Surviving the Wilderness | Messy Church, Part 14

Surviving the Wilderness | Messy Church, Part 14

How to survive in the wilderness: 

1. Know God’s Story 

1 Corinthians 10:1-6

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. 

“under the cloud” 

“passed through the sea”  

“Moses”  

“spiritual rock”  

“Overthrown in the wilderness” 

Christ is not only IN the Old Testament

The Old Testament is ultimately ABOUT Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:4

“and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.”  

1 Corinthians 10:6

“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.” 

Deuteronomy 32:18

You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you, and you forgot the God who gave you birth.  

“Never forget for a moment that it is sin that has led to the great transaction between you and Christ Jesus; and that each day in your fellowship with God, His one aim is to deliver and keep you fully from its power, and lift you up into His likeness and His infinite love.” – Andrew Murray

2. Pay attention to God’s Warnings 

1 Corinthians 10:7-12

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 play.” 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. 

Warning #1 – Don’t rely on fake saviors (v. 7) 

Exodus 32:3-4

So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!”  

“If I just had ___________________” 

Warning #2 – Flee from sexual immorality (v. 8)  

Numbers 25:1-2

While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. 2 These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 

Warning #3 – Don’t put God to the test (v. 9)  

Warning #4 – Stop grumbling about gifts (v. 10)  

– “Lord is our provider”  

– They complained about a miracle.

– They started to see their former slavery as freedom!

3. Trust in God’s Faithfulness 

1 Corinthians 10:13

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.  

It is God’s faithfulness to us that produces faithfulness in us!

When we trust in God’s faithfulness, He will always provide the way of escape