PREPARE FOR IT! - B|Neighbors - Acts 9

As we prepare for the start of the B|Neighbors sermon series tomorrow, let's focus on the main character of the series and the big event that started Paul’s ministry of neighboring...

Acts 9 (NIV)

Saul’s Conversion

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

Living on Mission – B|Neighbors, C|U Neighbors

Living on Mission – B|Neighbors C|U Neighbors

I love so much about our new sermon series: Saul/Paul, Ananais, Barnabas, Peter, and Simon the tanner. I’m really looking forward to getting to all the stories of these people, but for now let’s start with Saul/Paul.

Saul encountering Jesus on the Damascus road and being transformed into the great Apostle we know as Paul clearly displays the heart and soul of what living on mission is all about. This man was dead-set against the people who followed Jesus. He was certain that they were being deceived by false teachings and abandoning the only true faith. His zeal was authentic, but Jesus showed up in person to let him know that it was misplaced. Jesus met Saul where he was. In love, He confronted and exposed the wrong and gave Saul an opportunity to change his ways. Not only did Saul change his ways, but he is still known as one of the most vocal and active spreaders of the Good News about Jesus of all time – and THAT’s living on mission!

My goal this week is to remind everyone that living on mission MUST begin with a real encounter with Jesus. This is where it all begins, and we become more effective as we continue to encounter Jesus each day.

Let’s practice Living on Mission by encountering Jesus every day! Let's learn to B|Neighbors and C|U Neighbors :)

Pastor Angela

PRAY IT! B|Neighbors

Galatians 2:20 states, "I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." 

These are the words of Paul found in his letter to the Galatians.  These are the words of the same Paul who, in Acts 9, was described as "still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord..."

Except he was not the same. 

Saul, who made quite a career out of persecuting Christians, had an encounter with Jesus that left him so very changed.  More than just his name changed - his entire life changed.  The Saul who persecuted was now the Paul who "preached boldly in the name of Jesus."  The Saul who had Christ-follower Ananias tell the Lord "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem" was now the Paul who would eventually write Romans, where in chapter 16, he spends verses 1-16 requesting that a various assortment of near and dear brothers and sisters in Christ be greeted.  Tormenter Saul was now Paul who loved people. 

Paul was transformed. 

When we truly encounter Jesus, we are changed.  If we let Jesus transform us, daily, then His purposes become our purposes.  His priorities become our priorities.  His prayers become our prayers.  His mission becomes our mission. 

Just like Jesus, our lives must actually intersect with the lives of our neighbors...of people... rather than simply run parallel to them.

Hope.  Transformation. 

Can you see it?

In your own life?
In your family?
In your neighborhood?

Speaking of neighborhoods... in 2014, there was a combined total of 3,133 reported crimes (ranging from battery to burglary to sexual assault to arson) in Bloomington-Normal.

Bullying... hunger... homelessness... poverty... neglect... abuse... none of these issues are so unique that they do not exist here in central Illinois. 

As we begin this new sermon series, and kick off our summer campaign where we B|Neighbors, we need to acknowledge two facts that coexist and have to intersect for change.

1.)  Jesus transforms.  Jesus neighbors.  Therefore, we transform and neighbor through Jesus.
2.)  Our neighbors need "neighboring."

As we pray and prepare our hearts for Sunday, how then should we pray?  Pray that we ourselves encounter Jesus daily, and that through Him, we neighbor differently, and we neighbor better.

Dear Jesus,
Please continue to transform me as we meet together daily.  Please open my eyes, my ears, and my heart to the needs around me.  Help me to neighbor differently.  Help me to neighbor better.  Help me to neighbor like you.  Please help me to live a life that intersects with people rather than simply runs parallel to them.
Amen.

PoC|Coverage is tonight at 6pm.  Consider joining us "on the frontlines" as we pray and care for our church, community, and world.

Pastor Celia

FAMILY IT! — Wednesday Family Devotional — “B|Neighbors”

Supplies: Bible

SHARE 

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?  Bright blue eyes?  Curly hair?  More height?  Less weight?  The ability to post your brother in a game of one-on-one?  Take a couple of minutes to think about it, then when everyone has an answer, go around and share.  What are the chances that this change might actually take place in your life?

READ

We’re starting a new sermon series this week, centered around Paul and several relationships he had with others.  We’re reading about his first relational encounter this week.  Have someone share Acts 9 from the Bible.

THINK

Ok, so Saul had some serious flaws in his character.  It could be he always longed to be taller or maybe he had a crooked nose that he wished were straight.  But nothing in his life could have been as bad as his heart.  He was a Jesus-hater!  Saul was repulsed by anything that had to do with the supposed Messiah.  In fact, he was so obsessed with his loathing that he made it his personal mission to take down anyone who claimed to follow the Nazarene.  I bet just about everyone he met figured there was 0% chance that he would ever change.

Then Saul met Jesus.

It’s amazing how that one encounter, beginning that one relationship can change things so dramatically.  We get to watch Saul become a totally different person because of this meeting.  In fact, he changed so much, Jesus changed his name too.  Where Saul was a Jesus-hater, Paul was a Jesus-sharer.  This run-in with Christ totally turned his life upside-down.  Instead of focusing on the anger and hated he had for others, Paul became consumed with what he wanted to share with people: the love and hope Jesus has for each of us.

APPLY

That same hope is available to everyone.  Most of us have some things about ourselves we wished were different, and some of those things are pretty deep in our hearts.  No matter what you’re longing for today, know that Jesus holds the hope of your future.  Joy, love, peace, contentment—they are all realities when we live in relationship with the Savior.  If He can change Saul, He can transform all of us.  

PRAY

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving Saul, for loving him so much that You changed his whole life.  I know that You love me just as much, which means I can be changed just as much.  Fill me with Your hope for my future, Jesus.  In Your Name we pray.  Amen

REPLY

Did you and your family enjoy this devotional blog?  We'd love to know about it!  Our hope is to continue providing this weekly opportunity for families to do a devotion together.  If your family did this devotion, please shoot us an email, text or just post a comment to this blog.

EXPLORE IT - Acts 9: Paul & "Neighbor" Jesus

Do you ever wonder if you are on the path God desires for you?  Maybe somewhere along the way you made a decision that wasn’t what God intended.  You turned left when God meant for you to turn right and now your life is forever “off track.”  Our passage this week gives us hope that as long as we are seeking God, He will intervene and not only return us to the proper path, but the outcome may be far greater than we ever anticipated.

This week we begin a five week look at the Apostle Paul and some of the people he journeys with as he seeks the path God has for him.  Beginning with Acts 9, we see the Pharisee Paul (Saul) as he persecutes Jesus’ Disciples (aka those who, “belonged to the Way” Acts 9:2b), incorrectly believing he is on the proper path to serve God.  But God intervenes in order to redirect Paul to the correct path. 

Jesus meets with Paul on the road to Damascus and strikes him blind for three days.  During these three days, the Lord speaks to a disciple named Ananias, telling him to go and place his hands on Paul so that he will regain his sight.  The Lord also tells Ananias that Paul is God’s, “chosen instrument to carry (God’s) name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15).  Paul was following one path, but God wanted him on another. 

Paul could have resisted God, imagining this whole episode was a bizarre happening and continued to persecute Christians.  He could have continued down the wrong path.  But Paul’s heart was open to God’s message, he was willing to admit he had taken a wrong turn, he in fact became eager to follow God’s plan and immediately redirected his life!  Paul began to preach that Jesus was the Son of God, surprising those who knew him before his road to Damascus experience.

As we journey through life, we too must serve God, but be open to his guiding hand.  If we find ourselves going in the wrong direction and God intervenes to set us straight, we must humble ourselves and wholeheartedly change course in order get back on track.  As long as we follow Him, we will never have to worry about being on the path God desires for us!

Blessings,
Pastor Amy

READ IT! - B|Neighbors - Acts 9

To start out the B|Neighbors sermon series this week, let's focus on the main character of the series and the big event that started Paul’s ministry of neighboring...

Acts 9 (NIV)

Saul’s Conversion

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

PREPARE FOR IT! - iROCK - 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

 During the iRock sermon series, we're studying 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.

"For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

- I Corinthians 10: 1-13

Living on Mission – Remembering God is Faithful and We are Not Alone

Living on Mission – Remembering God is Faithful and We are Not Alone

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

It’s easy to feel isolated and alone. It creates a certain feeling of safety and even a distorted satisfaction. Plus it makes us feel special. "Nobody else on the entire planet had ever experienced anything as bad as I have it right now. No one can relate, so I’ll just sit here by myself and suffer." That's quite a distinguished place to live. Maybe it’s even a temptation for you.

Our enemy would like nothing more than to isolate us. Why? Because we’re weaker when we are alone. What was one of the first things God said after He created Adam? It’s not good for man to be alone.

We were made to share life together. The truth is, the temptations that come your way will always be less tempting if you’re sharing your life with people who are striving to become more and more like Jesus.

We all face temptations. What we do when we’re tempted determines whether we stand firm or fall into the temptation. Two things are mentioned in this week’s passage that will help us stand: Don’t isolate, and remember God is faithful. We can trust God to give us wisdom and strength to endure.

Let’s practice Living on Mission and remember that we are never alone and our God is faithful.

Pastor Angela

iPray: 1 Corinthians 10:13

The end of self-revelry is the start of freedom and victory, of relief, of peace and security, of love, of something so much greater than we could ever hope to be or achieve on our own... in the "death" of our "selfies" we find new life in Christ. 

1 Corinthians 10:13:  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

What words of hope Paul presents us with, as our most wonderful sermon series, iRock:  The End of Self-Revelry, comes to a close.

We are not alone.

We should be encouraged.

We overcome.

Because of Jesus.

Jesus says in Matthew 26:41, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Prayer is definitely key, as it connects us to our source of strength, our capital G God.  We do not overcome against temptation alone. 

In light of this wonderful Scripture, how then do we pray and prepare our hearts and minds for Sunday?

Because we are not alone, but instead are blessed not only by God's presence, but also by the presence of brothers and sisters in Christ who are walking the same path and encountering similar struggles, let us pray for accountability and truth.  Isolation from God and from His Body has no place when it comes to freedom and victory from temptation and from sin.  John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Because we are encouraged by God's faithfulness, let us pray for continued daily presence on our part.  He is always available - let us strive to meet with Him daily.   John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Because we know this victory, or way out, comes from God and not our own strength, let us also pray for dependence on God as we set aside our prideful attitudes and fully lean into Him for support and strength.  1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for Your faithfulness, for the truth of Your Word, and for Your strength.  Refine us.  We need you.  Please draw near to us as we draw near to you. 

Amen

PoC|Coverage is tonight at 6pm... try it, you'll like it!

Blessings,
Pastor Celia

Family It!

Supplies: Bible, an action figure of a super hero.

SHARE
What superpowers do the following heroes have?  Batman.  Aquaman.  Superman. Hulk.  Wonder Woman.  Flash.

READ
Read I Corinthians 10:13 with your family. 

CONSIDER
1)  Sometimes when we are tempted to do wrong, we think we HAVE to sin.  This verse tell us a couple of things about temptation:

1. Everyone you know is tempted.
2. We are all tempted in very similar ways.
3. Jesus, our hero, comes through for us.  Jesus to the rescue!

2)  Jesus can help us when we have temptation any way he chooses.  He has incredible super powers also, because He is God.

a.  Jesus can choose to remove the temptation.

b.  Jesus can choose to help us get out of the temptation.

c.  Jesus can help us endure and stand through the temptation.

d.  Jesus is for us and wants us to stand for Him.

PRAY
Jesus, thank you for helping me endure temptation.  You are the real hero.  Amen.

REPLY
Did you and your family enjoy this devotional blog? We'd love to know about it! Our hope is to continue providing this weekly opportunity for families to do a devotion together. If your family did this devotion, please shoot us an email, text or just post a comment to this blog.

EXPLORE IT - 1 Corinthians 10:13

1 Corinthians 10:13  No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

God never gives us more than we can handle.  This popular phrase finds its foundation in our passage this week.  The way our culture tends to think of this passage is that whatever temptation comes our way, we will be able to bear up under the burden and will be able to resist the temptation.  This is not what Paul intends in this passage.

Paul begins this passage by reassuring us that the temptations we experience are also experienced by others around us, no temptation is uniquely ours.  Sometimes we feel that no one can possibly understand what we are going through, but Paul encourages us to realize that we are not alone.  We are not alone because there are others around us who are being or have been tempted in the same way we are currently struggling.  But we are also not alone because God says, “He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  We do not have to figure a way out, God provides a way out.

Be encouraged!  Whatever temptation you are struggling with, others have walked that path before and God is by your side!  Seek Him for His strength and His path out of the temptation.  With Jesus, we have victory over sin and death! (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)

Blessings,
Pastor Amy

READ IT! - iROCK - 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

 During the iRock sermon series, we're studying 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 each day.

"For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

- I Corinthians 10: 1-13

PREPARE FOR IT! - iROCK - 1 Corinthinas 10:1-13

 During the iRock sermon series, we're studying 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.

"For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

- I Corinthians 10: 1-13

Living on Mission with Humility

Living on Mission with Humility

We all know someone who has a “No worries, I’ve got this!” attitude toward just about everything. They speed around town, ignoring posted limits. They NEVER read instructions. They can’t be bothered going to a class. Don’t tell them how the rest of the known world accomplishes anything; they have a better way – their way.

Isn’t it frustrating when this person is someone you love? You want to spare them the pain of mistakes. You want to share the lessons you learned the hard way. You love them so much that it hurts you to see them hurt themselves and/or others. You warn. You give examples from your own experience.

This is exactly the loving posture God takes toward us (through Paul) in 1 Corinthians 10:11-12, “These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.”

In this chapter of 1 Corinthians, we’ve seen some pretty serious consequences for sins that were common then and now. Wouldn’t it be great if we could avoid destructive patterns that lead to ruin, slavery, and death? We can! We can listen to the warnings. We can pay attention to the examples and check our behavior.

Let’s practice Living on Mission and humble ourselves. Let’s heed the warnings and learn from the examples that are graciously given from our Father’s heart of love to keep us from falling.

Pastor Angela