Ii Kings 18:1
The sermon highlights the dangers of idolizing things and people, and the importance of keeping our focus on God's presence.
Chuck Smith discusses the significance of the brass serpent from Numbers 21, emphasizing how it symbolizes both sin and God's judgment. He explains that while the brass serpent was a means of salvation for the Israelites, it later became an object of worship, leading to a loss of awareness of God's presence. Smith warns against the tendency to idolize relics or past experiences, urging believers to recognize that true worship belongs to God alone. Hezekiah's destruction of the brass serpent serves as a reminder to call things by their true nature and to focus on the present relationship with God rather than past memories. Ultimately, Smith encourages the congregation to move forward in faith, pressing toward the high calling in Christ.
Text
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."
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The History of the Brass (Num. 21..) - 'Jesus said: ''and as Moses lifted up the serpent In the wilderness....''' - The Preservation and Idolization of the Brass
- II points: - What Does it Mean When People Start Worshipping Relics or Idols? - The Loss of Consciousness of God's Presence
- III points: - People Today in Their Minds Burn Incense to Sacred Relics - Removing the Obstacles to Church Progress - Nehushtan, a Thing of Brass
Key Quotes
“and as Moses lifted up the serpent In the wilderness....” — Chuck Smith
“If we will just look to Jesus, we shall live.” — Chuck Smith
“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.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must be careful not to idolize things and people, and keep our focus on God's presence.
- We should not get distracted by material things and remember that God is always with us.
- We should press on towards the high calling of God in Jesus Christ, forgetting the things that are behind and reaching for the things that are before.