Dan Gatlin - September 29, 2019 pm - Gospel Meeting MP3 PP
Lessons From Kadesh
Intro—The book of Numbers is one of the books of the Law,
but it primarily shows Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness.
A. What should have been a brief
journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, became 40 years of
agony because of Israel’s unfaithfulness.
B. Numbers begins in the 2nd month of the 2nd year after the
Exodus (Num. 1:1), and ends in the
40th year (Num. 36:13)
C. The faithless generation that caused the wanderings
continue to show the same faithlessness
throughout the entire period.
Heb. 3:16-19
D. The first time Israel gathered in Kadesh is in
Num. 13:26-31; 14:20-23
1. Chronology is difficult to determine in Numbers.
2. In Num. 20, Israel is gathered in Kadesh some years
later. The period of
wandering is not yet
ended, but is coming closer.
Some of the unfaithful generation are still alive.
3. Israel was still sinning against God.
Note the sins of which they were guilty:
I. The Sin Of Complaining.
Num. 20:2-5
A. “nor let us tempt
Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;
nor complain, as some
of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.” -
1 Cor. 10:9-10
1. The word “complain” (gonguzo) means, “to mutter, murmur, say anything in a low tone” - W.E. Vine
2. “It contains the idea of a judgment and a condemnation of God by man who
instead of giving God thanks and showing obedience set himself up as a
judge over God.” - Rienecker
B. Complaining (murmuring) is not a boisterous, riotous
disruption. It is a quieter
form of rebellion.
1. It comes from dissatisfaction in where we find ourselves
in life.
a. “And having food and
clothing, with these we shall be content.” -
1 Tim. 6:8
b. “Let your conduct be
without covetousness; be content with such things as you
have. For He Himself
has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” -
Heb. 13:5
2. It shows a lack of trust in God.
a. We like to control our own destinies—but much of life is
out of our control.
b. How do we react when our prayers are not answered as we’d
like?
1) Do we press on, determined to get what we want?
2) Do we complain?
3) “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
needs, in persecutions,
in distresses, for
Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” -
2 Cor.12:10
C. Not complaining sets us apart from the world.
1. “Do all things without
complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and
harmless, children of
God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse
generation, among
whom you shine as lights in the world” -
Phil. 2:14-15
2. Complaining shows a dissatisfaction with life, or some
situation.
a. Christians are to rise above worldly, temporal things.
b. “Set your mind on
things above, not on things on the earth.” -
Col. 3:2
II. The Sin Of Disrespect.
Num. 20:7-11
A. Disobedience shows a lack of respect and honor.
1. God commanded Moses what he should do.
Moses allowed his anger and pride to rule.
a. He subtracted from what God said by not speaking to the
rock.
b. He added to God’s word by striking the rock.
2. He took credit for himself, “Must we bring water. . . “
B. “God is greatly to be
feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by
all those around Him.” -
Ps. 89:7
1. “Does this mean that sectarians do not honor and respect
God? Many seem so sincere in
their expressions of devotion.”
2. Obedience is the true test of sincerity.
a. Apollos changed when he was corrected.
b. Those who hear the truth and reject it are not sincere
seekers of the truth.
C. God is deserving of our respect & honor.
1. He is our creator.
a. We are made in His image.
b. We have intellect, moral freedom, & we are eternal
beings.
2. He blesses all men with good.
Matt.5:45; Acts 14:17
3. By His grace, He sent His Son (He didn’t have to).
Rom. 5:6-8
III. Consequences Even Of “Small” Sins.
Num. 20:12
A. Many would say, “So, he changed it slightly.
What’s the big deal?”
1. God expects complete obedience.
Who are we to change what God said?
2. There is a false doctrine that says “God forgives us even
as we sin.”
a. Which sins does God automatically forgive?
How many times can we sin before God stops
forgiving?
b. God forgives only as we repent & obey.
B. God alone has the right to set conditions for our
salvation.
1. He has done nothing but good for us, but man has
rebelled.
2. It is our sins that have separated us from Him.
3. “Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be
esteemed as the clay; For
shall the thing made
say of him who made it, ‘He did not make me’? Or shall the thing
formed say of him who
formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?” -
Isa. 29:16
C. Our duty to God is clear. “He has shown you, O
man, what is good; And what does the
LORD require of you
But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
-
Mic. 6:8
D. Even “small” commands must be obeyed.
Jms.2:10; Heb.2:3
IV. The Sin Of Ingratitude & The Desire For Physical
Comforts. Num. 21:4-9
A. Ingratitude is directly connected to selfishness.
1. We can’t truly thank others if our minds are focused on
self. Lk. 17:11-19
2. We will not truly thank others for things we don’t value.
a. How could Judas so easily betray the Lord?
b. ”because, although
they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were
thankful, but became
futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Professing to be
wise, they became fools” - Rom.1: 21-22
3. Gratitude is a rare quality.
B. God promises us everything we need, not everything we
want.
1. If most of us had our way, we’d have a lot more material
things. Would that bring us
closer to
God?
2. It is often the lack of material things that causes us to
depend on God.
3. God does not promise physical security, but spiritual.
a. “And my God shall
supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ
Jesus.” -
Phil. 4:19
What is “your need?”
“I know how to be
abased, and I know how
to abound. Everywhere
and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be
hungry, both to
abound and to suffer need. I
can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.” - Phil. 4:12 It has nothing to do with being full or going
hungry. It is
spiritual need.
b. Material things are fine, but they are not what life is
about.
Conclusion—Let’s
learn from the mistakes of Israel, that’s why they are recorded.
A. That generation didn’t enter the promised land because of
their unbelief.
B. If we fail to believe & obey we will not enter heaven.
Have you obeyed?