|
|
Shall Your Brethren Go To War While You Sit Here? Numbers 32 Introduction:
Have you ever been discouraged? Or, felt like throwing up your hands and saying,
“Let somebody else do it.” Remember a story about a little boy that would
not try to do his school work. When the father came to talk with the school
teacher, the teacher said, “his want to was broke.” There is an important
lesson for us to learn this morning from Numbers 32. I)
Gad and Reuben A)
They saw the land outside of 1.
How much of the land was good? 2.
Was not the 3.
What if all of the tribes said forget it? B)
This was not according to God’s plan 1.
They did not wander in the wilderness for 40 years just to stay outside of 2.
Remember the promise to Abraham? Genesis
15.16-18 II)
Moses saw this as a sign of rebellion, v. 9-11 A)
Numbers is a book of rebellion 1.
Miriam and Aaron complained about Moses’ wife and Moses being the spokesman of
God. They were struck with leprosy, Numbers.
12. 2.
The 12 spies were sent out at Kadesh Barnea and came back with a bad report. The
people complained and were kept out of the 3.
Moses struck the rock in Numbers 20. 4.
The people complain about the food and God sent snakes, Numbers 21 B)
They were in danger of rebelling and disobeying God this time, Numbers 32.14-15 1.
This was similar to what happened at Kadesh Barnea earlier. 2.
Notice, it not affected themselves but also “these people” our actions
affects us and those that depend on us. III)
The danger of discouragement A)
Different things can discourage us 1.
People that are always nagging and complaining 2.
Enemies constantly attacking us (verbally and physically), spreading gossip 3.
Poor health, things beyond our control B)
One of the greatest sources can be our own brethren, Numbers 32.6 1.
They were supposed to fight together, Hebrews
10.24 2.
There is a spiritual war going on, whose side are you on? 2 Cor. 10.3-4 3.
We can be discouraged by hypocrisy, apathy, passing the buck.
a. Why is it always easier to let someone else do something?
b. One of the greatest sources of discouragement for me in over 20
years of preaching has been certain brethren. C)
One of the greatest sources of encouragement have been certain brethren, Numbers
32.16-19 1.
Those that understood their responsibility 2.
Seeing them stand up for the truth, endure sufferings, make personal sacrifices
for the good of the congregation and the brethren.
a. Tommy Andrews, Terry Sanders, IV)
Moses reminded them of their duty to God and each other, Numbers 32.20-27 A)
Matthew 22.37ff 1.
Duty to God is to worship and serve Him. To keep His commandments 2.
Duty to our fellowman is included in our duty to God. We are to love one
another. B)
Duty – what is expected 1.
Duty to show up at work, to do your best, to work together, Romans 12.3-8 2.
Are you fulfilling your duty to God and your brethren?
a. How is your attendance?
b. When was the last time you taught a Bible Class?
c. How invested are you in the work here at Westside Church of Christ? 3.
We all have the responsibility to work together for the growth of the body,
Ephesians 4.16.
a. To try and do more C)
We are brethren (part of the same family) 1.
I have heard some question whether we should use the terms “brother or
sister.” 2.
Wrong to use religious titles, Matthew
23.8-10 3.
But it is intended to be a descriptive term, we are all a part of God’s
family. 4.
We have responsibilities to one another, Prov.
18.24; 17.17 5.
In our travels we have missed places but we miss the people even more. Conclusion:
Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here? 1.
Do you care about the work of this congregation? 2.
Do you care about the young people of this congregation? 3.
God was angry with 4.
Are you, I, doing all we can to serve God and our brethren? 5.
Joshua challenged 6.
Elijah asked We
are at a crossroads everyday in our life. Whether to do God’s will or our own.
We are at a crossroads as a congregation; whether to God’s will or our own.
Those that started this congregation are growing older, we need more brethren
that are willing to go to war. |