God's Faithful Provision for Rebellious People

Max Fernandez

Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

Numbers 16

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Title: God's Faithful Provision for Rebellious People

Text:

READ THE TEXT AS WE PROCEED THROUGH THE SERMON DUE TO LENGTH

Introduction:

Choices have consequences. Some consequences are good and some are bad.

Then there is the distinction between choices we make ourselves and choices that are made for us. This still does not change that choices have consequences.

Choices made for us: Australian golfer Jarrod Lyle dies aged 36, leaves message for supporters

Choices we make: “What was I thinking?” - A former stay-at-home mom from Mason, Ohio, continues to speak out after making national headlines for a two-day crime spree last year in which she stole packages off the porches of 12 area houses.

This should matter to Christians - The principle before us today should matter to those of us who are professing believers because our lives are made up of a series of choices to either live in humble surrender to the Lord, or to live in rebellion to our Lord — which indeed may prove that we are not true Christians at all.

This should matter to non-Christians - The principle before you today should matter to those who are not truly saved because it will reveal that you are without excuse for choosing to reject the Lord’s choice. This has dire consequences that are eternal.

The scripture teaches us that God is faithful. , , , ,

Our passage:

The scripture teaches us that God is faithful. , , , ,

One of the ways that God displayed his faithfulness was through saving Israel from Egypt and providing for Israel in the wilderness. He showed his faithfulness by providing the law. He also showed his faithfulness through providing a leader to guide them as well as a place where He would come and meet with his chosen nation.

In spite of all of this provision, the nation of Israel continued to refuse the Lord. They did not do so by a direct refusal but by refusing his commandments () and refusing those whom He had chosen to lead them.

This is the case in the account that we are reading, and this account sets forth a solemn warning for all people. When the Lord has made a choice, when the sovereign has designed a plan, the Jehovah has revealed his will, it is imperative that we not refuse the Lord! Notice how the New Testament speaks of Koreh: - (“gainsaying” - “rebellion”).

Proposition:

Don't refuse the One Whom the Lord has chosen!

(1) What type of individuals refuse God's choice? (v. 1 - 3)

(i) Korah was a descend

The principals are joined by another 250 men. These were not rogues, however. They were dignified leaders and are credited with three descriptive phrases in the MT: (1) they were chiefs of the congregation (nāśîʾ, “one lifted up as a chief “; NIV, “community leaders,” the same term used for the tribal leaders in chs. 1, 2, 7, and 34, and for the spies in ch. 13); (2) they were official representatives of the assembly (qerîʾê môʿēḏ, “the summoned ones of the assembly,”; NIV, “appointed members of the council,” an expression found in 1:16); and (3) they were “men of name,” that is, men of reputation (untr. in NIV)

Allen, R. B. (1990). Numbers. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 834). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Application:

Summary:

All people have this rebellious nature:

Illustration 189

The Dangers of Straying

Topics: Atonement; Cross; Disobedience; Good Shepherd; Rebellion; Salvation; Sin

References: ; ;

It is the nature of sheep to stray and get in harm’s way, whether from hungry wolves or steep canyons. For centuries, shepherds have used various methods—from staff to dog—to keep sheep from straying from the safety of their care.

In recent times shepherds have tried more sophisticated methods. One is a metal, hoof-proof grid that is built into the ground around the sheep’s territory. The animals cannot walk over the grid, which is eight feet wide. This works well in keeping sheep in the protection of the pen.

But in 2006, shepherds in Yorkshire, England, found that their sheep were not only stubbornly prone to stray but also crafty. One of the sheep laid down and rolled over the grid. The other sheep in the herd followed the first, and soon the entire flock had spread over the countryside to neighborhood gardens, where they ate the food and flowers of local residents.

The shepherds eventually gathered up the troublesome sheep and returned them to their pen. But they escaped again and got into trouble. While the escape of this flock of “black” sheep may have seemed like an exciting adventure, it actually placed the animals in harm’s way from cars and unfriendly dogs.

Thankfully, our Good Shepherd found another way to deal with stubborn, straying sheep. As says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all.”

—Craig Brian Larson, “Straying Sheep Endanger Themselves,” PreachingToday.com; source: Jason Bellows, “The Great Sheep Escape,” BBC online (January 30, 2006)

Larson, C. B., & Ten Elshof, P. (2008). 1001 illustrations that connect (pp. 111–112). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

(2) What are these rebellious individuals really refusing? (v. 4 - 7)

Moses falls on his face (before the Lord)

Twice in this small passage, it is the Lord’s choice.

Summary:

To refuse God’s choice is to refuse the authority of the Lord!

To refuse his word is to refuse Him!

It is important to realize

Application:

Illustration:

Several years ago, I was upset with my wife. In spite of my anger, she proceeded to make me a meal at meal time. In an effort to vengefully hurt her, I refused eat her meal and prepared my own sandwiches. It was my way of indirectly rejecting her.

It is important to realize that this principle is also the Christian ethic set forth in the New Testament. For example:

It is important to realize that

- Believers are to submit themselves to each other in the fear of the Lord

Wives are to be in submission to their husbands as unto the Lord

Children are to obey their parents in the Lord

Employees are to be in subjection to their employers as unto Christ.

Believers who resist police officers and government officials are resisting the ordinance of God

(3) What do rebellious individuals want? (v. 8 - 11)

Note the name of Korah - “baldness”

Note the lineage of Korah (Levite - high duties in the tabernacle - )

Note the lineage of Korah

Summary:

Rebellious individuals want more.

They are not satisfied with what they have or the subjection under which they exist. They want more. This kind of devolution is seen in

This is often the plight of all of us. In our rebellion we are never satisfied, and the truth is that we are rebelling against the only One who can truly satisfy us.

The woman at the well was in continually rebellion, then she met the only One who could satisfy her.

Nicodemus, though religious, was in rebellion against God, then he met the only One who could satisfy him.

The deception of sin is that is causes to really believe that we can be satisfied with something other than Jesus Christ. Thus people go on looking for more in rebellion against the only One who can satisfy.

Importance of Family Life

In Charles Swindoll’s new book, The Quest for Character (Multnomah), “sociologist and historian Carle Zimmerman, in his 1947 book Family and Civilization, recorded his keen observations as he compared the disintegration of various cultures with the parallel decline of family life in those cultures. Eight specific patterns of domestic behavior typified the downward spiral of each culture Zimmerman studied:

“Marriage loses its sacredness; … is frequently broken by divorce; traditional meaning of the marriage ceremony is lost; feminist movements abound; there is increased public disrespect for parents and authority in general; an acceleration of juvenile delinquency, promiscuity and rebellion occurs; there is refusal of people with traditional marriages to accept family responsibilities; a growing desire for, and acceptance of, adultery is evident; there is increasing interest in, and spread of, sexual perversions and sex-related crimes.”

If you think that you will be happy

Confident Living, November 1987, p. 34

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

(4) What do these rebellious individuals judge? (v. 12 - 14)

How to Turn a Disagreement into a Feud

1. Be sure to develop and maintain a healthy fear of conflict, letting your own feelings build up so you are in an explosive frame of mind.

2. If you must state your concerns, be as vague and general as possible. Then the other person cannot do anything practical to change the situation.

3. Assume you know all the facts and you are totally right. The use of a clinching Bible verse is helpful. Speak prophetically for truth and justice; do most of the talking.

4. With a touch of defiance, announce your willingness to talk with anyone who wishes to discuss the problem with you. But do not take steps to initiate such conversation.

5. Latch tenaciously onto whatever evidence you can find that shows the other person is merely jealous of you.

6. Judge the motivation of the other party on any previous experience that showed failure or unkindness. Keep track of any angry words.

7. If the discussion should, alas, become serious, view the issue as a win/lose struggle. Avoid possible solutions and go for total victory and unconditional surrender. Don’t get too many options on the table.

8. Pass the buck! If you are about to get cornered into a solution, indicate you are without power to settle; you need your partner, spouse, bank, whatever.

Ron Kraybill, quoted in Tell it to the Church, Lynn Buzzard, David C. Cook, 1982, p. 23

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

Summary:

Rebellious individuals judge the intentions of others.

They do this in ignorance of the sovereignty of God.

Only God Knows

We sometimes criticize others unfairly. We don’t know all their circumstances, nor their motives. Only God, who is aware of all the facts, is able to judge people righteously.

John Wesley told of a man he had little respect for because he considered him to be miserly and covetous. One day when this person contributed only a small gift to a worthy charity, Wesley openly criticized him. After the incident, the man went to Wesley privately and told him he had been living on parsnips and water for several weeks. He explained that before his conversion, he had run up many bills. Now, by skimping on everything and buying nothing for himself he was paying off his creditors one by one. “Christ has made me an honest man,” he said, “and so with all these debts to pay, I can give only a few offerings above my tithe. I must settle up with my worldly neighbors and show them what the grace of God can do in the heart of a man who was once dishonest.”

Wesley then apologized to the man and asked his forgiveness.

Our Daily Bread, July 20, 1992

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

(5) What is the Lord's righteous response to rebellious individuals? (v. 15 - 35)

Summary:

The Lord righteously brings his wrath upon those who reject Him.

The Judgment is recalled later in Israel’s history

Mercy is also recalled in spite of judgment - , , , , ,

(6) What is the extent of the rebellious nature? (v. 36 - 41)

Summary:

The rebellious nature is not relegated to a few, but it is common to all. - ,

(7) What does this rebellious nature require? (v. 42 - 50)

Summary:

This rebellious nature requires an atonement! - (reconciliation)

(8) Who is God's Chosen One that was refused? , , , ,

, , , ,

Summary:

Jesus Christ is the ultimate chosen One, and it is He that we must all make a response to.

Conclusion:

What we see is that God has been so faithful, in spite of the rebellion of man. So,

* Unbeliever, what say you to God’s chosen One: Jesus Christ. Has there ever been a time when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

* Christian, if you have chosen Christ, does your life reflect humble, submissive service for Him?

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Commitment

Commitment

“When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song,” tenor Luciano Pavarotti relates. “He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teachers college. On graduating, I asked my father, ‘Shall I be a teacher or a singer?’ “‘Luciano,’ my father replied, ‘if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.’ “I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it’s laying bricks, writing a book—whatever we choose—we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that’s the key. Choose one chair.”