Examples to warn us

Paul calls on the Corinthians to be careful they don’t fall (v1-12) but to be comforted that God is faithful. They could be using past experiences as an excuse to sin like their spiritual ancestors Israel did. Israel was led by the presence of God (Exodus 13:21-22), crossed the Red Sea by God’s power (Exodus 14:22-29), was provided with manna every day (Exodus 16:4) and water from dry rock (Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11) but most died in the desert because of their Idolatry (Exodus 32:6), Immorality (Numbers 25:1-9) Testing the Lord (and grumbling (Number 16). But God was and is faithful to forgive to keep us from falling and provide a way through.

To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching at Christ Church on Sunday morning 12th April 2015 use the player above..

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Questions for discussion in Community Groups

1. What do you think is the main theme of this passage? What is Paul trying to do?

2. What can we learn from Paul’s use of the Old Testament here?

3. How was Christ the Rock in Exodus 17:6 / Number 20:11?

4. In what ways can we think we are standing firm in a proud or presumptuous way?

5. What is the antidote to spiritual pride? What can stop us from learning from the example of Bible characters or other Christians of the past?

6. God doesn’t test us beyond what we are able to bear. What does that mean?

7. What is the way of escape? How does this connect with the faithfulness of God?

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Series: 1 Corinthians (2015)