Home Page     Weekly Messages   Index

RLJ-792OL

UNDERSTANDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD
PART ELEVEN:  MOSES, GOD’S MAN

October 28, 2001
Once the sentence of death in the desert had been pronounced upon all people 20 years and older, who had rejected entering into the Promised Land, God demanded a higher standard than before. Obedience was no longer an option, IT WAS MANDATORY!

There was one law for those sinning without knowledge - Numbers 15:22-29

There was a different law for those sinning with knowledge - Verses 30-31- physical death

At this time Israel was ruled directly by God in a THEOCRACY, which ended forever with Samuel, when the people of Israel demanded a king - 1 Samuel 8:1-8

The only death sentence that still stands today, is the one that God decreed after the Flood - Genesis 9:1-6

Note the warning that God is giving his church in Hebrews 10:26-31. The difference here is, that under the First Covenant, the people as a state was to execute sinners, under the Second Covenant IT IS GOD HIMSELF WHO WILL EXECUTE SINNERS!

It is also important to notice in Hebrews 10:26-31 that what is at stake is the threat of losing the right to live on the earth, but to die prematurely with severe torment. This is what happened to the children of Israel, who rebelled against God! 1 Corinthians 10:5-14

THE SIN OF REBELLION
The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, Abiram and On was a hard blow for Moses. Their speech sounded pious, but it was a direct challenge to Moses' leadership - Numbers 16:1-3

Korah was a Levite (priest), but he was not content with this role, he also wanted political power - Verses 4–11

Dathan and Abiram refused to meet with Moses; instead they mocked him! V.12-14

Moses became more than angry, he was beside himself.  These men had attacked the most precious thing in Moses’ life, HIS WALK WITH GOD AND HIS INTEGRITY! V.15

The blue print for a church split is now laid out before us, the Devil using Korah to gather the entire congregation against the pastor and the elders - Verses 16-19

God was now ready to wipe out the entire nation of Israel, and again Moses intervened on their behalf - Verses 20-24

Moses told the people to flee - Verses 25-27

Moses wanted a death sentence so drastic that the people of Israel would not be able to say that Moses worked "some kind of witchcraft." Verses 28-33

The congregation fled in fear as God judged the 250 men who had sided with Korah and offered incense with him - Verses 34-40

There was "bad blood" between the people and Moses and more people died. Verses 41-50

Learn this: NEVER ATTACK ANOTHER CHRISTIAN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!

DO NOT BELITTLE A BROTHER IN CHRIST! DO NOT STEAL THE INTEGRITY FROM A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST! Matthew 7: 1-5

Remember this: In the Kingdom of God, there will be those who will produce 30%, some 60% and some 100%. You can never "kick" a low producer into a higher class, he just does not have it. Since God is leaving him where he is, you'd better leave him alone so you do not set yourself higher than God! Matthew 13:18-23