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NUMBERS 21:5-9

"THE BRASS SERPENT"

Intro: Complaining is a state of mind. It becomes a difficult habit to break.

I. THE SIN OF ISRAEL. COMPLAINING (verse 5..
        A. True they had something to complain about.
                1. Manna had been their main staple for 38 years.
                        a. It was a monotonous diet.
                        b. The flavor was very mild.
                        c. They said. "We're sick of this manna."
        B. They had much to be thankful for.
                1. Manna.
                        a. Ps. 78. calls it angel's food.
                        b. It was always there.
                        c. It was very nutritious.
                        d. It kept them from starvation.
                2. The manna had its good points as well as bad.
                        a. You can dwell on the bad and complain.
                        b. You can dwell on the good and rejoice.
                3. Such is true of all our experiences in life.
                        a. You choose to look at the bad side - complain.
                        b. You choose to look at the good side - give thanks.
        C. Complaining is a sin.
                1. Verse 7. "We have sinned."
                2. God's judgment came in the form of deadly fiery serpents.
                3. "The wages of sin is death." They began to die.
                4. They had said, "We're sick of this manna."
                5. God in essence said,  "I'm sick of your complaints."

II. THE CURE FOR THEIR SIN.
        A. Moses was to make a brass serpent and put it on a pole.
                1. Brass is a symbol of judgment.
                2. Serpent is a symbol of sin.
        B. Those bitten by serpents required to look at brass serpent on pole.
                1. If they looked,  they lived.
                2. If they refused to look, they died.
                        a. I can see a man dying in convulsions.
                                1. "Why should I look, I don't see how that can help."
                                2. "There are too many hypocrites looking."
                                3. "Don't bug me,  I'll look when I'm ready."
                        b. I'm sure they could contrive many reasons for not looking, all
                           foolish.

III. "AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SERPENT."
        A. This was the answer Jesus gave to Nicodemus to his question, "How can a man be
           born again?"
                1. You say, "I'm a chronic complainer. I've tried to change. That's
                   my nature."
                        a. I would like to quit my drinking.
                        b. I don't like my temper tantrums.
                        c. It's killing me but I can't stop!
                        d. You're in a great position today. you know you need help.
                                1. Just look at Jesus hanging there on His cross. Your sins
                                   were judged.
                                2. He is dying in your place.
                                3. Believe in Him,  trust in Him, you'll be born again.
                                   He'll change your nature.
                2. The person I really feel sorry for is the moral do-gooder.
                        a. "I try to live by the golden rule."
                        b. "I've learned to look at the positive side."
                        c. "'I'm quite happy with the way I am."
                        d. "I don't want to change."
                        e. They are dying and they don't even know it.
                                1. They are in the euphoric state of a man freezing to death
                                   who decides to nap for just a moment not realizing that
                                   it is the sleep of death.
                        f. You may have reasons for not looking at the cross of Jesus
                           Christ all foolish.