Sharing the Good News
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Lifted Up
John 3:14-15, Numbers 21:4-9
Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567
Imagine what courage1 it must have taken for a Pharisees and member of the ruling
council who were antagonistic towards Christ2 to publicly declare “Rabbi, we know that you are
a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God
were not with Him” (John 3:2)! “Knowing that Nicodemus’ contemporaries believed all Jews
would enter the kingdom of God through
resurrection on the last day, the only
exceptions being those who denied the
faith and committed acts of apostasy,”3
Jesus boldly and in contradiction to this
belief stated, “very truly I tell you, no
one can see the kingdom of God unless
they are born again” (3:3).4 Nicodemus
asked Jesus how this could be possible,
surely one cannot enter their mother’s
womb a second time (3:4)? Jesus told
him it was not the flesh but the Spirit of
God, who in the manner He pleased
5
caused the new birth to occur. It is at this point that Nicodemus pressed Jesus for a “deeper
and higher explanation of the new birth but since he had an unregenerate heart”6 instead of
Jesus talking to him in abstract terms that the spiritually blind and deaf cannot discern7 Jesus
pointed Nicodemus to the story of Moses lifting up a snake on a pole to help explain how the
Son of Man was to be lifted up on a cross to provide salvation for all.8 The following sermon is
going to review John 3:14-15 and Numbers 21:4-9 to learn how to proclaim this Good News in a
manner that the lost of this world might understand, be born again and receive eternal life!
Jon Paulien, “Nicodemus (Person),” ed. David Noel Freedman, The Anchor Yale Bible
Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 1105.
2
Colin G. Kruse, John: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 4, Tyndale New Testament
Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 106.
3
Colin G. Kruse, John: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 4, Tyndale New Testament
Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 107.
4
John Piper, Sermons from John Piper (2000–2014) (Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God, 2014).
5
John Piper, Sermons from John Piper (2000–2014) (Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God, 2014).
6
John Piper, Sermons from John Piper (2000–2014) (Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God, 2014).
7
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent,” in The New Park Street Pulpit
Sermons, vol. 3 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1857), 365.
8
Colin G. Kruse, John: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 4, Tyndale New Testament
Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 112.
1
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The Bronze Snake
Since Jewish scholars spent a large part of their day studying the Pentateuch Jesus’
reference to Numbers 21:4-9 would have been familiar to Nicodemus.9 After the Lord had given
Israel victory over the Canaanite king of Arad we are told that to keep from entering Edomite
territory (Numbers 20:21)10 Israel traveled to the eastern desert area near Mount Hor11 which
was described as “some of the most
inhospitable territory on earth.”12
During this incredibly difficult
journey13 the people spoke against
God and Moses saying, “why have
you brought us out of Egypt to die in
the wilderness? There is no bread!
There is no water! And we detest this
miserable food” (21:5)! Due to their
“disparaging comment on the bread
from heaven being worthless (Pss.
78:24–25; 105:40; cf. John 6:31)”14
and an overall lack of faith and trust
in God, “the Lord sent venomous
snakes among them; they bit the
people and many Israelites died” (20:6)! As they had done in the past when punished the
people of Israel confessed their sins and asked Moses to “pray the Lord would take the snakes
away” (20:7).15 When Moses prayed to God the remedy God gave was to “make a snake and
put it one a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live” (20:8). God did not remove the
snakes altogether but instead chose to keep them near Israel to discipline and test their
“obedience and faith to look upon His given providential bronze serpent and live”!16
Merrill C. Tenney, “John,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John and Acts, ed. Frank E.
Gaebelein, vol. 9 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 48.
10
Gordon J. Wenham, Numbers: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 4, Tyndale Old
Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1981), 175.
11
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on
the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 110.
12
James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of John: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Books, 2005), 221.
13
James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of John: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Books, 2005), 221.
14
Gordon J. Wenham, Numbers: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 4, Tyndale Old
Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1981), 176.
15
Ronald B. Allen, “Numbers,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus,
Leviticus, Numbers, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing
House, 1990), 877.
16
Gerard Van Groningen, “Numbers,” in Evangelical Commentary on the Bible, vol. 3, Baker
Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1995), 99.
9
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Serpents of Death
The first thing we learn from the above story is how sin leads to death. Israel sinned
against God because they found “His way” 17 for their life detestable and worthless!18 Lest in
hindsight we think less of Israel and elevate our own generation we must remember that ever
since Adam God has given many over to their reprobate minds (Romans 8:28) because they
craved carnal pleasure19 to make self
and infinite choice their god! Since
Israel considered snakes “unclean and
personified sin” (Lev. 11:41–42; Gen.
3),20 God rightly sent fiery serpents to
punish and bring their sin out into the
open. The poison of these venomous
snakes was excruciatingly painful21 for
once it entered the blood it “became
like a boiling river, swollen with
anguish”22 and was always lethal.
Despite knowing that faithful obedience
to God led to His approval, blessings,
and avoidance of His punishments Israel
still preferred self to be their god. In a similar manner “If we forsake the Lord in spirit or in
doctrine, temptation will lurk in our path and sin will sting our feet.”23 While the sting of sin
may lead to temporary, carnal pleasures do not be fooled for the wages of sin is a bite of the
serpent, the Devil, that brings about a fiery, death of everlasting punishment “where there shall
be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth!”24 Despite knowing such a fate awaits the
defiant, self-pleasing person; like Israel many will live their lives with the carnal pleasures of lust
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 590.
18
Robert L. Hubbard Jr. and Robert K. Johnston, “Foreword,” in Leviticus, Numbers, ed. W.
Ward Gasque, Robert L. Hubbard Jr., and Robert K. Johnston, Understanding the Bible
Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012), 262.
19
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 591.
20
Gordon J. Wenham, Numbers: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 4, Tyndale Old
Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1981), 177.
21
Gordon J. Wenham, Numbers: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 4, Tyndale Old
Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1981), 176.
22
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 592.
23
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 591.
24
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 593.
17
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in their eyes knowing full well this unquenchable and eternal pain and anguish will be their
reward!
Not by Works
There is no human cure for the fatal disease called sin! There were no healing salves,25
brewing potions, medicines or human doctor that could cure Israel from the fiery snake bites.26
Likewise there is no human cure for sin today because Christianity is not a “works religion.”27
Nicodemus could not find a cure for his
separation from God within the
Pharisaic teachings and traditions
because salvation and the seal of the
Holy Spirit cannot be purchased by any
human being (Acts 8:18-19)! “You can
go to church, read your Bible, take the
Lord’s supper, be baptized, go through
severe penances, give all your goods to
the poor,”28 pray without ceasing for
both oneself and others, attempt to
fulfill every law God ever gave and yet
still have the licks of burning hell
consume not only your filthy rags of
pretend righteousness but your very
soul! Those who are like the Pharisees
and trust their attempt to outwardly obey God through religion will forever remain seekers but
not finders of His cure (2 Timothy 3:7)!29 Like the Israelites who were not told to buy some relic
of the bronze serpent that Moses impaled on a pole (21:8-9) we too must avoid making a graven
image of religious rituals and golden crosses,30 for what truly is a human induced disease has no
human cure!31 Like Israel the only cure for the self-inflicted fatal wound of sin must come from
a sacrifice and atonement that He alone can provide!
25
James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of John: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Books, 2005), 222.
26
James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of John: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Books, 2005), 222.
27
James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of John: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Books, 2005), 220.
28
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 597.
29
James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of John: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Books, 2005), 222.
30
James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of John: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Books, 2005), 224.
31
James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of John: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Books, 2005), 222.
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Salvation Through Christ
The only cure for death is life in Christ. Though it seemed absolutely absurd,32 a form of
mockery33 and possibly even despised,34 the symbol of the very curse Israel endured, the bronze
snake, was the only remedy available to appease God’s righteous wrath!35 Though their speech
might fail them, their pulse grow weak
and death be but a heart beat away; all
who looked upon the bronze serpent of
Israel lived and those who refused to look
died!36 As Moses lifted up the snake
impaled on a stake, so too Jesus was
lifted up upon a cross.”37 To the outward
eye the death of a supposed criminal and
curse that hung upon the tree,38 Christ,
was seen by those dying in their sins to
be foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18) and
yet in spite of His “earthly
humiliations”39 like the bronze snake of
Moses’ time, Christ alone was the only
way the curse of the garden of Eden could be reversed and humanity given a chance to obtain
eternal life rather than death!40 Also, like bronze snake no matter how deeply the poison of sin
has penetrated one’s life “He who came under the law and sin imputed to Him,41 has through His
sacrifice appeased God’s righteous wrath and as such provided the means in which anyone can
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 594.
33
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 594.
34
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent,” in The New Park Street Pulpit
Sermons, vol. 3 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1857), 368.
35
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 595.
36
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 593.
37
Colin G. Kruse, John: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 4, Tyndale New Testament
Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 112–113.
38
Leon Morris, The Gospel according to John, The New International Commentary on the New
Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1995), 200.
39
Leon Morris, The Gospel according to John, The New International Commentary on the New
Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1995), 200.
40
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 594.
41
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 594.
32
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be saved!42 So, salvation was not for “good” or “religious” people who tried to save themselves
through works but instead was out of the wisdom and grace of God43 a free gift to humanity that
can either be opened and live or ignored and perish. Salvation is by far the greatest decision a
person can ever make for nothing is more valuable than the Pearl and Treasure in the field
(Matthew 13:44-46)!
Accepting His Gracious Gift
So, let us go back to Nicodemus’ question of how a person becomes saved. There is no
self-help book,44 physician, healing balm, medicine, religious ritual,45 or intercessory prayer that
can lead to obtaining salvation46
because to be freed from the wages of
sin which is death (Romans 6:23) and
be born of the water and Spirit (20:5)
requires faith in the atoning sacrifice of
God’s very own Son! Despite how
deeply entrenched or close to death an
Israelite was all they had to do is look
upon the bronze serpent to be cured of
the poison and live!47 Likewise, even if
you have the stoniest of black heart of
King Manasseh and follow the
detestable ways of this world and bow
down to the god of self, practice
divination and witchcraft (2 Chronicles
33), and even if you are on your death bed with little time left to learn to live a holy life; 48 this
makes no difference for the moment you have faith in Christ and make Him the Lord of your life
(Romans 10:9) by the power of the Holy Spirit you will be born again as a child of God, sealed
until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14)! Never forget that “sanctification needs a
42
Gordon J. Wenham, Numbers: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 4, Tyndale Old
Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1981), 178.
43
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 593.
44
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 597.
45
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 596.
46
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 596.
47
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 598.
48
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent,” in The New Park Street Pulpit
Sermons, vol. 3 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1857), 371.
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lifetime, but justification needs no more than a moment!”49 Sadly many will reject God’s
gracious gift of salvation and like the Israelites will find no other way to appease God’s righteous
wrath against them. So, on Christ’s behalf I implore you though you might be the “vilest wretch
on this earth,”50 drowning, entangled and chocking on your own lust to please whatever god that
has enslaved you, repent and believe in Christ’s atoning sacrifice for the moment you do so you
will no longer be under a death sentence51 but one of unspeakable joy and eternal life as God’s
very own child (John 3:16)!
Need to Evangelize!
The goal of this sermon was to review Christ’s answer to Nicodemus on how to be saved
so that we in turn might go out to the world and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:1920)! May God loosen your fearful hearts and your “stammering tongues” for people are dying
everywhere and you not only know of
but can tell and show them by the grace
of God the Light that shines so brightly
from within your souls (Matthew
5:16)!52 And while there will be many
whose hearts are like Pharoah and
hardened by their reprobate minds that
have drowned in self-seeking, temporal
pleasures of this world, there are some
out there, whether they realize it or not,
with a seed planted in their heart and
they just need someone to point them to
Christ who can not only help them with
their unbelief but give them eternal life
that never fades or perishes (1 Peter
1:4)! Surely those who have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:10-16) and are His ambassadors
can take the time to raise the Gospel message of Christ up53 high to a world that has been
poisoned by sin and are headed for an eternity in hell where there will be weeping and gnashing
of teeth (Matthew 13:50)! Let us remember the depths of depravity which we ourselves were
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 598.
50
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent,” in The New Park Street Pulpit
Sermons, vol. 3 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1857), 372.
51
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent,” in The New Park Street Pulpit
Sermons, vol. 3 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1857), 371.
52
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent,” in The New Park Street Pulpit
Sermons, vol. 3 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1857), 369.
53
C. H. Spurgeon, “Number 1,500, or Lifting up the Brazen Serpent,” in The Metropolitan
Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 599.
49
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saved and go with rejoicing, thanksgiving and boldness and raise the banner of God’s love54 to
the lost of this world with the profound message that our Savior can not only conquer the
mightiest mountains of unbelief but can forgive (Matthew 9:1-8) and transform the worms and
dust of the earth so radically that they will be “born again,” ambassadors, priests and children of
the most high God!
54
Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 2 (New York: Charles
Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 98–99.
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