Examples Not To Follow

1 Corinthians 10:6-13

⁶Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. ⁷Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” ⁸We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. ⁹We must not put Christ^[a] to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, ¹⁰nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. ¹¹Now 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. ¹²Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³No 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.

Sermon Notes

ANF was established in 2018 and we started doing House Church ministry. There are four important pillars and the second pillar is to restore the biblical method of discipleship. It is through modeling. There are good examples and bad examples of people. When we have good impressions of someone based on their characteristics and personalities, we want to be like them and likewise, we avoid being/following traits and behaviors that are not good examples. Let’s think about our life and how we live so far, are we a good example or bad example to the people around us? Even though we don’t have the intention to become a bad example, we could do that unintentionally.

To be the imitator of Christ. We need to be good examples for people around us (e.g., coworkers, family members, neighbors) so that they might be saved and also become imitators of Christ.

A good example:

A pastor PD met 7 years ago. This pastor was leading a communion and he felt the overwhelming love of God. He cried and he could not lead the communion as a result.
When we become older, our heart becomes dry and cold or when we get used to this Christian life, we might feel numb and don’t feel anything. But this pastor was overwhelmed by the love he received from God. So this is a good example for PD to follow.

A bad example:

This person was a shepherd of PD in college. He called PD once a week on Friday before HC to see if PD was coming or not.
PD was sad at the time and decided not to become like him when PD became a shepherd. When PD became shepherd, PD decided not to call his members on Friday mainly to check whether they were coming or not, but instead he called them on Monday-Thursday to know how they are doing.

There are two types of sin:

Sin of Commission: things we shouldn’t do but we do.
Sin of Omission: things we should do but we don’t.

If we follow bad examples, then our lives will be ruined. In 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 mentioned four bad examples not to follow, but let’s focus on one bad example this week that is “do not be idolaters.”

Paul specifically referred to what happened in the OT Exodus 32:1-6 to warn us not to have idols.
It is easy for us to think that we are not idolaters because we are saved by Jesus. However, realistically, we could be.
Back then in OT or early first century, idols were the gods people made up
In the current society, idols are something that we cannot live without, even the very best things in life. Idols are anything that is more important to us than God. Idols are something we seek that only God can give. Idols are anything that is essential to our life other than God.
There are 2 types of idols
- Deep idols: security, appreciation, control, influence, desires of body, etc.
- Surface idols: money, people, children, family, career, possession, etc.
There are 3 most obvious idols: money, desires, and influence (express aggressively: control; express passively: appreciation/recognition)

Reflection Questions:

What have been the good examples you want to follow or the bad examples you want to avoid?
What could be the idols in your life?