(1Co 10:18) “Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?”  The altar and its many sacrifices was given to them directly from God, just as the communion service was given directly through the Spirit of God. To eat is to acknowledge Him. We have lost in our day the fact that these are not simply rituals, but acts to honor Him. Glory to His Name!

(1Co 10:17) “For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” The saved are part of not only the Lord in communion, but with each other in its fellowship. Although the context is building up to a conclusion, we must not overlook the application that we must be spiritually alive to have true communion with Christ. The same is true in order to have fellowship on a spiritual level with one another.

(1Co 10:15) “I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. (16)  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”  Although the juice and the bread are nothing in themselves, in our hearts we are becoming one with Jesus (communion – fellowship). We feel we are pleasing God in what we do.We are to be in our hearts saying, “I dedicate myself once again in thankfulness to living for His glory.”

(1Co 10:13) “…God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (14)  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”  What pressure might a person feel to be a part of a false worship of God? Family pressure (“We have always been…”); social pressure; what comes down to a choice between God’s or man’s acceptance. Choose right. Choose God.

(1Co 10:13) “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”  As we look at the demands of holy living, our hearts may say, “I cannot”. Here He Who faced our temptations and overcame says to you, “I understand and will help if you are willing.”

 (1Co 10:12) “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Pride makes us think we are better, more spiritual, that what we are. Through the example of Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 we learn it not our strength, but the Lord’s strength through which we are to overcome. The Lord lifts up the humble, not the proud (James 4:6,10).

(1Co 10:11) “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”  IF…..one does not read the Old Testament, how can they learn from the “ensamples”? Brother/sister, Jesus said to those who only had at the time the Old Testament Scriptures, “…. It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt 4:4) No excuse will suffice.

(1Co 10:10) “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.”  People seem to think God owes them the kind of life they think they deserve. If they don’t get what they desire, they feel hard at God,  murmuring against Him. I have heard people say, “I’m mad at God”. Amazing. He gave His Son on a cross for you. Do you still think He owes you something?

(1Co 10:9) “Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.” In what way did they tempt the Lord? They tested His patience. They complained about His provision – the manna they ate. All they had to do was go out and pick it up every morning. Yet, they complained. Are we guilty of not seeing the Lord’s blessings upon our life and complaining to Him?

(1Co 10:8) “Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.”  It is so commonplace for men and women to sleep together and live together that our society thinks it normal. It is not. It is sin and wickedness before God. The going from one person to another is defilement before God. Believers need to see it and acknowledge it in their minds.