I've Got it Made

I’ve Got it Made! Are you sure?

September 25, 2011

Introduction

In John 10:27-30 (NKJV), we find these words of Jesus: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. {28} "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. {29} "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. {30} "I and My Father are one."

But then there was Peter! (Mat 26:33-35 NKJV) Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." {34} Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." {35} Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples.

But what really happened? (Mat 26:74-75 NKJV) Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. {75} And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.

Well, that was Peter, but what about us? Do we have it made? Are we sure?

Body

I. Paul warned about being over confident.

(1 Cor 10:12 NKJV) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

A. What is the “Therefore” based upon?

1. The Children of Israel who had been “baptized.”

(1 Cor 10:1-2 NKJV) Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, {2} all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

2. But it doesn’t stop with their baptism.

(1 Cor 10:3-4 NKJV) all ate the same spiritual food, {4} and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

B. But what is the warning: take heed lest he fall?

(1 Cor 10:5 NKJV) But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

1. How many was “Most of them”?

(Num 14:26-31 NKJV) And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, {27} "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me. {28} "Say to them, 'As I live,' says the LORD, 'just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you: {29} 'The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. {30} 'Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in. {31} 'But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised.

2. But what do they have to do with us?

a. It is a solemn warning!

(1 Cor 10:6 NKJV) Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. {12} Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

(1 Cor 10:12 NIV) So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

b. There is assurance from God.

(1 Cor 10:13 NKJV) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

II. What are the temptations?

A. James clarifies where the temptations come from.

(James 1:13-14 NKJV) Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. {14} But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

B. But are there things we might add to the list of desires?

1. A general lusting after evil.

(1 Cor 10:6 NKJV) Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

2. More specifically, idolatry.

(1 Cor 10:7 NKJV) And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."

a. Paul defines idolatry as covetousness.

(Col 3:5 NKJV) Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

b. What can we covet?

(Exo 20:17 NKJV) "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

c. A practical definition of covetousness.

(Heb 13:5 NKJV) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

d. Contentment is essential.

(1 Tim 6:6-8 NKJV) Now godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. {8} And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

3. let us not commit sexual immorality.

(1 Cor 10:8 NKJV) Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;

4. Let us not challenge Christ.

(1 Cor 10:9 NASB) Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.

5. Do not be a bunch of complainers.

(1 Cor 10:10 NKJV) nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

There is a song that I think is a complaining song. It says:

Tempted and tried, We’re oft made to wonder

Why it should be thus all the day long.

While there are others, never molested,

Though in the wrong.

Why are we often wondering about these things? If we are content, we won’t be wondering why others have more than we? Could that not lead to covetousness?

Conclusion

I. Do not be over confident.

(1 Cor 10:12 NKJV) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

II. Have you submitted your life to God?

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