Flee From Idolatry Central Truth As Christians we

Flee From Idolatry †Central Truth: As Christians, we must be faithful to Christ. †Focus Acknowledge the imminent temptation of idolatry and commit to single-hearted worship of God only. †Context: Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, probably in AD 56 or 57. †Golden Text: “My dearly beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Cor. 10: 14)

OUTLINE I. Recognize the Danger of Temptation (1 Cor. 9: 24— 10: 13) II. Abstain from Idolatry (1 Cor. 10: 14 -22) III. Be a Positive Influence (1 Cor. 10: 23— 11: 1)

I. RECOGNIZE THE DANGER OF TEMPTATION A. Practice Self-Discipline Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be castaway. (1 Cor. 9: 24 -27)

I. RECOGNIZE THE DANGER OF TEMPTATION B. Beware of Spiritual Dangers Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (1 Cor. 10: 1 -10)

I. RECOGNIZE THE DANGER OF TEMPTATION C. Do Not Be Overconfident Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with that temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may able 11 -13) to bear it. (1 be. Cor.

II. ABSTAIN FROM IDOLATRY A. Warning Against Idolatry Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from Idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (1 Cor. 10: 14 -17)

II. ABSTAIN FROM IDOLATRY B. An Example of Union Behold Israel after the flesh: are not which they eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of the devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than (1 Cor. 10: he? 18 -22)

III. BE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE A. Christian Liberty All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. (1 Cor. 10: 23 -24)

III. BE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE B. Practical Advice For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whetherefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all thins, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Be ye followers of me, even as I also of Christ. (1 Cor. 10: 30 -11: 1)