Keeping Ourselves unspotted from the world (Lesson 47)
Introduction:
1. We learn from James 1:27 that "pure and undefiled religion before God" includes "keeping ourselves unspotted from the world." 2. Thankfully, God has revealed information in His Word that will help us to remain free from the world's spots. 3. Some helpful instructions are recorded in 1 Corinthians 10:1-11. 4. These verses teach us to avoid the mistakes of the Israelites. 5. The first point we need to make is that . . . Discussion: I. GOD RICHLY BLESSED THE ISRAELITES (vs.1-4)
A. God blessed His people as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land. B. He provided protection, and He provided their physical and spiritual needs. C. Even though He blessed them, . . . II. GOD PREVENTED MANY ISRAELITES FROM ENTERING CANAAN (vs.5)
A. He was not pleased with many of them. B. They "were overthrown in the wilderness." III. GOD PUNISHED THE ISRAELITES BECAUSE "THEY LUSTED AFTER EVIL THINGS" (vs.6-10)
A. By doing so they became spotted by the world. B. Specifically, . . . 1. they committed idolatry (vs.7; Exodus 32:3-6, 28) 2. they committed fornication (vs.8; Numbers 25:1, 9) 3. they tempted the Lord (vs.9; Exodus 17:1-2; Numbers 21:5-6) 4. they murmured (vs.10; Numbers 16:1-3, 31-32, 41, 49). IV. THESE THINGS WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR BENEFIT (vs.11, 6a)
A. They were written to help us keep ourselves unspotted from the world. B. Let us avoid "idolatry" (1 John 5:21), "fornication" (1 Corinthians 6:18), "tempting the Lord" (Matthew 4:7), and "murmuring" (Philippians 2:14).
