22 March 2009
Fourth Sunday in Lent
U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
Fortress Chapel
Contingency Operation Site (C.O.S.) Sykes
Tall-afar, Iraq
BIG IDEA: The bronze serpent on the pole and Jesus Christ on the Cross both symbolically represents the Ultimate Sinner.
REFERENCES: Numbers 20:28 ESV (And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain); Numbers 21:4-9 ESV (The Bronze Serpent); John 3:14-21 ESV (Jesus sharing with Nicodemus the story of Moses lifting up the bronze serpent in the wilderness); Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths; Proverbs 14:12 (ESV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death; John 7:50-51 (ESV) Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, Does our law judge a man without first giving hima hearing and learning what he does?”; John 19:39 (ESV) Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight; Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV) And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience – among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind;
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Numbers 21:4-9 (ESV)
II. READ THE PERICOPE: Numbers 21:4-9 (ESV)
III. READ THE TEXT: Numbers 21:8-9 (ESV) 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.”
IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to others that the Bronze Serpent on the Pole symbolically represents the death of the Ultimate Sinner; therefore believers that look to the BRONZE SERPENT in obedience and by faith shall be saved.
V. SERMONIC THEME: “The Bronze Serpent”
VI. INTRODUCTION: The Proverbial Writer says in Proverbs 14:12 (English Standard Version) “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death”. In other words, “It’s very possible that many of us , in here today, could very much believe that we’re “spiritually” okay. We are good people. We don’t intentionally cause harm on others.
We are patriotic. We represent less than one percent of our Western Culture by serving in the Armed Forces for the good of our Country and its values.
We are Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines serving in Iraq to provide freedom and opportunities to a nation of people that have been barred from enjoying liberty, democracy and justice.
We are family in uniform. We look after one another both in the States and abroad. Still, the Proverbial Writer says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Quintessentially (or in essence), we could be morally be right and still have it “spiritually” wrong.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 1: For who can ever forget the incident of the religious leader by the name of Nicodemus …
a. (A Pharisee - someone who was highly esteem by both his community of faith and the socio-political leaders of his day) coming to Jesus by night.
b. It has been said that Pharisees were “religious fanatics”.
c. In our day and time, the Pharisees might resemble the religious group called Pentecostals.
d. This is because Pentecostals are known throughout their faith communities for taking their faith seriously.
e. As a Pentecostal, myself, I can talk about Pentecostals a little bit.
f. In fact, True Pentecostals watch what they do and say daily.
******** TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 2: Likewise, Pharisees devoted their entire life to keeping the “Deca-Logue” (the 10 Commandment) or the 10 Words (in Latin) as a way of pleasing God.
a. But, there were also members of the Pharisees that were called Scribes.
b. Scribes were members who spent their lives studying the Ten Words and writing or inscribing HOW to Best Apply the 10 Words to their life …
c. … and situational circumstances so the Pharisees could also apply them.
c. As a matter of fact, the Scribes (whom were the writers of the law) compiled a very thick book, which the Jews (to this day) call the Mishnah;
d. … which is basically made up of sections that are devoted to how one might best keep the 10 Commandments or the Deca-Logue.
e. Yet, it’s common place in the Theological Circle that Nicodemus came to Jesus by night for two reasons:
f. First, because Night Studies were held in high regards by the rabbis and Jewish Leaders.
g. Second, he came to Jesus by night in order to avoid the condemnation and scrutiny …
h. … that he would have received from his acquaintances, had he come during the daylight.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 3: Now, my brothers and sisters let us not forget that the Pharisees were looked upon as being the authority figures on the Deca-Logue.
a. So, for Rabbi Nicodemus to come to Jesus with questions was - in and of itself a - humbling moment for Nicodemus.
b. In the Book of John (Chapter 3) we find ourselves eavesdropping on an evening Bible Study …
c. … (During a time in which most religious people were familiar with the excitement and fervor of John’s Baptisms) …
d. …when Rabbi Nicodemus attended Jesus’ Bible Study and gave Jesus accolades for both his teachings and miraculous display of signs.
e. He (like many in attendance today) didn’t see a need to inquire about his own spiritual status because he thought he was okay.
f. Because he was a good person.
g. But, whenever we show ourselves to the Lord, and when we don’t, he sees us for who we are and whose we are …
****** TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 4: Nicodemus was religious and Jesus saw that Nicodemus believed in during right by others.
a. Likewise, my brothers and sisters, there are many church going; position holding; and Bible carrying folks that haven’t been BORN AGAIN.
b. So, Jesus says to this righteous brother – in John 3:3 (ESV) – “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
c. In response to Jesus, Nicodemus said, “How can a grown man be born again?”
d. It was this question that led to our Savior’s theological and symbolical connection to “The Bronze Serpent”.
e. For don’t remember, Jesus said in John 3:14-18 (Good News Bible): As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the desert, in the same way the Son of Man must be lifted up, …
e. …so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
f. For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.
g. Whoever believes in the Son is not judged; but whoever does not believe has already been judged …
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 5: In my studying, I came across a story (which was written by one of the greatest preaching theologians of all times – Charles Haddon Sprugeon) …
a. … in which I would like to share with you in the most contemporary language of our day.
b. For Dr. Spurgeon spoke of an incident involving a man who had consumed alcohol until he was inebriated (smashed).
c. Afterwards the drunk man, apparently listening to the voices of the alcohol, felt a need to attend an event which I would closely associate as the local fair.
d. And it was at that event that the smashed man saw various animals of God’s creations in cages and perhaps glass containers.
e. But, upon seeing some snakes, he felt a need to play with them. One of the snakes he grabbed and twirled at the fearful amazement of the onlookers.
f. He twirled the snake around his body and he allowed the snake to crawl around his neck.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 6: After, some time had passed, he returned the snake to its glass container; only to pick-up another one.
a. This particular snake was akin to a cobra.
b. Apparently, the weather conditions had been weather chilly;
c. So as he twilled the snake – the snake crawled down the back of the man’s shirt and around the front the man’s shirt.
d. The inebriated man then grabbed the snake with one hand by its tail and with the other handm he grabbed it near its neck area.
e. As he held the snake up, so all could see, and looking the snake smack into the eyes – the cobra with a lightening quick snap release its two fang and bit him right between the eyes.
f. Dr. Spurgeon said that while the crowd in horror scattered, the drunk man calmly with warm blood dripping from his forehead, returned the snake to its glass container.
g. Afterwards, there were reports of him slowly dying. Apparently, he sat in a chair and waited for the medical professionals to arrive.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 7: He first lost his speech;
a. Then his pulse grew weaker.
b. Afterwards, he lost his eyesight.
c. Then he died.
d. What a tragic snake bitten story of a man playing with SNAKEs!
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 8: In our text, today, we find (in Numbers 21) the people of God – travelling through the wilderness - having just celebrated a HIGH 5 Victory in a War – against Arad.
a. Aaron the brother of Moses is dead (Numbers 20:28).
b. So, instead of complaining about both Aaron and Moses as they had done before (in Numbers 14).
c. This time while they were travelling (in the Wilderness) around the land of Edom, the people of God became impatient and started complaining about both God and Moses.
d. They whined, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water?
e. We can’t stand any more of this miserable food!
f. We have the same old meal everyday (manna from heaven) …
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 9: Now, my brothers and sisters, it was at this point that the Good Book says:
a. “Then the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many Israelites were bitten died.
b. Then the people came to Moses and said, “ We have sinned against the Lord and against you.
c. Now, pray to the Lord to take theses snakes away.
d. So, Moses prayed for the people.
e. Numbers 21:8-9 (ESV) 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.”
f. If you would allow to me paint some word pictures within the rudiments of your mind ….
g. I’m sure you can see snakes all over the place.
****** TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 10: There were snakes in the CHUs;
a. There were snakes in their duffle bags;
b. There were snakes in the DFAC;
c. There were snakes in the MRAPS; Snakes were all over the place.
d. But, thanks be to God – because Moses had been obedient and had made a fiery snake on a pole;
e. And had elevated The Snake of the POLE high enough that wherever the Israelites were on the Forward Operation Base/Contingency Operation Site, they could easily see the Bronze “Shining” Snake …
f. And seeing the “Bronze Snake” enable them to live in spite of the number of times they had been “snake-bitten” …
f. It didn’t matter if you wore contacts or NOT; and you didn’t have time to put the contacts in your eyes because the snake just bit you;
g. All you had to do was look toward the Bronze Serpent and you … lived.
h. It didn’t matter how young or old your child was – if it was SNAKE BITTEN …
i … All you had to do was turned your baby head towards the BRONZE SNAKE and your baby lived.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 11: Now, my brothers and my sisters, there are many of us that are here (today) that have been snake bitten.
a. Maybe you were not paying attention and you accidently reached your hand into an area and was bitten. It’s alright!
b. Snakes are in different shapes and sizes in the Wilderness.
c. Likewise, so some of you are more apt to be bitten than others; simply because of where you are located in the Wilderness;
d. … and some of you are not close to a snake.
e. But, if you know that you’re been playing with snakes … and you have been bitten … and you’re getting weaker –
f. … It’s time to look to Jesus.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
CELEBRATION:
If you know that you’re losing your spiritual heartbeat for God; it’s time to look to Jesus.
if you can feel your spiritual life leaving your body; and you’re starting to do and say things … that you have never said or done before -
You’re been SNAKE BITTEN …
and it’s time to Look to Jesus from which cometh your help.
(Part of Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22)
for the Lord is good. His steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west; from the north and from the south.
Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction. … Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them …
