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."
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.