14:2), against the Lord (Exo 16:7-9), and against Aaron (Num 16:11). She moaned that the Lord hated her (Deu 1:27). God prophesies that they would die in the wilderness due to their murmuring (Num 14:2, 29).

No. Killed: 250 killed (16:35); 14,700 killed (16:49)

The Way Out: In order to miss the punishment of the murmur one must separate himself from them (Num 16:21). If murmuring has been your lot, make confession of your sin and atonement for your sin (16:46). Learn to praise the Lord and protect his man (chap. 17). And then remember the testimony of these OT folks in order to keep yourself from murmuring (17:10).

CONCLUSION: We must be warned that there are five sins that are worthy of death. We must stay away from them. And while we still live there is a way out.