Principles from Paul's Epistles

Learning from Example

1 Cor. 10:1-13

Introduction

The principle from Paul's epistles which we are going to consider this morning is one already well-known to all of us. In fact, it's one of the first principles we learn in life. It has to do with learning from example. How often do parents tell their children to learn from example? How often do we talk about things we witnessed or things we lived through and find ourselves drawing lessons from those experiences? Learning from example is one of the most common means of instruction in this life. It also is one of the most frequently mentioned and one of the most fundamental principles in the Bible.

Think about all the statements and passages and chapters in the Bible which record examples of how people lived, how they talked or how they responded to various circumstances. Think about all the statements just in the book of Proverbs which rest on this principle of learning from example. Think of all the times the prophets warned Israel to learn from the example of previous generations. Remember all those things Jesus said about learning from what can be observed in life.

Paul was well aware of this trait of Scripture. He was well aware that God commands us and expects us to learn from example-from good examples and bad examples, from examples worthy of imitation and examples worthy of condemnation. This is, again, one of the most pervasive of all Biblical notions-we are to learn from the examples set before us.

As Paul continued writing to the Corinthians, he included a lengthy section where he resorts to this principle of learning by example in a direct manner. Our text for this sermon, therefore, is 1 Cor. 10:1-13.

Our text:

1 Cor. 10:1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, 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 were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. 6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.” 8 Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9 Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the 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, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

01. The Issue (vv. 1-10)

Just prior to our text, Paul spoke of disciplining himself for the sake of spreading the gospel. The thought on his mind at this point is that of doing what is right in order to be pleasing to the Lord and in order to be useful for the Lord's purposes. This leads Paul to address another problem in Corinth. He's mentioned the problem earlier, but is going to speak of it at length in this chapter. The problem is the idolatry which remained a constant temptation to the Corinthian believers. As we've seen in our recent study, this was a culture in which idolatry was part of everyday life. And the influence this aspect of this particular culture had on this congregation was enormously troubling.

What is most interesting, however, is the manner in which Paul approaches this subject. He doesn't just jump in and tell his readers that idolatry is wrong. He is going to do what we have been noticing in past sermons-he's going to lay down a principle first, then he's going to apply that principle to the problem at hand. The principle serving as the foundation for what Paul says in this chapter, as I noted before, is the principle of learning from example-learning by observing the examples of other people, other times and other situations. Paul is going to set before the Corinthians the example of Israel. He is going to tell the Corinthians about the example left behind by some of God's people and, based on that example, he's going to give a response to the Corinthian believers who were struggling with idolatry.

So, the issue, as we are about to see, is that the Corinthians were not benefiting as they should from the example of some who came before them. They were not considering the examples which Paul is going to cite. Had they been considering these examples, Paul implies, they would not be wrestling with the issue which currently was causing so much disruption in their lives. In short, the Corinthian believers were not following the Biblical notion of learning from example; they were, in fact, close to repeating the very actions in which some before them had engaged.

The first thing the apostle does, you'll notice, is establish a connection between these believers in Corinth and the people of God who lived in ancient times. He refers to that generation which came out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses as “our fathers.” (v. 1) Using language that sounds rather odd at first, Paul speaks of the identification between that generation and Moses-they all “were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (v. 2) He means that they were identified with Moses in his mission of delivering the people of God from bondage. Moses was their leader; he was a type of the Savior who would one day deliver His people from bondage to sin.

The cloud represented God's presence and guidance; it hovered over the people. They followed Moses through the sea and witnessed their pursuing enemies destroyed by those same waters. The pillar of cloud and the Red Sea were fundamental truths of instruction at that time and throughout Israel's long history. The event of the exodus forever characterized the people of Israel as a unique people, a people of God's choosing, a people also with a particular calling.

God cared for them, Paul says. They “all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink...” ” (vv. 3, 4) God fed His people supernaturally with the manna-that was their “spiritual food.” The reference to the “spiritual drink” is not as easy to decipher. Paul goes on to say that they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them and that “the rock was Christ.” We know that there was a time when God caused water to gush from a rock in order to supply refreshment to His weary people. Paul seems to have more in mind than that single incident, however. It appears that he is alluding to that time when God gave refreshing water to the Israelites but is raising it to a level of significance not previously revealed. That incident, Paul seems to be saying, was indicative of Yahweh's constant care for His people. From the beginning and throughout their time in the wilderness, the Israelites were not without a witness to God's care. That care was a testimony to God's intention to keep His people and, eventually, deliver them in the fullest sense in the Messiah.

Having established this connection between the ancient Israelites and the Corinthians, however, notice what Paul says next: “Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased...” ” (v. 5) God delivered them from bondage in Egypt, and God supplied what they needed in an environment which was hostile and inhospitable, but what was the reaction of those so treated? The reaction, which Paul will specify momentarily, was not what it should have been. God was not well-pleased with most of them.

Those to whom God had demonstrated such goodness “were laid low in the wilderness,” Paul explains. The term he uses (katastronnumi) means “to spread out, to stretch out.” This word was used to describe the effect of a hurricane after it passed over the land. Everything was laid down or “laid low,” as Paul says here. This term describes intense devastation and it appropriately sums up what happened to that generation which came out of Egypt and showed such disdain for the LORD. This is where Paul gets to the heart of what is on his mind: “Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.” (v. 6) Paul offers a sweeping assessment of Israel's history-and he has in mind, of course, the troubles those people encountered. All of that devastation, the apostle states, is an example to the people of God today-an example which should lead them to act differently since they know the outcome of Israel's conduct.

As I noted before, examples can be good and worthy of imitation or bad and worthy of condemnation. Paul is talking about bad examples and he is telling the Corinthians that in that generation which came out of Egypt there is an enormous amount to be learned-it is to be learned from their mistakes and their unfaithfulness-but there is much to be observed. The term Paul uses, translated “example” (tupos) refers to that which serves as a pattern or figure. This word is used both of things which should be followed and things which should be avoided. Paul says that the Corinthians have much to learn from the behavior of that generation. We know what God did for them, he says, and we know what God did to them when they proved unfaithful. So, the apostle is asserting, learn from example-observe the history of that generation and conduct yourselves in a manner which won't call for the same kind of judgment from God.

Before we consider the specific acts which Paul mentions, let's note that he refers to that ancient generation as those who “craved” evil things. He uses a word (ephithumeo) which means “to lust after, to desire, to covet.” That generation was characterized by desiring what they did not have and that desire caused them to be discontent and in their discontentment, they committed various transgressions against the LORD, transgressions which were quite contrary in nature to the mercy and goodness He had shown them. Discontentment leads to foolish acts intended to satisfy a craving. In the case of that generation, Paul names some of their foolish and costly acts.

He warns the Corinthians: “Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, 'The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.'” (v. 7) Paul quotes from Ex. 32:6, which records what the people were doing while Moses was on the mountain with the LORD. At that point, God ordered Moses to return to the camp because the people had “corrupted” themselves by turning away from what He had commanded. Paul's first warning, then, is: don't act like that-look at their example, remember what happened, remember how displeased God was with them, remember how sinfully they responded to the LORD's goodness-learn from their bad example and do not repeat it yourselves.

Paul names three more sins which that ancient generation committed-fornication, testing of the LORD and grumbling (vv. 8-10). And in each case, the LORD's response was terribly frightening and costly-thousands died as a result of disobeying the LORD; thousands perished because they did not heed the voice of the LORD. And all of these incidents are examples to you, Paul tells the Corinthians. Those who were struggling with idolatry were receiving ample warning from the apostle. They could not continue in that matter without suffering painful consequences.

The issue, again, is that principle found throughout the Scripture-learning from example. Paul wants the Corinthians to see what great benefit they had in knowing Israel's history and in knowing where that kind of conduct leads. The transgressions of that generation could be the salvation of this present generation if the Corinthians would observe and learn.

02. The Response (vv. 11-13)

Paul's response, already indicated of course, is a repetition of an earlier thought: “Now these things happened to them as an example...” ” (v. 11) He doesn't mean that God caused the Israelites to sin so that they could serve as a negative example to later generations of believers. He means that their transgressions against God and God's response served as examples of what happens when God is not honored. Notice, however, that Paul adds “and they were written for our instruction...” ” He indicates that there is a purpose beyond the obvious in finding those stories in the pages of Scripture.

Those accounts might at first appear as simple records of Israel's history, but Paul says that this history was recorded “for our instruction.” He indicates what I have been saying, namely, that we are to learn from what comes before us. We are to observe and consider the ways and experiences of others and draw conclusions which inform us concerning our present choices and circumstances. The Bible is full of history and the apostle teaches here that one of the primary purposes for this written record is the edification of God's people who live in later times.

Notice, too, that Paul adds: “upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” The New Testament writers indicate an awareness that the incarnation, the crucifixion and the resurrection marked a tremendously significant turning point in history. This is not difficult to grasp when we realize that these events were, in fact, the culmination of much that had been promised and predicted since the time of the fall. Paul wants the Corinthians to realize that a new era has dawned, an era of truth and peace and grace. The Messiah who was represented in figures to that ancient generation was now the Savior of the Corinthian believers in reality and in fullness. They were, therefore, doubly bound to walk rightly and to please God and to live thankfully before Him.

Paul's next statement reflects something we've definitely noticed before and that is the pride which was evident in this congregation: “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” (v. 12) It's likely that some of the Corinthians thought they could dabble in this or that activity and remain unspotted. In a previous chapter, we saw that some of them thought nothing of eating food sacrificed to idols. This was all well and good, Paul taught, as long as they took into account the brother who might be troubled by that kind of activity. There was in that passage an indication that some of the Corinthians were almost boasting about their freedom in Christ to do whatever they desired. They were boasting, wrongly as Paul taught, in the knowledge they had of truth. Instead of making them humble, thankful and discerning of their brethren, the knowledge had led some to exhibit an arrogance which was destructive.

Perhaps that is what Paul has in mind here when he issues this warning about taking heed. He might have suspected that some of the Corinthians simply were not taking seriously enough the threat represented in idolatry. He may have felt that the Corinthians were overly confident in their own ability to avoid sin. Therefore, he warns them-he warns them by referring to the destruction that visited the Israelites when they became arrogant and thought they knew better than the LORD, and he warns them with this direct challenge of not being too sure of themselves. In the Bible, we find similar warnings-we are to watch ourselves when we get to the point where we think we are “on top” of things or when we get to the point where we think we've got it all figured out. That is when we may be most susceptible to falling, Paul teaches.

Finally, we come to a well-known verse in which Paul offers a bit of encouragement: “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (v 13) We are all familiar with this verse. It is routinely referred to as a source of encouragement when we face temptation. There is, of course, a general application to be made of this verse, and that is the way in which we normally use it. But remember the context of this verse. Paul has been warning the Corinthians about idolatry; and he has warned them to learn from the example of those who transgressed long before them. He has held up a picture of disaster for the Corinthians to contemplate. He wants them to realize that the destruction which came to that first generation out of Egypt could have been avoided if they had obeyed God's commands. Those people were never in a situation in which they had no choice but to transgress, yet they routinely offered excuses to justify their unfaithfulness.

Now Paul is warning the Corinthians that God never puts His people in a situation which justifies disobedience. Obedience and faithfulness are always available options for the people of God when they face temptations-and Paul speaks in a sweeping fashion when he refers to the fact that the Corinthians would face no temptation which was not common to human beings. God does not arrange temptations that are designed to make us fall. God, Paul writes, is faithful and will not allow us to face a temptation in such a way that the only response we may give is disobedience. Whatever temptation we face may always be met with a response from us that leads to His blessing.

When the temptation comes, Paul says, look for that “way of escape” which God will already have provided. Look for that way of coping with the temptation, look for that response which is honoring to the LORD. Don't be like Israel, the apostle teaches, don't respond to temptations by surrendering to them. God will enable His people to endure, Paul concludes. And here he uses a term (hupophero) which means “to bear up under a burden.” Whatever temptation you face, Paul says, it is possible to overcome it because God is faithful and He will help you.

Paul's response, in summary form, therefore, is: resist the temptation represented in idolatry; resist the temptation to live as you once lived; resist the temptation which is all around you because of the culture in which you live. Understand, the apostle tells the Corinthians, that what you are facing is dangerous and your response is pivotal to your future. But also understand that God waits to help you; He will bless your resistance to temptation and He will enable you to bear up.

Understanding all this and benefiting from Paul's references to ancient Israel would require that the Corinthians humble themselves and realize that they were susceptible to falling and they were not above temptation. Once again, then, Paul brings the Corinthians back to a realistic perception of themselves. You are not so knowledgeable that you can ignore temptation and hope to press on; you are not so advanced in the faith that you can toy with temptation and think you will remain unspotted. You are not beyond needing God's grace to live each day and you are not beyond learning from example. Look at those Israelites, Paul teaches, and consider where their self-assurance and arrogance took them. Don't make that same mistake, he cautions. Learn from their regrettable example and become an example yourselves worthy of imitation.

Application

Applying this passage is a fairly simple task. Paul pointed to the generation of Israelites which came out of Egypt in his instructions to the Corinthians. He said, in essence, look at that generation, consider what God did for them and consider how they responded and consider what was the outcome. So, for our application, I want to return to one of the first things Paul says in this passage. One of the first things he says has to do with the privilege of Israel and that nation's status in God's eyes. Paul tells us that God delivered that generation and cared for them in supernatural ways, but then he says that “with most of them God was not well-pleased.” And the apostle provides us with this summary warning: “now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.”

The Corinthians probably didn't think of themselves as “craving evil things,” but that is how Paul sums up the example of that first generation out of Egypt and he warns the Corinthians not to imitate that example. Paul's language is sharp, but it is sharp for a reason. The reason for God's displeasure was the reaction of those Israelites to God's kindness. This illustrates for us the most basic issue in this matter of learning from example. At the most fundamental level, the Bible teaches us that we are to be grateful for God's care. That is the first and most foremost example of all in the Scriptures. Being thankful for what God has done is the beginning point in many ways for our relationship with Him. Thankfulness is to come in response to His deliverance and His provisions; and when that thankfulness does not come forth, difficulties develop; where thankfulness is absent, the desire for that which is evil shows up. That is the simple example left behind by the Israelites and Paul makes use of that example in this passage.

There is need, therefore, for us to examine ourselves in this most fundamental of all responses to God. If you know what He has done for you, if you know the great favor He has shown to you, what is your response? What example are you manifesting? Are you following the many examples recorded on the pages of Scripture in which we read of saints humbly giving their lives to God in response to His gift of salvation and provision? That is one category of examples we can follow. Or, is there a possibility that you are following the examples of others who, like that first generation out of Egypt, reacted to God's goodness by not being thankful and humble?

Is it possible that God might find some cause for His displeasure even in us because our response to His favor is lacking in some way? Being in Christ, we are in no danger of being cut off from the people of God, but that doesn't mean that we are exempt from responding to God's goodness in a proper manner. We can be sure that as our life unfolds, we are following either the example of those who have been grateful to God or the example of those who have failed to be grateful. Again, this is the most basic of matters when it comes to learning by example. The Bible everywhere teaches that we are to respond to God in thankfulness for what He has done for us-and out of that thankful frame of mind comes a desire to serve Him.

This is precisely what was not evident in that generation of Israelites which came out of Egypt. They were not thankful for what God had done, but instead complained about their conditions. And just as an attitude of thankfulness produces a God-honoring desire to serve, so an attitude of discontentment produces unfaithfulness and grumbling. This was Israel's example and Paul warned the Corinthians not to imitate it; and so he warns us, in a general way, not to repeat that pattern by receiving the Lord's goodness, living in the favor He has shown to us, but then manifesting discontentment toward Him.

And that is another important element which we should not pass over too quickly-discontentment. If there's one thing Israel struggled with during those days, it was discontentment. That generation left behind a terrible example of responding to the LORD with complaints-it's a terrible example, but also a tremendously instructive example, if we learn from it. Discontentment, as I noted, is the ground from which grows unfaithfulness and sin. When we are not satisfied with what God has done and what God has provided, we make room for our flesh to complain and our flesh is always ready to complain. This is something the Scripture teaches us about and warns us about. There are numerous examples, including the one cited by Paul, of those who received much from the LORD, but who responded by wanting more or wanting something different.

There are two elements involved in avoiding a bad example. First, you have to assess your circumstances rightly so that you don't fall into the trap of complaining or being dissatisfied when you should be giving thanks. Second, you have to consider the outcome of that bad example set before you. In the case of our text, it's easy for us to see that the generation which came out of Egypt should have been grateful and humble before the LORD. If they had been, their subsequent experience would have been entirely different. But, more importantly from our present point of view, we need to consider the outcome of the example they left behind. God was not well-pleased with them, Paul wrote. Our desire is that God would be well-pleased with us. Our desire is that the God who saved us would be pleased with our response to His salvation.

This is where I need to make this issue personal for you. It's easy for us to talk in terms of generations and characteristics of generations. It's not as easy to talk about ourselves as individuals who are, for good or bad, establishing an example for others to consider right now as we live out our days. Therefore, we have to face the issue of what kind of example we are being. This seems particularly applicable to the men of this congregation. Most of us are husbands and fathers, and those who aren't yet assume they will be someday. What kind of example are you setting as a husband and father? Your children aren't going to look all the way back to that generation which came out of Egypt, they are going to look back only as far as your example. And they are going to see in you a pattern-one worthy of imitation in their own lives or one to be avoided.

This is something which ought to be of great concern to every person in this congregation, but especially to those who are, by God's appointment, in positions where your example is naturally going to be considered by those who come after you. Having said that, however, I can also speak to the women of the church and even the children of the church. Women, what kind of example are you setting as a wife and mother? Is your example one which will be worthy of imitation by your children? And children, even now, you are establishing an example. Older brothers and sisters, is your example of relating to the younger ones in your family worthy of imitation?

There are two things we cannot escape in this matter of examples. One is the fact that we all are establishing an example by the way we live our lives. And the second thing is that someone somewhere is going to look at our example and be instructed. Our hope is that when our example is considered, it proves to be a positive example, one worthy of imitation. One way to ensure that is to remind ourselves often of what has been done for us. It is by such reminders that our response to God-and therefore our example-is shaped. Inevitably, thankful people leave behind examples worthy of imitation. Inevitably, those who meditate on God's goodness reflect humility and a desire to serve.

We have the opportunity each week to reflect at length on what God has done for us when we come to the Table of the Lord. If you've gone all week without thinking of God's goodness, think of it now. If recent days have prevented you from meditating on the gift of salvation, meditate on it now. This is where each new week should begin-it should begin with the consideration of Christ's giving of Himself for us. When that truth is contemplated, thankfulness fills our hearts.

Let's pray...

As we consider what God has done for us in Christ, we will sing hymn number 557. This hymn speaks of abiding in sweet communion with our Savior. It is that communion with Him which brings us peace. Sing these words as a prayer to Him and then we will receive the elements which He has appointed to remind us of the reality of our communion.

Conclusion