Preach the Word Podcast

Title: "The Cost of Unbelief"
Text: Numbers 13,14

 

Introduction:

- Hebrews 3:12-19 "12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief." 
- "Unbelief will destroy the best of us: faith will save the worst of us”. - C.H. Spurgeon
- In the 1999 Sci-Fi movie the Matrix, there is a scene where the main character Neo is told to clear his mind in order to achieve a jump in a training sequence. Because Neo is harboring unbelief that he is who they believe him to be, he falls to the ground. The entire movie centers around doubt and skepticism causing failure. 
- "a lack or withholding of belief, particularly regarding religion, faith" (Dictionary.com)
- Unbelief is in our fallen nature, and Jesus even addresses this, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:24)
- Numbers recap
Israel is preparing to leave Mt. Sinai to begin their journey to the promised land. God has given them everything they need to be prepared spiritually, mentally, and physically. We saw this in our first couple episodes with "Preparing for the Journey" (1-4) and "Keeping God at the Center" (5-9). In the last episode, "The Battle Within" (10-12) we looked at how complaining, jealousy, envy, and strife reared its ugly head. Those are all symptoms if this nasty word, unbelief. Let's Look here at the text and we can see why...

Do a recap of each (story mode)
A. Request: Numbers 13:1a; Deut 1:22,23
- The spies was an initial request from Israel
"And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe." Deut 1:22,23
- The issue was not that they requested to send spies. The issue is what came next. But knowing the whole story, the question must come up, where is this coming from? This can be seen as wise and discerning from a Joshua and a Caleb. But this can also be seen as possible doubt and hesitation. 
- Why are we doing the things we are doing? What is our motive? (Church discipline; making a big life move) Be careful with presumption

B. Research: Numbers 13:1-24
- The research of the land is done by the spies
- The spies were instructed to scope out the land. Too look at the fruitfulness, the defense, and the strength of the people. There were 12 spies total, 1 from each tribe, and they were gone for 40 days. They came back with a massive cluster of grapes from the Valley of Eshcol.

C. Report: Numbers 13:25- 33
- "And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." (Numbers 13:25-33)

- I'm sure you have heard the children's song...

"12 Men Went to Spy Out Canaan" (SS song. Author Unknown)
"Twelve men went to spy on Canaan,
Ten were bad and two were good.
What did they see when they spied on Canaan?
Ten were bad and two were good!
Some saw giants big and tall,Some saw grapes in clusters fall,
Some saw God was in it all.
Ten were bad and two were good!"

- Of the 12 spies, Joshua and Caleb were ready to go.They were ready to claim the land of promise. The other 10 spies, however, brought an evil report. 

D. Response: Numbers 14

Numbers 14:1-4
"And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt." Numbers 14:1-4

- Back in Exodus 5, I preached the message "Going against the mob" and talked about the dangers of a Mob mentality...

Egypts Blind Obedience and Defiance
- There was behavior of Ignorance with Egypt. No record of any discernment of Egyptian leaders showing Pharaoh's autocratic system.  Think of how far we have come from the midwives who resisted Pharaoh, from his own daughter who took a huge role in saving Moses. These people were not puppets. 
- There was Character and identity displayed in the early chapters of exodus. Now there appears to be silence and blind devotion. 

Israel's Blame and Discouragement (Israel blames Moses)
- Israel blamed Moses for making things worse
- The foreman approach Moses and Aaron
- Israel chose to be discouraged over keeping Faith in God

Was that what this was? Was this a mob mentality? I think Exodus 5, and Numbers 14, is a reflection of what is in the heart. Yes, there are mob's of people joining together to go to the extreme, but I think it's a reflection of what was in their hearts. In Numbers 14, the mob wept together against Moses and Aaron, and conspired to set a captain before them to return to Egypt. This showed their unbelief. 

Numbers 14: 5-9: Plea of the Godly men. Joshua, Caleb, Moses, and Aaron tried reasoning with the people. Caleb tried it in the previous chapter during the report from the spies, and now he's trying again with the help of Moses, Aaron, and Joshua.

Numbers 14:10 a "10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones."
(That escalated quickly illustration - "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh" (Jesus)

Numbers 14: 10,11: God's Anger

Numbers 14: 12-19: Moses interceding for the people

Numbers 14:20-38: God Judges Israel
Because of Moses intercessory prayer on behalf of the people, God spares them from immediate destruction. However, the entire generation 20 years and older (that murmured) was barred from entering the promised land except for Caleb and Joshua. (They would inherit the land with their descendants) Israel is now being told they were all being sent back to the wilderness and except for Joshua and Caleb with their descendants, would all die there.

Numbers 14: 39-45 (From bad to worse)

39 And Moses told these sayings unto all the children of Israel: and the people mourned greatly. 40 And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the Lord hath promised: for we have sinned.b41 And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the Lord? but it shall not prosper. 42 Go not up, for the Lord is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies.b43 For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the Lord, therefore the Lord will not be with you. 44 But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and Moses, departed not out of the camp.45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.

They presumed. Presuming is dangerous (illustration of how we presume based on our own understanding) To believe something is true based on reasonable evidence or

Outline: The Cost of Unbelief
Unbelief impacted...

I. Their Decisions
- They wanted to send spies into the land to scope it out; (scoping out the promised land). God granted their request (sometimes God gives us what we want) 
- They choses to no pursue the land. They chose to complain. They chose to want to stone Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb
- They chose to pursue the land after God judged them. They decided they would rather try the promised land then go into the wilderness. They pick and chose the part they wanted and then presumed God would give them the victory. (Illustration of how God wants our Faith. How some people cherry pick but want their results)
- They leaned on their own understanding and it impacted their decision making. 

II. Their Direction
- Complaining, more complaining, jealousy, envy, strife, and now the wilderness. 
- They were given everything they needed for the journey, but now they are headed into the wilderness because of their unbelief. 
- Unbelief will keep us from victory in the Christian life.
- Scripture reference

III. Their Dependence
- They compared themselves to the Giants. They said they were like Grasshoppers. Notice, they didn't compare the Giants to God. The Creator of the universe. The one who pried the Red Sea and delivered them from Egypt. 
- When we choose self over God fear will really take over when the enemy overwhelms us. Instead of depending on God, they chose to focus on the enemy. Had the enemy been less intimidating would they have pursued?
- The question we must ask ourselves are we really walking by faith?
- Need a good closing illustration

Conclusion:

(In my own words)

In Bradbury's dystopian world, the culture didn't start by forcefully banning books; the public simply stopped reading them. They preferred short, superficial summaries, television "parlor walls," and quick thrills.

Yes, the idea of having our Bibles taken away because of a corrupt Government is scary. But yo know what else is scary? A church full of Christians, who don't read their Bibles! Basic Christianity and our beliefs on our own understanding. Walking by feelings, the culture we live in, our own understanding, and presuming God is with us because of our own traditions and man made cultures. 

Hebrews 3:12 — "See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God."

"Without me, ye can do nothing" - The Lord Jesus

 

THANK YOU

A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.

To contact me, please email me at preachtheword@zohomail.com 

Title: The Battle Within
Text: Numbers 10-12
Theme: Fighting the battle with one of our worst enemies: Ourselves

Introduction:

"The enemy is within the gates; it is with our own luxury, our own folly, our own criminality that we have to contend." - Marcus Tullius Cicero

The Departed is a 2006 movie directed by Martin Scorsese, and stars Jack Nicholson, Leonardo Dicaprio, Matt Damon, Martin Sheen, and Mark Whalberg. It is a Crime Thriller about an undercover cop in the Irish Mob, and Police Mole within the Irish mob. The entire movie is about the two trying to expose one another. The movie is a double-sided tale of enemies within.

The enemy within represents internal struggles rather than external adversaries. Some of the greatest figures and organizations have crumbled due to enemies within. 

Biblical Example: 
- Samson: He was a Nazarite, given supernatural strength from the LORD, and absolutely destroyed his enemies. They were no match. Samson's fall came from his internal struggles of pride, lust, and his lack of self-control.
- Jonah: He was commanded to Nineveh, but disobeyed and sailed on a ship in the opposite direction. "But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken." (Jonah 1:4) ... "So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging."(Jonah 1:15)

Three Enemies:
- The Devil: Satan, the adversary of God and His creation. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8
- The World: The system that operates independently from God. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:25
- The Flesh: Our sinful, fallen nature, that we inherited from Adam.

" I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." (Romans 7:21-23)

"For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" (1 Corinthians 3:3 )

Enemies from without are dangerous and we are no match against them. We need God to fight those battles for us. We also need to understand that there is another enemy we are no match for without God and need Him for also, this is the enemy within. 

Numbers 10
v.1-10 "The Silver Trumpets"
- Silver is the metal of Redemption
- The last part of preparation was the instructions with the two silver trumpets. 
- They were used for calling an assembly, marching orders, an alarm for war, and celebration.

v. 11-36 (The order in which they marched)
- The Ark is in front
- Section 1: Moses & Aaron (v.33)
- Section 2: Judah (v.14)
- Section 3: Gershon and Merari bearing the Tabernacle and the Sons of Levi
- Section 4 Reuben, Simeon, and Gad
- Section 5: Kohathites  bearing sanctuary with Sons of Levi
- Section 6: Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamen
- Section 7: Dan, Asher, and Naphtali. (Rear guard = which traditionally is where stragglers would also go.) "Mixed Multitude"

God has given the Israelites everything they need on this journey Mentally, Physically, and Spiritually. 
- Phil 4:14 and Proverbs 3:15

Then we come to the actual journey, and it doesn't start out very well for Israel. Was it bad weather conditions? Wild animal attacks? An ambush from an army? No, the battle came from within. 

Outline: "The Battle Within" 

Let's look at three things:

I.  The Reveal: Numbers 10:29 - 11:30
Moses : Numbers 10: 29-31
- If this were a movie/ mini series illustration... God has given them all they need. He has given them a destination, He has told them what to do with their enemies, and will guide them by a pillar of cloud by day & pillar of fire by Night. All seems to be ready, then, there is this sidebar with God's man Moses and Hobeb (brother in law or father in law)  Essentially, Moses wants Hobeb to go with them because "all that God had promised", Hobeb refuses, so Moses pleads with him to stay because of his familiarity with the desert and how he can be their eyes. "Huh?!?!" 
- This is a sneak preview of chapter 11. Moses, human like the rest of us, has everything he needs, but instead is revealing that there is a reliance on the flesh in this moment.  The man who put down his staff and saw God part the Red Sea. The man who saw water come from a Rock. The plagues of Egypt. The burning bush. Is trying to persuade his father in law, who apparently knew the land very well and could be their eyes on the journey. 
- What better way to persuade someone who refuses to go on a journey to a land God promised them. "We need you."; "you know a lot" "You can be our eyes". What is that? THE FLESH. This is why Jesus said what He did in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41)

Numbers 11
"And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp."
- People complain
- God is angry; fire on the outside of the camp
-  Moses prays and God quenches the fire
- The people then complain again, this time about the food. They begin reminiscing of the great food in Egypt.
- Moses starts complaining about the people complaining. Moses would rather be killed then put up with their complaining. God removes some of His Spirit from Moses and gives to 70 elders

What is revealed? That there is an enemy within. It starts in the heart, and then spreads like a cancer. 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." - Psalm 139:23,24

II. The Ramifications: Numbers 11:31-34; Number 12
- We already saw the fire in the first part of the chapter that was a result of their complaining. The fire came down and consumed them on the uttermost part of the camp.
- God sends them Quail. The people, because of their lust, become gluttonous and God sends a great plague resulting in more casualties. 
-  So let's go back... God has given them everything they need to be Spiritually, Mentally, and Physically prepared. The Journey begins and already there are casualties from a fire and a plague from eating Quail. These are ramifications of Israel's inward battle. Unbelief, envy, strife, discontentment, etc. 
- There is a capability of sin in the child of God. Where we are bound to sin, we are bound to suffer. 
- Illustration: Lord of the Flies (get's out of hand real quick) 

III. The Remedy
"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." -James 3:16,17
- The Wisdom from above. Let God meet your needs and be thankful (physical and spiritual). Let God fight your Battles. Let God lead and guide you into the Victory that is promised for the believer. 

Conclusion:

"The enemy is within the gates; it is with our own luxury, our own folly, our own criminality that we have to contend." - Marcus Tullius Cicero

 

THANK YOU

A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.

To contact me, please email me at preachtheword@zohomail.com 

Title: Keeping God at the Center
Text: Numbers 5-9
Theme: Remaining Holy and Devoted to God in a life that is given in total surrender to Him.

Introduction:

What does it mean to keep God at the Center of your Life?
- “Have your heart right with Christ, and he will visit you often, and so turn weekdays into Sundays, meals into sacraments, homes into temples, and earth into heaven.”  - Charles H. Spurgeon
- The Tabernacle was God's Dwelling place. In the camp of the Israelites soon the Wilderness march, the Tabernacle was geographical in the middle. Which means, that God was to be in the center.
- As a believer, God is to be in the center of our lives. By God being at the center, it means all areas of life are given to Him. The Israelites had a huge journey in front of them. They had tasks to perform, and obstacles they would face. It was crucial that God be at the center. They needed His presence and Power in everything they did.

Up to this Point...
-  We have started the book of Numbers. The theme is "Making it Count". Israel is at Mt. Sinai and they are about to depart to the Promised Land
- Numbers 1-4, Preparing for the Journey. (Briefly mention points) Know Who You Are: Numbers 1  (Identity). Know where you Belong (Community). Know your Responsibility (purpose)
- We now come to Numbers 5-9. These chapters speak of continual cleansing, commitment, and continuing in a life that pursues His presence and Power. Just like at the Israelite camp during the Wilderness march, God was at the center. How we can live a life with God at the Center and what it means"

Outline: "Keeping God at the Center" There are three words we can remember to help keep God at the center of our lives...

I. Cleansed: Number 5; 8-9:14
These verses speak of cleansing. 
- Numbers 5: 1-4: Leper/defiled removed from the camp.  There was a risk of contamination so they had to be removed. The book of Leviticus teaches us that Leprosy is a type of sin. The sins of the Flesh must be dealt with. We need Redemption through Christ blood, and we need the washing/cleansing of sins for fellowship. 

- In Numbers 5: 5-10, it talks about the need for restitution of sins which was Repentance. 
- Numbers 8-9:14: Light the lamps (Golden lamp stand is a type of Christ) ; Cleansing Levites (to be used we must be clean); The Passover (When I see the blood, I will pass over you.)

Practical Application:  
- To keep God at the center of our lives means we must understand the importance of Confessing sins. This is how the Christian stays clean and lives in the presence and Power of God.
- Relying on anything other than cleansing can lead us into trouble. Relying on Merit, status, or even actions can cause us to become a stumbling block to other believers and hurt our testimony.

- David: Psalm 51
v.7 — David admits he is unclean and needs God to wash him
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean…”
v.8 — David admits his sin has broken him emotionally and spiritually
“Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.”
v.9–12 — David admits his heart is wrong and he needs restoration and fellowship with God
“Create in me a clean heart, O God… Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation…”
v.13–17 — David wants to get right with God and be useful again
He wants to teach others, praise God again, and offer God a broken and repentant heart instead of empty sacrifice.

This is a man who wants to get back into fellowship with the Father but has fallen flat on his face.
This is how a man after God's own heart acknowledges his sin and comes back to God.

The Confessing and cleansing of sins is vital to living a life with Christ at the center.

II. Committed: Numbers 6,7
These verses speak of living a committed life. 
- Numbers 6: Nazarite vow. This was a voluntary vow, that could be for a lifetime or temporary.  It was a vow of separation unto the Lord. In order to be a Nazarite, you had to do three things. 1.) Not drink wine or strong drink; 2. Not touch a dead body. 3.) Not shave their head. This was a way God's people could get closer to Him.
- Numbers 7: The offering of the Princes. This is the next to longest chapter in the Bible. It list each Prince and each gift that was given to the Lord. 

Practical Application:
- The Nazarite vow and the offerings showed commitment to the Lord.
- To be totally committed to God means to surrender the ownership of our lives to Him.
-  Paul: Philippians 1:21 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 

“When we come to Christ, we're no longer the most important person in the world to us; Christ is. Instead of living only for ourselves, we have a higher goal: to live for Jesus.” - Billy Graham

The committing of ones life is necessary to keep Christ as the Center.

III. Continuing: Numbers 9:15-23
- The Pillar of Cloud to guide them by day and a Pillar of Fire by night (Read Numbers 9:15,16) 
-“And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.”
- This represents God's continual Power and Presence. They waited on God. They were in His presence. 
- Illustration: Focus on action. Doing and checking boxes. Need to re-emphasize "being" with God is also a way to follow Him and must take priority.

Conclusion:
How do we live a life where God is at the Center?
1. Cleansing - Is there unconfessed sin?
2. Commitment - Give God your life. Make it all about Him
3. Continuing - How do we practice the presence of God? By staying with Him. Being with Him.

THANK YOU

A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.

To contact me, please email me at preachtheword@zohomail.com 

 

04) Numbers 01-04

Title: "Preparing for the Journey"

Text: Numbers 1-4

Theme: God gets His children organized, assigned and ready for the journey through the Wilderness to the Promised Land.

 

Introduction:

 

- What does it mean to prepare for a journey? First and foremost, you figure out where you're going, and then what you will need. Who is going with you? What are your responsibilities? What are some obstacles that you may encounter and how can you proactively prepare for them? Alexander Graham Bell once said, “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”

 

-  As we begin the book of Numbers, Israel is preparing to go on a Journey. A journey to the Promised Land. 

- Exodus 3:8 "And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.”

-  It's important to note, that the Promised Land is not a Type of Heaven. The Promised land, is actually a type of Faith, Rest, and Victory for the Christian. In the Promised land, there were still enemies and battles. This is not Heaven, as in Heaven there will be no more Battles. 

 

Transition:

 

- The Children of Israel have come a long way, but their journey is far from over.  They began in Bondage in Egypt, were miraculously delivered by God, brought  through the Red Sea, and led  into the wilderness. They were given God's Law on Mt. Sinai and He established the Tabernacle. Now, as the Book of Numbers begins, God is preparing His children to leave Mount Sinai and continue their journey toward the Promised Land.

 

(Read Title) "Preparing for the Journey" 

 

Outline: How God prepared His Children for the journey through the Wilderness, and how we too, can be prepared for our journey as a Child of God. 

 

I. Know Who You Are: Numbers 1  (This speaks of your Identity)

- Moses is commanded by God to take a census of the Children of Israel. (A census is a count or a population survey.) The census would be counting men who were 20 years old and older who could go to war. They were counted according to their tribe, family, and father's house. The Levites would be set apart from this census because God had a different role for them in tending to the tabernacle. 

- Before the Journey begins, Israel needed to know who they were, and whose they were.

 

- Let's talk about identity and why it is important. The questions "Who are you?" or  "Who do you belong to?" are critical questions to ask before going on this journey to the Promised Land. Every journey has obstacles (hiking example = rough terrain, weather, setbacks, fatigue, etc.) and who you are determines how you will respond to those obstacles. The people you meet, the places you go, and the obstacles you face, can actually try and define you and tell you who you are. 

- Illustration: (How can the devil get broken people to stop running to the Church for help? A loss of identity. When the Church becomes Judgmental, Nationalistic, etc. people don't run to it, they run from it.

- Physical Church; Politics; Time revealing who people really are; refusing to change etc. (There is a reason people are who they are. Sometime our identity can be found in the wrong things) 

- Think about Joseph for a minute, the people, places, and circumstances of his life were constantly trying to define him. A slave in a pit; a servant in Potiphar's house, a prisoner, to eventually a leader in the Palace. This all changed but one thing remained the same... Joseph was a child of God. "But the LORD was with Joseph"

 

- Before you go on the journey through the Wilderness, it's important to not only know where you are going (The Promised land = the place of Victory for the Believer.) But Who you are. Who are you? You are a child of God.  Washed in the Blood of Christ, declared Righteous, a joint-Heir with Christ, conquerors through Him and declared victorious. 

 

Verses:

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

John 1:12 (KJV) “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

Colossians 3:3–4 (KJV) “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

 

 

II. Know Where you Belong: Numbers 2 (This speaks of your Community)

- There are 12 tribes of Israel. In Numbers 2, each tribe is given a specific place to camp around the Tabernacle. This establishes order in which they will travel. There is order as each Tribe is given a place with the Tabernacle at the center.  The Children of Israel camp together, travel together, fight together, and depend on one another. Before the journey to the promised land, they needed to know where they belonged and who was around them. 

 

- We spoke of Identity, now let's talk about Community. God did not design us to be alone. We need each other. 

-  In the movie Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Captain Jack Aubrey, played by Russell Crowe, leads his ship, the HMS Surprise. Captain Aubrey is a wise and discerning commander, full of courage and discipline. He is able to lead his crew toward accomplishing an almost impossible mission. However, one of the messages of the story is that he couldn't do it by himself. He needed his crew, and they needed each other.

There were sailors working the sails, men maintaining the ship, officers giving commands, a doctor caring for the wounded, and men fighting together for a mission they believed in. Everyone had a place, everyone had a job, and everyone depended on someone else. The crew never would have succeeded if they had not banded together as one unit.

- The same is true with Israel in their Journey, and us in our journey. The journey is personal, but it was never meant to be traveled alone.

 

Verses: 

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 — “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

Galatians 6:2 — “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Hebrews 10:24–25 — “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Proverbs 27:17 — “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

Romans 12:10 —“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”

 

Know who you are. Know where you belong. Find your tribe (Band of Brothers/Sisters) Local Bible Church; Life Together

 

III. Know Your Responsibility: Numbers 3,4 (This speaks of your Purpose)

- In Numbers 3 and 4, God sets apart the Levites for the work of the Tabernacle and their responsibilities are divided up among the families of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The Responsibilities differ but they all matter. Every person contributes to the work God has given His people. God gives them a place to serve and a responsibility to fulfill. 

 

- When Nehemiah led the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall, he didn't have one person trying to rebuild the entire thing. Different people were responsible for different sections.

- Some repaired the gates.

- Some repaired sections of the wall.

- Some worked near their own homes.

- The Priests,Craftsmen, Merchants and Families worked.

 

- Romans 12:4–8 (KJV)

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

What Paul is actually saying

The key phrase for your point is:

“all members have not the same office” — Romans 12:4

 

- Here “office” means function or work. Paul compares the church to a human body: the different parts belong to the same body but don't perform the same function.

 

- At home, at church, at work, and in your community—ask yourself: “What has God given me to do here?” Then, through the strength Christ gives you, do it well.

 

Conclusion: 

 

How do we Prepare for the Journey? 

 

1.) Who are you? What is your Identity: 

2.) Where do you belong? Where is your Community? 

3) What is your Responsibility? What is your Purpose? 

 

Be confident in who you are in Christ. Encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ, and allow them to encourage you. Help others, and be willing to let others help you. Do your job. Everyone has a purpose and a place. Find yours, and through the power of Christ, do it well.

Bonus Episode

Corey Cantrell - 1 John 3

 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-c-o-d-e-of-man/id1506820862

 

THANK YOU

A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.

To contact me, please email me at preachtheword@zohomail.com 

Hello everyone -  I just want to take a moment and thank you for your continued prayers and support. Lord willing, the podcast will return in September and I will be starting a new series in the book of Numbers.

 

Title: "The Choice Before Us"
Text: Leviticus 25–27
Theme:  God blesses obedience, disciplines disobedience, and calls His people to wholehearted commitment.

Introduction:
As we come to the final chapters of Leviticus, God brings everything together. Throughout this book He has taught His people about sacrifice, worship, holiness, cleansing, service, and atonement. Now He reminds them that every decision has consequences. Obedience brings blessing. Disobedience brings discipline. Yet through it all, God's desire has never been merely outward obedience—it has always been hearts that fully belong to Him.

One of the reasons The Lord of the Rings has remained such a beloved story is because, in the end, it isn't really about destroying the Ring. The Ring is destroyed before the story truly ends. The final chapters are about what comes next. Aragorn accepts his calling as king. Sam returns home to faithfully build a family. The great victory has already been won, but each character must now decide how they will live because of that victory.

That is very similar to the closing chapters of Leviticus.
God had redeemed Israel from Egypt. He had given them His law. He had shown them how to worship, how to approach Him, and how to live as a holy people. Now He asks an important question:

"How will you live now that you belong to Me?"

Illustration of making a choice

The Christian life begins the same way. Jesus Christ has already won the victory through His death and resurrection. We are not striving to earn God's acceptance—we already have it through Christ. The question is no longer, "How do I become God's child?" The question is, "Now that I belong to Him, how should I live?"

That is the message of these final chapters of Leviticus.
"If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them..." — Leviticus 26:3

A. Promise
God delights in blessing those who walk in obedience.
Leviticus 26:3–13
God's commands are not given to rob us of joy but to lead us into His blessing.
(You are what you eat)

B. Punishment
God lovingly warns His people about the consequences of disobedience.
Leviticus 26:14–39
His discipline is not the response of an angry judge but the correction of a loving Father who desires repentance.
Sin has consequences - David 

C. Pledge
God calls His people to dedicate themselves completely to Him.
Leviticus 27:1–34

 

THANK YOU

A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.

To contact me, please email me at preachtheword@zohomail.com 

Title: "The Beauty of Holiness"
Text: Leviticus 21–24
Theme

Our worship and our daily lives should reflect the holiness and character of God.

Introduction

"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness."
— Psalm 29:2

Throughout Leviticus, God has been teaching His people how sinful people can approach a holy God. Now the focus turns to those who lead in worship, the offerings they bring, the feasts they observe, and the sacred things of God. The message is simple: God deserves our very best. Holiness is not confined to the tabernacle—it is reflected in the way we worship, serve, and live every day.

One of the most memorable scenes in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade takes place when Indiana enters the chamber where the Holy Grail is kept. Before he ever reaches the Grail, he must slow down. He cannot rush in carelessly. Every step requires thought, humility, and respect. One wrong move brings serious consequences.While it is only a movie, it illustrates an important truth: when people believe something is sacred, they naturally approach it with reverence.
That is the lesson of Leviticus 21–24. God was teaching Israel that worship was never to become casual or careless. The priests were set apart. The sacrifices were to be without blemish. The feasts reminded the people of God's faithfulness. Even the lampstand continually burned before the Lord. Everything pointed to the holiness of God.

Today, because of Jesus Christ, we have bold access into God's presence (Hebrews 10:19–22). Yet that confidence should never replace our reverence. We still serve a holy God.

"I the LORD, which sanctify you, am holy." — Leviticus 21:8
A. Reverence
God is holy and worthy of our worship.
Leviticus 21:6

B. Remembrance
God's people must never forget His faithfulness.
Leviticus 23:2

C. Reflection
Our worship should reflect God's character.
Leviticus 22:32

Transition
Because God is holy, worship could never become casual or careless. Every priest, every sacrifice, every feast, and every act of service reminded Israel that they belonged to a holy God. The same is true for us today.

I. Consecration (Leviticus 21–22)
God called the priests, the sacrifices, and the worship to be set apart for Him.
Examples from the Text:
- Priests were to be holy. Leviticus 21:6–8
- Priests were to avoid ceremonial defilement. Leviticus 21:1–5
- Sacrifices were to be without blemish.Leviticus 22:17–25
- God's holy name was never to be profaned.
- Leviticus 22:31–33

New Testament
- Romans 12:1 "Present your bodies a living sacrifice..."
- 1 Peter 2:9, "Ye are... a royal priesthood..."
- 1 Peter 1:15–16 "Be ye holy; for I am holy."

Lesson
God deserves our very best.
Application
Whether we preach, teach, sing, work, parent, or serve, our lives should be set apart for God's glory. Holiness begins with a heart wholly devoted to Him.

II. Celebration (Leviticus 23)
God established holy days so His people would continually remember His faithfulness.

Examples from the Text
- Sabbath (23:3)
- Passover (23:4–8)
- Firstfruits (23:9–14)
- Pentecost (23:15–22)
- Feast of Trumpets (23:23–25)
- Day of Atonement (23:26–32)
- Feast of Tabernacles (23:33–44)

New Testament
- Luke 22:19 "This do in remembrance of me."
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us."
- 1 Corinthians 15:20 Christ is "the firstfruits."
- Colossians 2:16–17 These feasts were "a shadow of things to come."

Lesson
Worship remembers God's faithfulness and points us to Christ.

Application
We are forgetful people. That's why we gather to worship, celebrate the Lord's Supper, sing, pray, and hear God's Word. Worship reminds us of who God is and what He has done.

III. Conviction (Leviticus 24)
God's continual light and His holy name reminded Israel to live faithfully before Him.

Examples from the Text
- The lamp was to burn continually. Leviticus 24:2–4
- The showbread remained continually before the Lord. Leviticus 24:5–9
- God's holy name was not to be blasphemed. Leviticus 24:10–16
- Justice reflected God's holy character. Leviticus 24:17–23

New Testament
- Matthew 5:14–16 "Ye are the light of the world..."
- Philippians 2:15 "Shine as lights in the world."
- Ephesians 5:8 "Walk as children of light."
- James 3:9–10Honor God with your speech.

Lesson
True worship changes the way we live.

Application
We don't leave worship behind when the service ends. We carry God's light into our homes, workplaces, schools, and communities. Our words, attitudes, and actions should point others to Jesus Christ.

Conclusion
Leviticus 21–24 reminds us that worship is much more than attending a service. It is living every day with hearts set apart for God, remembering His faithfulness, and allowing His holiness to shape the way we live.
- The priests were consecrated.
- The people celebrated God's mighty works.
- The lamp continually burned before the Lord.

All of it pointed forward to Jesus Christ.
- He is our perfect High Priest.
- He is the fulfillment of every feast.
- He is the Light of the World.
Because of Him, our worship is no longer centered on a tabernacle—it is centered on a Savior.

So let us leave today committed to three simple truths:
- Consecration — Be set apart for God's glory.
- Celebration — Never forget God's faithfulness.
- Conviction — Live every day in a way that reflects the holiness of the God you serve.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." — 1 Corinthians 10:31

Title: A Holy People
Text: Leviticus 17–20
Theme: Holiness is not merely something we believe—it is something we live.

Introduction
Leviticus has been teaching us how sinful people can approach a holy God. But beginning in chapter 17, the emphasis shifts. God is no longer speaking primarily about sacrifices and ceremonies, but about everyday living. Israel had been redeemed, cleansed, and forgiven. Now they were called to reflect God's character in the way they lived. Holiness is not merely found at the altar—it is seen in our homes, our relationships, our words, and our actions.
"Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy." — Leviticus 19:2

A. Relationship
God had redeemed Israel to be His people.
"I am the LORD your God..." — Leviticus 19:3

B. Responsibility
Those who belong to God are called to live differently.
"Ye shall therefore keep my statutes..." — Leviticus 20:8

C. Reflection
Our lives should reflect the character of the God we serve.
"Be ye holy; for I am holy." — Leviticus 19:2

 

A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.

To contact me, please email me at preachtheword@zohomail.com 

03) Leviticus 16
Title: The Day of Atonement

Text: Leviticus 16

Theme:

God made a way for sinful people to be forgiven, cleansed, and reconciled through a substitute.

⸻

Introduction

Throughout Leviticus, we have studied sacrifice, worship, cleansing, and holiness. But every chapter has been building toward this one. Leviticus 16 is the center of the book and the most important day on Israel’s calendar—the Day of Atonement. Once each year, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the nation. The blood was sprinkled upon the mercy seat, and the scapegoat carried away the sins of the people. Everything in this chapter points us to Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest.

“For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.” — Leviticus 16:30

⸻

A. Anticipation

The Day of Atonement pointed forward to something greater.

Every sacrifice anticipated the coming of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:1

⸻

B. Atonement

God provided a substitute so His people could be forgiven.

Without the shedding of blood there could be no remission of sin.

Leviticus 16:15–16

⸻

C. Assurance

The scapegoat pictured the complete removal of sin.

God not only forgives sin—He removes it.

Leviticus 16:22

A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.

To contact me, please email me at preachtheword@zohomail.com