ARCC Sermons

ARCC Sermons

By Alamo Ranch Community ChurchReligion & Spirituality
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ARCC Sermons episodes

  • March 16th - Day 75
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    March 16th
    The Bible reading for today is in Deuteronomy chapters 14,15,16.
    Moses continues his sermon to the young generation of Israelites...on the verge of crossing into Canaan for battle.
    “He reminds them of “who they are.”"
    Moses starts out by saying, “You are the sons of the Lord your God.” Over 250 times Moses used “the Lord your God” phrase to remind Israel of the peculiar, special relationship that they had to God.
    He was the “One” that they belonged to. He was the “One God” that they would do life with. He was the One that they would go to war with...He was the “Only God” that they would worship and serve. Moses was reminding them of who they were.
    Moses also reminded them of who they were not. So no wonder the strange “thou shalt not” that God adds to their identity.
    “You shall not cut yourselves or make yourselves bald for the dead.” This was a custom of “mourning the dead” that foreign religions practiced. God didn't want His sons and daughters to look anything like or act in way like anyone but Him...
    And no wonder Moses follows that sermon point with a list of clean and unclean animals. The reason for these dietary laws that God was setting down for this new generation of Israelites was along the same lines as the warning against copying Canaanite funeral practices. This is not who you are.
    The foods that the Canaanites served were associated with the “animals that they worshipped”. God’s diet restrictions would hopefully (three or four times a day) remind the Israelis that they must not be lured into the idolatrous religion of the Canaanites.
    And then we read Moses’ reminding his new charges of Who they trust. “And you shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”...another Canaanite superstition related to begging their gods for child bearing fertility and agricultural productivity.
    Don't trust in the Canaanite superstitions. Trust in the Lord your God! And to teach them to “trust in the Lord their God”, especially after they took possession of the new land of promise, Moses instructed them in the Levitical tithe...
    10% of the yield of the seed planted was to be brought to the priests every year...for the purpose of providing for the priests and their families...and for benevolence toward the poor.
    God was teaching them to “trust in the Lord their God” for their livelihoods in the promised land....grateful for God’s supply and generous to others in need...to the glory of God.
    One summer, when I was 15 years old, my dad put me on a greyhound bus for Houston and the junior Davis cup tryouts. I had never traveled to a tournament on my own before. I was excited but I was nervous. I think I teared up. Dad slipped a $20 bill in my left hand and shook my right hand with authority. Then he said, “Remember who are, son. You're Jim Mccracken’s son. Don't forget it.”
    Moses couldn't shake hands with all 600,000 young Israeli soldiers that day. But I'm sure his voice was strong and his eyes were warm when he said....”Remember who you are...you're the Lord your God’s son.”
    Enjoy the rest of the story.
    Have a great day
    6 min
  • March 15th - Day 74
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    March 15th
    The Bible reading for today is in Deuteronomy chapters 11,12,13.
    Moses appeals to the Sr adults in the congregation of Israel for help. They were under 20 years of age when God pronounced His judgment upon their parents and grandparents. They are now the Sr adults within the congregation at age 60-65 years. And Moses wants them to remember what “God” did to deliver Israel 40+ years ago from Egyptian slavery.
    And then Moses wants them to tell the younger in the congregation “God’s story” often...“when you get up in the morning, when you walk through the day, when you eat your meals and when you lie down at night.”
    Moses emphasized “share what God did”...” tell God’s story”...rather than your own...God’s story of His greatness, His mighty hand, His outstretched arm to save....that is what will build faith in the younger generation for their conquest of Canaan.
    God moved Moses to “command” all of Israel to love Him. The Spirit of God would prod the children of Israel and many would choose the blessing of love and obedience for their Master.
    Jesus quoted the great commandment in the gospel accounts 1400 years after this text was written. “You will love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.”
    Revelations 2:4 reminds us of what the Lord wants from His treasured ones...”Jesus judged the church at Ephesus...”I have this against you...that you have left your first love...for Me.”
    “Oh, friends...may we never again hear God pronounce those words on us... “empower us, Lord, to love you greatly...first and forever...with all of our joy and all of our strength!”
    Another major part of our bible reading today concerns Israel’s worship of God in the days of war ahead. “Rejoice in the Lord...” is commanded and expected. Worship Him ...He alone is worthy of it.
    “Nehemiah (8:10) prophesied...”For the joy of the Lord is our strength.” So keep praising Him...keep thanking Him...keep meditating upon Him...keep loving Him in private and public adorations...“that rejoicing and worshiping Him strengthens God’s army.”
    Moses preached about “places” to gather for public worship. In the wilderness wanderings of Israel, people began to worship where and when they thought was best for them. God never taught His people that worship was a “lone ranger...do as you please” worship. God taught that being “living sacrifices” unto God was our worship “together” of God.
    Moses preached about God’s people worshiping too much...but not too much of God, but worshiping too much of everything else plus God.
    O friends, God was using Moses to further prepare the younger generation of Israel for their mission with God. He was seeking help from the more mature brethren in the congregation.
    May the young in our congregation be inspired and energized to step up and join God on mission in the world.
    And may the older tell the younger often of God’s powerful activities in their midst through the years...may God raise ARCC to be His army, all the way to the promised Land...Lead us Jesus...we are following!
    Have a great day
    6 min
  • March 14th - Day 73
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    March 14th
    Today’s Bible reading is in Deuteronomy chapters 8,9,10.
    Moses continues to preach his last sermon. He has been receiving messages from God and delivering them to the congregation of Israel for over 40 years.
    God made it abundantly clear how important it was for Moses to “tell it like it is”...straight from God’s mouth to the people...no variation...no poetic license or preacher sermonizing...just straight forward God’s words...letting the message do the work not the messenger. When Moses added his own emotions and changed up some of God’s words, he was disciplined for it severely.
    So I sense Moses’ passion for “getting it right” for the sake of his young charges. He tells them that they must be “careful” to observe “every word” from God. He tells them that they must remember the “whole way” that God led them in the wilderness.
    Moses told them that “man does not live by bread alone...but by every word, that proceeds from the mouth of God.” So be careful not to miss any of it. Those people who think that they are living on bread alone are really the “walking dead”. Only God’s word gives real life.
    I like what Spurgeon wrote: “Some believers don't have time “to live” by the words of God”, because they are too immersed in “fighting” with the words of God.
    The worst implement to use to knock a man down is the Bible. It is intended for us to live upon it, not use it as our weapon in our controversies...let us make it our daily food upon which we rejoice to truly live.”
    I love what God said through Jeremiah about the Word of God...”Let the prophet who had a dream tell it. But let the man who has my words speak it faithfully...for what is the chaff compared to the wheat?”
    God was using Moses to arrest the spiritual attention of the young generation of Israel by telling them to try to remember the “whole way” God led you and your parents and grandparents through the wilderness these last years.
    Moses told them that God was “humbling” the young nation with hard places and deflated egos that caused the people to finally cry out to God again. Moses said that God was “testing” them...not to help God know what was in their hearts. God already knew.
    God was testing them to help them know what was in their own hearts. And when they would see the pride in their hearts and how it sought to glorify them instead of God, they would confess to God and each other that their “overestimation” of themselves had to go...if they wanted to walk in the power of God instead of their own.
    Jesus said to His disciples, “follow me...you can be just like me.”
    We think on that and immediately we think of the glory of his miracle-working life. We think about the crowds he drew with his power to heal diseases and even raise the dead.
    We say, “sign me up...that sounds like a great adventure and lots of perks...Until we see the rejection of his message and who he claimed to be...in word and deed. Exciting until we hear the lies told about him in public and in secret that destroyed his family. His dangerous mission-inspired our sense of loyalty...until the whipping, until the nailing of him to the cross.
    Jesus said follow me you can be like me...humbled and tested and tried, not by friends..not by enemies...but by His Father in heaven....And like Moses said in today’s reading...” all that humbling testing and trying is for your good and the glory of God.
    It’s getting good friends.
    Have a great day
    6 min
  • March 13th - Day 72
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    March 13th
    The Bible reading today is in Deuteronomy chapters 5,6,7.
    This text is where this old sermon gets its name...” two laws”...or “second law”...or “Deuteronomy” from the Greek translation...
    Exodus twenty is the original “ten commandments” record given by God to Israel from Mt Sinai. Here in Deuteronomy 5 and following, Moses gives more explanation of “the law” of God to the young generation of Israelites who are about to cross into Canaan to possess the land of promise...
    Before we briefly review these laws, let me tell you how I “don't” read the ten commandments.
    I don't read them like a job description on how Israel was to earn the wages of God’s salvation. I don't study them like Moses was giving a “different gospel” than the one we read about in the New Testament...such as...the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus...” for by grace are you saved through faith, not of works (of the law) lest any man should boast...(or any man be “burdened” by the impossible task of perfectly keeping the law.) Paul to the church in Rome who believed Jesus...owe no man anything except to love one another...for he who loves his neighbor fulfills the law.
    Watch the progression...Faith in the I Am...Who is everything we need...Who Jesus claimed to be...Savior Lord God and King of the Kingdom of Heaven...that gracious “God-given” faith led to “God-given” love for one another. And that love fulfills the law.
    For instance: The first Word: “You will have no other Gods before me”. Why wouldn't all the Israelites have other gods? Why won't we who believe Jesus have other gods? Because we love Him...above everything. Faith...love...keeps the commandments.
    #2 Another one...”You will not have graven images that you will bow down to and serve...” How would love from our faith fulfill that second commandment? Because we have love for one another...a loving brother or sister in the Lord comes alongside me and tells me the truth in love....and the Holy Spirit in me empowers me to love and serve only One...the living Jesus...not a carved image of Him.
    #3 “You will not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”...You won't wear His name carelessly. You won't take His name and then live in a manner that dishonors His name. You won't use His name in any profane language and conversation. Why would believers want to take God’s name seriously...?...respectfully?...humbly???...because the faith we have in God produces an abundant love for Him that selects our thoughts of Him...selects our words about Him...and selects our outward testimony for Him...to others... for the sake of the gospel.
    Jesus said in Matthew 22....” that the greatest commandment was to love God and love your neighbor...for these summed up all the law and the prophets.”
    #4 “You will remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy”....you will rest in the Lord and His love for you...because you love Him and you love being satisfied with Him.
    #5 And you will honor your father and your mother...” because faith produced an overflowing love in us for our parents...grateful beyond measure that they gave us life love and big and little brothers and sisters and especially Jesus...
    Yes the Love of Christ in us...by grace and faith...fulfills every law...
    “You will not murder, commit adultery, steal, you will not lie against your neighbor, neither will you covet your neighbors’ possessions...and how would the young Israelites do that?
    And how will we fulfill those laws? Our great God’s love in us and through us to others...for His honor and glory....
    Enjoy the rest of the story...have a great day...
    8 min
  • March 12th - Day 71
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    March 12th
    The Bible reading for today is in Deuteronomy chapters 3,4.
    The text today reveals a few more gracious acts of God prior to Israel’s going up to possess Canaan.
    First, God gives the soldiers of Israel a visual aid to inspire their faith one more time. “God fights for you.” Together with God, Israel’s army defeated the giants of Bashan...soundly...all 60 walled cities and many more unwalled villages.
    This region...besides the many fortresses, was extremely fertile pasture lands for cattle, sheep, and goats...east of the Jordan River.
    They dedicated the cities and villages to God by destroying them, including every man, woman, and child. Israel’s army kept livestock and plunder for the nation. This was a big win. Bashan’s warriors averaged 10 1/2 feet tall...twice the average size of an Israeli soldier... and they had the advantage of fighting from elevated positions on their fortified fortress walls.
    God powerfully, graciously gave them a boost in their confidence...their faith in God...as One who always tells the truth and keeps His promises.
    Moses continues to preach.
    This preaching point reminds Joshua of what God is going to do through him as successor to Moses’ leadership of the nation. Joshua would have a huge job. So Moses commanded him to TRUST GOD. “You have seen that God keeps His Word...by the fruit of victory over Canaanite rulers, in Heshbon and Bashan...very formidable foes. He will continue to “fight for you” as you fight with Him to take possession of the land. “So dont fear God’s enemies, ever...!”
    “Friends, God is talking to us too.” The only justifiable fear we have long term is the “fear of the Lord”...not the fear of His enemies...He will handle them...and remember that the fear and awe of God is the beginning of wisdom and understanding...which leads to spiritually fruitful lives to the glory of God.
    Continuing in the text...we read how Moses exhorted Israel to obey God...every time...no matter what...when God says it...He is not only giving you “heart ears” to hear Him, but He will also help you to believe and obey...
    Moses taught the people one more time that their lives depended upon their enthusiastic obedience to God. And Moses used his personal testimony to nail that point down. He preached how his stubborn, prideful disobedience to God cost him personally a life in the land of promise.
    Obedience to God was and still is the proof of one's loving relationship with God.
    NOW...Believers on their own will not perfectly keep God’s commands. But the Holy Spirit Who is in us, since our new birth, will prod, convict and faithfully move us toward eager obedience to our Lord as we grow in Him.
    By the way, when we get into the Psalms, we will listen to David’s songs where he thanks God for the spiritual tutoring that God had given him from His laws. And we will hear his praise to God for giving him the desire...the want to...to obey the word.
    That’s who we are, friends...friends in Christ. God gives us a hungering and thirsting for Him...and it is there that we find our greatest love, and joy, and peace.
    Thank You, Jesus...You not only lived out the discipline of obedience to the Father all the way to the cross...You loved Him every moment of it.
    Help us to do the same...in life as well as in dying.
    Have a great day
    7 min
  • March 11th - Day 70
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    March 11th
    The Bible reading for today is in Deuteronomy chapters 1,2.
    The new generation of believing Israelites are camped on the eastern side of the Jordan River...They can look across the river and see the promised land. They were so close, that they could pick up a rock and throw it across the river into the land of milk and honey. Must have been an exciting time for all...except for Moses.
    Deuteronomy is the old preacher’s last sermon to the congregation. He preaches it with passion because faith has finally been given sight for this young nation of believers. Passionate...yes...But Moses preaches it with a sad heart too. He wouldn't get to complete the task that was given to him by God in the midst of a burning bush 41 years ago.
    His angry disobedience to God at Meribah, not more than six months ago, haunts him. God judged His leader...he who exalted himself above God before the people.
    Moses would not get to lead the Israelites into Canaan...he, like his brother and sister, would die in the wilderness. Moses would preach this sermon to “remind” this young generation of what put them in the wilderness for so long. Moses was teaching them by rehearsing past mistakes.
    As Peter told the church, “I will not be negligent...I “will always” “remind you” of the things that will establish you in the truth.”
    Moses’ last sermon is one of particular note...It was quoted by writers of the New Testament over 80 times. Even the Lord Jesus quoted from it...especially in His dealings with satan in the wilderness before He began His public ministry.
    On this side of the Jordan, Moses began to “explain” the law for the second time. This made Moses an expositor of God’s words. The word explain means to “dig deeply.” The new generation of Israelites were not even born when the law was first given at Sinai...or were at best very young children. Moses would help them to “mine” the riches of the law and character of God.
    Moses used this sermon of remembrances to prepare this young congregation. He mentioned God’s words at Mt Sinai when he and the people had been there for a year...”
    “It’s time to move on.”
    God never intended for His people to remain at the mountain of the law. He wanted them to now move out in faith to possess the new land.
    Paul quoted this part of the sermon in his letter to the church at Galatia. It was important for Christians to spend some time in and under the tutoring of the Law...so that we could learn of the holy character of God and our certain need for a savior.
    God never intended the Christian to be under the law...trusting his obedience to the law for his salvation.
    God intended us to move on from Horeb to a faith in Christ that saves the breakers of the law like me. Thank You, Jesus.
    O, Friends...Hear the old preacher...” It’s time for us to move on with God”...God’s not through teaching us...God is not through using us. It’s not time to retire in our “Doing life with Christ”. It’s time to trust Him more than ever before...sure that may mean a season of rest and renewal...it may mean that we start giving to our church more than ever...stretching us to trust God to take care of our hungers and delights...for the privilege of giving to the purposes of God through His church...it’s time to move on with God...and go in the direction of His leading...no matter what!
    That is Promised Land faith. That is Promised Land courage. That is Promised Land living...exciting...dusty...as we follow Christ so closely that the cloud of dust from His sandal walk on the dirt roads of Judea settles on us with pleasure...His!
    Enjoy the rest of the story
    Have a great day.
    7 min
  • March 10th - Day 69
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    March 10th
    The Bible reading for today is in Numbers chapters 35,36.
    Israel is about to invade Canaan. But before they do He addresses the spiritual leaders of the nation...the Levitical priests and the clan. God came right out and told them that when it came time to divide up the land they wouldn't be getting a portion. Every other clan was promised a piece of land. But the Levites were not!
    The Levites’ inheritance was to be....drum roll...“The LORD ALONE!
    I have to believe that there were some Levites then that either said, “That’s not fair.”...”Is that all we get for our service to the Lord and to the tabernacle and to the congregation?” or “What does that mean?...”The Lord Alone”?
    Some might think, “we might think”, that “the Lord alone” is a consolation prize. But when we take the time to let this word settle into us, I believe we will think much differently.
    Isn't God better and greater than everything else...everything else! Sure He is...But still, as believers we find ourselves not living like we believe that.
    Maybe it is the word “Alone” that scares us. The believing wife of a sick husband knows in her mind that God has promised to take care of her, with or without her husband. But when she thinks of doing life without her beloved, FAITH that God is and will be enough for her is just hard to come by.
    Some Levites probably spoke among themselves...”The land that our brothers and sisters are promised....well, they can see it, and feel it and watch it produce crops and orchards that will feed them and even keep them healthy. I still wish He would give us our own land too.
    Why would God choose to do this with the Levites?
    From our reading thus far, at least two things are evident. God prepares and God sustains His people...especially His spiritual leaders. This “The Lord Alone” reality in the lives of the Levitical priesthood was not an afterthought of God. This was on purpose.
    What God wanted for all of His “promised land kids” would be demonstrated by the descendants of Aaron and Moses and their clan, the Levites.
    And that one main thing that the Levites were to exemplify before the people....that is...“The Lord Alone is enough!”...Is exactly what the rest of the nation needed to see worked out before them...Godly priests and their families to look at and be encouraged by to believe God...that He Alone is our portion...and He is enough...no matter what.
    Not the Lord and some land is enough...Not the Lord and some good health is enough...Not the Lord and some financial security is enough...Not the Lord and a loving spouse and healthy children is enough...But...“The Lord Alone!” Is enough.
    The Lord told Aaron, “I will be your “portion”!
    I read the word “portion” here and I think of an interesting side note...bear with me a minute more. In the gospels, Jesus told Peter that if he did not allow Jesus to wash his feet, then Peter would have no “portion” with Him.
    And remember that after Jesus washed the disciples’ feet He told them to go and do likewise. Jesus was doing more than cleansing people of the dust around their feet. Jesus came to forgive their sins against Him.
    So when He said go and do likewise he was telling them to forgive those who trespassed against them. Only then would they have a “portion” with Christ..only then would they get to share space with Him...and have constant fellowship with Him.
    Enjoy the rest of the story
    7 min
  • March 9th - Day 68
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    March 9th
    The Bible reading for today is in Numbers chapters 33,34.
    Our reading starts with a review of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.
    “And they set out...and they camped ...And they set out...and they camped...over and over and over again...30+ times from Egypt to their entrance into the Promised Land...the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants.
    When we follow the text with a Bible map nearby, we see that the cloud that would lead them in the way, lead them in circles for 39 years. So God was leading them in circles...interesting...we will get to that.
    The “first-year” in the wilderness...was a pretty straight shot from Goshen to and through the Red Sea to Mt Sinai for the laws of God...and then to Kadesh Barnea at the edge of Canaan. But a straight shot does not mean that there wasn't any spiritual backsliding in the congregation. In fact, by now, the congregation of Israel had proven themselves “unfaithful”....many, many times...(sounds like me friends)and yet God showed mercy and grace to His treasured ones...(that’s out testimony too).
    We could have predicted that 10 out of 12 tribal spies, who were sent by Moses to scope out Canaan, would come back with negative reports. Reports about how Israel could not defeat the armies and strongholds of Canaan....saying that it would be disastrous for Israel if they were to proceed with the invasion of Canaan.
    So those faithless spies led the charge to say “no” to God when He had already commanded them to go into the land with His promise to go with them. The fearful majority discouraged the hearts of the people to follow the Lord.
    Following the Lord, dear friends, is risky...dangerous...with so many unknowns...but it is glorious to do life with the Warrior King...Jesus!
    For instance, the elders of ARCC are convinced that God is leading our church to buy land and build a wonderful children’s wing for our kids and a multi-purpose Worship Center for all...available for 24-7 ministry and missions.
    But it’s going to take sacrificial giving on our part. But isn't that risky? We ask. It may be...but we would rather risk with Him for His glory and the spread of the gospel. Let us be filled with faith and boldness to risk “our all” for His agenda...from here to the ends of the earth.
    May we encourage the hearts of our fellow members by our faith in our great God.
    Back to the text...
    We have all wondered why a three-week march to Canaan took 40 years. But is it really a wonder?
    39 of those years was God raising up a “faithful congregation” to follow the “deaths” of the unfaithful. God would prepare the new generation to go on in and take possession of the land.
    So our text tells us that God insisted that the Israeli army, clan by clan, drive the Canaanites all the way out of the land before them. There was not to be an enemy left to harass and destroy the Israelites in the present or the future. God said, “ If you allow them to live next to you, then I will do to you what I was wanting to do to them...
    History has shown that some Israeli clans did not heed God’s instruction. And the immorality of the godless Canaanites infiltrated the clan and drew many away from following the Lord. And History has shown that God did to Israel what they should have done...God drove Israel out of the promised land for a long long time.
    O Friends in the faith, promised land living cannot be done with one foot in worldliness and the other in God’s Kingdom. “Love not the world...neither the things that are in the world...if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
    Jesus, You loved people who lived in the world..but You didn't love their worldly sinning. And when Your sermons were over, You proved Your love by dying for worldly sinners like me. Thanks, Lord.
    Enjoy the rest of the story...Have a great day.
    7 min
  • The Risk Of Being Spirit-Led

    Living a Spirit-led life will result in Jesus becoming more known in our spheres of influence-where we live, work, and play. It doesn’t always mean that He will be received well though. We can trust that the Sovereign God of the universe knows what He is doing as he leads us in times of acceptance and times of rejection.

    44 min
  • March 8th - Day 67
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    March 8th
    The Bible reading for today is in Numbers chapters 31,32.
    “Lord, be especially with us today as we read about “Your judgments and vengeance” on sinners.
    When our reading is done may our hearts be full of compassion toward those outside of Christ who face the terrible wrath of God. And may our hearts grieve over our own sinning O Lord...not for fear of condemnation but for the knowledge that we have been so nonchalant about our transgressions against Thee.
    Lord, This is hard for us who concentrate on Your love and tender mercies toward us and all who are in Christ. Lord, Your Holiness, Your Righteousness, Your Purity, Your Glory, You're Unlike Any Other...ness... is above and beyond our understanding, Lord.
    So...Who are we Father, to judge You and Your work when we cant figure it out? May we be humbled today. And May we be terrified at the sight of Your righteous vengeance and wrath on sin and sinners who do not believe You. Turn us into bold evangelists and missionaries for the sake of lost sinners.
    And May we be thankful as we think of the full cup of Your wrath that Jesus the Son received in our place on the cross. In Jesus Name we pray.” Amen
    God commanded Moses to prepare the Israeli army to attack and kill the Midianite people...everyone... except the baby girls. God didn't have to remind Moses that these nomadic people had joined forces with the Moabite King, Balak, who was out to destroy Israel on their way to Canaan...these partners in war against Israel even used false prophet, Balaam, to try to influence the outcome of the battle in Moab and Midian’s favor. However, Israeli warriors won the day.
    But these enemies of Israel were not through. They received counsel from Balaam one more time...a different strategy...” seduce the men of Israel to worship the god of Chemosh through immoral temptations.”
    And many men fell to those immoral temptations...destroying marriages and families and unity in the camp. God judged Israel first...24,000 of God’s people died that day. Was it just the ones who committed lasciviousness and adultery at the altar of Chemosh? Could have been but I rather doubt it.
    To the question: who was responsible for the deaths? Our text says God was. That is hard for us to comprehend. Why would God do such a thing to His own? Why would He put His own Son on the cross?...for the salvation of sinners and for the glory of God.
    God has always been about saving sinners and being glorified. Even if that meant the death of another. Listen to Romans 11: “O the depths of the wisdom and knowledge of God...How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways? For from Him, to Him, and for Him are all things...to Him be glorified.”
    No, the question isn't who... even Job knew that...when his 10 kids were killed by a tornado that flattened the house they were in...Job understood that God was in the wind...Job said with grieving heart, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” Why Job? Why his kids? For the salvation of sinners and the glory of God.
    The question isn't who was responsible for the plague that killed 24,000 people in the camp...the question is why?
    “To God be glorified”? I believe that would be enough. But we can always add: “for the salvation of sinners”.
    Now, remember, God is meticulously just...His judgments are always wisely and righteously delivered. Now God was going to judge Midian for their part in seducing God’s people to moral impurity...which was the sensual worship of Chemosh of the Midianites.
    “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, sayeth the Lord”...Romans 12. Vengeance was Not Israel’s, not mine, not yours, but vengeance/wrath was and is God’s.
    “Leave it to God’s wrath on sinners”...is what vengeance means.” Quoting John Piper. Some evil had been done and needed to be repaid with appropriate anger toward sin and wrath toward sinners.
    God’s holy wrath on sin and sinners was about to be meted out on the unrepentant Midianite tribe....the whole tribe, except for the baby girls. They would all die by the “sword of the Lord” wielded by God’s army.
    For God’s glory and the salvation of a nation.
    Israel’s worst enemy was the one who drew them to sin. A good lesson for all of us.
    Enjoy the rest of the story.
    9 min

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ARCC exists to be a church that glorifies God by making disciples whose identity and joy are found and rooted in the gospel of Jesus.

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