Take Heed Lest You Fall

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. Having spoken of his own need to watch out for falling from the faith, St. Paul warns the Corinthians similarly using the example of the Israelites. They all received the same blessings of Christ in the exodus from Egypt and the Lord's provision in the wilderness, yet not all of them believed; many of them fell from the faith. As the Corinthians receive the gifts of Christ in Word and Sacrament now, they must learn from the example of the Israelites to flee from idolatry and grumbling. Temptation comes at them, and pride will lead to their fall. This calls for trust in the Lord, whose faithfulness provides endurance through temptation. “Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 1 Corinthians. In response to correspondence from the Christians in Corinth and reports about matters arising in the congregation, St. Paul writes to address various matters of Christian faith and life. Throughout it all, he directs our attention to the power and wisdom of God for our salvation: Christ crucified.