INTRODUCTION - GOD PLEADS WITH US THAT WE BE NOT IGNORANT * 5 TIMES IN PAUL'S WRITINGS* -be wise-15

• The Corinthians had a Church, and lived in a secure town- so they thought they were safe!
• Paul enumerated the safety of the Israelites- v.2-4 then showed God was not pleased- so v5
• There are five areas in which they did not please God- We have this as a warning- 6a

Those who followed the course of their own pleasure did not survive - will we do better?

I. "WE SHOULD NOT LUST AFTER EVIL THINGS " v.6

The Children of ISRAEL GREW TIRED OF THE MANNAH, AND LUSTED AFTER MEAT, ONIONS, GARLIC Num 11

• God gave them the chance to satisfy their carnal desire- Num. 11:31 Quail, -no limit-
• But with their greed came death v.33, & those who lusted were buried v.34

THIS WAS WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION THAT NEITHER CORINTH NOR PHOENIX SHOULD SO LUST FOR EVIL

• But we find men inventing new appetites to satisfy- Grain for liquor-could feed all hungry
• Riots killed a few, 8 years war-40,000, Automobiles -500,000, Liquor-200,000, Drugs- ???

ONLY JESUS CHRIST CAN SATISFY THE SOUL'S HUNGER - I will feast on Him-& be satisfied daily

II. "NEITHER BE YE IDOLATERS" - v.7 PAUL DOES NOT INCLUDE HIMSELF

THIS PICTURE IS OF ISRAEL WITH THE GOLDEN CALF - AND A HIDEOUS PICTURE OF DEATH - Exo 32:1

• When they were caught they each blamed the other- but Moses asked who is on Lord's side
• Around the Golden Calf they danced nude - but 3,000 died under God's ministers of Vengeance

WAS THERE AN IDOL IN CORINTH AS SERIOUS? AND DO WE HAVE IDOLS TODAY THAT LEAD TO DEATH?

• They had real idols, we make idols of ideas! False idealism is worshipped in America
• Men cry for freedom and end of war - but practice anarchy and suicide - hatred generated

ONLY IN CHRIST IS REAL FREEDOM FROM IDOLS & FALSE IDEALS - John 8:32, & 36 - Choose Life

III. "NEITHER LET US COMMIT FORNICATION!" v.8

THE PICTURE OF ISRAEL IN Num 25 FOLLOWING THE DOCTRINE OF BALAAM AND FREE LOVE

• Not the lust of only a few- but thousands- and so God dealt severely- 24,000 died in plaque
• The plague continued until someone took drastic action- Num 25: 8 & received PEACE - v12

CORINTH AND AMERICA CERTAINLY HAVE NOT LEARNED FROM THE DEADLY EXPERIENCE OF ISRAEL !

• I preached this in '57- not believed- Now terrible perversions are here -
• When they cry "free love" they mean lust! Mail order temptation, sex education- a flood of perversion!

WITH SIN SO OPEN, ONLY CHRIST CAN KEEP YOU PURE EVEN AFTER HE WASHES YOU CLEAN IN HIS BLOOD

IV. "NEITHER LET US TEMPT CHRIST" - Num 21:5 & 16

ISRAEL SPAKE AGAINST GOD AND MOSES - Num 21:5 - AND GAINSAYING OF KORAH - Num 16

• Everyone wanted to be the pastor- Korah & his bunch, later Israel loathed light bread
• Fire & Earth swallowed Korah- 16:32,35 -14,700 died; Serpents came 21:6 -more died

CORINTH CHURCH ARGUED, AND OUR CHURCHES OF AMERICA ARGUE TODAY, DIVIDED MANY DIFFERENT WAYS

• Some follow smooth liberalism - Fire; Some don't like any leadership - Snakes - no mature souls?
• Our willfulness and permissiveness has removed discipline from church-scattered many

ONLY JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, & WE NEED TO OBEY HIS LEADERSHIP

• This involves a local church, membership, cooperating service, and fellowship with saints

V. NEITHER MURMUR YE " - v.10 - THE DEADLIEST & COMMONEST SIN OF ALL AGES

THIS SIN IN ISRAEL KILLED MORE THAN ANY OTHER SIN, AND WAS SO COMMON THROUGHOUT JOURNEY

• From Exo-Num they murmured about every hardship they faced, even about the good times
• This was so deadly that only 2 of the adults entered Promised land - and Children of Israel

IN CORINTH AND IN AMERICA OUR STRENGTH IS ALMOST DESTROYED BY THOSE WHO MURMUR

• We keep our nation divided into many different sounding camps - no victory or peace
• Our murmuring will bring us to anarchy & destruction unless we pull back at last moment

GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN - I Tim 6:6 - I will not speak evil of our leaders

VI. "FOR OUR EXAMPLE AS ENDS OF WORLD COME" - v.11

• Great stress as Israel entered Promised land- & in Corinth as the church age came in-
• And we will face great stress as our age closes and eternity comes in- will you stand? No Excuse

The only-way!- is to take heed - v.12 - and escape Temptation God's way - v.13 - flee idolatry!

CONCLUSION - WILL YOU PERISH IN SOME HORRIBLE WAY WITH THE MULTITUDE? BETER MAKE SURE

• If you are not born again- what chance do you have? NONE - Accept Christ right now!
• You need to accept Christ as your LORD to guide your life with the Bible
• You need a local church home, stand true to the Word of God-