Introduction

Greetings, dear friends. Isn't it wonderful to gather together in this sacred space, to share in the unity of our faith and the joy of our fellowship? We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. Each one of us has been called, chosen, and cherished by a loving God who knows us by name and values us beyond measure.

As we open the pages of God's Word today, we find ourselves standing on holy ground, invited to witness the grand narrative of God's redeeming love as it unfolds from the Old Testament to the New. We will be looking at the story of Moses and the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:4-9, and then moving on to the profound message of grace and salvation in John 3:14-21 and Ephesians 2:1-10. We will also meditate on the words of the Psalmist in Psalms 107:17-22. Let me read these passages to you:

Moses, the Bronze Serpent, and the Promise of Life

In the heart of the wilderness, the Israelites found themselves in a dire predicament. They were discouraged, disgruntled, and discontented. Their complaints were not just against their leader, Moses, but against God Himself. They questioned His provision, His purpose, and His plan. In their despair, they even longed for the bondage of Egypt over the freedom of God's promise. It's a stark reminder of how easily we can lose sight of God's goodness when we allow our circumstances to cloud our perspective.

God's response to their rebellion: It was swift and severe. He sent fiery serpents among the people, and many were bitten and died. It was a harsh punishment, but it served a purpose. It was a wake-up call for the Israelites, a stark reminder of the consequences of their sin. But even in this moment of judgment, God's mercy was evident. When the people confessed their sin and asked Moses to pray for them, God provided a way of salvation. He instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole. Anyone who was bitten could look at the serpent and live.

More than a historical event: It was a prophetic picture of the ultimate salvation that would come through Jesus Christ. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man would be lifted up on a cross. Just as the Israelites looked at the bronze serpent and lived, so anyone who looks to Jesus in faith will not perish but have eternal life.

The heart of the gospel message: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). This is the promise of life that we find in the story of Moses and the bronze serpent. It's a promise that is not based on our works, but on God's grace. It's a promise that is not earned, but received. It's a promise that is not just for the here and now, but for eternity.

The nature of sin and the power of the cross: The fiery serpents that bit the Israelites were a physical manifestation of their spiritual condition. They were bitten because they had sinned. They were dying because they had turned away from God. The bronze serpent was a symbol of their sin, lifted up on a pole for all to see. But it was also a symbol of their salvation. By looking at the serpent, they were acknowledging their sin and their need for salvation. By looking at the serpent, they were expressing their faith in God's provision and their hope in His promise.

This is the same response that is required of us: It’s required when we come to the cross. We must acknowledge our sin, our rebellion, our need for salvation. We must look to Jesus, the One who was lifted up for us, the One who took our sin upon Himself, the One who died so that we might live. We must believe in Him, trust in Him, rely on Him. Only then can we receive the promise of life that He offers.

Manifestation of God's Grace through the Cross of Jesus

As we delve deeper into the richness of the Scriptures, we find ourselves in the heart of the Gospel message in John 3:14-21 ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO