Sunday, May 13, 2012

Since God Takes Idolatry Seriously, Shouldn't We?

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

1 Corinthians 10:1-22[1] 

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, May 13th, 2012

Ever have those teachers or professors who drop hints like, "You'll wanna write this down", or, "You might wanna review this section of chapter 6"? I appreciate those who will be more blunt and say, "This will be on the test." Since God had written down for us how dealt with Israel in the wilderness, we were supposed to be watching. There will be a test, so please – remember this. Why do I say that? Well, the book of Exodus is inspired by God, and was written and reserved for each generation, including ours. In the subsequent historical books the stories of the Exodus come up again and again. In the Psalms we read of the Exodus in Psalms 95, 98, 105, 106, 135, and 136 remind us of God's faithfulness to Israel in Egypt and in the desert. The prophets continually refer back to it – even Stephen in Acts 7 gave the rundown again! When it's that big of a theme in the Old Testament, and when it's repeated that often, we should know – it will be on the test. Let me say that we should read the Old Testament to learn at least two things, basic things, and critical things: the character of God and the character of man. Neither has changed. God is faithful and man is unfaithful. God is holy and man is sinful. God initiates with grace and provision, man mostly disdains and ignores God's good grace. Then when God judges such sinful men, people read it as God being harsh, or mean.

Astounding.

Today we're going to see Paul take the Corinthian church back to the stories of the Old Testament and remind them this simple truth: "Since God Takes Idolatry Seriously, Shouldn't We?" We're going to read verses 1-22 a bit at a time and I'll talk my way through it. Before we do this, let's go to our Father in prayer.

V 1-5, Remember the Ratio: All/Most.

1 For I want you to know, 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, [Ex 13-14]

3 and all ate the same spiritual food, [Ex 16]

4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. [Ex 17, Num 20] 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. [Num 14:22-23, 26:2, 64-65]

Couple of notes here: baptism is used in this context as a metaphor of identity: they were rescued by God and led by Moses. When Paul writes, "I want you to know", it's a focusing statement. Pay attention, listen – sit up and hear what I'm saying, Corinthians! He wrote to people who were arrogant, idolatrous, immoral, and touting their freedom over the consideration of other believers. So what did he want them to know? He wanted them to think about a people who had been arrogant, idolatrous, and inconsiderate of other believers, immoral, and idolatrous. These people had everything they needed (manna, quail, water), and yet constantly grumbled about what they did not have. So Paul says, "Remember the ratio: all came out of Egypt, not all went into the Promised Land." "All" is used five times, and "most" is used once.

All were identified as believers with Moses. Near God (cloud), baptized (identified as God's people).

All ate the manna that God miraculously provided food morning after morning.

All drank the water from the Rock. (Paul probably referred to a rabbinic tradition that the rock followed Israel) Paul calls the rock "Christ", showing that Jesus was providing for Israel even then!

Most died in the desert. Paul wanted them to consider that many who were called "Israel" did not see the Promised Land. It was because of their sin against God that they were "overthrown in the wilderness."

Let me put it this way; these people all had the same religious experiences, but many did not really believe in God for salvation; not with a faith that led to obedience. Should we not consider such truth today? I think we should!

V 6-12 Remember the Wrath: God destroys sinners.

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.

It is a consistent human trait – a failed one, let me be clear – to think that we can get away with things. From watching children do silly things (eat forbidden cookies, put things in the toilet) to watching adults do profoundly ridiculous things, we generally think we won't pay for our sins. We can outsmart our parents, the cops, the IRS, our boss, our spouses, and God. God led them out and was with them the entire time – how preposterous to think that He wouldn't see, or seeing their folly, wouldn't act! But brothers and sisters, do we not completely replicate their stupidity? Yes! Paul focuses on four sins here; idolatry, sexual immorality, impatience, and complaining. Paul says, 'Corinth, read the first five books of the Bible – you didn't invent these sins, and you don't get away with them!' God is not blind and God is not deaf; God does not overlook sin, God destroys those who sin. I want you to know.

V 13 Remember the Way Out: God helps weaklings.

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.

You're not the first to be tempted and you're not the first to need God's mercy and grace. Just as God provided a way out of bondage to Egypt, just as God provided what Israel needed when they needed it every time they needed it, so God can provide for you as well. This is a promise that isn't greatly harmed when taken out of context in a stand-alone way. "Even when Christians face morally confusing situations, they should never think that they have no options other than sinful ones. There will always be a morally right solution that does not require disobedience to any of God's moral laws."[2] This promise is an excellent reminder! We aren't uniquely tempted by such sin, and God is consistently faithful to help. So cry out to him – call for help!

V 14- 22 Remember the Holiness, and Run: from God to Christ.

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? [Priests and those who brought the sacrifice].

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?

Paul comes back to the central thought of the conversation all the way back to 8:1; "14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." Can we eat food sacrificed to idols? You can, but is it wise? Not really. God despises being identified with or compared to any other so-called god or idol. This is central to the Old Testament, to God's character. He is a jealous God: he wants our faithful, singular worship as the faithful, singular God of all. Folks, it's not God and other gods, Christianity and other ways. It is God through Christ or it is NOT. Can you fathom how God must hate hearing foolish, so-called believers say despicable things like, "Well, all roads lead to God", or, "Any representation of religion you choose to pursue is good – they're all the same god". Consider God's wrath against idolatry when you hear such statements.

Church family, - since God Takes Idolatry Seriously, Shouldn't We?

If we do, we will take the following steps.

Remember the Ratio: All/Most. All were there, most were slain in the wilderness.

Remember the wrath. Our God killed thousands at a time for idolatry, sexual immorality, impatience, and complaining.

Remember the way out. Look for it, seek it, and believe God provides it! He is indeed faithful, believers!

Remember the holiness. Run from God to Christ. God is never to be associated or compared with any idol or demon.

We will remember because we read.

We will remember because we consider as we read.

We will learn of God's character and of man's character.

We will fear the Lord and turn from evil (theme of all the wisdom literature).

And Lord willing, we will desire holiness more than freedom and rights.

Let's pray.



[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

[2] Excellent line from the ESV Study Bible notes on 1 Cor 10:13

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Eyes On The Prize

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, May 6th, 2012

1 Corinthians 9:24-27[1]  

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Context is king. Paul was in a conversation about not eating food sacrificed to idols if it causes your weaker brother to stumble. 8:1 "Now concerning food offered to idols". Beginning in chapter 9 he lays out his example of living this way, which he makes plain in verse 15. "But I have made no use of any of these rights". You give up some things if necessary to advance the gospel. Now he is coming back around to the Corinthians' laying down of their rights and/or freedoms to advance the gospel and bless the weaker brothers and sisters in the church family.

This text isn't about being a godly athlete. If you wanna make that application as you play soccer you are free to, but know this – that's not the message of the passage.

This text isn't about 'taming the temple'. Paul wasn't writing this as a motivational tool to change how you look in the mirror, or to fight through the gravity pull of the 40s. Sure, self-discipline in eating and exercising are good, but that is not the point of the text. Running in such a way as to obtain the prize – Christ, gospel growth, and Christian love. That is the context of this passage. Let's walk through it by the key phrases today…

Do you not know? Rhetorical – they knew.

When Paul wrote these words to the Corinthian Christians, they all knew about the games. The Olympic games took place in Greece every four years without interruption from 776 BC until the Emperor Theodosius suppressed them in AD 393. That's 1,169 years. Everyone knew about the games[2]. Between those games were the biennial Isthmian Games, which took place there in Corinth, and had for centuries. He could talk games, running, boxing, and wrestling with these folks because it was a huge part of the culture.

So run that you may obtain it. This is the command to the Corinthian church from this passage – run in such a way that you obtain the prize. It's not enough to participate, not enough to just get a jersey and sit on the bench – you are in to win.

You need to discipline yourselves to advance gospel growth and Christian love. You lay down freedoms and rights here and now to gain rewards in heaven then.

I don't train for aimlessly; I have a purpose, a motive. He goes back to a personal example. Here is what Paul knew: there is a lasting reward! Paul had a prize in view in his mind – he ran toward something; he ran for something, not just to run. He ran to win, not just to participate – forget all that, 'how you play the game' mess, he wanted to be first on race day.

I discipline my body, he said. Those who compete in such games can't afford to let their body tell them what to do; they tell it what to do. When the body wants to stay up they go to sleep. When the body wants to stay in bed they get up. When the body wants ice cream and donuts they feed it a balanced, healthy meal. An athlete has to lead his body, not follow it.[3] They body must be subject to the will in order to win. Paul said, in context…

"I discipline my body" to become a slave to all out of love for all to bring the gospel to all to see God save some and to share in the benefit of it with them.

"I discipline my body" to walk hundreds of miles to tell people about Christ and start churches because hell is ferociously, eternally real.

"I discipline my body" by keeping my eyes on the prize, not on the discipline.

"I discipline my body" because what I want is worth more than what I have.

"I discipline my body" because it represents the indwelling sin that wants to destroy our love for Christ and lock our eyes on temporal earthy prizes alone.

"I discipline my body" to serve Christ who disciplined his body to suffer and die for rebellious ingrates like me.

"I discipline my body" to look to Christ and His glory, just as He looked beyond the cross to His glory as the prize – and sustained Himself through His suffering.

"I discipline my body" to become a slave to all out of love for all to bring the gospel to all to see God save some and to share in the benefit of it with them.

Lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. I believe the context would show that Paul doesn't mean disqualified from eternal life, but from the rewards given for faithful, selfless service to Christ. Disqualified for salvation isn't really a possibility – because no one has ever been qualified! The KJV uses the word 'castaway' here, and that's a terrible translation. The word is qualified or approved with a prefix making it a negative. In the context of his illustration one would be unable to race because one didn't follow the rules of the contest. Let me show you some other thoughts on rewards from the same book that supports my contention…

1 Cor 3:12-15 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Paul simply acknowledges the fight we all face. Many believers begin their walk with zeal and fervor, but unfortunately settle into a life of lazy Christianity. They have what it takes, but they no longer want to pay the price required to be fruitful for Christ.

That is not to say that we shouldn't examine ourselves (2 Cor 13:5) to verify that our faith is genuine – we all should! And we should fight not to let the disobedience, sin, or failures of other believers pull us away from faith in Christ. Their sin, just like yours, only proves the gospel true – we are wrecked, and need a Savior! Also, we can't let the wisdom of God in answering our prayers – as HE knows best – discourage us from faith; we must trust His wisdom, and hold fast to His goodness.

How about you, believer – is your fervor for Christ failing? Are you more focused on the temporal wreath than the eternal prize?

So 1 Corinthians 9 asks us this:

·      Would you lay down your rights in order to serve and sanctify those around you?

·      Would you change your life to reach others with the gospel?

·      Will you discipline yourself to obtain the prize – gospel growth and Christian love?

Brothers and sisters, are you running in such a way as to obtain the prize – Christ, gospel growth, and Christian love?

You will if you keep your eyes on the prize – the eternal reward of Jesus and His glory.
Let's pray that the Holy Spirit will mercifully convict us of specific sin, and direct us to obedience in Christ.



[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

[2] From John Piper's sermon on 1 Cor 9:24-27, Olympic Spirituality, Part 1. Accessed via www.desiringgod.org/resourcelibrary/sermons, available for free.

[3] Great thought from John MacArthur in his New Testament Commentary: 1 Corinthians. Published by Moody Press, Chicago. Copyright © 1984 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

What Will You Do for the Sake of the Gospel?

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, April 29th, 2012

1 Corinthians 9:19-23[1]  

Last week I was making the point that the poor give more than the rich. This is proven in several studies. UC Berkeley in 2010 found that poor gave more[2]. Independent Sector, a nonprofit organization focused on charitable giving, found that households earning less than $25,000 a year gave away an average of 4.2 percent of their incomes; those with earnings of more than $75,000 gave away 2.7 percent[3].

But my story of a rich man who left the church and did not affect the giving was unbalanced. I left it sounding like they didn't give at all; that is not true. They didn't evidently give regularly to the church, but they gave generously to people in other ways. I left it sounding like 'wealthy people don't give regularly'. Many wealthy people do give faithfully to God. It was an unbalanced illustration, and I apologize for that, and trust you'll forgive me.

Today we're back in 1 Corinthians 9, and your bulletin says we'll cover verses 19-27, but my notes say we'll only get through verse 23 today. Let's read that passage…

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.

21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.

22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

(Prayer)

What Will You Do for the Sake of the Gospel? What will love drive you to do in order to save others?

1 Corinthians 9 is in the middle of three chapters Paul writes about food offered to idols, and causing your brother to stumble. This entire chapter is a 'take me, for instance'.

Verses 19-23 Describes Paul's call and motive to cross-cultural missions. He set out to reach those who weren't like him. To become: to begin to be, come into existence, to receive being. Also: to arise, to appear in history. To become like them meant to, as John Piper put it, "adapt as much as he can in non-sinful ways".[4] When you go to the Wano tribe you learn their language and their customs in order to translate the Bible and share the gospel with them. You don't kill women whose families got sick because you think she might have a demon. When you go to the people of Guinea you learn their language and customs and you fit in as much as possible so as to not un-necessarily give offense to them. If they play soccer, you play soccer and cheer with them for their team. But you don't dress immodestly just because they do. When Paul writes, "I have become all things to all men" he doesn't mean that he transgressed God's holiness to do God's work. You adapt as much as possible in non-sinful ways.

Now in Paul's 'becoming' or adapting, the law was mentioned three times…

He became like those under the law. It is likely he wore his Pharisee robes into synagogues.

He became like those not under the law. He ate with Gentiles without asking was it pork. We know he ate with them from Galatians 2. We know he discoursed with Jews in Athens in their style of public discourse.

He was under the law of Christ. Here is what guided and even motivated his 'becoming' – the law of Christ. What law is that, you ask? It is a good question. Let's call it a command…

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Gal 5:13-14 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Gal 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

The law of Christ is love. Love for your fellow man moves you to adapt in order to reach. So in the context of the subject, Paul was free from all to become a slave to all out of love for all to bring the gospel to all. Love for his fellow man was the first motive implied. The second motive was clear… "23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."

He adapted to win and to save. Win them to what, or to who? To Christ, the Messiah, Anointed One! To God who alone is Love, and who gives grace, pardon, adoption, and redemption through His Son Jesus! To win them to God and from sin!

Save them from what? Let's read what he wrote in other places…

Rom 5:9. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

1 Thess 1:9b-10 how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Let me say again today – have you considered the wrath of God, the punishment of eternal penalty of hell? Paul went to people because he firmly believed in God's wrath, His righteous indignation against the insolent rebellion of man.

He adapted to share in gospel blessings. He did it 'all for the sake of the gospel'. He was motivated by love for them, love for the gospel, and a strong desire to persevere to the end of his obedience to Christ. In 2 Tim 2:10 he wrote, "Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." Paul was free from all to become a slave to all out of love for all to bring the gospel to all to see God save some and to share in the benefit of it with them.

My brothers and sisters, What Will You Do for the Sake of the Gospel? What will love drive you to do in order to save others?

Love has driven some in this church to leave their comfort and go to unreached people with the gospel. Todd Hansen is in Mongolia right now sharing Christ with fellow teachers and students. The Von Ruedens are in Guinea to translate the Bible for a people group. Are you using your gift to build up the body? Are your freedoms being laid down to serve others? Christ certainly laid His freedom down to give you life. Let us pray.

 



[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

[4] A phrase John Piper used in his 1996 sermon on 1 Cor 9:19-23. Accessed at www.desiringgod.org