1 Corinthians 10:11-13
“Be Careful”
This is the beginning of National Lutheran Schools week. It is an opportunity for us to join our hearts and lives together with all the other Lutheran schools around the nation and celebrate the wonderful opportunity we are given to have good, solid, Christian Lutheran education. As a congregation, we support Lutheran education as we work within our school – our teacher/staff help to teach our students the Word of God for a guide in their lives. Our Board seeks to give guidance to our staff/school/families that will remain solidly Lutheran in all that it teaches.
Why? Because there are a lot of temptations in the world. Our children need the solid Lutheran foundation for their life. Without it, temptation will seize them – much as it did the people in Corinth. They were Christians struggling with temptation. They struggled with many areas in their lives.
They felt inclined to quit struggling and give in because temptation was too much. The world around them tempted them. They couldn’t withstand because of how wicked and powerful the world was.
Paul tells them, “Now these things occurred as examples…” It wasn’t that they were done purposefully to give examples. No, they were done. The Israelites were tempted and sinned>>>over and over again>>>the Golden Calf, Baal of Peor (with Moabite women) and Midianite women, grumbling against God and suffering from the snakes.
Israel was tempted and sinned. They did not follow the Lord. Look at the outcome!
In the Gospel, there were people whose blood Pilate mixed with their sacrifices, the people at the tower of Siloam>>>terrible sinners? More than others? No>>>serves as an example to us of what can happen. We can die in our sins>>>either directly due to what we have done or indirectly, by a natural disaster, such as in Haiti or Chile or Turkey.
As we look at these events, we listen to the word of Jesus>>>repent of sin. Turn form the sinfulness of life and follow God!
To die apart from God is the greatest disaster to befall anyone>>>we are teaching the next generation the way of the Lord>>>>If we do not teach them, who will? The world? It is already teaching them. But is it godly? NO! >>>So we find ourselves teaching our children the way of the Lord. We focus on God’s Word and find the guidance we need to live as His children. We are to teach the faithfulness of God
What is that faithfulness?
He does not abandon us.
He does not leave us to ourselves to face temptation.
He does not try to get us to fall/fail by sending us evil temptation.
He is faithful >>>This is shown in Christ. Christ Jesus was faithful to the will of the Father. He is the Savior. The One who shows us how to live our lives>>>in faith, following Him, strengthened by Word and Sacrament, trusting Him for guidance.
Not tempted/tested beyond what we can bear. What does this mean?
• It doesn’t mean we will not be tested.
• It doesn’t mean that we will not be tempted.
We will. Our faith will be tested – severely at times, gently at other times. It will not be beyond what we can bear. It may push us right up to the edge. We may be right at the edge of the cliff, looking over, but we will not be sent beyond the edge. It will try your faith. At those times we ask, “Will we rely upon god in all things?” Or do we only rely upon God in good times? That is the huge challenge to our faith>>>How will we be in the midst of the challenge of our lives?
For our children -> This is why we teach them, by what we teach in the classroom, by what we say, by how we react to the situations of our lives. Our teachers and staff are doing as Paul tells Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Faith, rooted in the word of God, is able to stand in the face of many trials and temptations. It is a powerful took we have in our school. Does it make a difference? YES! For 9 years (2 more if you add preschool) – rooted in Christ – gives our children a good foundation for when they face the challenges of life.
Yes it is just as important that you (parent, grandparent, member of the church) live that faith. You will sorely tested and tried. The devil, the world and your own sinful nature will try to get you to see faith and God as either irrelevant for life, or wore, unable to help you in life.
Too many, when faced with issues and challenges of faith, turn from god. They become upset with God, blame God, leave God>>>and then pass that on to the next generation.
Yes, bad things happen. They happen because of sinful men and women>>>but that is no reason to leave God>>>or the church. That is what we try to teach out children.
Instead we are told, “But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13b) Provide a way out>>>strength of faith, body of Christ that enriches and up lifts.
What is our challenge for today?
2-fold challenge
1) support of the school.
2) to face the trials of this life with the firm foundation.
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