Title:  The Root of Rebellion

Focus:  Israel rejected God’s leadership due to a lack of humility, trust, and loyalty.  They were ready to appoint a new leader and go back to Egypt.  As a result, they did not enter into their rest in the promised land.   We can learn from them that we need to humbly trust in God with loyalty. 

Function:  Te motivate the hearers to trust in God in all circumstances

Text:  Numbers 12 - 14

 

 

Intro:

1.  On the news, man jumped over Niagara falls and survived

            a.  It is 170 feet down, 5000 tons water per second, 600,000 gallons/sec

            b.  Hurt hands of William while holding them

2.  Did not like crossing bridge over to the island in the middle

            a.  Stacey say, don’t worry, it okay

            b.  That is what needed to be said to Israel - It will be okay

3.  Next few chapters highlight not only lack of trust, but outright rebellion

4.  We can learn about the root of rebellion against God from this text.  3 fold:

 

I.  Lack of Humility (12:1-16)

            A.  Text says that Moses humblest man on earth (12:3)

                        1.  So God chose Moses to lead his people - humble

                        2.  This contrasts to Aaron and Miriam

                        3.  They were both leaders too, but that not enough

                        4.  Needed to learn that greatest is least in God’s kingdom

            B.  God’s response

                        1.  Appeared in person!  -- Scary thing!

                        2.  Punishment - Leprosy

                        3.  Aaron quick to ask for forgiveness before he got leprosy too

            C.  Would think after this, no longer a problem with God’s appointed

                   leaders right?

            D.  (13:1-3; 17-27) They are now on the verge of entering the land

                        1.  God miraculously delivered them from Egyptians

                        2.  God saved them from starvation and thirst

                        3.  God saved them from Amelekites (Aaron and Hur)

                        4.  Trip is nearly over!

 

II.  (13:28-33; 14:1-4) - Second root is lack of trust

            A.  They were scared to fight - they only slaves facing trained armies

            B.  Should we have fear of the enemy?

                        1.  Bible no place commands us to fear Satan or enemy

                        2.  Only command to fear is to Fear God!

                        3.  Jesus said not to fear man, but to fear God

            C.  Moses tries to give a pep talk (14:5-10)

                        1.  Reminds me of a time in Israel’s future when they ask for king

                        2.  God’s leadership not good enough, so want to substitute

                              one of their own

                        3.  Why?  No faith.  Feeling of control?

            D.  Uh oh, God shows up again as he did before Aaron and Miriam

                        1.  (14:11-12) - God going to start over with Moses

                        2.  Moses intercedes again

                        3.  (14:20-21, 28--38) - God pardons, but

                                    a.  They will not enter the land as they said

                                    b.  Little ones will not die in wilderness, but they will

                                    c.  Spies died by a plague

 

III.  Last part of story shows a lack of loyalty (14:39-45)

            A.  How is this a lack of loyalty?

            B.  It is similar to the repentance of (Hosea 6:1-3)

                        1.  Let us return to God, we have sinned, we know that now

                        2.  God’s reponse?  (6:4-6)

                                    a.  Loyalty; faithfulness like the fog in the morning

                                    b.  Burns away by mid-morning

                                    c.  God delights in loyalty

                        3.  Would any of you be pleased with fickle spouse?

                        4.  God not pleased with fickle people

            C.  God’s people need to be steadfast in their devotion

 

Concl:

1.  Jean Blondin acrossed Niagara river no one needed to tell him to relax

            1.  Walked across tightrope, pulled up bottle from Maid of Mist had drink

            2.  Did back somersault

            3.  On bicyle, blindfolded, wheelbarrow

            4.  Who thinks I can take a man across on wheelbarrow!

            5.  “I do”  A man said jumping up and down excitedly

            6.  Took his manager across the falls and made it

2.  Humbly trusting in God with unfaltering loyalty takes a risk

            - Intellectual beleif is nothing unless it translate into active faith

3.  Only way to cross over into the promised land is to trust in God

            a.  That means getting on the rightrope

            b.  That means walking the narrow way to life

4.  Invitation