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“Listen Carefully”(Num. 20:1-13)

Times & Locations Preached: Orleans, September 2, 2012Scripture Reading: Accompanying Song: # “”Subject: Authority, BibleObjective: Location:

Introduction: 1. How good at Math are you? See if you can solve this riddle?

a. Imagine you are the bus driver upon a city bus. b. 10 people are on your bus. c. At your first stop five people get on and three get off. d. At your next stop seven get on and three more get off.e. At your third stop five get on and 7 get off.f. At your fourth stop eight get on and seven get off.g. Now, what is the name of the bus driver?h. Answer: Your name. Remember at the beginning I told you to imagine you are the

bus driver?i. This is an illustration of why it is important to listen carefully.

2. Listening = important in many walks of life.a. Good children are taught that from the beginning – listen to parents.

i. Not part of what you say – all.ii. Clean room does not mean throw everything into closet, under bed – clean

means CLEAN!

b. Important to follow instructions – failure to do so can result in costly disasteri. Kids, adults need to listen carefully also!ii. Maintenance man (State Steel) – hooked up a $25k elect. Motor backwards

– ruined it!

c. Recently this piece of news went under the radar:

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i. Many of us have heard of the recent Fukushima nuclear power disaster. Few realize that we came dangerously close to a similar disaster here in the U.S.

ii. A recent investigation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission found that the failure of a water pump due to the corrosion of certain kinds of stainless steel components caused an August shutdown of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Covert, MI.

iii. Should all water pumps shut down in a nuclear reactor, the reactor would not have had the ability to cool down.

iv. Could you imagine what might happen if operators of a nuclear power plant failed to follow nuclear safety rules?

v. We can breathe a sigh of relief hearing that nuclear disaster was avoided in the U.S.

vi. Following rules can be very serious business!

3. (Title Slide)

4. In our lesson today I want to speak of some instructions that are far more serious: The need to carefully follow instructions is just as true with regard to God’s word.

a. The way some Christians and even many churches conduct themselves, without having authority (following instructions) from God’s word is dangerous!

b. Souls are in danger when we fail to follow God’s “Safety rules” carefully!

5. The Bible offers several examples of those who did not listen to God’s word carefully! Let’s look at a few together:

Body: I. We are not allowed to waiver from what God has said.

A. Read Num. 20:1-131. Story very similar to the story in Ex. 17. 2. Some speculate that the two stories are two accounts of the same story. This could be

true but I doubtful. The books, (both written by Moses) end very differently.a. The story in Ex. 17 takes place in Rephidim (17:1) and the account in Num. 20 takes

place in Kadesh (20:1). The two places are a long distance apart.b. Numbers tells us about the death of Miriam, Moses’ sister. (I should think that would

not be something Moses wood for forget to record in the Exodus account.)c. Other smaller details differ as well.

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3. But there are many similarities but one MAJOR DIFFERENCE between the two accounts:

4. (17 Slides)Ex. 17:1-7 Num. 20:1-13

No water for the people to drink (17:1) The water for the people to drink (20:2)The people complained against Moses

(17:2)The people complained against Aaron and

Moses (20:2)People complain that it would have been

better to remain in Egypt than to be brought out into the wilderness to die

(17:3)

People complain that it would have been better to remain in Egypt than to be

brought out into the wilderness to die (20:4-5)

Moses calls upon the Lord (17:4) Moses and Aaron call on the Lord (20:6)Commanded to gather the Elders and

people together (17:5)Commanded together the people together

(20:8)Moses was told to bring his rod (17:5) Moses was told to bring his rod (20:8)

Told to STRIKE the rock (17:6) Told to SPEAK to the rock (20:8)The rock would yield water for drinking

(17:6)The rock would yield water for drinking

(17:6)

Result: Obedience Result: Disobedience People receive water (17:6) People receive water; Moses and Aaron

are forbidden from leading the people into the Promised Land (20:12)

B. The disobedience of Moses:1. Speaking to the rock vs. striking the rock – the difference seems so small and minor

considering that everything else was done properly, doesn’t it?2. But this story serves to teach us that we must listen carefully to the details when God

speaks!

C. From this story we see the importance of obedience. Because of Moses’ disobedience and presumably Aaron’s involvement Aaron was punished as well!1. When we are not careful to obey God others around us can be lead astray as well.2. In fact, the message of needing to listen and obey carefully is one that is taught

repeatedly throughout the scriptures. Let’s look at some…

II. Others who did not listen carefully (and paid the price):A. Saul did not listen carefully!

1. Instructions (1 Sam. 15:1, 3)

2. Did not heed all instructions (1 Sam. 15:8-9)

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3. God greatly disappointed that he had set up Saul as king; Samuel so disappointed he cried all night to the Lord (1 Sam. 15:10-11)

4. Saul, on the other hand = quite proud of what he had done! Set up a monument to himself (1 Sam. 15:12)! When he sees Samuel the next day he proudly proclaims “I have performed the commandment of the LORD.” (1 Sam. 15:13)

5. Samuel asks, if that is so, why he hears the sound of bleating sheep & lowing oxen (things the Israelites have taken as spoils from the war).

6. Saul offers an excuse (1 Sam. 15:15)a. “Your God” (i.e. not “my God” – Saul’s God was himself, for that was who he served!)b. Samuel expresses that God appointed Him when he was a humble person but now he

has acted arrogantly and proud.c. His mission: to “utterly destroy the sinners” (1 Sam. 15:18) d. But he hadn’t obeyed the Lord (1 Sam. 15:19)e. Saul argues his position “But I have obeyed…” I have “…gone on the mission.” f. Tries shifting blame: blames the taking of the plunder on the people (1 Sam. 15:21) as

if the king, their leader should bear no responsibility!

7. Samuel teaches an important lesson to Saul “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam. 15:22)

8. Saul’s mistake: a. He thought his rebelliousness would be overlooked because he could bribe the Lord

with offerings to look the other way!b. He thought that God would accept his half-hearted obedience! He was wrong!

9. Saul’s punishment: Rejected as king (1 Sam. 15:23)

10. How many people today are doing all sorts of things the Lord has not commanded yet, like Saul, they point to all the good they perceive as being accomplished.

11. If God rejected the animals that Saul spared to offer as sacrifices, why should he accept our works if we cannot read in the Bible where they meet his approval?

B. The Israelites did not listen carefully!

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1. God gave specific instructions about moving the ark (Ex. 25:13-14)

2. Families of Kohath were given the duty to move the articles, including the ark (Num. 3:29-31).

3. But one time the Israelties did not transport it this way. Notice what happened (2 Sam. 6:3-7).

4. David later realized why this happened (1 Chr. 15:13) – they were punished because they did not do what they were supposed to according to the proper order (didn’t do the way God had said).

5. They didn’t listen carefully. It cost Uzzah his life!

C. Nadab & Abihu didn’t listen carefully! 1. Nadab & Abihu – the sons of Aaron: He was the high priest, his sons were the first priests

in the newly constructed tabernacle.

2. Lev. 10:1-3 tells us they offered “strange fire” that God had not commanded them to use.

3. Lev. 10:2 says that fire came out from the Lord and killed them for their disobedience!

4. They changed, added and altered what God had instructed them to do and God was not pleased!

5. They did not listen carefully!

6. By disobeying His specific instructions, God viewed their disobedience as an insult (Lev. 10:3). In God’s eyes, they had disrespected Him and they were deserving of death!

III. God demands strict obedience.A. Principle stated in Dt. 4:2 – neither add to nor diminish from God’s word;

1. Dt. 5:32 - neither turn to right nor left2. Example: (map) journey – take any wrong turns and you will not reach your destination

(compare Bible to a map to Heaven)

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B. What God wants 1. Moses commanded to build a tabernacle “…according to the pattern which was

shown you on the mountain.” (Ac. 25:40)2. (Ex. 40:16)3. When Moses did all that God wanted, God was pleased; God showed His approval

C. Yet from pulpits and believers across the land, I hear people describing God as a God who is too loving to punish the disobedient…a God who would not send someone to Hell! People do not like to hear about a God who would punish them for not making certain they had carefully studied His word and made certain to obey it!

D. The time has come that Paul described to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

E. What does Jesus say?1. Mat. 7:21-23

a. There will be a lot of unsaved believers – people who acknowledge Him as their “Lord”. b. Belief ALONE not enough.c. Calling Jesus your Lord and Savior (sinner’s prayer) not enough!d. They are even people who have appeared to do miraculous things in His name,

prophesying, casting out demons and doing many other “wonderful works.”

2. Why would the Lord refuse to let people into Heaven who have spent their lives serving Him?a. They practiced “lawlessness”: Gk. Word from which “lawlessness” is translated lit.

means “iniquity” or “a violation of law; unrighteousness” or a “transgression of the law (i.e. sin)”

b. So what they were doing, as good and right as it seemed in their own eyes, was not right according to what God had said to do!

c. The Bible is more than a guide…it is law…and when God’s law is broken, punishment will follow if we do not repent!

d. Only those who “do the will of the Father” who is in Heaven will enter the kingdom!

Conclusion: 1. Failing to listen carefully often serious consequences!2. God expects us to listen carefully and obey carefully!3. Our salvation depends upon it!

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Invitation: 1. If you are willing to do all that the Lord commands you to do…

2.

BibliographyThere are no sources in the current document.

Slide logo: # (indicates an accompanying Power Point Slide is available, slide number following.)

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