A Way of Escape (1 Cor. 10:1-13)

A Way of Escape

1 Cor 10:1 – 13

Connection/Tension

Like so many of you who have significant others, my wife and I fight in patterns- it often looks the same way even way and it’s often about the same stuff. I can feel it coming on; I can feel my emotions rising; I can feel myself about to do or say something hurtful before I do. Sometimes it feels inevitable that I respond that way in those situations, but is it?

I think what I just described can capture how a lot of us feel about our most entrenched sins. There are times where they feel inevitable. But are they? And if they are not, and continuing to commit them puts us in grave spiritual danger, What’s the way out? We should want to know, shouldn’t we?

Context

Pastor Sam taught last week about the conflict there is between the desires of our bodies and God’s purposes for us (9:27). Elsewhere in his writing, Paul uses the language of “body” to describe the corrupt spiritual desires we all inherit (Rom 8:13).

God created a world of peace- peace between God and man, peace between man and man, and peace between man and himself or herself. Yet, since evil entered the world, that peace has broken. Now, we experience conflict with God, with one another, and tragically, even our own selves. On this side of Eden, parts of our own selves are not even trustworthy, are not even safe.

On this side of Eden, we live in a dangerous world, and even our own selves can be a threat to our spiritual survival. In our journey to get safely home to God, we have much to beware of.

Does that sound burdensome or alarming to anyone? The good news this morning is that Paul wants to show us a way of safety and life in the midst danger and death. Our God has made a way for his people- a way we need to take.

Are you not yet a follower of Jesus? One of the first steps towards becoming his follower is waking up to the spiritual danger each of us are in. When we see the reality of our situation, his good offer of escape becomes appealing to us and motivates us to surrender and follow him.

Let’s hop into the text and see for ourselves,

For I do not want you to be unaware, 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, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

·       “for” = Paul unpacking v. 27 (his body is a threat to him). Story to lead Corinth to safety.

·       Tells story about leaving Egypt = “Fathers” strange! One story = continues in Christ/people

·       More, God works in patterns. How God acted past creates expectations for future[1] (relevant)

·       Tells in shorthand: cloud = presence; passed through sea = rescue; baptized = leadership of great man (like Jesus); “spiritual” food/drink = provision from heaven. This is our life (Moyter)

·       No longer vast, supernatural events outside, but transformation within (which is better!)

·       Then gets even stranger. “Rock = Christ.” Anyone confused?  Review: Moses brings forth water from rock 2x (beginning + End). Ex 32, rock = God. Person of Christ at work to rescue people (concealed old; revealed new). Why important? Not just unified, but all leads Jesus!

·       Predictions point to Jesus, so do pictures! All to know him. We have better (ex: communion)

·       Yet, Paul wants to warn! Israel was in grave danger and wants to see same/different result

5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 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.

·       Tragically, defeated (bodies thrown). Socking b/c great victory over Pharoah (army strewn).

·       What happened? Egypt (bondage) à Wilderness (danger) à Home (safety). Not home yet.

·       Four different stories of failure and death in the wilderness wanderings (mostly numbers).

·       Wilderness dangerous? Dangerous beasts (rep spiritual evil). In beginning, serpent from “field” attacks. Jesus confronts same spiritual power. Literally attacked by serpents!

·       Danger greater than Pharoah! The enemy is within (“not desire evil”). Since first parents, evil within us, inclination to make deadly choices for ourselves + others.

·       They left slavery in Egypt, but were still in slavery (evidenced by death). Temptations probably felt inevitable at times like ours today (threatens to kill us today as well).

·       We are not safely home yet. We live in the wilderness of the world that’s groaning for Jesus to come back. Our hearts are partially renewed… and partially a wilderness.

·       God said to Cain? Sin crouching at door… Do you have healthy fear of the danger you are in? “Doesn’t want to be “unaware” =  healthy fear keeps us spiritually safe (just as healthy fear of motorcycles; wild animals; violent criminals etc. keeps us safe in our world).

·       Other perspective (relevant when “escape”): Wilderness people not trying to be evil. Trying to meet legitimate needs (sometimes just hunger + thirst). Yet, in illegitimate ways.

·       God was in the process of meeting every need (in land), they just didn’t like his timing.

·       Always in a way that removes God from equation, as if alone, and only up to them. Does that not describe our mindset in all our sin? God cannot help me, so I’ll go it alone in own way.

·       “There is a way that seems good…” You believe you are obtaining life, yet only obtain death.

·       Is our sin inevitable? Will we repeat the same tragic patterns of Israel? Will we conform to different/better story?

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.

·       Happened not as events to repeat but to “instruct” (teach us) better way (OT for Christians)

·       How could when our hearts like Israel’s? New age of Christ (died/rose) changed story of God’s people. Victory defines him and now us. Defeat of Israel nor defeat of past generations nor of past mistakes must define you; if in Christ, if following him, your life story changes to become like his life’s story.

·       Before any further, Paul warns, “take heed.” New age, still evil desires within. Nothing automatically, if passive, they will defeat (“disqualify”) you. Do you tend to think of yourself as impervious to a great moral failing? I tend to. Paul says that’s dangerous. What little compromises are you making now? Killing a little snake easier than big snake.

·       First word to self-confident; now to discouraged,

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.

·       “temptation” = same word when Jesus faced Satan in wilderness. “common to man.” Ways you feel drawn towards evil choices, not extraordinary. You’re not an exception. You are no more destined to fall than anyone else. More encouragement, same ones Jesus faced and won. But he’s Jesus. But you follow him, and his same Spirit is upon you.

·       “God is faithful, he will not…” How do you know a temptation too strong cannot grip you? It’s not because you’re that strong, but because he is. He says right here, won’t let it happen. (Wilderness not only place of temptation, but of provision from God- “spiritual food”).[2]

·       What will God’s faithfulness look like? “a way of escape…” Doesn’t remove test, b/c then we won’t grow and he won’t get glory. God could have prevented Satan from tempting Jesus, but then God wouldn’t have gotten glory over his enemy like he did. God wants to get glory over his enemy through you.

·       What’s a “way of escape”? First glance, sounds like defeat- actually victory (like Israel leaving Egypt with its treasures and Pharoah defeated). Sin wants to rule, when you escape, you’ve thwarted it.

·       Escape is not often instantaneous, but rather, you “endure it.” You keep feeling the pull, and your heart keeps saying, “God is better!” That’s how you sin doesn’t turn you into it’s possession and take your life, instead, you rule over your temptation and glorify God.

·       In this life, we’ve been called into singles combat (a duel) with our own sinful desires and Satan, and God means for us to win. Same power that brought Israel from Egypt with us.

·       In my past, defeat by pornography used to feel inevitable (a deadly lie I believe). It doesn’t any longer. Remember that before I indulged (and lost control of self), there was a moment where I still had the option to reign myself in and choose otherwise.

·       Christian, that moment exists before you walk into sin. Prayerfully prepare your heart each morning to decisively take that step (effort from dependence makes it Christian).

·       Other thing that freed me, confession in Christian community. This community is part of your way of escape. “he who conceals a transgression…”

·       Not yet follower, according to the Bible, you’re in Egypt, separated from God, and he wants to bring you out. There is a man who will free you and put you in control of you and open up your heart to love him.

Reflection Questions:

1.      What sin does God want to provide you an escape from? Imagine what it will look like for you to escape and endure next time you face temptation.

2.      Who in this community should you share your struggle with if you have not yet?

Benediction:  

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

[1] Jim Hamilton and Carson, With the Clouds of Heaven.

[2] Stephen G. Dempster, “Wilderness,” ed. G. K. Beale et al., Dictionary of the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2023), 863.