The Danger Of Over Confidence
- Details
- Sunday Morning Service
- Jason Mitchell
- Copalis Community Church
- 08 March 2026
- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
- Numbers 20:25
- Exodus 32:6
- Hebrews 4:15
All right, let's pray.
Heavenly Father, we just thank you so much, Lord, that we have this privilege, Lord. The privilege to gather together as saints in your body, Lord. Father, a privilege to hear your word, Lord. We just confess now, Lord, that we cannot know anything or understand anything unless you make it happen. And, Father, we ask you right now to come and be with us this morning.
Help us to understand your word so that we may grow and glorify you. And we ask all this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
So the title of this morning's message is the Danger of Overconfidence. I was inspired by two Christian men to preach this message today. The first man I would like to mention is Philip Yancey. Philip Yancey, now retired, was a highly inspiring Christian author and journalist who has written over 60 books and has sold over 20 million copies for over 50 years. Philip Yancey has been a profoundly encouraging influence, influential voice in Christianity.
The other man I would like to mention is Stephen J. Lawson. Stephen J. Lawson served as the dean of the Doctor of Ministry program at the Master Seminary founded by John MacArthur. Having preached in over 20 countries and written more than 30 books, Lawson's ministry has impacted thousands. Lawson's sermons and social media clips have been seen by Christians across the globe. What both of these men have in common is that they are highly influential in the body of Christ.
Sadly, they both gave into temptation, fell into sin, and the outcome has caused them both to lose their ministries. The end results have wounded their testimonies and damaged their effectiveness in Christ. This message today can serve as a warning and a reminder to us all about the dangers of overconfidence. So as we look at these passages this morning, let us approach these scriptures with humility. Our scripture reading today will be from First Corinthians, chapter 10, verses 1 through 13.
Please turn there in your Bibles if you'd like to follow along. I will be reading from the Legacy Standard Bible Translation, First Corinthians, chapter 10, verses 1 through 13.
I hope nobody's got a sports game to get to because we're about to go through the whole thing.
Clarify that.
Okay? First Corinthians, chapter 10, verses 1 through 13. So before we get started, I would like to explain to you the purpose of why Paul wrote First Corinthians. The Apostle Paul founded the church in Corinth. A few years after leaving the church, the Apostle Paul heard some disturbing reports about what was going on in the church.
They were full of pride. They were practicing sexual immorality. Spiritual gifts were being used improperly and there was a widespread misunderstanding of key Christian doctrines. The Apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians attempting to restore the Corinthian church to its foundation, Jesus Christ. So before we begin in chapter 10 of First Corinthians, let's review a little bit of chapter 8 and 9 first.
You don't have to turn there. In chapters 8 of First Corinthians, Paul presents the Christian principle, to which Christians are free to do whatever Scripture does not forbid, as being morally wrong. However, if we love as God calls us to love, then we will limit our liberties for the sake of weaker believers. Chapter 9 shows us how using our liberty affects others. Chapter 10 will show how our use of liberty affects our own lives.
In verses 1 through 13, Paul will explain how the misuse of liberty can disqualify us from effective service to Christ. So let's start reading in First Corinthians, chapter 10, verses 1 through 13. For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well pleased, for they were struck down in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved.
Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play. Nor let us act in sexual immorality, as some of them did, and 23,000 fell in one day. Nor let us put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction upon whom the ends of the ages have arrived.
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed, so that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation provide the way to escape, also that you will be able to endure it. The Apostle Paul begins the chapter by saying, for I do not want you to be unaware, brothers. Let's first take notice that Paul addresses the Church by using the term brothers. Before moving forward, we need to understand that The Greek word used here for brothers is adelphoi, which is a common Greek address that typically implies a mixed group of men and women in the church.
That means the scripture here is not directed at men only, but to women as well.
So let's continue starting at verse one. For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea. And all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. And all ate the same spiritual food, all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from the spiritual rock which followed them, and the rock was Christ. What's going on here?
Paul is reminding the church in Corinth about the Israelites. He wants them to be aware of the privileges the Israelites had while being under Moses. The reason they needed to be reminded was because the Corinthian believers were prideful about their spiritual gifts and status in Christ. Apparently, the church in Corinth believed they were immune to judgment. As we continue to read, Paul will go on to show that the Israelites, despite having spiritual privileges, were not excused for their disobedience.
Let's continue in verse 5. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well pleased, for they were struck down in the wilderness. Do you notice here in verse 5 what Paul says? He says God was not well pleased with most of them, most meaning all but two. Eventually, Caleb and Joshua were the only adults left from the first generation.
The rest were disqualified in the wilderness.
Numbers 2665 says, For Yahweh had said of them, they shall surely die in the wilderness. And not a man was left of them except Caleb the the son of Jephunneth and Joshua the son of nun, verse 6. Now these things happened as examples for us so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Verse 7. Do not be idolaters as some of them were.
As it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink and stood up to play. This is a direct quote from Exodus, chapter 32, verse 6. The eat and drink implies to feasting on sacrifices to false gods, while stood up to play signifies reckless immoral, partying, dancing and pagan immorality. In the book of Exodus, when Moses went up the mountain for an extended period, the people started to do whatever they wanted to do.
Paul was quoting Exodus because the believers in Corinthian church were committing the same sins while Paul was absent. And just like the Israelites, the believers in Corinth were abusing their God given privileges.
Let's go ahead and Continue in verse eight. Nor let us act in sexual immorality, as some of them did, and 23,000 fell in one day. Nor let us put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the destroyer. Paul is saying to the Corinthian church, listen, you have the same privileges as our fathers did, but that does not give you a right to do whatever you want to do and act as if you're above judgment.
There will be consequences, yes, even death. Paul mentions 23,000 died in one day. A perfect example of God's patience running out. Paul was trying to get them to realize that they were headed for danger. In other words, Paul was saying, you better straighten up before God says, enough.
Verse 11. Now, these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction upon whom the ends of the ages have arrived. Okay, Church, now this is very, very important. Okay? And I want you to catch this.
Let's read this again. Verse 11. Now, these things happen to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction upon whom the end the ages have arrived. Whose instruction?
Ours. Well, we should be asking the question. Well, how do we know that the Apostle Paul was also speaking to us in this present age? If we look, it's right here in verse 11. Let's read it again.
Now, these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction. Whose instruction? Ours. Now, look closely. Here it is upon whom the ends of the ages have arrived.
What ages? The end of the ages, also known as the last days. Amen. So who's living in the last days? We are.
You and me. So now we have this understanding that Paul is speaking to us as well. We can receive this as a letter not only written to the believers in Corinth, but as a letter written to all believers living in the last days.
Verse 12. Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. So, considering the examples that were left for us by the Israelites, Paul goes on to say, let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. I think it's very important to focus on the words stands and take heed. The word stands is used in the New Testament to describe spiritual steadfastness, perseverance, or remaining unmoved against opposition.
And the word take heed primarily means to turn one's attention towards something, exercise vigilant caution, or watch out for danger. In other words, what Paul is trying to Say is that if you start thinking that you're spiritually strong, then it's time to be cautious and pay attention to what you're doing or you will fall into danger. We church must be careful. When a believer becomes overconfident, they transition from relying on God's strength to trusting in their own. This leads to spiritual complacency, decreased prayer, and heightened vulnerability to temptation.
Let's continue. Verse 13 no temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man. Let's stop right here.
Paul gives us the assurance that no temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man. It's important to understand that temptations are never unique experiences to us. We will never be well. We will never have a temptation that has not been experienced by millions of other people. Circumstances differ, but basic temptations do not.
Even the Son of God was tempted in all things as we are, and because of that, Jesus is able to come to the aid of all those who are tempted.
We are able well, and because temptations are common to us all, we are able to confess our sins to one another and to bear one another's burdens. Basically, we are all in the same boat.
Continuing in verse 13. But God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also so that you will be able to endure it. God is faithful and we can trust in him to supply all our needs. He will not let us experience any test we are not able to meet, and he will always provide a way through it.
We escape temptation not by getting out of it, but by passing through it. God does not take us out. He sees us through by making us able to endure it.
God's own spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. It was the Father's will that the Son be there. And Jesus did not leave until all three temptations were over.
He met the temptations head on. He escaped the temptations by enduring them in His Father's power.
A perfect example.
God provides us three ways for us to endure. Prayer, trust, and focusing on Jesus Christ. Our first defense in a test or a trial is to pray, to turn to our Heavenly Father and put matters into his hands. Second, we must trust when we pray. We must pray, believing that the Lord will answer and help us.
We also trust that whatever the origin of the trial, God has allowed it to come to us for our good, to prove our faithfulness. God has a purpose for everything that comes to his children. And when we are tested and Tempted, we should gladly endure it in his power for the sake of his glory and of our spiritual growth. Third, we should focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, for consider him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. We have not resisted yet to the point of shedding blood.
In our striving against sin, Christ endured more than we could ever be called to endure. He understands our trials and he is able to take us through them. I like to think of the hymn and Homer might know this one. Yield not to Temptation written by Dr. Horatio Richard Palmer, 1868 Yield not to temptation for yielding is sin each victory will help you some other to win Fight manfully onward Dark passions subdue look ever to Jesus he'll carry you through Ask the Savior to help you comfort, strengthen and keep you he is willing to aid you he will carry you through so what can we, the Church, take away from this message? Today I got five things for you.
Number one. We can recognize we are privileged children of God and we need to use our privileges given to us in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus. Number two. We can learn from Biblical history Church. We are living in a different age from the time of the Israelites.
In the wilderness, however, we can learn a valuable lesson from their example. Like them, if we take our liberties too far and fall into disobedience and sin, we can forfeit our blessing. We can also forfeit our effectiveness in the Lord's service. We will not lose our salvation, but we can easily lose our virtue and usefulness and become disqualified in the race of the Christian life.
3. We can rest assured in the Scriptures all believers will face temptation and no temptation is uncommon to us. It is a normal part of the Christian life, not a sign of failure.
Number four, we must depend on God's faithfulness. God will never let us be tempted with more than we can handle. But with the temptation provide a way through. God will use our trials as a tool to develop spiritual endurance so that we will become stronger in Him. And finally, five, we have help from the Lord Jesus Christ.
We look to him in our time of need. Turn your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 4, verse 15.
That's Hebrews chapter four, verse 15.
We're going to close with this verse one more time. Hebrews chapter 4, verse 15. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but one who has been tempted in all things like we are yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find find grace to help in the time of need. None of us know what ministry the Lord God will call us to, but we do know that we are all called to live out the Great Commission and to help build up the body of Christ.
So with that in mind, let's be careful not to walk according to this world, but to walk according to the Spirit of God. Which means living in daily consistent dependence on the Holy Spirit's power to guide thoughts and actions, thereby rejecting fleshly desires and glorifying God. Amen. Let's pray.
Father, we just thank you Lord, again as your privileged children. Lord, let us not take those privileges for granted. Let us not abuse those privileges. We need your guidance from your Holy Spirit, Lord, to to keep us on this path, Lord, that you have chosen for us to walk. Father, I just thank you for who you are and what you do every single moment of the day.
Father, just bless everybody that hears these words. And Lord, let us walk out changed in Jesus name. Amen.