Rev. David Holwick W 250th Anniversary of
First Baptist Church Roxbury Township, NJ
Ledgewood, New Jersey
July 22, 1990
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
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I. "Those who do not learn from the past are condemned to repeat it."
A. Popular quote. (Santiana?)
B. Reason Bible is important.
1) Past events, but current relevance.
II. Paul's lesson from history.
A. Events of the past.
1) Directed by God: Exodus.
a) "Baptized into Moses." -Salvation 10:2
b) Ate spiritual food, drink. -Succor 10:3
1> Manna.
2> Moses struck rock to get water.
A> Legend of moving rock.
B> (Moses got water from rock at beginning and end
of wandering)
2) Disciplined by God.
a) God not pleased with most. 10:5
1> Actually, only two people made it.
2> Not even Moses passed the test.
b) Their baptism and communion didn't protect them from
God's punishment.
1> Obedience to God's will is necessary.
3) Delivered by God. 10:13
a) No sin or trial is insurmountable.
b) God will always provide a way out.
B. Principle.
1) The enjoyment of high privileges doesn't guarantee entry
into final blessing.
2) Just because you are strong, you can still fall. 10:12
III. History of Ledgewood Baptist Church.
A. Bible doesn't contain all history.
1) Ledgewood Baptist is not mentioned.
B. Key points in our past.
1) Offshoot of Mount Olive Baptist.
2) Controversy over evangelism and missions.
a) Mount Olive favored them.
b) Its opponents died out.
3) Several sister churches formed.
a) Ledgewood expanded fast.
1> 49 baptisms in 1916.
2> Sunday School thrived.
b) After new church put up, congregation matured.
1> Committed to Scripture.
C. Nostalgia.
1) Many members have fond memories of yesteryear.
2) But this is no guarantee of a bright future.
a) Our village has changed, and so has our church.
b) Only real question: Are we honoring the Lord Jesus?
IV. Applications from history. 10:6
A. Corinth.
1) They thought baptism and communion would protect them.
2) Their idolatry (compromise) led to loose living. 10:6-8
a) They probably thought they were under severe, unusual
pressures.
b) They were tempting God. 10:9
3) They neglected the truths found in the Bible.
B. Ledgewood Baptist Church.
1) Many have false security in church membership.
a) I meet people who are proud to be members here.
1> Never seen them before.
2> Probably won't see them again.
b) Membership is important, but salvation is crucial.
2) The Bible is taken for granted.
a) Rev. Earle was noted for Bible conferences.
1> Brilliant scholar.
b) But many here today are woefully ignorant of Scripture.
1> Bible is for today, not just past. 10:6,11
3) Danger of losing sight of our reason for existing.
a) We face big burdens in finances - sewers, masonry.
b) Will missions and outreach be neglected?
1> Lack of faith when this sanctuary built.
2> Earle had to stay until mortgage paid off.
c) If we honor the Lord, he will always work things out.
V. The promise of 10:13.
A. "Temptation" also has broader sense of testing.
1) Many forget that context points to church.
2) But also applies to individuals.
a) Passage has given encouragement to thousands.
B. Our situation is not exceptional. "Common to man."
1) We always think we are alone, overwhelmed.
C. God will always provide an escape.
1) "ekbasis" - imperiled army escapes through mountain pass.
2) Note that we will be able to "endure" it.
a) Strength to fight it, if not conquer immediately.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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