How to Avoid Spiritual Defeat

Posted on October 5, 2010 in Blog, Congregational Resources, Sunday Sermons

In continuing with our sermon series through 1 Corinthians, Pastor Jay Jesuroga preached on “How to Avoid Spiritual Defeat” from 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.

How to Avoid Spiritual Defeat:

  1. Do not trust in spiritual privileges (1 Cor. 10:1-5)
    1. Take for example Israel’s privileges
      1. Guided by God (1 Cor. 10:1 | Ex. 13:22; 14:22)
      2. Baptized into Moses (1 Cor. 10:2 [Like being “baptized into Christ”: Rom. 6:3 | Gal. 3:27])
      3. Supernaturally provided for (1 Cor. 10:3-4 | Exo. 16:14; 17:6 | Num. 20:8)
    2. God was not pleased with them (1 Cor. 10:5 | Num. 14:22–29, 37; 26:64–65 | Heb. 3:16–19; 4:1-2)
  2. Learn from negative examples (1 Cor. 10:6, 11; 9:10 | Rom. 15:4)
  3. Avoid idolatry (1 Cor. 10:7 | Exo. 32:1–6, 27)
  4. Avoid sexual immorality (1 Cor. 10:8 | Num. 25:1–9; 31:16 | 1 Cor. 5:1–13; 6:12–20 | 1 Thes. 4:3-7 | 2 Sam. 12:10-12)
  5. Avoid complaining and grumbling against God in His providence (v.9-10 | Num. 11:1; 14:1–38; 16:11–35; 21:5-9 | Heb. 13:5)
  6. Avoid the sin of self-sufficiency and pride (1 Cor. 10:12 | John 15:5 | 2 Cor. 3:5-6)
  7. Trust in the faithfulness of God (1 Cor. 10:13)
What does it mean that Israel was “baptized into Moses” and does this have anything to do with Christian baptism? (clip under 2 minutes below):

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One can have many spiritual benefits, like Israel, but does this guarantee salvation? Should we put out trust in these things? If not, then what are we to put our faith into?  (4 minutes):

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One of the ways to avoid spiritual defeat is to avoid complaining and grumbling against God’s providence, because when we do we are in essence complaining against God Himself  (4 minutes):

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When we learn from others negative example, like learning from Israel’s mistakes, we have to be careful not to get prideful and become self-sufficient. As Paul says in verse 12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” Pastor Jay comments on this in the 2 minute clip below:

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Listen or download “How to Avoid Spiritual Defeat” from 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 by Pastor Jay Jesuroga (from our sermon series through 1 Corinthians):