Take Heed!
1 Corinthians 10:12
Introduction.
In this life, nothing is certain.
If we think something is certain, we tend to take it for granted.
In that event, we become lax concerning that thing.
Let’s take our marriages for example.
Do we take our spouses for granted, always assuming they’ll be there to take care of us and the kids?
Do we appreciate him/her like we ought?
There are several reasons why he/she might not be there anymore.
Why? Perhaps because of our own negligence.
Marriages require constant attention to make sure things are good between you.
Our Christian life is no different.
We must not take our salvation for granted or rest on our laurels.
That is the point Paul is making in the earlier passage (1 Cor. 10:12).
We will look at three passages in particular.
Take heed lest you fall (1 Cor. 10:12).
Take heed to all the flock (Acts 20:28).
Take heed to the doctrine (1 Tim. 4:16).
Body.
Take heed lest you fall (1 Cor. 10:12).
All three of these passages talk about the importance of taking heed to ourselves.
Here we see the danger of thinking we’re okay with God through complacency.
Sin tends to sneak up on us.
We get caught up in sin, but it never happens all at once.
C. S. Lewis wrote: “Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”
So we must take heed! Be careful!
Paul says all this in the context of Old Testament examples.
The word “therefore” is used in this passage.
These things happened to them as examples and were written to admonish us (1 Cor. 10:11).
These were the events where the children of Israel failed to live up to the standards God had for them (1 Cor. 10:6-10).
Studying these things will help us to take heed and steer clear of sin (1 Cor. 10:13).
Your temptation is not some new thing.
This reminds me of Solomon’s statement that there is “nothing new under the sun” in Ecclesiastes.
Sins may be new and different (because we are creative sinners), but the underlying principles have always been there.
Always remember: God is faithful! He will always provide the way of escape for you to be able to avoid sin.
You, however, must be diligent to seek it and take it—take heed!
Take heed to all the flock (Acts 20:28).
This is in the context of Paul’s last address to the elders of the church in Ephesus.
Elders are, first of all, to take heed to themselves.
They must “take heed lest they fall,” just as we all must.
The same rules apply to them as to all of us.
Elders are also to take heed to all the flock.
They are to serve as overseers of a particular flock, a local church (“among which”).
They are to be careful concerning the souls under their care.
The Holy Spirit Himself had set them up as elders.
The church belongs to God.
Christ purchased it with His own blood.
All three parts of the Godhead had a role in this.
It emphasizes how careful the elders must be in taking heed to the flock!
Most of us are not elders, so how does this apply to most of us here?
It lets us know how difficult the elder’s task is.
Let us all be gracious and understanding concerning what they must do (Heb. 13:17).
We are often very private people, especially concerning matters of spirituality, religion, and morality.
We might even get upset or defensive when we feel like someone is trying to pry into those areas.
We are commanded to submit ourselves to one another, and to our elders (Eph. 5:21; 1 Pet. 5:5).
Let us do what we can to make their job a little bit easier.
Their job is to do everything they can to get this flock to heaven.
That includes guarding the flock against “savage wolves” (Acts 20:29-30).
These wolves came in from among them, tearing the congregation apart.
This could be with false doctrines, immorality, or even gossip.
All three of which could rip and tear a congregation apart.
The job of the eldership is to prevent that from happening—let them do their job!
Take heed to the doctrine (1 Tim. 4:16).
This is in the context of a letter written to a preacher.
His first responsibility is to take heed to himself—just like elders and the rest of us.
His role is also to take heed to the doctrine (teachings).
For Timothy, this is the doctrine that he heard from Paul (2 Tim. 2:2).
That teaching we have written down in Scripture (Eph. 3:3-4).
The good minister of Christ carefully follows this doctrine (1 Tim. 4:6).
If he does not, the elders are well within their rights to address this with him.
He uses his example and doctrine to save himself and others.
He is told to be an example to others in “word, conduct, love, faith, purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).
How will being careful with doctrine save others?
It is to be used to make the man of God complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
We could potentially twist it and lead others astray—even an eldership.
Since this applies to ministers, what can the rest of us take from it?
You have a better idea of what the job of a minister is.
Recognize that his goal is, not only to save the souls of others, but to save your soul as well.
Ultimately your soul’s salvation will be up to you, but he is doing everything he can to help facilitate your spiritual growth and salvation.
So, if he is fulfilling these obligations, help him by heeding his words in the light of Scripture—listen to him and examine your own life to see if you are doing what you need to do (2 Cor. 13:5).
Conclusion.
Taking heed, being careful, is an important concept in our faith.
If we do not take heed, we may fall (1 Cor. 10:12).
We have a support system in the church to keep us from falling.
This includes our elders and preacher as we’ve discussed.
This also includes stronger brethren (Gal. 6:1-2).
Our brethren help, but the real power is in the Bible (examples/doctrine).
Let us not hinder the elders and preacher in their work to take heed to the flock and to the doctrine.
Their goal is to get all of us to heaven.
We should respect and even honor that (1 Tim. 5:17).
Let me leave you with one final exhortation from Paul (Eph. 5:15-17).
We must walk carefully (take heed)—to do otherwise would be foolish.
We are told that we must understand what the will of the Lord is.
That journey starts with understanding what we must do to be saved.