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Americans might not bow down to statues, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have idols - something or someone (besides God) we seek for security. Today we are reminded that there is no room for idols for followers of Jesus.

IDOLATRY is following any other God besides Yahweh - the One True God.

• AR Bernard “Idolatry is seeking security and meaning in someone or something other than God.”
• John Calvin“For what is idolatry if not this: to worship the gifts in place of the Giver himself?”. 

Americans might not bow down to statues, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have idols - something or someone (besides God) we seek for security. 

The contemporary Corinthians Paul was writing to - like the ancient Hebrews who had been a part of the Exodus experience out of Egypt - were surrounded by idols. When God set the Hebrews free from Egyptian slavery, He made sure to communicate that He expected their allegiance to Him, and no other. 

These people were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea but what’s THAT mean? God used the cloud and the sea to lead them and deliver them from their enemies.

And they consumed the same spiritual food and the same spiritual drink...from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.” Jewish traditions developed that a well of water actually followed God’s people during their travels”. Remember, God the Father, Son, and Spirit have always existed so Christ - the Messiah - the Lord Jesus - was with the Jewish people, bringing refreshment to their bodies and souls. 

• Paul is drawing a clear correlation between the Old Covenant people and the New Covenant followers of Jesus. We have been baptized into Jesus - delivered from sin & following our Leader toward the “Promised Land”. Further, Jesus has provided the spiritual food & drink for our lives by giving His body and blood for us, something we remember together every time we take communion together. 

Yahweh led the people through the desert by a cloud in the daytime and a pillar of fire at night (Ex 13:21-22). 

Yahweh’s presence was obvious when the waters split and stood up like a wall as the people passed through the sea (Ex 14:21-22).

God provided food for forty years! The people would wake up and find manna on the ground - small as seeds, but tasty like wafers made with honey (Ex 16:13-16, 31, 35). God also provided quail for them to eat.

God twice caused a rock to gush water for all the people to drink from (Ex 17:6, Num 20:11), at the beginning and end of the Exodus experience.

Jesus is our HOPE & LIFE! It’s through HIM our thirst for purpose & eternal life is quenched.

• But then there’s the warning that Paul writes to the Corinthians and to us, that despite God’s incredible provision and protection given to our ancient spiritual ancestors, many STILL turned back to false gods - IDOLS. And WE are in danger of doing the same thing.

When Moses went up the mountain and received the 10 commandments the Hebrew people asked Aaron (brother of Moses) to make gods for them to worship. Aaron took their gold and made it into a golden calf. The next morning they mixed the worship of the idol with building an altar to Yahweh in front of it (Ex 32:1-6). 

Ex 32:6 says the people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to party. The phrase “got up to party” - also translated “rose up to play” (NET) - is a phrase Jewish rabbis interpreted as sexual play. * This is the same term referring to Isaac “caressing” his wife in Gen 26:8. 

Evidently, the Hebrew people had some sort of sexual orgy…in the name of Yahweh! How despicable! Because of this idolatry, Moses called down judgment as the priestly tribe of Levites killed 3,000 men (their brothers, friends, and neighbors) with swords (Ex 32:26-28).

• On another occasion 23,000 people were killed by a plague from God when the men of Israel committed sexual immorality by sleeping with with Moabite women and even bowed down and worshiped their false gods (Num 25). God had Moses kill the leaders who allowed this idolatry and immorality (probably accounting for another 1000 people, since Num 25:9 gives the total number who died as 24,000 compared to Paul’s mention of 23,000).
• When the people became impatient and spoke against God and Moses, complaining about the food and drink God provided, God sent poisonous snakes to bite them and many people died (Num 21:4-6). We are to trust Christ [Messiah], not test Christ by grumbling, complaining, and being ungrateful. 
• The Hebrew people were disobedient, impatient, and idolatrous - making God into their image instead of them being made into His image. 

Have you ever thought that YOU have the strength to overcome the temptation…on your own? Or do you think that you are somehow immune to the impact of idolatry & immorality? Watch out! We must learn from the examples of others who compromised. The same God who punished them for disobedience CAN punish us too. Whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.

Many people misquote & misapply this passage to say, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” 

• Yes He will! That drives us TO Him and TO other believers. You and I need help!

The temptations you are facing are NOT brand new to mankind and you aren’t the first to face the struggle. Every temptation is common to humanity - pride, lust, lying, & greed - have been around a LONG time, despite the different applications of today. But…despite the tug of the temptation that we all face, God is faithful to provide the way out!

The next time you are tempted to sin…stop and remember - God is faithful to provide the way out! 

Flee from idolatry. 

• Don’t STAY in the situation. Look for the life boat or fire escape and get out!
• Stop thinking & acting like Jesus’ death isn’t enough to forgive you and FREE you from your sin! Jesus’ blood was shed and body was brutalized to PAY for your sin! Every time you partake of Communion this is a visual reminder that Jesus forgives and frees us from our sin!
• Remember that we’re in this TOGETHER! We are one body because all of us share the One Bread - Jesus & His forgiveness! “Sista and brotha, we need each otha! I’m here for you!”

Are we provoking the Lord to jealousy by thinking that we are stronger or smarter than Him? 

• Have we somehow convinced ourselves that it’s okay to worship the One True God while we bow down to idols?

“Idolatry is seeking security and meaning in someone or something other than God.”

• Is there anyone or anything besides our God and Savior Jesus Christ that is sitting on the throne of your heart?
• Are you FLIRTING with idolatry or FLEEING from it?

Augustine wrote; “I had no wish to read more and no need to do so. For in an instant, as I came to the end of the sentence, it was as though the light of confidence flooded into my heart and all the darkness of doubt was dispelled.”

Lord Jesus, what do you want me to do with what I heard today? 

• Start weighing the reality of WHO or WHAT you are finding security and meaning from.
• Lay your sin at the feet of Jesus & trust HE is the One who brings meaning, purpose, hope, & LIFE to your soul!
• Ask God for another same-sex Christian to help you find a way out of temptation.
• As always, you are welcome to touch base with our STAFF and DEACONS/wives for help!

Need Some Help?

• A follower of Jesus, but you don’t know where to start? Ask a mature believer for some help. Check out our Groups on Sunday 10am or Wed Night Guys/Ladies Group 6:30pm. 
• NOT yet a follower of Jesus, and you have questions? Ask us or another real follower of Jesus.

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

1. What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? Explain your answer.
2. Why is it that so many Americans would say they don’t have idols? But if, “Idolatry is seeking security and meaning in someone or something other than God,” then what are some IDOLS we have worshiped?
3. Read 1 Cor 10:1-6. Why did Paul refer to Hebrew history and how do the Israelites serve as examples to us?
4. Read 1 Cor 10:7-12. What evil actions cost many of the ancient Hebrews their lives & why should we care what happened to them?
5. What have you learned about God from this history of the Hebrews? What warning should we recall when tempted to participate in idolatry, sexual immorality, testing the Lord, or grumbling?
6. Read 1 Cor 10:13. What are some common temptations we all face? What is God’s promise to us & what are some practical ways to escape from falling to temptation?
7. Read 1 Cor 10:14-17. How can other Christians help us with temptations? Why are so many Christians unwilling to ask other Christians for help? Are YOU accountable to another same sex believer - who prays daily for you, asks the hard questions, celebrates with you, and picks you up when you fall? If not, why not? How can we help each other?
8. Quote to Consider - Read & discuss the significance of this quotes: “You have made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless till they find rest in You.”
9. Read 1 Cor 10:18-22. Share some ways you have seen people who claim Christ attempt to ‘ride the fence’ by participating in sin while also attempting to follow Jesus. What is Paul’s warning to people who attempt to “drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons”? 
10. What other questions has this teaching or discussion prompted for us to talk about?
11. Share prayer needs and pray for one another.