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II KINGS 18:1-4

A THING OF BRASS

I. THE HISTORY OF THE BRASS (Num.21..
        A. The people were murmuring against God and rebelling against His
           authority.
                1. The Lord sent serpents of fire into the camp and many
                   were dying  from their bites.
                2. The Lord commanded Moses to make a serpent of brass
                   and set it  on a pole.
                        a. The people were commanded to look at the brass
                           serpent if  bitten.
                        b. There was nothing sacred about the brass.
                        c. by looking they were obeying God thus coming
                           under His  authority.
        B. Jesus said: "and as Moses lifted up the serpent In the
           wilderness...."
                1. The serpent was a type for sin. 
        a. Their sin of rebellion to God's authority.
                2. Brass a symbol of judgment. 
                3. Jesus on the Cross took the guilt of our sin and
                   received God's  judgment against sin.
                        a. If we will just look to Jesus, we shall live.
                        b. They may not have understood how just by
                           looking at the  brass serpent could help.
                           Lie there dying and refuse to  look.
        C. Somehow this brass relic was preserved 700 yr.
        1. But the people were now worshipping it 
        2. They were burning Incense to it as though it were God.
        3. Hezekiah when he can  to- the throne broke it in pieces and
           said  "Nehushten."

II. "WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN PEOPLE START WORSHIPPING RELICS OR  IDOLS?"
        A. They have lost their consciousness of God's presence.
                1. In reality He is always there, "for in Him we live."
                   "Where can I flee  from thy presence?"
                        a. We are not  always aware of Him.
        B. Somehow within we are trying to recapture that which was lost.
                1. The day we felt God's presence and power.
                2. That time when God's joy filled our lives.
                3. How did we ever lose it?
                        a. The cares of this life; the deceitfulness of
                           riches, the lust for  other things.

III. PEOPLE TODAY IN THEIR MINDS BURN INCENSE TO SACRED RELICS.
        A. "You don't mean you are going to take the tent down?"
        B. Maybe there is a certain spot.
                1. While standing near this tall pine tree God spoke to
                   you. You can  remember now the joy.
                2. They need to remove that tree now to build larger
                   facilities.
                3. The church's progress often stopped by foolish clauses.
        C. Nehushtan, call it what it is, a thing of brass.
                1. It's not a god.
                2. It's not sacred or holy.
                        a. This tent is not a church.
                        b. Neither is the old chapel or the new sanctuary.
                        c. This tent is just canvas stretched over rope.
                1. The church meets here.
                2. When you're not here It's just an ugly old tent.
                3. The experiences of the past are history and have no
                   true value  unless they have been transmitted Into
                   present realities.
                        a. "I wish we could stay In the tent". Nehushtan.
                        b. "Aren't you going to miss the tent?" Nehushtan.
        "Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching for those
         things which  are before I press for the prize of the high
         calling of God in Jesus Christ."