Helping the Enemy

We look at a very difficult passage in the book of Numbers.  In Numbers chapters 31 and 32 God's people are faced with several very difficult choices.  Understanding these chapters for us is very difficult as well, since the issues facing God's people are very foreign to us.  But by looking at the choices they made - some good, some not so good - we can better understand how we should approach difficult choices in our lives.  In a sermon called "Difficult Choices" we look at at Numbers chapters 31 and 32 as we continue our sermon series called "Are We There Yet? Glory, Grace, and Grumbling in the Book of Numbers."

The day I was leaving for college was a very memorable day because of the words my dad gave me.  The conversation was direct and void of any waste.  My dad wanted to give me some final advice before he dropped me off for college with the hope that I would remember some critical things to help me survive till I would see him again in November.  What words would you give someone if time was short?  Today, we look at a very similar situation where Paul, nearing the end of his life, gives his final encouragement to a young Timothy.  What are the critical things that Paul wants Timothy to know?  And how can those words help us to stand firm in our faith?  In a sermon titled "Standing Tall" we look at one of Paul's final letters and discover how we can find encouragement in our walk with Christ.

We are forgetful people.  This is why so often in the Old Testament God teaches His people to be intentional about remembering what He has done for them.  In a sermon called "Intentional Remembering," we look at Numbers chapters 28-30 where God gives His people specific things to help them remember Him when they come into the Promised Land.  We learn how we can build intentional remembering into our lives today.

Sometimes starting over is hard.  You get to the end of a project and realize you made a mistake and you have to start over again.  That can be frustrating.  But sometimes starting over is exciting.  You get a new beginning to avoid the mistakes you made the first time. In a sermon called "New Beginnings",  we look at Numbers chapters 26 and 27 as part of our sermon series called "Are We There Yet? Glory, Grace and Grumbling in the Book of Numbers."  In these two chapters we see a shift in the book of numbers from the failures the people went through as they traveled in the wilderness to the new beginning God gives them as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.  We see them be reminded of lessons they need to learn, as well as reminders of the grace God has shown to them. We also see that God is still faithful to them in providing for them every step of the way.

It is an amusing sight at a kids sporting event when someone takes the ball in the wrong direction and scores for the opposing team, but it would not be so funny if that happened this weekend in the Super Bowl!  There comes a point when people understand what is at stake and should know better.  In a sermon called "Helping the Enemy" we look at Numbers chapter 25.  Here we see that while God fought for his people against those that wanted to cause them harm, the people end up inviting these enemies into their camp, joining with them in things they knew were wrong, and then end up paying dearly for it.  They thought they were just pursuing their own happiness but they ended up helping their enemy.  We see how we must be careful today not to get entangled by the ways of this world.  We also see that even though many of them sinned and deserved judgement, the righteousness of one man saved many others.

In this sermon  we look at a classic story from the book of Numbers - the story of Balaam and his talking donkey.  It reminds me of Sunday School stories as a kid or illustrated children's books.  But the book of Numbers is no children's book and the account of Balaam is much more complicated and sinister than what we might typically teach to kids.  In a sermon called "Wise Donkey, Foolish Prophet," we look at Numbers chapters 22 to 24 as we continue our sermon series called "Are We There Yet: Glory, Grace and Grumbling in the Book of Numbers."  We see how this so-called prophet serves as a warning to each of us that God cannot be manipulated for our own benefit and that God's promises are secure.

Where do we go when we need help?  Where do we turn when things seem like they are falling apart?  This  sermon on Numbers 20:14 - 21:45 is titled "Look Up and Live" and looks at a time when the Israelites, once again, got themselves into trouble in the book of Numbers.  God had done so much for them, yet again they grumble and complain against him.  As we look at this convicting account of their sin, God's discipline and then God's amazing grace in saving his people yet again, we see glimpses of the power of Jesus who is our salvation. 

We struggle with wanting to be first.  Or maybe just wanting to be right.  Or just wanting others to think that we are right.  Every aspect of our culture feeds the flame within us that says we are right and we should get what we want.  This sermon looks at a very difficult passage in Numbers 20:1-13.  We need to look carefully at these 13 verses because there is something here we need to take to heart.  It is a warning that says be careful not to make it all about you!  In this passage Moses makes a big mistake that will have serious consequences for him and for Aaron.  In a sermon called "Failure to Yield" we look at this passage as part of our sermon series called "Are We There Yet? Glory, Grace, and Grumbling in the Book of Numbers."  We see that Moses made a crucial moment be about his importance rather than God's importance.  I believe we also see that we face daily struggles where we are tempted to do the exact same thing.

We return to our sermon series "Are We There Yet? Glory, Grace, and Grumbling in the Book of Numbers."  We are stepping back into the wilderness between Egypt and Israel where God's people struggled to accept God's grace at work in their lives.  In a sermon called "Life in a World of Death"  we look at Numbers chapter 19.

We follow our annual tradition of using the first Sunday of the new year to look at an overview of the entire bible.  This sermon iis called "The Big Picture" and we see that in Scripture God gives us one big picture of who He is, who we are, the relationship that God has created us for, as well as His plan and work to make that relationship possible. Join us as we look at the big picture of the bible from Genesis to Revelation.