DOES YOUR LIFE PLEASE GOD?
1 Corinthians 10:1-6
August 1, 2007
Mike Matijevich
mmatevich@aol.com

Intro:
* Last several weeks talking about MATERIALISM.
- The dangers of Materialism breeds in us a self-centered ungrateful spirit.
* American Christianity we have the tendency to ask the question… "What's in it for me?"
* The correct/biblical question is…
"Does my life please God?" Ever ask that question?

1 Cor. 10 Paul uses an illustration of Israel's history to make his point…
(10:1-5) "Moreover…" connects back to chapter 9
Clear (v6) "EXAMPLES"
- Today how to protect from the evils of materialism… (not WHAT you do/don't have)
But do you CARE that your life pleases God?
* Can you give thanks for WHAT you have & for WHAT you DON"T have?

See it 9:24-27 another illustration- Olympics "castaway"= some one disqualified.

* Not to be disqualified for being "DUMB" (10:1) "ignorant"
- My job, make sure you are NOT dumb.
- Don't fail to understand the truth.

A. We need to understand WHY God gave us a bible- the INSTRUCTION book.
1. Mostly a male thing- fail to read the instruction (we wait for problems then)
2. The content of the bible- OT & NT (never perfectly understand the NT without understanding the OT)
3. 10:6 Pictures - "examples"
10:11 "Ensamples"
2:13 Paul teaching them in the early part of this book, comparing things SPIRITUAL things.
NOTE: What Paul is saying here, "We should learn from Israel's mistakes."
Lesson here All that God did for them they WASTED God's grace.
- The story of the Exodus (40 years)
- What more could God have done?
* Pay attention to what is happening here.
They all died in the wilderness- over 20 years of age.
* Picture of our Christian life- salvation to maturity. (Discipleship)
* Some believers get saved & waste God's grace- waste their lives.
You & I have a chance to CHANGE the world.

Listen to a few pieces of the scripture about a life that pleases God…
- Prov. 16:7; Rom 8:8; Gal 1:10; 1 Thes. 4:1; 2 Tim 2:4; Heb 11:6 the essence of the matter,
* I am tired of MENTAL Christians… think they are something, but NOT living it.
11:6b "…for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

* Four DIVIINE Gifts/ Provisions God gave to Israel (& to us)

1. Salvation: 1 Cor 10:1 "under the cloud"= the presence & Glory of God Almighty
- Picture of coming under the cloud= SUBMISSION to God..
- They passed through the Red Sea- tell the story of the chase…(brick-makers)
Under the cloud God opened the Red Sea… Back against the wall LOST, no answer, no direction, you saw you need - got under the cloud
2. Baptized 1 Cor 10:2 - means to immerse something
(7 baptism's in the bible) Moses 1 Cor 10, John Baptist Jn 1:31, Peter Acts 2, NT Christians Rom 6 death; 1 Cor 12:13 Spirit, water (a picture), coming in Tribulation (fire) Mt 3:11-13
First step of Discipleship- public profession
3. Spiritual nourishment- 10:3-4 God gives us Provision for them (even in rebellion)
* The meat (bread) water the Holy Spirit (Jn 7)
Sunday's we come to be nourished (soul & spirit)
4. Headship - 10:4b "That Rock was Christ" petra = boulder
(Mt 16:18 "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter (petros= piece of rock), and upon this rock (petra= boulder) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
* The "Rock" is Christ!
He is the HEAD, not a carnal physical head on the earth.
Why we have authority over us..
Gal 1:20-23 "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

* This whole thing is the process of discipleship- the 4 steps, under the headship of Christ.

Have you experienced that?
Are you thankful for it?
* This is where Israel blew it…
Those 17 people that Edward Spenser saved never went back & thanked him.
* Can you praise the Lord for all He did for us- so we might determine to please Him?

1 Cor 10:5 "But with MANY of them God was not well pleased…"

Conclusion:
* How can I please God?
1. Give thanks! Not just once, regularly. (Praise important)
2. Get going… ask yourself, "Where am I on this journey from Egypt to Promised Land?"
3. Maybe get saved?