Christians Must Avoid the Israelites' Mistakes - 5 (1 Corinthians 10:10)
Introduction:
1. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Christians are given some very important instructions that are based on God's dealings with the Israelites. 2. Some general matters are discussed in vs.1-6. a. According to vs.1-4, God blessed the Israelites by delivering them from Egypt, by providing food and water for them, and by providing direction and protection for them. b. We learn from vs.5, however, that God was not pleased with many of the Israelites, and He prevented them from entering the Promised Land. c. In vs.6, Christians are admonished to avoid the mistakes of the Israelites. 3. More specifically, we are shown: a. in vs.7 that Christians must not be "idolaters" b. in vs.8 that Christians must not "commit fornication" c. in vs.9 that Christians must not "tempt Christ" d. in vs.10 that Christians must not "murmur." 4. Murmur: to grumble, to complain because of discontentment 5. This definition of murmuring is illustrated in the Lord's "parable of the laborers in the vineyard" (Matthew 20:1-16). a. (vs.1-7) Workers were hired throughout the day to work in a man's vineyard. b. (vs.8-9) All the workers were paid the same wage in the evening. c. (vs.10-12) The workers who had worked the longest murmured because they felt they deserved more pay. 6. Since the instruction given in 1 Corinthians 10:10 is based on events that involved the Israelites, let us first examine . . .
Discussion:
I. MURMURING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
A. The Israelites murmured on many occasions as they traveled to the Promised Land. 1. They murmured because they had no fresh water (Exodus 15:22-24). 2. They murmured because they had no food (Exodus 16:1-3, 11-12). 3. They murmured because they needed water (Exodus 17:1-3). 4. They murmured after hearing the report of the ten spies (Numbers 14:1-4, 26-30). B. The occasion under consideration in 1 Corinthians 10:10 is when Korah led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:1-3, 31-33, 41, 49). C. On the basis of this information, let us turn our attention to . . .
II. MURMURING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
A. The Jews often murmured against Jesus and His disciples because He associated with sinners (Luke 5:30; 15:2; 19:7). B. The Jews murmured against Jesus because of His teaching (John 6:41). C. The Lord's followers murmured against Mary when she anointed Him with expensive ointment (Mark 14:3-5; John 12:3). D. In the Jerusalem congregation, the Grecians murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected (Acts 6:1). E. To help us overcome and avoid murmuring, let us: 1. understand that Jesus forbids His followers to murmur (John 6:43) 2. realize that Jesus knows when His followers murmur (John 6:61) 3. practice the admonition given in Philippians 2:14-15: "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."
