Finish Well
1 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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As Israel headed out of Egypt millions strong and laden down with the plunder of the Egyptians things were finally looking up. Moses had the power of God with him. They could see this in the cloud by day and the fire by night. It wasn’t long before things took a turn for the worse; golden cows, leadership envy, group factions, lack of trust, discontent, complaining and the like.
As Israel headed out to check out the land that God had promised the 12 men were filled with excitement and anticipation. But upon seeing the inhabitants of the land fear set in and only 2 of the 12 believed God’s word that He would give them the land. The voices of the 10 prevailed and the Israelites suffered in punishment for the next 40 years.
In both cases they started out with good intentions but were sidetracked - as we’ll see this led to devastating consequences that robbed them of God’s intended blessings in their life.
They did not finish well.
Even Moses, in all his greatness, in frustration with the people, acted out of anger and lost a blessing as well.
It is hard to finish well. Yet God promises a crown of life to those who remain steadfast amidst the testings of life (Jas 1.12) and a crown of righteousness to those who finish the race and love his appearing (2 Tim 4.6-8).
The Corinthians had corresponded with Paul several times in addition to his original impartation of godly knowledge to them but they were struggling big time and without intervention it did not seem like they would finish well, having to only see the promised land from a nearby mountain instead of actually entering the promised land.
Our text today, 1 Cor 10 is the third chapter in Paul’s long exhortation regarding how you should live as a Christian in community and fellowship with both God and other believers. Paul began this discussion back in chapter 8 (regarding eating meat offered to idols). This is one of the reasons we believe so strongly in not just exegetical preaching (preaching that comes from the text itself) but expository preaching (preaching that is based on the flow of the text) as well. While each message in our series can stand on it’s own they are all intricately connected to one another. Today’s message likewise stands on it’s own but is incomplete apart from 1 Cor 8 and 1 Cor 9 and ultimately as we’ll see even the entirety of the letter. Remember, the Corinthians would have had this read to them - the letter at one time - not preached over several months.
In addition the the letter itself, chapter 10 provides us with a fascinating demonstration of how important all of the Bible is for our spiritual growth, not just the NT. This chapter, 1 Cor 10 cannot exist without the OT. Paul literally could not have written it because almost every line is related to events that occurred in the OT.
Background: Exo 32; Deut 32 demonstrating the need to know the OT. This chapter can’t exist apart from these OT narratives..
By way of review....
Ch 8 Paul raised the concern that less mature X may be led astray. The knowledge of the strong might prove to be a train wreck to the less mature.
Ch 9 Paul summons the strong to follow his example of surrendering their ‘rights’ for the sake of others (not eating meat offered to idols).
Ch 10 Paul suggests that there is an even stronger reason not to dine with idols, not only are they putting the weaker X in danger but they are also putting themselves in danger, spiritually. They are putting Christ to the test (1 Cor 10.9), provoking Him to jealousy (1 Cor 10.22) by joining with them in fellowsihp/koinonia when they have already been joined to a koinonia - Jesus’ koinonia. Thus, they should “flee from idolatry” (1 Cor 10.14 cf 1 Cor 10. 1-11).
All three chapters (1 Cor 8-10) deal specifically with this cultural aspect of meat that’s been offered to idols - either at the pagan temple itself, in the marketplace, in someone’s home or even in your own home. Paul’s answer is that they are all permissable, providing you are not causing a fellow believer to stumble (cf. Jesus in Matt ___ with milstone) except the dining in the pagan temple - and that is the focus of most of chapter 10.
Be Faithful to the Faith of God
Be Faithful to the Faith of God
The issue is faithfulness - faithfulness to God, God’s People and God’s Plan.
Be Faithful contra to Idolatry (v. 7), Immorality (v. 8), Irreverence (v. 9), Ingratitude (v. 10)
Which are you most prone to?
They are all forms of unbelief and unfaithfulness —> Be Faithful
Christianity and even Judaism was never just about right beliefs but was always coupled with right behavior.
As Gentiles we have been grafted into God’s covenant people (Rom 11.17-24) that we are now part of Israel’s story (Gal 6.16). Their story is our backstory. We are intricately connected.
1 Corinthians 10:1–5 (CSB)
1 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They 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 that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless God was not pleased with most of them [all of them], since they [some] were struck down in the wilderness.
These five verses are just one sentence in Greek and the word “all” is repeated five times.
Christ, the Rock
Deut 32.4; 15, 18, 30, 31
By the time of Paul the OT record of God’s provision in the Wilderness had already been widely attributed to both divine wisdom and and that wisdom had been identified with Christ in the Christian tradition, so again, we see a continuing expansion of the application of God’s miracle in the wilderness throughout the pages of Scripture where the new things God does are connected to the former things God did.
The Israelites thought that Signs (miracles) and Sustenance (provision) provided Security from harm.
They were wrong!
The Israelites had seen God do miracle after miracle....
The Israelites had seen God provide for them physically time after time....food, water, clothing that never wore out
But provision wasn’t enough....they were dissatisfied…and they lost the battle for their faith…they didn’t trust God…they didn’t believe God…they weren’t content with what God had done and was doing for them....
They didn’t finish well.
Baptism = Security. Relationship is security. Works demonstrate not determine relationship. All works can be done from a fake heart.
Lord’s Supper = Security.
1 Corinthians 10:6–11 (CSB)
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, so that we will not desire evil things as they did. 7 Don’t become idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to party. 8 Let us not commit sexual immorality as some of them did, and in a single day twenty-three thousand people died. 9 Let us not test Christ as some of them did and were destroyed by snakes. 10 And don’t grumble as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. 11 These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come.
Examples = typoi = mold, pattern after as in Rom 5.14 “14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One.”
Typology = by analogy here. Later development included more allegorical aspects (although Philo and others were already into allegory).
Thus Paul is saying these OT examples are prefigurations of the situation the Corinthians currently were in thus this example is a strong warning to reevaluate both their beliefs and behaviors in their current situation. Paul repeats this in v. 11, sandwiching verses 7-10 between these two warning statements. This great similarity should jar them into wakefulness to quickly address their situation. The arrogance and lack of alertness of the Israelites should cause the Corinthians to become alert and act now before it’s too late.
Paul viewed the prior things as pointing toward the future, now current things. Paul’s view of the OT was not like the majority of western Christians who see little relevance in it to their daily lives. No, Paul viewed the OT as speaking directly to the day to day lives of all believers, today and those yet to come.
The Corinthians thought that Superior knowledge and Superior Spirituality would protect then from pagan associations.
They were wrong!
Superior knowledge (idols are nothing)
Superior Spirituality (immunity/Super Mario)
1 Cor 10.6 could be rendered “that we might not be cravers of evil, just as they also craved [evil[“. The allusion back to Num 11 is all the more stark when you recognize the parallel with eating meat.
Idolatry: golden calf 1 Cor 10.7 from Exo 32.6 where ‘play’ is the revelry and dancing surrounding the worship of the calf and likely sexual immorality, which Paul has addressed already in 1 Cor.
First Corinthians Warning against Idolatry (10:1–22)
By quoting Exodus 32:6, Paul deftly identifies the “eating” of the temple food with the act of idolatry that brought God’s wrath upon Israel.
1 Cor 10.8 Immorality (cf. 1 Cor 5.1-13; 6.12-20; 7.2-5). Paul here reminds them of Num 25.1-9 where idolatry, immorality and connected and Paul links them to the Corinthian situation of eating in the presence of idols.
Numbers 25:1–3 (CSB)
1 While Israel was staying in the Acacia Grove, the people began to prostitute themselves with the women of Moab. 2 The women invited them to the sacrifices for their gods/idols, and the people ate [of their sacrifices] and bowed in worship to their gods. 3 So Israel aligned itself with Baal of Peor, and the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.
What the Israelites were doing thousands of years ago, the Corinthians were now doing with a supposedly clear conscience. Paul attempts to shake them out of their slumber by reminding them that God killed over 20,000 of his people who had rebelled against him in this manner in the past - you might want to take notice. Even though he had saved them from Egypt, led them by cloud and fire, split the red sea....these spiritual blessings were guarantee of continued life.
1 Cor 10.9 Irreverence (testing God)
Num 21.4-9 brought us out of Egypt to die…no food…no water…detest food —> Poisonous snakes
18 They deliberately tested God,
demanding the food they craved.
Tested God (Israelites)
Testing Christ/God (Corinthians)
1 Cor 10.9 Irritability/ungratefulness as the Israelites had attempted to reject Moses’ leadership so the Corinthians had attempted to throw off Paul’s, at least to some degree. Additionally, this is the the most comprehensive judgement on the Israelites and thus the culmination of God’s judgments in this section of the OT.
1 Cor 10.10 Ingratitude (discontent/complaining)
Be Faithful contra to Idolatry (v. 7), Immorality (v. 8), Irreverence (v. 9), Ingratitude (v. 10)
Paul’s main argument…followed by an encouragement.
1 Corinthians 10:12–13 (CSB)
12 So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. 13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.
Testing God is dangerous.
Testings in life are normal and conquerable.
Be Faithful to the Fellowship of God
Be Faithful to the Fellowship of God
Shared Fellowship
14 So then, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I am speaking as to sensible people. Judge for yourselves what I am saying. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, since all of us share the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel. Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19 What am I saying then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I do say that what they sacrifice, they sacrifice 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 share in the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
ILL: Shared fellowship of team sports. Showing up rooting for Yankees in a Red Sox Bullpen might not be met with great enthusiasm. Bringing BBQ Pork sandwich to a Jewish party at a Synagogue might not be met with great enthusiasm. And Paul says even if you think you have great spirituality and wisdom, showing up to eat at a pagan temple - a house of worship - will not be met with much enthusiasm from God!
Three meals: Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 10.16-17) , Jewish meals w/ sacrifice (1 Cor 10.18), meals at table of pagan god (1 Cor 10.19-21). All such meals, all table ‘fellowship’ is just that - ‘fellowship’, a koinonia among the participants and the participants with the honored deity. Paul takes this as a matter-of-fact understanding of the nature of ‘the table’ and thus there is no way that the Corinthians can participate in this ‘table fellowship’ with pagan idols. God’s exclusive allegiance does not allow for it.
Recall the koinonia of 1.9 that we are thrust into upon God calling us out of darkness and into light.
The Jewish historian Josephus writes
First Corinthians Warning against Idolatry (10:1–22)
Our sacrifices are not occasions for drunken self-indulgence—such practices are abhorrent to God but for sobriety. At these sacrifices prayers for the welfare (sōtēria) of the community must take precedence of those for ourselves; for we are born for fellowship (koinōnia), and he who sets its claims above his private interests is specially acceptable (kecharismenos: “graced”) to God.
(Ap. 2. 196)
Paul has earlier acknowledge that there is only one true God
4 About eating food sacrificed to idols, then, we know that “an idol is nothing in the world,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth—as there are many “gods” and many “lords”—6 yet for us there is one God, the Father. All things are from him, and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him.
Yet now Paul is asserting that eating at the table of idol worshippers or in their place of worship forms a bond with these false gods. How can this be if they aren’t real?
Paul’s response to this dilemma in 1 Cor 10.20
20 No, but I do say that what they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons!
is actually coming from Deut 32.17
Deuteronomy 32:17 (CSB)
17 They sacrificed to demons, not God,
to gods they had not known,
new gods that had just arrived,
which your ancestors did not fear.
a passage that is addressed to Israel regarding their worship practices and their turning to false gods instead of being grateful and content with God’s provision for them.
This is a passage that Paul uses again in Rom 10.19; 12.19; 15.20 in addition to our passage today in 1 Cor 10.22.
Richard Hays in his commentary on 1 Corinthians states (IBC)
First Corinthians Warning against Idolatry (10:1–22)
While denying the real existence of pagan gods, Paul affirms the existence of a world of spiritual powers hostile to God, who are associated with pagan cultic practice (cf. 1 Cor. 8:5). Those who participate in the temple meals are becoming “partners [koinōnoi] with demons” (1 Cor. 10:20b); that is what Paul is trying to prevent at all costs. The alternatives are starkly posed in verse 21: the Corinthians must choose between the table of the Lord and the table of demons. It is impossible to be a sharer in both.
Contrary to the syncretistic culture of the ancient near east and contrary to the similar culture of today in which multiple ‘gods’ are ok but exclusivity is met with the same resistance that it was then, Paul rips the rug out from under the Corinthian so called knowledge and wisdom, equating them with pagan idolaters who still pile one god on top of the other in hopes of offending none and appeasing all. God would have none of that for the Israelites and since He is unchanging Paul says He will have none of it for today either - and whether they want to see it this way or not Paul says their participation in the pagan meal is tantamount to worshipping the pagan god. This is why the first century Christians would not throw a pinch - just a pinch, that’s all - of incense on the fire in honor/worship of Caesar but instead declared Jesus is Lord.
Paul’s conclusion to this section in
22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
brings the Corinthians back home to who’s really stronger - the same discussion that Paul previously had with the Corinthians. Previously, he had argued that the strong submit their rights for the sake of the weak and the unity of the church. And that is one reason to stay out of the pagan temples. But here Paul says, even if you think you are strong, are you stronger than God - and He has made it clear what He thinks of straying into Pagan temples. The common fellowship and participation in life that is intimated in a meal holds the key to both this passage and probably also in 1 Cor 5 when Paul tells the Corinthians to not even eat (table fellowship) with someone who claims to be a believer but acts like an unbeliever and refuses correction.
Paul’s last section in chapter 10 returns to the issue brough up in 1 Cor 8.7-13 as well as this entire chapter as he focuses on the meat itself.
Richard Hays reminds us
First Corinthians Reflections for Teachers and Preachers
There are two distinct dangers here: the idols have more power than we suppose to reshape us, and we are courting the judgment of God
Lord’s Supper only for believers (all believers)
Pagan rituals (tarrot, palm reading, psychics? etc)
In what ways may you have begun creeping toward fellowship with darkness? Repent and return to the light.
Reject syncretism - honor cultures but not their paganism when we have the light...
Be Faithful to the Family of God
Be Faithful to the Family of God
23 “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. 24 No one is to seek his own good, but the good of the other person.
25 Eat everything that is sold in the meat market, without raising questions for the sake of conscience, 26 since the earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it. 27 If any of the unbelievers invites you over and you want to go, eat everything that is set before you, without raising questions for the sake of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This is food from a sacrifice,” do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. 29 I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person’s. For why is my freedom judged by another person’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thanksgiving, why am I criticized because of something for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.
First Corinthians Conclusion: Use Your Freedom for the Glory of God (10:23–11:1)
Point A: All our actions should glorify God by seeking the benefit of others rather than ourselves.
Point B: Within the framework of that principle, we are free to eat whatever we like with thankfulness.
In place of the Corinthian slogan “All things are lawful” or in today’s vernacular “because I can” Paul counters with “all things for the glory of God” in 1 Cor 10.31
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.
1 Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.
humans are not the same as animals
vegetables are not the same as humans
Summary of 1 Cor 8.1-11.1.
First Corinthians Reflections for Teachers and Preachers
First he rejects the original framework of the question and reframes the problem in terms of love rather than rights (8:1–13). Then he offers himself as an example of renouncing personal rights for the sake of making the gospel effective in the community—and along the way defends himself against criticisms of his refusal to accept patronage (9:1–27). Shifting ground, he narrates the Corinthian church into the world of Scripture and warns of the dangers of idolatry (10:1–22). Finally, in the last section (10:23–11:1), he dialectically balances freedom and servanthood and relocates the whole problem, in a final deft move, in relation to the imitation of Christ. By any standard this is a remarkable performance of pastoral theology.
Imitate Christ: Cross focused self-sacrificing love in community with other followers of Jesus.
Be Faithful to the Faith of God
Be Faithful to the Family of God
Be Faithful to the Family of God
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How do you end ‘for the glory of God’?
You keep in mind the greater picture - God’s Kingdom.
You humble yourself to God’s Plans.
You recognize the seasonal nature of all things, including local churches.
You move out of the way so that you are not a hindrance to others who are pushing God’s Kingdom forward.
You transition to another local church to join them in furthering God’s mission.
You remain faithful to your current situation (GA) until that transition.
You enable GA to finish well (not leaving a mess behind, leaving a good testimony, etc.)