Poison is a lot like sin.

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Poison is a lot like sin.
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• Sin tastes so sweet.

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• Sin tastes so sweet.
• When Eve was tempted by the serpent in the
  Garden, she saw that the tree was good for food,
  and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that
  the tree was to be desired to make one wise (Gn
  36, ESV).

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• Sin tastes so sweet.
• Gn 36.
• Moses chose to be mistreated with the people of
  God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures
  of sin (Heb 1125, ESV).

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• Sin tastes so sweet.
• Gn 36.
• Moses chose to be mistreated with the people of
  God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures
  of sin (Heb 1125, ESV). There is pleasure in
  sin!

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• However sweet sin may taste, sin brings death.

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• However sweet sin may taste, sin brings death.
• The soul who sins shall die (Ezek 184, ESV).

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• However sweet sin may taste, sin brings death.
• The soul who sins shall die (Ezek 184, ESV).
• You were dead in the trespasses and sins in
  which you once walked (Eph 21-2, ESV).

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• In tonights text, the Israelites learn just how
  much death sin can bring.

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• The Israelites sin against God God judges them
  with death.

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• The Israelites sin against God God judges them
  with death.
• But, the people can Look Live.

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• SIN SPEAKS.
• SERPENTS SLAY.
• A SAVIOR SAVES.

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Sin Speaks

• vv 4-5

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• From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the
  Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the
  people became impatient on the way. And the
  people spoke against God and against Moses, Why
  have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the
  wilderness? For there is no food and no water,
  and we loathe this worthless food (vv 4-5, ESV).

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• The people set out to the Promised Land on quite
  a scenic route.

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• The people set out to the Promised Land on quite
  a scenic route.
• It is clear that the Israelites were wandering
  aimlessly at this point.

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• The people set out to the Promised Land on quite
  a scenic route.
• It is clear that the Israelites were wandering
  aimlessly at this point.
• The people wander aimlessly because of sin
  against God.

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• The people set out to the Promised Land on quite
  a scenic route.
• It is clear that the Israelites were wandering
  aimlessly at this point.
• The people wander aimlessly because of sin
  against God.
• Of the 12 spies sent into Canaan, only Joshua
  Caleb believed that the people could take the
  land.

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• None of the men who have seen my glory and my
  signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness,
  and yet have put me to the test these ten times
  and have not obeyed my voice shall see the land
  that I swore to give to their fathers. And none
  of those who despised me shall see it (Num
  1422-23, ESV).

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• Because they are wandering aimlessly in the
  wilderness, the people become impatient.

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• Because they are wandering aimlessly in the
  wilderness, the people become impatient.
• On one hand, this frustration is quite
  understandableGod could have just landed his
  people in the Promised Land.

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• Because they are wandering aimlessly in the
  wilderness, the people become impatient.
• On one hand, this frustration is quite
  understandableGod could have just landed his
  people in the Promised Land.
• But, there are other factors involved.

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• In the wilderness, God was testing his people.

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• In the wilderness, God was testing his people.
• You shall remember the whole way that the LORD
  your God has led you these forty years in the
  wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you
  to know what was in your heart, whether you would
  keep his commandments or not (Deut 82, ESV).

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• In the wilderness, God was testing his people.
• You shall remember the whole way that the LORD
  your God has led you these forty years in the
  wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you
  to know what was in your heart, whether you would
  keep his commandments or not (Deut 82, ESV).
• Some failed miserably, while otherse.g., Joshua
  Calebrose to the challenge.

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• In the wilderness, God was testing his people.
• The people wandered 40 years because of their sin.

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• We need to be a patient people.

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• We need to be a patient people.
• The Holy Spirit produces patience in our lives
  (Gal 522).

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• We need to be a patient people.
• The Holy Spirit produces patience in our lives
  (Gal 522).
• We are to clothe ourselves with patience (Col
  312).

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Why does Scripture urge us to be patient?
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• God still tests us.

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• God still tests us.
• Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet
  trials of various kinds, for you know that the
  testing of your faith produces steadfastness (Js
  12-3, ESV).

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• God still tests us.
• Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet
  trials of various kinds, for you know that the
  testing of your faith produces steadfastness (Js
  12-3, ESV).
• God tests us to make us stronger, to make us more
  like him, to allow Jesus to shine through us.

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• It may also be that we struggle because of our
  own sins.

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• It may also be that we struggle because of our
  own sins.
• There are real consequences of sin in this life.

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• It may also be that we struggle because of our
  own sins.
• There are real consequences of sin in this life.
• If we suffer because of the consequences of our
  sin, we have no reason to become impatient.

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• The people really get into trouble when they open
  their mouths.

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• The people really get into trouble when they open
  their mouths.
• And the people spoke against God and against
  Moses, Why have you brought us up out of Egypt
  to die in the wilderness? For there is no food
  and no water, and we loathe this worthless food
  (v 5, ESV).

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• Why would I talk about the peoples impatience
  before I talk about their speech?

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• Why would I talk about the peoples impatience
  before I talk about their speech?
• Because it was the peoples impatience that led
  to their corrupt speech.

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• Why would I talk about the peoples impatience
  before I talk about their speech?
• Because it was the peoples impatience that led
  to their corrupt speech. Evil speech comes from
  our hearts.

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• Why would I talk about the peoples impatience
  before I talk about their speech?
• Because it was the peoples impatience that led
  to their corrupt speech. Evil speech comes from
  our hearts.
• What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the
  heart (Mt 1518, ESV).

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• The text says that the people spoke against God
  Moses.

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• The text says that the people spoke against God
  Moses.
• Granted, speaking against God is wrong.

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• The text says that the people spoke against God
  Moses.
• Granted, speaking against God is wrong.
• You shall not take the name of the LORD your God
  in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless
  who takes his name in vain (Ex 207, ESV).

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• The text says that the people spoke against God
  Moses.
• Granted, speaking against God is wrong.
• You shall not take the name of the LORD your God
  in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless
  who takes his name in vain (Ex 207, ESV).
• The beast out of the sea blasphemed God (Rv 136).

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But, why would it be wrong to speak against Moses?
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• Blaspheming a leader of Gods people is the same
  as blaspheming God.

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• Blaspheming a leader of Gods people is the same
  as blaspheming God.
• Elisha went up from there to Bethel, and while
  he was going up on the way, some small boys came
  out of the city and jeered at him, saying, Go
  up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead! And he
  turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed
  them in the name of the LORD. And two she-bears
  came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the
  boys (2 Ki 223-24, ESV).

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• Blaspheming a leader of Gods people is the same
  as blaspheming God.
• 2 Ki 223-24.
• Paul said, I did not know, brothers, that he
  was the high priest, for it is written, You
  shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people
  (Acts 235, ESV).

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• Blaspheming a leader of Gods people is the same
  as blaspheming God.
• 2 Ki 223-24.
• Acts 235.
• Timothy was not to accept an accusation against
  an elder except on the testimony of two or three
  witnesses (1 Tm 519).

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• Blaspheming a leader of Gods people is the same
  as blaspheming God.
• 2 Ki 223-24.
• Acts 235.
• 1 Tm 519.
• God takes leadership seriously we dare not
  speak against Gods leaders.

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• The point of all this is that we need to be
  extremely careful with our tongues.

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• The point of all this is that we need to be
  extremely careful with our tongues.
• If we arent careful with our tongues, we can
  suffer greatly like the Israelites.

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• The point of all this is that we need to be
  extremely careful with our tongues.
• If we arent careful with our tongues, we can
  suffer greatly like the Israelites.
• The tongue is a fire, a world of
  unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our
  members, staining the whole body, setting on fire
  the entire course of life, and set on fire by
  hell.  For every kind of beast and bird, of
  reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has
  been tamed by mankind, but no human being can
  tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of
  deadly poison (Js 36-8, ESV).

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• The point of all this is that we need to be
  extremely careful with our tongues.
• If we arent careful with our tongues, we can
  suffer greatly like the Israelites.
• Js 36-8.
• Publius, a Greek sage I have often regretted my
  speech, never my silence.

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Do we regret our speech, or are we careful with
what we say?
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Serpents Slay

• v 6

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• Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the
  people, and they bit the people, so that many
  people of Israel died (Num 216, ESV).

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• Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the
  people, and they bit the people, so that many
  people of Israel died (Num 216, ESV).
• God is here punishing the Israelites because of
  their sin.

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• God has a long history of punishing because of
  sin.

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• God has a long history of punishing because of
  sin.
• Adam Eve were cast out of the Garden because
  they sinned.

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• God has a long history of punishing because of
  sin.
• Adam Eve were cast out of the Garden because
  they sinned.
• Eves pain in childbearing would be greatly
  increased her husband would rule over her (Gn
  316).

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• God has a long history of punishing because of
  sin.
• Adam Eve were cast out of the Garden because
  they sinned.
• Eves pain in childbearing would be greatly
  increased her husband would rule over her (Gn
  316).
• Adam would eat from the ground with great toil
  he would return to the dust from which he was
  taken (Gn 317-19).

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• God has a long history of punishing because of
  sin.
• Adam Eve were cast out of the Garden because
  they sinned.
• Because David had an affair with Bathsheba then
  killed her husband,
• The sword would never depart from Davids house
  (2 Sm 1210).

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• God has a long history of punishing because of
  sin.
• Adam Eve were cast out of the Garden because
  they sinned.
• Because David had an affair with Bathsheba then
  killed her husband,
• The sword would never depart from Davids house
  (2 Sm 1210).
• One of his sons would lie with one of his wives
  in the sight of all Israel (2 Sm 1211).

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• God has a long history of punishing because of
  sin.
• Adam Eve were cast out of the Garden because
  they sinned.
• Because David had an affair with Bathsheba then
  killed her husband,
• The son conceived in the adulterous relationship
  would die (2 Sm 1214).

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• God continues to punish sin.

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• God continues to punish sin.
• The wages of sin is death (Rm 323, ESV).

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• God continues to punish sin.
• The wages of sin is death (Rm 323, ESV).
• But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the
  detestable, as for murderers, the sexually
  immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars,
  their portion will be in the lake that burns with
  fire and sulfur, which is the second death (Rv
  218, ESV).

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Will God judge you because of your sins?
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A Savior Saves

• vv 7-9

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• And the people came to Moses and said, We have
  sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and
  against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away
  the serpents from us. So Moses prayed for the
  people. And the LORD said to Moses, Make a fiery
  serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is
  bitten, when he sees it, shall live. So Moses
  made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And
  if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the
  bronze serpent and live (vv 7-9, ESV).

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• The people came to Moses with a penitent attitude.

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• The people came to Moses with a penitent
  attitude.
• They say, We have sinned.

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• The people came to Moses with a penitent
  attitude.
• They say, We have sinned.
• They did not make excuses.

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• Confessing sin is important.

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• Confessing sin is important.
• I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not
  cover my iniquity I said, I will confess my
  transgressions to the LORD, and you forgave the
  iniquity of my sin (Ps 325, ESV).

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• Confessing sin is important.
• I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not
  cover my iniquity I said, I will confess my
  transgressions to the LORD, and you forgave the
  iniquity of my sin (Ps 325, ESV).
• If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
  to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
  unrighteousness (1 Jn 19, ESV).

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• The people asks Moses to pray that God might take
  away the serpents.

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• The people asks Moses to pray that God might take
  away the serpents.
• There is nothing wrong in asking people to pray
  for us.

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• The people asks Moses to pray that God might take
  away the serpents.
• There is nothing wrong in asking people to pray
  for us.
• Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8).

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• The people asks Moses to pray that God might take
  away the serpents.
• There is nothing wrong in asking people to pray
  for us.
• Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8).
• Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours,
  and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the
  intent of your heart may be forgiven you (v 22,
  ESV).

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• The people asks Moses to pray that God might take
  away the serpents.
• There is nothing wrong in asking people to pray
  for us.
• Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8).
• v 22.
• Simon could pray for himself!

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• The people asks Moses to pray that God might take
  away the serpents.
• There is nothing wrong in asking people to pray
  for us.
• Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8).
• v 22.
• Simon could pray for himself!
• Of course, Simon asks Peter John to pray for
  him (v 24).

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• Paul often asked churches to pray for him.

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• Paul often asked churches to pray for him.
• You also must help us by prayer, so that many
  will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing
  granted us through the prayers of many (2 Cor
  111, ESV).

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• Paul often asked churches to pray for him.
• You also must help us by prayer, so that many
  will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing
  granted us through the prayers of many (2 Cor
  111, ESV).
• At the same time, pray also for us, that God may
  open to us a door for the word, to declare the
  mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in
  prison (Col 43, ESV).

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Do you need to ask for prayers tonight?
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• Moses prays for the people the Lord tells him
  to make a serpent and set it on a pole. Everyone
  who sees the serpent will live.

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• Moses prays for the people the Lord tells him
  to make a serpent and set it on a pole. Everyone
  who sees the serpent will live.
• This passage has three intriguing aspects.

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• First, God offers salvation in the midst of
  judgment.

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• First, God offers salvation in the midst of
  judgment.
• Before God curses Adam Eve, he says to the
  serpent, I will put enmity between you and the
  woman, and between your offspring and her
  offspring he shall bruise your head, and you
  shall bruise his heel (Gn 315, ESV).

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• First, God offers salvation in the midst of
  judgment.
• Gn 315.
• In Lamentations, Jeremiah describes the state of
  Jerusalem after the Babylonian siege.

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• First, God offers salvation in the midst of
  judgment.
• Gn 315.
• In Lamentations, Jeremiah describes the state of
  Jerusalem after the Babylonian siege.
• The book is one lament (hence the name) after
  another of the destruction of Jerusalem.

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• First, God offers salvation in the midst of
  judgment.
• Gn 315.
• In Lamentations, Jeremiah describes the state of
  Jerusalem after the Babylonian siege.
• The book is one lament (hence the name) after
  another of the destruction of Jerusalem.
• But, God still offers hope pardon The
  steadfast love of the LORD never ceases his
  mercies never come to an end they are new every
  morning great is your faithfulness (Lam
  322-23, ESV).

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In the midst of this evil world, God offers
salvation.
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• Second, Jesus uses this text to speak of his
  dying on the cross.

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• Second, Jesus uses this text to speak of his
  dying on the cross.
• As Moses lifted up the serpent in the
  wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
  that whoever believes in him may have eternal
  life (Jn 314-15, ESV).

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• Third, the Israelites were forced to look upon a
  representation of their judgment to be saved.

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• Third, the Israelites were forced to look upon a
  representation of their judgment to be saved.
• The Hebrew word traditionally translated bronze
  can be translated copper.

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• Third, the Israelites were forced to look upon a
  representation of their judgment to be saved.
• The Hebrew word traditionally translated bronze
  can be translated copper.
• This was probably a copper serpent, for copper
  would have been closer to the color of the real
  serpents.

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In order to be saved from a snake bite, the
Israelites had to look at something that would
have looked a lot like the snake that bit them!
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For us to escape Gods wrath, we need to look our
judgment right in the eye.
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• The cross of Jesus saves me from my sin.

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• The cross of Jesus saves me from my sin.
• God was pleased through Jesus to reconcile to
  himself all things, whether on earth or in
  heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross
  (Col 120, ESV).

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• Yet, the cross of Jesus stands as a reminder of
  my sin.

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• Yet, the cross of Jesus stands as a reminder of
  my sin.
• But he was wounded for our transgressions he
  was crushed for our iniquities upon him was the
  chastisement that brought us peace, and with his
  stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have
  gone astray we have turnedevery oneto his own
  wayand the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of
  us all (Is 535-6, ESV).

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• Yet, the cross of Jesus stands as a reminder of
  my sin.
• Is 535-6.
• Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by
  becoming a curse for usfor it is written,
  Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree
  (Gal 313, ESV).

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• Yet, the cross of Jesus stands as a reminder of
  my sin.
• Is 535-6.
• Gal 313.
• He himself bore our sins in his body on the
  tree, that we might die to sin and live to
  righteousness. By his wounds you have been
  healed (1 Pt 224, ESV).

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• To be a disciple of Jesus, we must follow him
  with our crosses.

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• To be a disciple of Jesus, we must follow him
  with our crosses.
• Whoever does not bear his own cross and come
  after me cannot be my disciple (Lk 1427, ESV).

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• To be a disciple of Jesus, we must follow him
  with our crosses.
• Whoever does not bear his own cross and come
  after me cannot be my disciple (Lk 1427, ESV).
• We must, in other words, crucify our flesh
  follow the pattern of our Master.

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Have you crucified your flesh?
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Have you crucified your flesh?

• Are you following the Master?