Unbelief: Diagnosis, Paralysis and Cure

TITLE: The Paralyzing Effect of Unbelief and It’s Cure

TOPIC: Unbelief: Diagnosis, Effects & Cure 

 Introduction:

What is UNBELIEF? According to dictionary, unbelief is doubt, withholding of belief, incredulity, and skepticism, disbelief on divine revelation or divine providence or scheme of redemption.

Greek word for unbelief is “APISTIA” which is unreasonable, obstinate, rebellious, prejudiced, presumptuous, insolent, stubborn, self-willed, boastful, insensible, hardening and deceitful.

Unbelief is the core of paralysis that eventually has an effect not on the power of God to perform wonders but on man’s capacity to experience what God has in stored for him, it is worst than fear because unbelief is as act of rebellion and stubbornness toward the divine manifestation of God and His existence.

I.                     What is Jesus diagnosis of unbelief?

a.     Unbelief is a SIN – John 16:9

Unbelief is the foundation of sin, it is rejecting the very existence of God, it is putting to question the evidences of God and denying the power thereof.

b.     Unbelief will be condemn – Mark 16:16

This is the case where the Word of God is preached yet they do not believe. Faith is essential to take the Word of God by heart that is the only time a person can be saved but despite of the Word preached to them, they remain to be unbelievers: they deny His word and they caused judgment to fall on them.

c.     Not numbered with Christ’s sheep – John 10:26

Those who do not believe are not part of Jesus’ flocks, only those parts of His can experience the privilege of God’s provision, protection and favor. Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees and asked Him directly about Him being the Christ, but He refused to tell them the truth because of their unbelief, despite of the miracles which He performed in the sight of the people, they never accepted Jesus’ words because they do not recognized Him for they were not His sheep and will never be…

d.     God’s wrath is upon him – John 3:36

Wrath of God is defined as temper, violent emotion, anger and in this verse it implies the judgment of God:

Hebrews 3:11 – “They shall not enter My rest…”

Revelations 14:10 – Wrath of God 

II.                   What does unbelief paralyzes in us?

Unbelief paralyzes our five senses; faith is believing the things unseen, when you have faith you conquer the limitations of your senses, resulting the materialization of the things immaterial and the realization of the things incomprehensible. Thus, unbelief does the opposite…

a.    Unbelief paralyzes our vision – John 12:37-40 “…because their eyes were blinded and hearts hardened.”

Our eyes are clouded with the glaucoma of unbelief that we failed to see the wonders Jesus has performed in our midst. In this passage, Jesus was doubted by the people of that region even though they witnessed the miracles He performed, Jesus withdrew from the people not because His powers won’t operate due to their unbelief but because it will be useless to perform miracles in their midst for this has been God’s means to save the people. How can He continue the signs and wonders and show more of what He can do if the people’s unbelief had already offended Him?

·       In the story of Elisha and his servant found in 2 Kings 6:13-17, when the Syrian army surrounded Elisha in the land of Dothan the whole Syrian army gathered around him, when the servant saw the army he was in fear, Elisha told his servant not to be afraid, so he prayed to God to open the eyes of his servant and there he saw the host of God surrounding the whole army of the Lord.

·       Also in John 11:39-40, when Jesus commanded that the stone that covered the tomb of Lazarus be pulled away, Martha his sister said that the body is stinking already for Lazarus has been dead for four days already – Jesus rebuked Martha and told her that her unbelief will cause her not to see the glory of God, sometimes Jesus performs wonders in our midst yet since we are too focused on the impossibilities of things we tend to forget that we are serving the God of possibilities, unbelief has taken the opportunity from us to see the glory of God and to experience His power.

·      Moreover, unbelief causes us not to please God – Hebrews 11:6, in this verse we see the necessity of faith to please God, without faith it is impossible to come to Him, pray and expect from God – how can God operate and how can He be please if we do not believe: pleasing God requires faith and unbelief causes God’s wrath to rest to the unbelievers.

b.     Paralyzes our feet to walk on water – Matthew 14:27-31

Unbelief paralyzes our feet to walk on water. In Peter’s case he sank when he saw the raging seas ready to topple over him. As Christians, we were given opportunities, means and strength to walk over the waters and pacify the uncontrollable circumstances of life. However, if we withhold faith to overcome the raging seas and tempest of life as Christ has enabled us to just like Peter when Jesus asked him to walk over the waters, we will sink like him.

c.     Unbelief paralyzes our rights to the privilege of miracles and wonders of God – John 12:37-40 – this is the sad part of unbelief, we were given full access to the blessings and wonders of God but we will not be able to take advantage of it because of our unbelief.

Faith is God’s gift to us as man’s means to experience fully the wonders, miracles and mysteries of God. It is up to us to nurture it by exercising faith according to the measure God has given us…little by little until the mustard seed grows and develops into a full grown tree. Matthew 17:20

d.     Unbelief paralyzes our hearts to be saved – Luke 8:12

Unbelief paralyzes our hearts to believe fully and accept the works of Jesus as a condition to be saved – Satan stole the opportunity and turns away our hearts from Him leading us to the damnation of our souls.

e.     Our unbelief paralyzes our hands to perform miracles and wonders for God – Mark 9:17-18

Unbelief is the reason why we cannot perform miracles and wonders, Christians were given and empowered with gifts and will operate as the need arises that all who witness will believe – miracles and wonders are not a natural event but supernatural brought about by the supernatural works of the hand of God, miracles were performed to confirmed His power, Hebrews 2:3-4; Mark 16:20 and Acts 14:3. If we failed to believe then we hinder the operation of miracles, unbelief acts like a clog within the channel of blessings from the throne of God.

III.               What are Jesus’ prescriptions for unbelief? Mark 9:29 - Unbelief can be cured only with prayer and fasting:

A.    Prayer verse 24 – when the father appealed to Jesus for healing of demon possessed boy, he exclaimed, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief!” He declared two things:

Ø  “Lord I believe…” – states the father’s desire to believe tells of future condition. Upon saying this, he wanted to believe in Jesus and His power to heal though he was frustrated to see the failures of the disciples causing him to doubt; now he is declaring his desire to believe.

Ø   The father’s desire to be healed of unbelief – his present condition. When he exclaimed “…help my unbelief, he accepted that he is sick and therefore needs healing. To admit to God that we have a problem and that we want to be healed is to admit our need for God and our dependency on Him, this kind of prayer moved Jesus with compassion that’s why He healed first the spiritual sickness of that man and later on He healed the physical sickness of the boy. To be healed of the paralysis, we need to come to Jesus admit our dependency on Him and allow Him to heal us of our unbelief.

B.      Fasting verse 24 – to abstain from pleasures, to seek God’s will and be in solitude with God. When we fast we should feed our inner man who is connected with God – our spirit.

Ø  Fasting humbles our soul – shows total dependency on God to feed us with spiritual meal. Psalms 35:13

Ø  Mastery over temptation of unbelief etc. – genuine fasting opens the channel between God and man, thus allowing God to freely pour His spiritual blessings for the victory of the unbelieving hearts.

Ø  Power over demons – since unbelief has a demonic origin, fasting empowers the spirit to overcome satanic influence of unbelief. Having dominion in spiritual realms.

Ø  Develops faith – you master your body and your senses which is material and physical by nature that’s what fasting can do, it allows you to operate in faith taking control of the flesh as you conquer you unbelief and fear.

Ø  Crucifies unbelief – after having been attached to God and detached from the world, faith is developed, exercised, therefore putting to death the spirit of unbelief and all its satanic influence and manifestation.

IV.               Conclusion:

The possibilities of all things happening under the command of God are based upon our faith. This is not a matter of what God cannot do or can do but what God can do if we believe, it is what man can do and experienced if he believes. God’s power is never limited by our unbelief, there’s no question on God’s power – it is God’s discretion to withhold the blessings from the unbelievers due to their unbelief for unbelief is an offense to God and His almighty acts!

What If You Had an Expiration Date?

All food labels must have an expiration date to ensure all customers that what they are buying is safe to eat, some of the labels read “BEST IF USED BY _____”, others were tag as “CONSUME BEFORE _______”. I remember one time when I was craving for an egg sandwich, I have already mixed the ingredients: eggs, mayonnaise, onions, salt, and liver spread. After my hearty meal, I remember going to the comfort room for almost every hour because of diarrhea. It’s a good thing that I have prescribed medicines stored, after praying and taking up the medicine my diarrhea was cured that instant, I checked everything that I ate and the last thing I noticed was the expiration date of the mayonnaise, it expired 2 months ago. I’ve learned a valuable lesson, it is indeed best if used before the expiration date!

What if God has labeled us with expiration dates? When will it be? What would you do if you knew your expiration date? How would you allow God to use you or how would you consume your time before you expire? Some people live as if life on earth will not expire; I saw a cartoon which implies that after The Fall [the disobedience of Adam and Eve], everything on earth expires, all the riches and splendor of this life, your loved-ones, all that you worked hard for and that includes life. That is why it is advisable to make our self usable for God and His kingdom. Unfortunately, a lot of people are exact the opposite, I met people where we were supposed to conduct Bible Studies every week said that they are still young, there are lots of things for them to do with their lives, they will consider serving God when they have finally accomplished their dreams. This saddens me, the God who created and given them life and abilities was last in their priorities, they will give themselves to God at a time when they are no longer capable of serving, when they are already expired…

God wants to use us at the prime of our lives, not at the time when we are wasted or useless: like the mayonnaise, what good is it but to be thrown away! Some people consumed their lives with a lot of vices and prodigal living, their bodies are atrophied due to the illnesses their acquired because of their wrong choice of lifestyle. How can we present ourselves to God in a condition like that? The Bible declares in 1^st Corinthians 6:19-20, “"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.” Our body as God’s temple must be holy and perfect for His dwelling place that is why Paul urged the Christians in Romans 12 verse 1, “To present our bodies as holy and pleasing to God which is our reasonable service.” We should give our life to God and remember to honor Him with our life in our younger years because this is the time when we can serve Him all the more and all the better! I am so blessed to follow the footprints of my mother Emma Sibi, in her age of 63 years old she is still active in serving God, she’s a missionary in our church, a Sunday School teacher and Bible Study leader. I admire her passion for God, I remember her saying, “I think that I will never grow cold of serving and loving God for He is my all!” I am so proud because of the testimony and heritage she’s living! Her age is not a hindrance because she decided to give her all to follow God at the prime of her life that is why until then God is fully blessing her with many spiritual blessings that has been her means of continuing the race.

People should always acknowledge that life itself has its limitation, God in His infinite wisdom and righteousness will not at all time argue with man or persuade him. He has set a time for man to consider his ways, to seek Him while He may be found, to call on Him while He is near, because time will come when God will no longer hear our call for help, He will no longer be there for us, and He will never be found. God’s absence is the worst thing the world could ever experience than any problem a man could live through in his lifetime. We should be thankful because the Spirit of God and His grace are still upon us that is why we are still relieve and strengthened when trials come our way, imagine praying without getting the help that you need would you survive?

Furthermore, if God in His grace and compassion has set a time for people to come to Him for repentance and man did not respond, remember the mayonnaise, or the worthless salt that lose its flavor? It would be better for it to be thrown and trampled underfoot. The frightening reality that people need to realized is that God is a loving God but He is also a just God, in all the opportunities that He gave to spare your life so that you would come to Him in repentance and yet you have rejected His free gift, what does the Bible say about this…”It’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!” – Hebrews 10:31.  To be under His grace and protection is a refuge and relief but to be under His judgment is the worst reality a man could experience – it would be better if you had not been born!

So think about this…the next time you see an expiration date, ask these yourself, “Am I nearing my expiration date? How did I consume my time before my life expires? What if I expire tomorrow? Be wise, seek God and remember Him in the days of your youth, before you expire!

“Seek the Lord while He may be found;

    call upon Him while He is near;

let the wicked forsake his way,

    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him,

    and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

Isaiah 55:6-7

“Now all has been heard;

    here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments, 

    for this is the duty of all mankind. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, 

    including every hidden thing, 

    whether it is good or evil.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Think About RH Bill...

I am anti abortion and pro-life. Some say that RH Bill is giving option to couples to plan their family well with healthy precautions and means. Like what I have commented on a blog about RH Bill @definitelyfilipino.com, it would definitely affect our nation if families will not consider family planning in a godly way, parents should be responsible for their children's future, their food, clothing, shelter, education, love and affection, some parents failed to provide these important needs to their children that's is why they suffer. Suffering children become the problem in our society; some of them grow up with no sense of value, they ended up thieves, drug addicts, prostitute and later on producing the same result just like them.

People need to understand that bigger population will cause bigger problems, so it is important to plan your family well – it is not an abortion or anti-life if a couple plans to have a baby at an early stage of their marriage or in-between their births, what is a crime is if as parents you failed to provide food at the table, shelter your family in a livable home or even send them to school. That is a crime! Proper planning and birth control without the involvement of conception is safer...let's just do it the godly way.

God’s word in the Book of Genesis, saying “Go ye and multiply…” was His command to the first couple on earth, and taking that context to be Anti-RH Bill and applying it to our generation today is way out of context! We need to understand that God commanded the first couple to replenish and subdue the earth in order to be in dominion over what God has created because the fact is the quantity of people during that time is so small, but if you are going to apply that command today, it is no longer applicable, WE ARE OVER POPULATED!!! That’s the fact and you cannot deny that! So if you love your children, think about planning, RH Bill is not bad after all, again, it only gives option for couples to plan their families well. This would be better than killing a newborn baby compared to other countries because of their mass population.

P.S.

Actually my last statement is already happening in our country, just like what Sharon Palacios Mccarthney said, we found dead fetus and abandoned baby in parks, restaurants and in front of our homes, there was an incident when a newborn baby was eaten by a dog thinking it was a meal…is this what you would like to happen? If your irresponsibility would cause suffering to a child then you shouldn’t have think of engaging in sex without thinking the consequences of it. It breaks my heart because I don’t have a child right now and to see a little child suffer because of people’s cruelty and irresponsibility causes me to be emotional and angry!

Atonement: 2nd Part of Meaning of Christ's Death

2^nd Part Meaning of Christ’s Death

ATONEMENT

ATONEMENT – coming from the Hebrew words:

1.      “KAPHAR” to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation, cover over with pitch

2.       “PIEL” – to cover over, pacify, propitiate, atone for sin, make atonement for, atone for sin and persons by legal rites

All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2^nd Corinthians 5:18-19

According to 2^nd Corinthians 5:18-19, we were once enemies of God but because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, He purged us, cover our sins and reconcile us to the Father. Jesus is the bridge to get us to the Father, and He is our only way, there is no way we can please God, there is no way we can reach His standard and there is no way we can be made righteous or justified by our own acts, the Bible declares in Isaiah 64:6, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf,  and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

No matter how we tried to please God, our righteousness is likened to filthy rags. In Ephesians 2:8-9 it states there that, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Our salvation and reconciliation to God does not depend on how many times we pray, how much we donated to churches, how much we give to the poor or how fervently we follow the Ten Commandments, if these are sufficient for the salvation of souls, then Christ need not die on the cross, He need not suffer in the hands of sinners, He need not took the form of a servant and be marred on the cross as it is written in Philippians 2:6-8, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage;  rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death —even death on a cross!

If one accepted the power of Christ’s work, he was made one with God, all his sins were covered, purged, atoned for and God removed the curse, judgment or condemnation to that person by restoring the favor which was removed by the effect of sins. The atoning power of Christ’s death takes away the power of sin and its effect, thus causing us to be made right with God, not by our own merit. It is the initiative of God to restore us back to Himself, it is God’s desire that all be saved not with human terms but with God’s terms. Therefore I urged you to come to God, if you are not yet sure of your salvation come to Jesus and be “at one” with Him.

The Holy Spirit and His Empowering Gifts for the Church - Preaching Outline

Theme:           The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Title:                Receive and Be Equip

Topic:             The Holy Spirit and His Empowering Gifts for the Church

Text:                1^st Corinthians 12: 1-12

Introduction:

Corinthian Church Background

Purpose of Paul’s writing answered the inquiries concerning marriage and foods offered to idols, and he also addressed the worsening conflicts in the church which dealt with immorality, divisions and contentions.

Insight:

Recalling Pastor Irene’s preaching she discussed about the Fruit of the Holy Spirit which dealt about the fruit as singular in unit but plural in sense. Christians must possess the fruit and be completed in Him because they are inseparable and all are product of the powerful will of the Spirit as He weakens the flesh.

I.                     Definition of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

Spiritual Gifts are plural in Greek word it is translated as Pneumatikos – pneumatika which pertains to the things of the Holy Spirit: non-carnal, religious, spiritual. It refers to the spiritual things of God that only the Holy Spirit can perform for it is His office. His works are for the great purpose of drawing men to God, glorifying God and equipping men for God’s work.

II.                   Who is the Giver of these Gifts? 12:4-6 and 11

The Holy Spirit imparts these gifts to whom He desires, to everyone. The administration meaning services, ministries and offices are the work of the Son and the operation under the sovereign control of the Father who is the Head of all.

III.                  What is the purpose of the Gifts? 12:7

The benefit of the Spirit’s Gifts is for the profit of all, for the believer mainly the Body of Christ to be equipped in Kingdom’s work and for the unbeliever for them to believe and be drawn to Christ.

IV.               Different Kinds of Gifts: 12:8-10

Gifts fall into three divisions:

Gifts of Revelation – the Mind Gifts

Gifts of Inspiration – the Vocal Gifts

Gifts of Power – Working Gifts

A.    Gifts of Revelation – the Mind Gifts

a.     Word of Wisdom – supernatural revelation or insight into the divine will and purpose showing how to solve any problem that may arise. Examples given: 1^st Kings 3:16-28; John 2:22; Acts 26:16.

Let’s look at the example about Paul’s account, Jesus revealed Himself to Paul who was at that time persecuting and killing Christians. After encountering the Lord, Jesus’ revelation to Paul dramatically changed Paul, from a non-believer to believer in Christ. He became Christ’s missionary for the Gentiles.

b.     Word of Knowledge – supernatural revelation of divine knowledge or insight of the divine mind, will or plan and also the plans of others that man could not know of himself. Examples given: 1^st Samuel 3:7-15; 2^nd Kings 6:8-12; Acts 9:11-12

Let’s look at the example on Samuel’s account; the word of the Lord was rare during that time and Eli’s house ministered to the temple of the Lord as priests. But Eli’s sons defiled the temple with their evil practice. And so God called for Samuel to pronounce judgment on Eli’s household and to prepare Samuel in the office of priesthood.

c.     Discerning of Spirits – supernatural insights into the realm of the spirits to detect them and their plans and to read the minds of men. Examples given: Acts 13:9-10; Acts 16:16

In Acts 13:9, Paul rebuked the sorcerer who tried to hinder the consul from hearing the Gospel, it is always God’s will for men to be born again that’s why by the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul was able to discern the plan of the spirits.

In Acts 16:16, Paul rebuked the young girl who was possessed by the spirit of divination: the purpose of this incident paved way for the deliverance of the young girl and the conversion of the prison guard and his entire household.

B.      Gifts of Inspiration – the Vocal Gifts

a.     Prophecy – supernatural utterance in the native tongues [1^st Cor. 14:3], it is a miracle of divine utterance not conceived by human thought or reasoning. It includes speaking unto men to edification, exhortation and comfort. Examples of given: Acts 3:21; 11:28; 21:11.

In Acts 21:11, prophet Agabus spoke a prophecy concerning Paul’s arrest by the Jews in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit gave this message in order to prepare Paul for the coming persecution, arrest and torment.

b.     Divers Kinds of Tongues – supernatural utterance in other languages which are not known to the speaker. Examples given: Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-48.

On the account of Cornelius’ conversion and his entire household, while they received the Gospel, the Holy Spirit poured on them that they were able to speak in tongues, it was a sign for Peter that salvation is also for the Gentiles and the Holy Spirit show no partiality whether Jew, Gentiles, barbarian or wise or unwise as long as it further the works of God.

c.     Interpretation of Tongues – simply supernatural ability to interpret in the native tongue what is uttered in other languages not known by the one who interprets by the Spirit.

                                                               i.      In 1^st Corinthians 14:3 – its purpose is for the edification, exhortation and comfort.

                                                             ii.      In verse 22 – the kind of tongues described in this verse are tongues that can be understood by some such as the account in Acts 2:5-11 where the disciples when baptized by the Holy Spirit spoke in native tongues of the people around them. These are for the unbelievers to believe that through their miraculous exercise, sinners might see the manifestation of the supernatural.

                                                            iii.      Rules to follow: 14:27-28

1.      Let it be by two or at the most three and let one interpret

2.      But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church; let him speak to himself and to God for he edifies himself.

3.      Let two or three prophets speak and let others judge.

C.    Gifts of Power – Working Gifts

a.     Faith – supernatural ability to believe God without human doubt, unbelief and reasoning. Examples given: Romans 4:17; James 1:5-8

                                                               i.      In Romans 4, the Apostle Paul discussed about the faith of Abraham that accounted to righteousness.

b.     The Gifts of Healing – supernatural power to heal all manner of sickness without human aid and or medicine. Examples given: Acts 5: 12-16 and Acts 2:43

                                                               i.      In these two scenarios, the words of Jesus are true when He said that “You can do greater miracles than these.” John 14:12

                                                             ii.      This portrays that by the infilling of the Holy Spirit and operating in His gifts we can do even the impossible.

                                                            iii.      Healing is made possible by God in order for men to realize that it is His part of the redemptive work of Christ on the Calvary and He desires that everyone be healed.

c.     Working of Miracles – supernatural power to intervene in the ordinary course of human nature and to counteract nature laws if necessary. Examples given: 2^nd Kings 13:20-21, Acts 16:26 and Acts 28:3-6.

                                                               i.      Elisha’s bones revived man back to life

                                                             ii.      An earthquake opened prison doors and released Paul and Silas from chains.

                                                            iii.      A viper clung around Paul’s arms and he was unhurt.

V.                 Questions Regarding the Use of the Gifts:

a.     Purpose: - God’s administration and operations of the Gifts in the Church is for the

                                                               i.      Edifying the Body of Christ – 1^st Cor. 14:12

                                                             ii.      Strengthening the faith – Ephesians 4: 11-13

                                                            iii.      Equipping and empowering – Ephesians 4:11-13

                                                          iv.      Furtherance of the Gospel – 1^st Cor. 14:25

b.     All these purpose pertains to the things of the Spirit, in 1^st Cor. 12:3, all these things proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ as this is the will of the Father and the Spirit.

c.     The Gifts of the Spirit when and where can be used?

                                                               i.      Used when needed – 12: 7, chapter 14:3-6

                                                             ii.      Used where needed – 12: 7, chapter 14: 1-40

d.     Gifts of the Spirit can be chosen – 12:31

e.     Who may have them? Every believer 12:8-11

f.        Gifts can also be misused

                                                               i.      Numbers 20:7-13: Moses’ striking of the rock

                                                             ii.      1^st Cor. 13 – Gifts are nothing without love

VI.               Conclusion:

God the Holy Spirit has given us these gifts so that we may fulfill our work as His followers, to expand the Kingdom of God; the Church is not deprived so as not to fulfill her [Church] calling.

These Gifts are meant to be used for the sole purpose of God’s intention in the life of every believer and unbeliever. This is not to declare that you are greater, thus belittling others and considering yourself highly as others. Romans 12: 3-8.

The 7 Complains of Journey - Preaching Outline

TITLE:                       THE COMPLAINTS OF ISRAEL AND GOD’S RESPONSES

THEME:                    GOD’S REPONSES TO OUR COMPLAINTS

TOPIC:                       BEWARE THE 7 COMPLAINTS OF JOURNEY

TEXTS:                       BOOK OF EXODUS AND NUMBERS

I.          Introduction:

            Would God tolerate complaints? Let’s check this video…

II.                     THE 1^ST COMPLAIN OF ISRAEL: RED SEA CROSSING

a.        Stage 1 of Journey: Out of Egypt: Out of Bondage

b.       RED SEA EXPERIENCE – Exodus 14: 10-14

·         When the people saw the raging Egyptians running after them, the Israelites cried out in fear!

·         They exclaimed that it is better for them to serve the Egyptians that to die in wilderness.

POINTERS TO REVIEW:

·         They were slaves in Egypt

·         They cried in pain for they were being tortured by the Egyptians

·         They witnessed the miracles of God through Moses for them to depart from Egypt to Promised Land

·         They were able to plunder the Egyptians

·         Protection on the first stage of journey through a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day.

INSIGHT: In one sweep of danger they remembered Egypt: the place of bondage and the superficial benefits it offers.

APPLICATION:

1.       In Christian life, when we are faced by the enemies, the people and the devil, we felt discouraged.

2.       We remember the old days – everything what’s in the past

3.       In Israel’s case, the life in Egypt were filled with strife, suffering and bondage

4.       Yet they chose to go back because they were filled with fear, the Red Sea before them and the Egyptians behind them.

5.       They have forgotten that the God who led them out of Egypt is the same God who gave the Egyptians the 10 plagues

6.       As a matter of fact, God has a lot of amazing miracles waiting for them to discover

GOD’S RESPONSE:

Verse 14 says, “Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” The instruction was clear, to go forward not back ward…

APPLICATION:

1.       What’s behind you are the old things

2.       God wants to take us out from the things of old, because the things He prepared for us are the best in life, fresh and new.

3.       God has in stored amazing and wonderful things for the people of Israel His chosen nation to a land flowing with milk and honey where they would not be a slave but of royalty.

4.       That is the same with us whom God has taken out of darkness into His marvelous light, for us not to be slaves of the devil but to be free forever!

5.       What God requires from the children of Israel and what God requires of us is the same: to go forward!

CONSEQUENCES:

·         If we move backward, we will be enslave for the rest of our lives

·         There is no hope of seeing the Promised Land

·         If we move forward we’ll witness the “great walls of water,” God’s protection and display of power as the Holy Spirit envelope us

·         We’ll experience a beautiful future with our God!

 III.            THE 2^nd COMPLAIN OF ISRAEL:

a.        Stage 2 of Journey: Testing and Covenant Instituted – Exodus 15: 22-26

After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites journeyed for 3 days and reached “Marah” and they complained against Moses because they cannot drink the water because it was bitter.

APPLICATION:

·         How easy for us to complain when after we have experienced the goodness and miracles of God in our lives, Marah comes in, the bitterness of life: sickness and pain, suffering and toil.

·         We easily forgot that God is walking amidst us, these Marahs are sometimes God’s tools to test us because He wants to make sure if we are worthy of the Promise Land if we passed the testing.

GOD’S RESPONSE:

Exodus 15:25-27 “…God showed him a tree…”

·         This is a prefigure of the cross of Jesus which could heal the Marahs in our lives, when the plank of wood was thrown into the water it was made sweet.

·         God showed us that through the work of Jesus, we can overcome all trials, pain and sickness in life because Jesus overcame them for us on the cross.

·         There is no exception for those who put their faith and obedience in Him.

·         He instituted a covenant of blessing for the people of Israelites in verse 26.

INSIGHT: It is amazing thing to know that even though the people failed, God still healed the waters of Marah, we can see that even if we failed God many times, His lovingkindness will endure forever, He will heal us and restore us to Himself. He is always the one who desires blessings for those who diligently seek Him

CONSEQUENCES:

·         God will not put none of the diseases of the Egyptians for those who obey Him,

·         For those who disobey, they will receive a curse

·         Sickness is a product of what we sow

·         It is the result of disobedience to God

·         It is the result of testing which must produce perseverance, patience and hope

  IV.            THE 3^RD COMPLAIN OF ISRAEL:

a.        Stage 3 of Journey: Remembering the Good Life – Exodus 16: 2-3

Cravings of meat and bread

Remembering the old things that bring superficial satisfaction, they craved for meat and bread which were only of this world. The bread and meat of this world are the love of money, luxurious life, fame and other addiction.

APPLICATION 1:

·         The bread and meat of this world can lead our life to ruin it can lead to a life of pain, sickness, loneliness and depression that is why God is offering the best, one can receive: JESUS. [Isaiah 55:1-3 and John 6:32-35

·         When God took the bread and meat of this world from us, He is giving us the Bread from heaven – John 6:32-35 and the meat which is the solid food: the knowledge to discern both good and evil – Hebrews 6:14

·         These things will satisfy the longing of our soul

GOD’S RESPONSE:

Exodus 16:12 “…You shall eat meat and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. And you shall know that I am the Lord your God.”

APPLICATION 2:

·         Since God has provided food for the Israelites to eat, He instructed them to gather an omer or 3 quarts, one pint a day, the full omer to be eaten daily nothing to be left over for the next day.

·         God taught the Israelites the value of contentment with full dependence on God that is why He asked them to gather a certain amount for each family. God’s blessings are new every morning that is why Jesus’ words were simple to think about the trouble for this day.

·         Sometimes all it takes for one to be bless is his/her acceptance of things, too much attachment to the riches of this world means poverty in God’s eyes

·         Those who crave for more are those who are in want and are never satisfied

·         But those who depend on God for their daily living are more contented because of His daily provision.

·         It’s not about the bankbook: it’s about the heart!

·         God is teaching us to gather what we need on a daily basis because He wants to develop our faith on Him: rely on Him for tomorrow.

CONSEQUENCES:

·         For those who trust God for daily provision they were blessed

·         But for those who get more that they need – rotten result.

     V.            THE 4^TH COMPLAIN OF ISRAEL – From the wilderness of Sin to Rephidim

a.       Stage 4 of Journey: The Crazy Cycle – Exodus 17: 1-7

“NO” Water to drink

INSIGHT: The people have witnessed the provision of the Lord and yet they always complain about the same thing: water. If these people have learned from their experience, they would not or no longer complain…they always end up with the crazy cycle.

APPLICATION:

·         If there is no money, no food, and it seems that God is so far away, we panic then we resulted to complaining.

·         In this case, the Israelites saw the fact that there is no water indeed that was the reality!

·         But they failed to see what’s in there and who’s in there…

·         Nothingness or lack replaces the presence of God in our lives, but if we search Him in this place of nothingness – God is working things for us if we have the right attitude and sometimes even if we don’t!

GOD’S RESPONSE:

“Behold, I will stand with you on the rock of Horeb and you shall struck the rock and water will come out of it.”

INSIGHT: God wants us to be out of the crazy cycle, He wants us to learn the lesson He is teaching us, He wants us to step to a higher level of faith that we may see the wonders and miracles which are sure to happen if we live by faith, when God told Moses to stand on the rock – God was not there literally but He was there working in spiritual realms.

APPLICATION:

·         Standing on the rock is standing on the true foundation: JESUS – if we are founded in Him, even if we come to a point of nothingness we will never be shaken.

·         Striking of the rock, asking God to respond: the rock is said to be 15 ft. long, 10 ft. broad, and 12 ft. high with holes on it. When Moses struck the rock, water gushed out in all the holes to supply the 6,000,000 people or more including the livestock. The water stopped flowing until the next miracle in Numbers 20: 8-11

·         God is working in the spiritual realms, if we stand and pray, things are sure to happen the way God wants it to happen.

·         Imagine what God can do if we stand on the rock and pray: stand by faith and pray and the channels of heaven will open for you.

·         The reason why we can’t get answers is because the channels from the throne of God are clog by all worries, doubts and complaining attitude.

  VI.            THE 5^TH COMPLAIN OF ISRAEL: SINAI

a.       Stage 5 of Journey – IMAPTIENT IN SINAI

b.      Complaints against Moses’ delay - Exodus 32:1

The people complained against Moses’ delay and they decided for themselves to set up god that will go before them.

INSIGHT: What do we do if we are on the waiting list? Are we going to do something to relieve our boredom or are we going to help God get answers for us even if it means separation from Him?

As for the Israelites, they failed to wait patiently for God and for Moses, they made an agenda of their own and started to corrupt themselves.

APPLICATION:

·         God wants to develop our godly attitude that is why He puts us in the waiting counter, He is patiently working on our attitude that is why sometimes His answers are delayed.

·         In Israel’s case, they failed to wait, they have seen the wonders of God and His mighty miracles but because of being impatient, they declared a god for themselves which is a great insult to YAHWEH.

·         Remember that when they came to Sinai, God revealed Himself to the multitudes with thunder, thick clouds and mighty trumpets and the people trembled in fear! It’s sad to know how fast they have forgotten these that they themselves set up an idol to worship.

EVALUATION:

·         There is always purpose in God’s delaying pattern. Let’s not look on the situation, it is wise to ask God and ourselves these questions:

      What are the things this situation is teaching me?

      What does God want from me in this situation?

      What are the things I need to change?

      What do I need to learn from this circumstance?

INSIGHT: Proper evaluation of one’s self may allow us to discover ourselves and God, if we are willing, God will show it to us, the things that is behind the waiting…

GOD’S RESPONSE

·         God has enumerated the sins of Israel v 7-8

·         God has evaluated Israel’s condition v 9

·         God was determined to destroy Israel if it were not for Moses.

APPLICATION:

·         If during our waiting period, we have turned aside 90º to the point of corruption and setting up of idols, God has always the discretion to put us under the discipline – whom God loves He chastens.

·         This is the same while waiting for Jesus to come, if we go back to our agenda, setting up idols and corrupting ourselves – we may lose our inheritance from the Lord.

CONSEQUENCES

·         Moses anger rouse and he asked for those who are the Lord’s stand by him and the Levites stood by his side and they killed the Israelites who led the people to sin about 3,000 men died that day.

·         Since the people’s impatience led them to sin against God they have received the judgment of the Lord – this is true if we turn to other means while we wait on the Lord

VII.            THE 6^TH COMPLAIN OF ISRAEL: KADESH BARNEA

a.        Stage 6 of Journey – Backing Out of Promised Land

b.       Complain no. 6 – Fear of the enemy Numbers 14:3

“Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword…would it be better for us to return to Egypt?”

INSIGHT: The Israelites were at the entrance to the Promised Land, but because of their fear, they want to go back to Egypt.

APPLICATION:

·         Fear paralyzes us, it blurs our vision, it discourages us and it blocks our view of God.

·         The fearful Israelites wanted to go back when they were already at the entrance of the Promised Land; they operated by the visible presentation of what their eyes can see.

·         Fear is the opposite of faith, fear works through our senses. But faith works in the spiritual realm, it works in the invisible. It is faith that can topple the giants, it is faith that can move mountains, it is faith that can conquer the land, it is faith that can make the vision work, it is faith that can turn the enemies upside down and it is faith that can please God.

GOD’S RESPONSE Numbers 14:11

“How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?”

·         God must have come to the point of giving up on the Israelites, after what He has shown them, their unbelief and rejection caused so much pain to Him.

·         God is a God of love, but He is a just God who will surely punish those people who reject Him.

·         He desires that we must not react in fear; that we must not react in complaints, but that we must react in total dependence on Him.

·         What made God angry in this case was the rejection and attachment of the Israelites to Egypt when He was offering them a better life.

CONSEQUENCES

·         Those who complained against God died in the wilderness.

·         Their wanderings turned to 40 years as God’s means of punishment.

·         Only those who have faith were able to cross and conquer the Promised Land

VIII.            THE 7^TH COMPLAIN OF ISRAEL: KADESH BARNEA

a.        Stage 7 of Journey: Oppositions in Leadership – Numbers 16

b.       Complain no. 7 – Complaints Against God’s Appointed

INSIGHT: Korah was from the line of the Levites and Dathan and Abiram were Reubenites, they conspired by pleasing the people, as if they spoke on behalf of God for they used the name of God in their accusations against Moses.

However, Korah’s intention was clear, he wants to get the leadership from Aaron, and he charmed the people by speaking nicely to them to get their support, using the name of God, wherein for a fact Korah was enraged to be subordinate to a much younger leader from his clan, Elizaphan. Korah was questioning the leadership of Aaron as priest.

APPLICATION

·         There are times we question the position of our leaders, we think we are better than they, we complained against their decision, authority and their appointment.

·         We thought that when the majority goes for us we are on the winning side, just like Korah, the people of Israel were on his side, so he was confident to stand against Moses and Aaron in front of the tabernacle.

·         But he has forgotten that the Lord was the One who appointed Aaron on the priesthood position not Moses or the people.

·         Korah must have felt that he was so important because he received the support of the Israelites, but those who have supported him are on the wrong side, he doesn’t have the Lord on his side.

·         It’s too sad to know that Korah was working on the tabernacle and yet he didn’t value the work that was assigned to him, he crave for more – a position that he would be the center of honor and praise.

·         But God looks at the heart, He knew what’s in his mind and His motives that is why He embarrassed his expectation.

CONSEQUENCES

·         Korah and his companions were embarrassed before God and the people.

·         Korah received his punishment for influencing the people into rebellion against Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership.

·         Those who joined them after witnessing their punishment received a judgment from the Lord, a plague that killed them all.

·         God honored Moses by acting upon his word and causing Aaron’s rod to bud as a sign of his confirmation on the priestly position.

INSIGHT: When God put someone into the leadership position – the Lord will surely authenticate it before the people. It’s not about the accomplishment, it is about the character of the person, and how he/she honors God in his /her work.

Moses is a very good example of a leader with a heart, he intercede for the people, he acts in humility, he honors God with all the miracles, proclaiming that the miracle was done though him by God Almighty.

CONCLUSION:

·         These seven are the deadly complains of the Israelites who fell by the sword, who died on the wilderness, who received the plague, who received curses, who were swallowed up alive by the earth, who failed to enter the Promised Land. Their carcasses remained in the wilderness just as the Lord said.

·         Beware of these so that we will not be able to suffer the same fate like them.

·         As we journey in our Christian life,

∞       we may stand before the Red Sea – go forward,

∞       we may pass the Marah, pray to God to make the water sweet;

∞       we may settle in the Wilderness of Sin, crave for the bread from heaven and the solid food of the word of God,

∞       we may camped at Rephidim, stand on the Rock and strike with prayer so that the channels of heaven will be open for you,

∞       we may settle at Sinai – wait patiently for God

∞       we may camped at Kadesh Barnea – do not fear the giants – conquer by faith and obedience

∞       we may stay long at Kadesh Barnea – pray for the leaders, support them and do not cause division

·         Let’s learn from their mistakes and seek God in every situation so we will no longer complain but turn it to praise and thanks to God!