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NUMBERS 11:4

"THE MIXED MULTITUDE"

Intro: When children of Israel came out of Egypt there came with them a mixed  multitude.
       Not full Jews. They are like the uncommitted in the church.

I. THE MIXED MULTITUDE "FELL A LUSTING."
        A. No longer happy with God's provision (manna..
                1. They began to desire the food of Egypt.
                        a. Fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, garlic.
                        b. Nothing wrong of itself with these foods.
                2. The desire showed a dissatisfaction with the things of God.
                        a. The excitement of the new life wearing off.
                        b. Began to long for the old life again.
                3. They remembered only the good things.
                        a. They forgot the        , the beatings, the crying themselves
                           to sleep for misery.
        B. Now they were letting their fleshly appetites rule over them.
                1. They started standing in their tent doors weeping.
                2. Imagine the pressure this created on Moses.
                        a. He began to cry out to God.
        C. God promised to give them meat to their full.
                1. He brought quail flying 3 feet off the ground.
                        a. They took sticks and began batting.
                        b. All day, all night, all the next day.
                        c. "He who gathered least gathered 10 homers."
                                1. A homer = 85 gals.
                        d. This is far more than they could use or eat.
                                1. Their lust were unbridled, a sickening sight, indeed.
                2. While the meat was being eaten, God sent a plague among them, many died.
                        a. Unbridled lust will destroy you.
                        b. They called the place "Kibroth-Hattaavah" graves of lust.
                        c. "He gave them their request, but sent..."

II. WHAT LESSONS CAN GOD TEACH US FROM MIXED MULTITUDES?
        A. "These things our examples. that we should not lust after evil things."
                1. The mixed multitude are the uncommitted in the church.
                        a. They are not satisfied to feed on Jesus. the bread of life.
                        b. They desire to bring the world into the church.
                                1. Music not for worship but entertainment.
                                2. The social functions gain the most prominence.
                        c. They would make the church a social club with
                           religious overtones.
        B. What a sad day when we become slaves to our own lusts.
                1. It begins with the fantasizing of the past.
                2. Tendency to remember only the good.
                        a. Remember the $50.00 jackpot forget $5. 000.
                        b. Remember the warmth of the alcohol in your throat, forget
                           stepping in your own vomit.
        C. Unbridled lust redestructive.
                1. They will destroy your fellowship with God.
                2. They will lead to Kibroth-hattaavah.