Learn from the Past

Week 9
Main Point and Overview:   

The Apostle Paul used himself as an example of disciplined maturity in chapter 9; now, he uses Israel as an example of spiritual immaturity to avoid. In fact, he wanted the Corinthians to see Israel as a warning, an example to them of what NOT TO DO! How many times have we repeated the same sinful mistakes of people from the past? In “real time,” we vowed never to be like them, only to later repeat the same immature behaviors?! The past can have the possibility of being one of our greatest educators if we allow it. For Israel, they were given supernatural and compassionate provisions. They experienced God at a level that 99.9% of people will never experience. When “things were good,” they worshipped and obeyed God, but as soon as any pressure or pushback came their way, they became rebellious and reactionary. God was not pleased, so he severely punished them. While we must never view God as an angry and abusive father, we should see him as a loving father who will discipline us when we sin. For the Corinthians, the issues were the same as in today’s church. We tend to choose pleasure over purpose, prosperity over our profession, and performance over participation. It becomes easy to forget the mission of God’s church while we make our journey of faith about our own comforts and conditions. The focus of Paul’s warnings had to do with avoiding idolatry. While it is not culturally relevant for the modern church to worship a “golden calf” like Israel once did, the pressures of idolatry that we face are just as strong. Before you know it, a disciple of Jesus can begin to worship his career, his “things,” his reputation, his wealth, his hobbies, etc. Before you know it, Jesus becomes a secondary priority in his life, and he has become just as guilty of idolatry as Israel once was. When this happens, pain is coming. That’s the warning! A couple of things that we need to realize: (1) We all have temptations that are capable of “shipwrecking” our lives. (2) We all have the Holy Spirit who is more powerful than those temptations. So, how are you learning from the past failures of others? God, in his grace, gives us examples of HOW TO NOT LIVE! It’s time that we heed those warnings before history repeats itself…punishing us!