Sermon Central
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Rebels In The Pews Series
Contributed by E. True Neilson on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: At first glance the book of Numbers reads a bit like an operations manual. It’s got numbers of soldiers, lists of names, and a bit of repetition. Tucked between those lists and numbers are some stories of real people, dealing with real issues of faith!
-So what does it mean to rebel? How do we define it?
REBELLION IS INTENTIONALLY IGNORING GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS.
-It’s easy to look at these people critically and wonder what their problem was. But we have the benefit of hindsight.
-Why wouldn’t they do what God said?
-Why wouldn’t they believe in the God who’d done so much?
-Why wouldn’t they follow God’s instructions?
-Those are great questions to ask. But a better question might be, “why don’t we?” At times, why don’t we do what God says?
-I remember a night when my son Curtis was probably 2 year old
-This was back in the VCRs days and we had one just under the TV
-They have those doors that push up when you stick the tape in
-And I remember it clear as day. Curtis wearing a diaper walking over and sticking his hand in that little door.
-Curtis that’s a no no. Moved him away. Starts eyeing me and slowly moves over and sticks that hand away.
-And then…he starts moving over looking right at me…and did it again. This time I was firmer and swatted his little hand.
-And he did it again. And again. And again!
-It is so aggravating to parents when your kids rebel…when they go against you instructions.
-Well, imagine what it’s like to be God!
-When we ignore the clear instruction of God we are rebelling.
-It’s one thing to sin without knowing that you’re sinning…that happens sometimes. We become aware of it and change course.
-But it’s another thing to willfully and purposefully say, “I know what God says and I will not do it.”
-I know I am commanded to be baptized but I don’t want to.
-I know that sex is for marriage but I don’t care.
-I know I’m commanded to live in peace but I won’t forgive them.
-I know I should do something but I won’t.
-I know I shouldn’t do something but I’m going to keep on doing it
-I don’t care what the Bible says! I don’t care what God says!
-I don’t care what the pastor says! I don’t care what the church says! I only care what I say…
-When we tell God “no” we’re straining our relationship with him.
-We’re causing tension between ourselves and him.
-And ultimately we’re being disobedient and rebellious.
-Stop and ask yourself this: “When was the last time I told God “no” and it turned out really awesome?”
-When was the last time I spurned God’s instruction in favor of my own and it led me down a path of blessing?
-It never pays off to forsake the instruction of the Lord.
-And in the midst of our rebellion with God we often fail to realize that our rebellion never affects only us.
REBELLION CAUSES US TO TURN AWAY FROM GOD’S PEOPLE.
10 But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle. 11 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them? 12 I will disown them and destroy them with a plague. Then I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are!”
