Fact or Fiction? On which will you base your decisions?
Notes
Transcript
Or Why to Follow God and Not the Crowd
Introduction: I Corinthians 10:1-12 twice emphasizes that the events of the Exodus were written down for our learning. Continuing our theme of Life Lessons from the Exodus, let us examine perhaps the most pivotal event of God’s deliverance of His people. They were perched on the edge of the Land of Promise, and they were faced with one of those life-altering decisions with which we are all confronted from time to time. The chosen representatives of the people came back with a report. Just as it seems we see in the media today, the report emphasized the negative. However, though those bringing reports are certainly responsible for portraying reality, the listener is also responsible for what they do with the report. It is our job to analyze whether what we are hearing is fact or fiction and base our decisions on reality. Ultimately, reality is what God says is true. Let us then examine this account, and I challenge you to ask yourself, fact or fiction, on which will you base your decisions? It’s an important question, for the children of Israel illustrate for us five steps in the downward path of all those who choose fiction over fact.
I. They started by gullibly accepting what sounded good (Num. 13:25-33)
I. They started by gullibly accepting what sounded good (Num. 13:25-33)
A. There was a certain logic to the case presented by the 10
A. There was a certain logic to the case presented by the 10
1. The enemies were big and strong (Num. 13:28, 32-33)
1. The enemies were big and strong (Num. 13:28, 32-33)
2. The enemies’ defenses were formidable (Num. 13:28)
2. The enemies’ defenses were formidable (Num. 13:28)
Explanation: The devil often coats his deceit in truth, and he will even quote scripture.
B. The case presented by the 2 was based on a reality that could only be perceived by faith (Num. 14:6-9; Rom. 10:17)
B. The case presented by the 2 was based on a reality that could only be perceived by faith (Num. 14:6-9; Rom. 10:17)
1. God had revealed these events to Abraham (Gen. 15:13-16)
1. God had revealed these events to Abraham (Gen. 15:13-16)
2. God had been confirming his plan through miraculous provision all along the way
2. God had been confirming his plan through miraculous provision all along the way
II. They proceeded by laying the blame at God’s feet (Num. 14:3)
II. They proceeded by laying the blame at God’s feet (Num. 14:3)
A. It’s ironically sad that many of the witnesses to God’s providential provision can turn on Him and doubt His goodness (Gen. 3:1, 4-5)
A. It’s ironically sad that many of the witnesses to God’s providential provision can turn on Him and doubt His goodness (Gen. 3:1, 4-5)
B. It’s abundantly clear that these type of people are trusting their observations and reasoning more than trusting God’s character (Gen. 3:6)
B. It’s abundantly clear that these type of people are trusting their observations and reasoning more than trusting God’s character (Gen. 3:6)
III. They continued by switching their allegiance (Num. 14:4)
III. They continued by switching their allegiance (Num. 14:4)
A. People like this want a human leader who will help them implement their own plan (Num. 14:3-4)
A. People like this want a human leader who will help them implement their own plan (Num. 14:3-4)
B. People like this eventually wind up worshiping idols made in their own image (2 Kings 17:15; Rom. 1:18-32; 2 Tim 4:3)
B. People like this eventually wind up worshiping idols made in their own image (2 Kings 17:15; Rom. 1:18-32; 2 Tim 4:3)
IV. They added yet more to their sin by becoming vengeful against God’s instruments (Num. 14:10)
IV. They added yet more to their sin by becoming vengeful against God’s instruments (Num. 14:10)
Explanation: When the leaders they talk about replacing don’t give in to their schemes or bow out of the way peacefully, the campaign against them increases the pressure.
A. People like this strike out in anger against those who will make them feel guilty by pointing out their sins
A. People like this strike out in anger against those who will make them feel guilty by pointing out their sins
B. People like this strike out in anger against those who stand in the way of accomplishing their plans
B. People like this strike out in anger against those who stand in the way of accomplishing their plans
V. They concluded by half-heartedly repenting and attempting to proceed with God’s original plan as if nothing had happened (Numb 14:39-45)
V. They concluded by half-heartedly repenting and attempting to proceed with God’s original plan as if nothing had happened (Numb 14:39-45)
A. They paid lip service to the fact that they had sinned (Num. 14:40)
A. They paid lip service to the fact that they had sinned (Num. 14:40)
B. In reality they proceeded to pile on yet more willful disobedience and sin (Num. 14:41-43)
B. In reality they proceeded to pile on yet more willful disobedience and sin (Num. 14:41-43)
C. Ultimately they all experienced the judgment of God (Num. 14:44; Num. 26; Josh. 5:4)
C. Ultimately they all experienced the judgment of God (Num. 14:44; Num. 26; Josh. 5:4)
Conclusion: Seeing this downward path and the sad end of those who chose it should motivate us to follow God and not the crowd. To do that, we need to be able to see reality. Only the eyes of faith can allow us to base our decisions on the vital facts that will allow us to follow God and not the crowd. (Heb. 11:1-3)