Let Him That Thinks He Stands Take Heed Lest He Falls.

CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION) BENDEL PROVINCE PROVINCIAL WOMEN CONFERENCE Bible Study Outline Theme: Let Him That Thinks He Stands Take Heed Lest He Falls. Text: 1 Corinthian 10:12 (By Revd Bernard O. Itebiye, PhD) Study 1 Topic: Let Him That Thinks He Stands Take Heed Text: 1 Cor. 10:1-12 Introduction: Apostle Paul, in the above passage is admonishing us that since the Jewish fathers, who enjoyed such peculiar favours and eminent privileges (vs 1 - 4), had such various judgments inflicted on them because they did not stand, but became visible instances of God's displeasure (v5); therefore all such persons who think themselves safe and sure, trusting to themselves, or depending upon the knowledge and gifts they have, the favours and privileges they enjoy; every one of these should take heed lest he fall. We may need to take a look at what Paul thought about himself. He said, I am the chief of sinners. (I Timothy 1:15.). He said, after preaching to others, I have to keep myself under subjection lest I should be a castaway after helping other people to be saved. (I Corinthians 9:27.). In another place, he said, Forgetting those things which are behind, I press forward to those things which are ahead. (Philippians 3:13.). It is so easy for us, children of God, to feel good about ourselves and in an unguided moment allow the unhealthy and unwholesome to sneak into our lives, but Paul says, Take heed when you think you are standing. The verb , translated as to think (which also means to seem, to suppose, to presume, to assume, etc) is used here by Paul, not to lessen or weaken the sense, but to render it stronger and more emphatic. We must note also that the term, he that thinks he stands, as used here, is different from stand firm to the end as used in Matthew 24:13. In other words, you may think you have the truth; you may think youre in the right place; you may think you are doing the right thing take heed, lest you fall. You may claim to be saved, or think you have been saved, or know the time and date that you were saved You may be thinking you are standing with the saved. But Paul says take heed lest you fall. Questions for Discussion: 1. What is the difference between he that thinks he stand (1 Cor. 10:1-5) and he that stands firm to the end (Matthew 24:13)? 2. How can we avoid thinking that we stand but rather stand firm to the end? 3. Carefully examine the cry of Prophet Hosea in Hosea 13:6, in comparism with 1 Cor.10:12. What warning is God passing to the Church of our time? 4. These things happen to them as example for us(verses 6 & 11). How can we avoid the pit falls of the Jewish ancestors enjoyed such great privileges, yet became instances of God's displeasure? 5. Let us not put Christ to test as some of them did (verse 9). Enumerate ways Christians put Christ to test these days and suggest solutions. Conclusion: Revelation 6:1417 tells us about some people who thought they were standing and what is going to happen to many people who once stood: The sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in

the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand? Do you think you stand? Apostles warning is timely. Memory verse: 1 Cor. 10:6 Study 2 Topic: Who Then Can Stand? Texts: Psalms 24:3-6 Matthew 24:1-13 Introduction: The opposite of thinking or assuming that we stand is found in Matthew 24: 13, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. David tells us, in Psalm 24:4, only he who has clean hands and a pure heart. Only he, as it is told in Revelation 14, who is without fault before the throne of God, he who is clothed with the robe of righteousness (Rev. 14:5) can stand. Apostle Paul refers to such persons as those that are able to take heed. To take heed () meansto beware; to be careful; to carefully look (onto); to have a high perception; to be very cautious, vigilant, wary, alert, watchful, etc. We find in Hebrews 12:2529 about how the earth is going to be shaken. In verse 25 it says, See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. The Holy Spirit of God is the one who speaks. We are told in Proverbs 28:9 that he who turns away his ear from hearing the law of God, even his prayer will be an abomination. None of us is standing very secure, except we stand on the rock Himself and on the work of Christ; yield to the directorship and dictatorship of the Holy Spirit and allow Him (the Holy Spirit of God) to fill us and use us. Jesus refers to those who have such auctions as those that have the extra oil (Matthew 25:3,4). It is only those who have the extra oil that are going to stand firm. Questions for Discussion: 1. To think or assume that we stand when all is not well is a great danger. Discuss. 2. What is this extra oil that every Christian need in his/her life to be able to stand firm (Rom. 8: 5-8; Gal.5: 16-17). 3. Enumerate some of the things that can cause a believer who thinks he/she stands to fall (Psalms 10:4; 17:10; 2 Tim. 3:3). 4. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks (Hebrews 12:25). How best can we allow the Holy Spirit speak to and through us. Conclusion: Paul says, let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.. And the time to take heed is not when youre stumbling, its when you think youre standing tall and firm. Today is the day to take heed, to review our lives, to see if there is something there that we are cherishing, some seemingly harmless behaviours, yet sin. It may be some areas that God has been trying to lead us to surrender, repent, and overcome. Memory verse: Hebrews 12: 25