Ii Kings 18:4
Hezekiah's actions in breaking the serpent in pieces serve as a reminder to recognize when God's gifts have become abusive and to break free from idolatry by seeking a proper relationship with God.
Chuck Smith discusses the significance of Hezekiah's actions in destroying the brazen serpent, which had become an object of worship rather than a symbol of God's deliverance. He emphasizes how the people had lost their consciousness of God and began to idolize a mere 'thing of brass,' leading to confusion and misinterpretation of their faith. Smith draws parallels to modern-day practices where God's gifts can be misused, urging believers to recognize and dismantle anything that obstructs their relationship with God. Hezekiah's renaming of the serpent to 'Nehushtan' serves as a call to acknowledge the true nature of such idols and to break free from them. The sermon encourages a return to genuine worship and fellowship with God, rather than clinging to past experiences or symbols.
Text
"NEHUSHTAN"
A. Hezekiah's ascension and action "broke in pieces
B. History of brazen serpent.
1. Israel's complaining.
2. Snake pits.
3. Brazen serpent.
C. Preservation of brazen serpent.
1. Moses wilderness; Joshua conquest; judges David Solomon.
D. Development of worship.
1. Interest grew to veneration.
2. Began to worship symbol.
3. Defied serpent of brass.
E. Story not so old.
1. Church of St. Ambrose - Milan 971 Milanese envoy to
Constantinople.
I. DEIFICATION - - - SIGN OF PEOPLE AT THE TIME.
A. Sign of their loss of consciousness of God.
B. People hungering after that which they lost.
1. Idol always means this.
2. Sense of need - sense of lack.
C. Sign of confusion, misinterpretation.
1. As though serpent was healing agent of past.
II. HEZEKlAH'S TWOFOLD ACTIONS.
A. Named the serpent "Nehushtan."
1. "A thing of brass."
2. He called it what it was.
3. It was a revelation and shame to the people.
a. they had left worshipping the 14-wing God
and began worshipping "a thing of brass."
B. He broke it in pieces.
II. MODERN APPLICATIONS.
A. God's gifts may be so abused as to become injurious.
1. Some of the things people burn incense to:
a. A building, selling the church.
b. Form of worship.
c. Certain evangelists or ministers "I know
if he would just pray for me."
d. Past experiences.
e. Creed or denomination.
f. Trust deed (terms of deed..
2. Sign of loss of fellowship with God.
3. Proper attitude toward these things.
a. Call them what they are:
church - bricks and mortar.
minister - a man exercise of
worship - forms.
creeds - human opinions trust
deed - paper.
experiences - past.
b. If these things come between you and God,
break it in pieces.
B. Paul to Phillipians:
"That which was gain to me I counted loss"
30 years later - "Ye, I count all things but loss"
"I counted yesterday no value unless still counting
today."
C. Light that shone on Damascus Road no value unless still
shining today.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction
- A. Background of the Nehushtan
- B. Hezekiah's Actions
- II. Deification - Sign of People at the Time
- A. Loss of Consciousness of God
- B. Hungering After What Was Lost
- C. Confusion and Misinterpretation
- III. Hezekiah's Twofold Actions
- A. Naming the Serpent 'Nehushtan'
- B. Breaking the Serpent in Pieces
- IV. Modern Applications
- A. Abusing God's Gifts
- B. Proper Attitude Toward Things
- C. Breaking Free from Idolatry
Key Quotes
“A thing of brass.” — Chuck Smith
“That which was gain to me I counted loss” — Chuck Smith
“Ye, I count all things but loss” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize when God's gifts have become abusive and take steps to break free from idolatry.
- Maintain a proper relationship with God by counting things as loss and seeking His truth.
- Avoid idolatry by calling things what they are and not relying on external sources for spiritual fulfillment.