Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, March 25, 2001, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
THE SERPENT ON THE POLE
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Numbers 21:1-9
Text: Numbers 21:8
Numbers 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
Introduction: The chapter opens with an account of the Lord’s answer to the prayers of His people in giving them a wonderful victory over their enemies, the Canaanites. Right after experiencing the goodness of God, the Israelites began to grumble and complain. The seriousness of the sin of grumbling is seen by the facdt that God punished the people by sending deadly serpents to bite them for their wicked talk.
When Moses prayed for the people, God told him to make a fiery serpent on a pole, stating that everyone could be healed from the snake bites by looking at the serpent. I want us to consider the prophetical significance of the serpent on the pole.
First of all, consider with me:
I. THE ROLE OF THE SERPENT
There is absolutely no indication in either Testament that the Israelites understood the doctrinal or prophetical significance of the serpent. However, the Lord refers to it in the gospel of John:
John 3:14-16 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
A. It represented Satan
- Revelation 12:9
B. It represented sin
C. It represented sinners
D. It represented a substitute
Second, think of:
II. THE RAISING OF THE SERPENT
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
John 12:32-33 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
The lifting up of Jesus in John 12:32 is, according to the next verse, a reference to the crucifixion. However, through the crucifixion, the Lord has been lifted up in other ways.
A. Our Lord has been lifted up in the writings of history
B. Our Lord has been lifted up by the work of the Holy Spirit
C. Our Lord has been lifted up by the word of God
D. Our Lord has been lifted up for worship in heaven
Next, consider with me
III. THE REQUIREMENT TOWARD THE SERPENT
Numbers 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
The bitten person, in order to be healed, had to:
A. Listen to the word of the Lord
- Romans 10:17
- John 5:24
B. Let go of his own ideas
- This is repentance.
- It is a change of mind from trusting dead works.
C. Look to the serpent in faith
Finally, consider with me
IV. THE RESULT OF THE SERPENT
Numbers 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
A. The power of God was seen
- Romans 1:16
B. The pardon of God was secured
C. The purpose of God was satisfied
- Jesus satisfied God’s demand for justice, for payment for sin, and for a blood atonement when He died on the cross for you and me.
| 1. I’ve a message from the Lord, hallelujah! The message unto you I’ll give; ‘Tis recorded in His Word, hallelujah! It is only that you “look and live.” 2. I’ve a message full of love, hallelujah! 3. Life is offered unto you, hallelujah! 4. I will tell you how I came, hallelujah! Chorus: |