Written Sermons
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Title: Promises Matter INTRODUCTION This whole chapter is about vows. Most of the chapter refers to vows women make, and the relationship of the men in their life to those vows. Unfortunately we are likely to spend an inordinate amount to time and energy on the issue of women’s rights because of the political and…
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Title: Sacrifices INTRODUCTION In these Scriptures we have a complex delineation of the great multiplicity of offerings prescribed for Israel under God’s law. It is the sheer volume of these offerings that should astound us. In addition to these there were offerings with vows, and free will offerings of thanks. The list is indeed overwhelming.…
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Title: True inheritance INTRODUCTION In the Bible God’s people are spoken of as His inheritance, Deuteronomy 32:9 For the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance. But He is also their inheritance, Jeremiah 10:16, He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things,…
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Title: Preparing For War INTRODUCTION This is a chapter which you would expect to find in the book of Numbers and from which it draws its English name, “Numbers.” Remember, the Hebrew name is “In The Wilderness” Undoubtedly most of us reading it are extremely thankful that the whole book isn’t like this. So here…
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Title: No Other Gods INTRODUCTION The first commandment is the greatest. We often focus on the sins of the flesh as being the worst, sins like fornication, stealing, murder etc. But the primary sin in the Bible is denying God. “Thou shall have no other gods before me.” Thus God spoke to Israel at Sinai…
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Title: Impenitent Miracle Workers ? INTRODUCTION Numbers 22-24 contain a story about a man named Balaam and should be considered as a unit. Therefore we will consider them together and use a different approach in this study. But, who was Balaam? There is a consensus that Balaam was of the same ilk as Melchizedek, outwardly…
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Title: The Path to Victory INTRODUCTION In this chapter we see the beginning of the conquest of Canaan. We therefore also see the prerequisites for success in battle. By implication we see from the physical realm what we need in our spiritual struggles. This narrative naturally divides into three stages. As believers we pas through…
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Title: Who’s In Charge? INTRODUCTION This is the last chapter in Part one of Numbers. Israel is again at Kadesh where they sent forth the spies into the promised land 40 years earlier. They have been wandering the entire time, and no doubt everyone is stressed to the point of being short tempered. The passage…
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Title: Washed and Renewed Introduction In Israel there were no undertakers. There also was no World Health Organization to advise on the spread of contagion. One might think therefore that this chapter is giving public health advice. One cannot question that the laws had that effect, but there is a deeper spiritual significance to their…
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Title: Wilderness Holiness Introduction Israel’s time in the wilderness was a time for them to learn who Jahweh was. God has recorded it in Numbers for our admonition because although we can quote the Westminster Catechism, ”God is infinite, eternal, and unchanging in his wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth,” we do not appreciate…
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Title: Honor the Ruler INTRODUCTION Right now as I am writing, our nation is in another election cycle. People are trying to make up their minds. God is not. We don’t know what He has already decided, however we are part of the earthly process. We must consult the Lord. We need to pray, not…
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6 The Contempt, Text: 16:1-50 INTRODUCTION The great value of studying Numbers, or “In the Wilderness,” as we have pointed out previously is that it teaches us lessons about the need for sanctification and perseverance in the Christian life. This present evil age is a wilderness for us. What chapter 16 focuses on is the…
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5 The Consecration, Text: 15:1-41 Introduction Numbers 15 deals further with the preparations of Israel to enter the Promised Land. These are ordinances to be obeyed after they have entered the Promised Land, and that means that they carry with them the assurance that God will bring the next generation into the land. Like all…
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4 The Cowardice, Text: 13:1-14:45 INTRODUCTION Fear is the root of cowardice and it is a common experience. We are anxious and fearful about many things in life to the point where some people are literally scared to death. Phobias abound too numerous to list, but some people fear certain colors, others fear sitting or…
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3 The Complaints Text: 11:1-12:16 INTRODUCTION According to one commentator Israel just started their journey and almost immediately there were three rebellions. The whole history of Israel in he wilderness is a story of murmuring and complaining. Unfortunately, we are guilty of the same thing, and often in less stressful conditions. Observing this, Mark Twain…
Dr. John P. Clark's Sermons & Writings 