A Bronze Snake and God's Love - Steve Bang Lee | Mariners Church

Welcome to Mariners Online. My name is Welcome to Mariners Online. My name is Steve Banley. I'm one of the pastors. It Steve Banley. I'm one of the pastors. It Steve Banley. I'm one of the pastors. It is an absolute joy to be with you today. is an absolute joy to be with you today. is an absolute joy to be with you today. Do you own or do you know anyone who Do you own or do you know anyone who Do you own or do you know anyone who owns a rubber duck? Not a trick owns a rubber duck? Not a trick owns a rubber duck? Not a trick question. Okay, how about this follow-up question. Okay, how about this follow-up question. Okay, how about this follow-up question? Do you regularly talk to or do question? Do you regularly talk to or do question? Do you regularly talk to or do you know someone who regularly talks to you know someone who regularly talks to you know someone who regularly talks to their rubber duck? Probably not. And their rubber duck? Probably not. And their rubber duck? Probably not. And even if that was like, you know, your even if that was like, you know, your even if that was like, you know, your hobby, your favorite thing to do in the hobby, your favorite thing to do in the hobby, your favorite thing to do in the entire world, it's probably not entire world, it's probably not entire world, it's probably not something you want to announce on social something you want to announce on social something you want to announce on social media anytime. And in fact, if you saw media anytime. And in fact, if you saw media anytime. And in fact, if you saw me walking down the street talking to a me walking down the street talking to a me walking down the street talking to a rubber duck, followed by my four kids rubber duck, followed by my four kids rubber duck, followed by my four kids like little ducklings talking to their like little ducklings talking to their like little ducklings talking to their own rubber ducks, you should probably, I own rubber ducks, you should probably, I own rubber ducks, you should probably, I don't know, call the police. But what if don't know, call the police. But what if don't know, call the police. But what if I told you that talking to a rubber duck I told you that talking to a rubber duck I told you that talking to a rubber duck is a proven method for problem solving? is a proven method for problem solving? is a proven method for problem solving? Rubber duck debugging or rubber ducking Rubber duck debugging or rubber ducking Rubber duck debugging or rubber ducking is a concept that first emerged in the is a concept that first emerged in the is a concept that first emerged in the software engineering world. One of the software engineering world. One of the software engineering world. One of the authors from the book called the pro uh authors from the book called the pro uh authors from the book called the pro uh pragmatic programmer tells a story about pragmatic programmer tells a story about pragmatic programmer tells a story about a man named Greg who was an amazing a man named Greg who was an amazing a man named Greg who was an amazing amazing software developer and he amazing software developer and he amazing software developer and he noticed that anytime Greg ran into a noticed that anytime Greg ran into a noticed that anytime Greg ran into a problem, a coding problem, he would sure problem, a coding problem, he would sure problem, a coding problem, he would sure enough pull out his rubber duck and he enough pull out his rubber duck and he enough pull out his rubber duck and he would talk out the issue with the rubber would talk out the issue with the rubber would talk out the issue with the rubber duck. And here's what the author says.

duck. And here's what the author says. duck. And here's what the author says. The act of explaining step by step what The act of explaining step by step what The act of explaining step by step what the code is supposed to do often causes the code is supposed to do often causes the code is supposed to do often causes the problem to leap off the screen and the problem to leap off the screen and the problem to leap off the screen and announce itself. Verbally processing to announce itself. Verbally processing to announce itself. Verbally processing to a rubber duck somehow solved problems. a rubber duck somehow solved problems. a rubber duck somehow solved problems. Odd, bizarre, strange, and yet an Odd, bizarre, strange, and yet an Odd, bizarre, strange, and yet an effective method for problem solving. I effective method for problem solving. I effective method for problem solving. I share this because today we're going to share this because today we're going to share this because today we're going to continue our series in the book of continue our series in the book of continue our series in the book of Numbers. And we find God today solving a Numbers. And we find God today solving a Numbers. And we find God today solving a problem in the most bizarre, strange, problem in the most bizarre, strange, problem in the most bizarre, strange, and odd way. But when we get underneath and odd way. But when we get underneath and odd way. But when we get underneath the story, it's actually about God's the story, it's actually about God's the story, it's actually about God's bizarre, and strange love for you. But I bizarre, and strange love for you. But I bizarre, and strange love for you. But I don't want to get ahead of myself. Let's don't want to get ahead of myself. Let's don't want to get ahead of myself. Let's first find out what the problem God's first find out what the problem God's first find out what the problem God's people experienced. Numbers 21. Then people experienced. Numbers 21. Then people experienced. Numbers 21. Then they set out from Mount by the way they set out from Mount by the way they set out from Mount by the way of the Red Sea to bypass the land of of the Red Sea to bypass the land of of the Red Sea to bypass the land of Edom. But the people became impatient Edom. But the people became impatient Edom. But the people became impatient because of the journey. The people spoke because of the journey. The people spoke because of the journey. The people spoke against God and Moses. Why? Why have you against God and Moses. Why? Why have you against God and Moses. Why? Why have you led us up from Egypt to die in the led us up from Egypt to die in the led us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? There there's no bread or wilderness? There there's no bread or wilderness? There there's no bread or water and we detest this wretched food.

water and we detest this wretched food. water and we detest this wretched food. Then the Lord sent poisonous snakes Then the Lord sent poisonous snakes Then the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people and they bit them so among the people and they bit them so among the people and they bit them so that many Israelites died. that many Israelites died. that many Israelites died. Okay, so um the people grumbled against Okay, so um the people grumbled against Okay, so um the people grumbled against God and so God sends poisonous snakes to God and so God sends poisonous snakes to God and so God sends poisonous snakes to bite them and many people are dying in bite them and many people are dying in bite them and many people are dying in the wilderness. just a totally normal the wilderness. just a totally normal the wilderness. just a totally normal passage in the scriptures. Welcome to passage in the scriptures. Welcome to passage in the scriptures. Welcome to church. Okay. What What's going on here? church. Okay. What What's going on here? church. Okay. What What's going on here? Is God overreacting? Because, you know, Is God overreacting? Because, you know, Is God overreacting? Because, you know, my kids complain and I I've never locked my kids complain and I I've never locked my kids complain and I I've never locked them up in a room with poisonous snakes them up in a room with poisonous snakes them up in a room with poisonous snakes yet. Like, what's going on here? Well, yet. Like, what's going on here? Well, yet. Like, what's going on here? Well, according to the text, we can know that according to the text, we can know that according to the text, we can know that the people are not simply raising up a the people are not simply raising up a the people are not simply raising up a concern in innocence. No, they're concern in innocence. No, they're concern in innocence. No, they're actually attacking the very character of actually attacking the very character of actually attacking the very character of God. They're not innocently raising a God. They're not innocently raising a God. They're not innocently raising a concern. They're assuming the absolute concern. They're assuming the absolute concern. They're assuming the absolute worst about God. We know this because of worst about God. We know this because of worst about God. We know this because of because of their accusation. They say, because of their accusation. They say, because of their accusation. They say, "Why have you led us up from Egypt to "Why have you led us up from Egypt to "Why have you led us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? There's no bread die in the wilderness? There's no bread die in the wilderness? There's no bread or water, and we detest this wretched or water, and we detest this wretched or water, and we detest this wretched food." Do you hear their layers of food." Do you hear their layers of food." Do you hear their layers of accusation? First, they say that God accusation? First, they say that God accusation? First, they say that God essentially has murderous intentions.

essentially has murderous intentions. essentially has murderous intentions. They're like, "You brought us out here They're like, "You brought us out here They're like, "You brought us out here so you can kill us yourself." Then so you can kill us yourself." Then so you can kill us yourself." Then secondly, they say he's negligent, that secondly, they say he's negligent, that secondly, they say he's negligent, that he's an awful provider. Did you notice he's an awful provider. Did you notice he's an awful provider. Did you notice their their contradiction? They don't their their contradiction? They don't their their contradiction? They don't even make sense. They're like, "You even make sense. They're like, "You even make sense. They're like, "You don't give us food. You don't give us don't give us food. You don't give us don't give us food. You don't give us food and we hate the food that you give food and we hate the food that you give food and we hate the food that you give to us. It it's nonsensical. It It's to us. It it's nonsensical. It It's to us. It it's nonsensical. It It's illogical. They don't make sense." But illogical. They don't make sense." But illogical. They don't make sense." But that wasn't their goal. Their goal was that wasn't their goal. Their goal was that wasn't their goal. Their goal was not to make sense. Their goal was to not to make sense. Their goal was to not to make sense. Their goal was to accuse God of not making sense. This is accuse God of not making sense. This is accuse God of not making sense. This is character assassination at its finest. character assassination at its finest. character assassination at its finest. This is a full assault on the character This is a full assault on the character This is a full assault on the character of God. This isn't backstabbing, by the of God. This isn't backstabbing, by the of God. This isn't backstabbing, by the way. This is frontstabbing. way. This is frontstabbing. way. This is frontstabbing. How How could the people respond this How How could the people respond this How How could the people respond this way? Especially after God, I don't know, way? Especially after God, I don't know, way? Especially after God, I don't know, rescued them from their oppression and rescued them from their oppression and rescued them from their oppression and provided them for the last 40 years provided them for the last 40 years provided them for the last 40 years housing them and taking care of them. housing them and taking care of them. housing them and taking care of them. In 2012, the BBC, they reported um a In 2012, the BBC, they reported um a In 2012, the BBC, they reported um a lifeguard who was fired for leaving his lifeguard who was fired for leaving his lifeguard who was fired for leaving his station to try to go and rescue a station to try to go and rescue a station to try to go and rescue a drowning person. As you can imagine, drowning person. As you can imagine, drowning person. As you can imagine, this led to public outcry. How can you this led to public outcry. How can you this led to public outcry. How can you fire someone who's trying to rescue a fire someone who's trying to rescue a fire someone who's trying to rescue a lifeguard who's trying to rescue a lifeguard who's trying to rescue a lifeguard who's trying to rescue a drowning person?

drowning person? drowning person? But what's happening in our story here But what's happening in our story here But what's happening in our story here in Numbers would be akin to as if the in Numbers would be akin to as if the in Numbers would be akin to as if the man who was rescued himself, as if he man who was rescued himself, as if he man who was rescued himself, as if he were the one who fired the drowning the were the one who fired the drowning the were the one who fired the drowning the the the lifeguard himself. As if he was the the lifeguard himself. As if he was the the lifeguard himself. As if he was rescued, then he was housed by the rescued, then he was housed by the rescued, then he was housed by the lifeguard for 40 years and then lifeguard for 40 years and then lifeguard for 40 years and then concluded, "Hey, um, Mr. lifeguard, concluded, "Hey, um, Mr. lifeguard, concluded, "Hey, um, Mr. lifeguard, you're awful. Life was way better when I you're awful. Life was way better when I you're awful. Life was way better when I was drowning in the ocean. You're was drowning in the ocean. You're was drowning in the ocean. You're fired." That's a little bit of what's fired." That's a little bit of what's fired." That's a little bit of what's happening in the story. It is a slap in happening in the story. It is a slap in happening in the story. It is a slap in the face of God. So, how could human the face of God. So, how could human the face of God. So, how could human beings respond this way to their beings respond this way to their beings respond this way to their creator? Now, here's what some people creator? Now, here's what some people creator? Now, here's what some people might say. Some people might say it's might say. Some people might say it's might say. Some people might say it's because of circumstance. It's because of circumstance. It's because of circumstance. It's circumstantial. I mean, we know this. I circumstantial. I mean, we know this. I circumstantial. I mean, we know this. I mean, even the best of people when mean, even the best of people when mean, even the best of people when they're put in bad circumstances, they they're put in bad circumstances, they they're put in bad circumstances, they can turn into bad people. Now, to be can turn into bad people. Now, to be can turn into bad people. Now, to be fair, the people of God in the story, fair, the people of God in the story, fair, the people of God in the story, their circumstances were bad. That is their circumstances were bad. That is their circumstances were bad. That is true. We know this because of the hint true. We know this because of the hint true. We know this because of the hint in our passage. we're told. Then they in our passage. we're told. Then they in our passage. we're told. Then they set out from Mount by way of the set out from Mount by way of the set out from Mount by way of the Red Sea to bypass the land of Edom. Now, Red Sea to bypass the land of Edom. Now, Red Sea to bypass the land of Edom. Now, this was an emotionally charged and this was an emotionally charged and this was an emotionally charged and loaded statement. So, just to give you a loaded statement. So, just to give you a loaded statement. So, just to give you a visual, here's where God's people are visual, here's where God's people are visual, here's where God's people are right now. They're at Mount where right now. They're at Mount where right now. They're at Mount where that star is, and they're trying to that star is, and they're trying to that star is, and they're trying to reach Canaan. It's it's been a 40-year reach Canaan. It's it's been a 40-year reach Canaan. It's it's been a 40-year journey, and guess what? They see the journey, and guess what? They see the journey, and guess what? They see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's light at the end of the tunnel. It's light at the end of the tunnel. It's right there. And better yet, there's a right there. And better yet, there's a right there. And better yet, there's a shortcut. There's a shortcut through the shortcut. There's a shortcut through the shortcut. There's a shortcut through the land of Edom. This shortcut was called

land of Edom. This shortcut was called land of Edom. This shortcut was called the king's highway. But the kingdom of the king's highway. But the kingdom of the king's highway. But the kingdom of Edom would block this pathway, which you Edom would block this pathway, which you Edom would block this pathway, which you could read about in the chapter. could read about in the chapter. could read about in the chapter. Previously, they blocked this pathway. Previously, they blocked this pathway. Previously, they blocked this pathway. So, here's what this meant. It meant So, here's what this meant. It meant So, here's what this meant. It meant that the people had to backtrack. that the people had to backtrack. that the people had to backtrack. They had to go backwards. They had to go They had to go backwards. They had to go They had to go backwards. They had to go back down south and go all the way back down south and go all the way back down south and go all the way around Edom. Could we just confess you around Edom. Could we just confess you around Edom. Could we just confess you and I are not even the best people when and I are not even the best people when and I are not even the best people when we need to make a U-turn on the freeway? we need to make a U-turn on the freeway? we need to make a U-turn on the freeway? Like, could we confess that? Like in the Like, could we confess that? Like in the Like, could we confess that? Like in the mornings after I get my kids ready for mornings after I get my kids ready for mornings after I get my kids ready for school and after a chaotic crazy morning school and after a chaotic crazy morning school and after a chaotic crazy morning when I'm just about to drop them off at when I'm just about to drop them off at when I'm just about to drop them off at school on time and one of them says, school on time and one of them says, school on time and one of them says, "Whoops, I forgot my lunch." Like, how "Whoops, I forgot my lunch." Like, how "Whoops, I forgot my lunch." Like, how do you think I react? How do you think I do you think I react? How do you think I do you think I react? How do you think I react as a a godly loving father, as a react as a a godly loving father, as a react as a a godly loving father, as a pastor who serves his people? Here, pastor who serves his people? Here, pastor who serves his people? Here, here's what I say. Then you must starve. here's what I say. Then you must starve. here's what I say. Then you must starve. you must pay for your crimes against you must pay for your crimes against you must pay for your crimes against humanity. Right? They backtracked. And humanity. Right? They backtracked. And humanity. Right? They backtracked. And so some people will say circumstances. so some people will say circumstances. so some people will say circumstances. But God in his infinite wisdom, he would But God in his infinite wisdom, he would But God in his infinite wisdom, he would offer a different diagnosis.

offer a different diagnosis. offer a different diagnosis. God would not say circumstances. God God would not say circumstances. God God would not say circumstances. God would actually say it's it's a would actually say it's it's a would actually say it's it's a condition. It's a spiritual condition of condition. It's a spiritual condition of condition. It's a spiritual condition of the heart. See, that's why God sent the heart. See, that's why God sent the heart. See, that's why God sent these snakes in the wilderness. See, it these snakes in the wilderness. See, it these snakes in the wilderness. See, it wasn't some petty form of retaliation. wasn't some petty form of retaliation. wasn't some petty form of retaliation. No. See, God was trying to pull the No. See, God was trying to pull the No. See, God was trying to pull the curtain back to show them what was curtain back to show them what was curtain back to show them what was really going on. He was trying to take really going on. He was trying to take really going on. He was trying to take them under the hood to show deeper them under the hood to show deeper them under the hood to show deeper spiritual significance. Namely, that spiritual significance. Namely, that spiritual significance. Namely, that long before these snakes ever showed up long before these snakes ever showed up long before these snakes ever showed up in the wilderness, they had already been in the wilderness, they had already been in the wilderness, they had already been bitten. They've already been poisoned. bitten. They've already been poisoned. bitten. They've already been poisoned. There was spiritual venom that was There was spiritual venom that was There was spiritual venom that was already coursing through their hearts already coursing through their hearts already coursing through their hearts and their souls. How do we know this for and their souls. How do we know this for and their souls. How do we know this for our people in the story? this concept of our people in the story? this concept of our people in the story? this concept of a snake, it would not have been new for a snake, it would not have been new for a snake, it would not have been new for them. In fact, the idea of a snake would them. In fact, the idea of a snake would them. In fact, the idea of a snake would have been very familiar for them going have been very familiar for them going have been very familiar for them going back not just to their own history but back not just to their own history but back not just to their own history but further back to the very history of further back to the very history of further back to the very history of humankind in Genesis because there was a humankind in Genesis because there was a humankind in Genesis because there was a snake or a serpent in the garden.

snake or a serpent in the garden. snake or a serpent in the garden. God had created a beautiful and perfect God had created a beautiful and perfect God had created a beautiful and perfect world. Then he created Adam and Eve and world. Then he created Adam and Eve and world. Then he created Adam and Eve and he placed them in the garden with he placed them in the garden with he placed them in the garden with unlimited provision and his very own unlimited provision and his very own unlimited provision and his very own presence. presence. presence. But when the serpent showed up, he began But when the serpent showed up, he began But when the serpent showed up, he began assassinating God's character. The assassinating God's character. The assassinating God's character. The serpent said, "Hey, are you guys happy? serpent said, "Hey, are you guys happy? serpent said, "Hey, are you guys happy? You sure? You sure you're doing good? You sure? You sure you're doing good? You sure? You sure you're doing good? Did God actually say?" Did God actually say?" Did God actually say?" And when Adam and Eve, when they And when Adam and Eve, when they And when Adam and Eve, when they believed the serpent's lies, and when believed the serpent's lies, and when believed the serpent's lies, and when they sinned, when they sinned by biting they sinned, when they sinned by biting they sinned, when they sinned by biting into that fruit, it was sin itself that into that fruit, it was sin itself that into that fruit, it was sin itself that actually bit the fangs of sin. It dug actually bit the fangs of sin. It dug actually bit the fangs of sin. It dug into their hearts and their souls, into their hearts and their souls, into their hearts and their souls, poisoning their hearts and poisoning all poisoning their hearts and poisoning all poisoning their hearts and poisoning all of us spiritually and killing all of us of us spiritually and killing all of us of us spiritually and killing all of us spiritually. We've been spiritually spiritually. We've been spiritually spiritually. We've been spiritually poisoned. That's why all of us, all of poisoned. That's why all of us, all of poisoned. That's why all of us, all of humanity, we have this strange humanity, we have this strange humanity, we have this strange insatiable thirst. Have you noticed that insatiable thirst. Have you noticed that insatiable thirst. Have you noticed that nothing is enough for us? Nothing is nothing is enough for us? Nothing is nothing is enough for us? Nothing is ever enough for us. In fact, we ever enough for us. In fact, we ever enough for us. In fact, we humanity, we think even God is not humanity, we think even God is not humanity, we think even God is not enough for us. We can never be happy, enough for us. We can never be happy, enough for us. We can never be happy, never satisfied, never content. This is never satisfied, never content. This is never satisfied, never content. This is the condition of every single the condition of every single the condition of every single generation. This is why every new generation. This is why every new generation. This is why every new generation arises with brand new ways to generation arises with brand new ways to generation arises with brand new ways to be happy. And in fact, with advanced be happy. And in fact, with advanced be happy. And in fact, with advanced technologies, we try to accelerate our technologies, we try to accelerate our technologies, we try to accelerate our joy and we're never happy. It's never joy and we're never happy. It's never joy and we're never happy. It's never enough. We've been spiritually poisoned.

enough. We've been spiritually poisoned. enough. We've been spiritually poisoned. It's not circumstance. It's not circumstance. It's not circumstance. If anything, our circumstances simply If anything, our circumstances simply If anything, our circumstances simply reveal and expose our underlying reveal and expose our underlying reveal and expose our underlying condition of what's already happened. condition of what's already happened. condition of what's already happened. And that's why God sent these snakes, And that's why God sent these snakes, And that's why God sent these snakes, these serpents in the wilderness. these serpents in the wilderness. these serpents in the wilderness. Some Bible scholars have said that one Some Bible scholars have said that one Some Bible scholars have said that one of the effects of the bites of a certain of the effects of the bites of a certain of the effects of the bites of a certain kind of snake in this region, it would kind of snake in this region, it would kind of snake in this region, it would have been an intense insatiable thirst. have been an intense insatiable thirst. have been an intense insatiable thirst. See, the bite in the wilderness was a See, the bite in the wilderness was a See, the bite in the wilderness was a mirror of the bite in the garden. mirror of the bite in the garden. mirror of the bite in the garden. The insatiable thirst in the wilderness The insatiable thirst in the wilderness The insatiable thirst in the wilderness mirrored the insatiable spiritual thirst mirrored the insatiable spiritual thirst mirrored the insatiable spiritual thirst that we now experience ourselves. The that we now experience ourselves. The that we now experience ourselves. The death in the wilderness mirror the death death in the wilderness mirror the death death in the wilderness mirror the death that now fell on humanity from the fall that now fell on humanity from the fall that now fell on humanity from the fall in the garden. in the garden. in the garden. We have a problem. We have a spiritual We have a problem. We have a spiritual We have a problem. We have a spiritual problem. We have a sin problem. And we problem. We have a sin problem. And we problem. We have a sin problem. And we really desperately need a cure. really desperately need a cure. really desperately need a cure. Now, maybe you're exploring the Now, maybe you're exploring the Now, maybe you're exploring the Christian faith. Maybe there's a part of Christian faith. Maybe there's a part of Christian faith. Maybe there's a part of you right now saying, "Are you sure we you right now saying, "Are you sure we you right now saying, "Are you sure we have a spiritual problem? Cuz like I get have a spiritual problem? Cuz like I get have a spiritual problem? Cuz like I get like the people in the story, but but like the people in the story, but but like the people in the story, but but they're like ancients. They're like they're like ancients. They're like they're like ancients. They're like primitive. We have so much more modern primitive. We have so much more modern primitive. We have so much more modern knowledge now. We're so much more knowledge now. We're so much more knowledge now. We're so much more advanced and sophisticated. Are you advanced and sophisticated. Are you advanced and sophisticated. Are you sure?

sure? sure? Are you sure we're more sophisticated Are you sure we're more sophisticated Are you sure we're more sophisticated spiritually today? Are you happy? Are spiritually today? Are you happy? Are spiritually today? Are you happy? Are you fully content and satisfied? Is you fully content and satisfied? Is you fully content and satisfied? Is anyone in your life fully happy? anyone in your life fully happy? anyone in your life fully happy? And we have unlimited options with And we have unlimited options with And we have unlimited options with Amazon Prime. Are we really happy? In Amazon Prime. Are we really happy? In Amazon Prime. Are we really happy? In fact, um I wonder if that's something fact, um I wonder if that's something fact, um I wonder if that's something that the people in our story may have that the people in our story may have that the people in our story may have thought as well. You know the people who thought as well. You know the people who thought as well. You know the people who are being bit in our story by the are being bit in our story by the are being bit in our story by the snakes, they are largely comprised of snakes, they are largely comprised of snakes, they are largely comprised of the second generation of God's people in the second generation of God's people in the second generation of God's people in the wilderness. The first generation, the wilderness. The first generation, the wilderness. The first generation, they all those who complained and they all those who complained and they all those who complained and grumbled, they had pretty much for the grumbled, they had pretty much for the grumbled, they had pretty much for the most part died off. This was now a new most part died off. This was now a new most part died off. This was now a new rising generation. And so maybe there rising generation. And so maybe there rising generation. And so maybe there was a part of them that thought we're was a part of them that thought we're was a part of them that thought we're not going to be like the first not going to be like the first not going to be like the first generation. We're going to be more generation. We're going to be more generation. We're going to be more spiritually advanced and sophisticated spiritually advanced and sophisticated spiritually advanced and sophisticated than they are. But they were just like than they are. But they were just like than they are. But they were just like them. They were like them biologically. them. They were like them biologically. them. They were like them biologically. They were like them spiritually. And you They were like them spiritually. And you They were like them spiritually. And you and I, we are just like those in the and I, we are just like those in the and I, we are just like those in the wilderness going all the way back to wilderness going all the way back to wilderness going all the way back to those who fell in the garden. We have a those who fell in the garden. We have a those who fell in the garden. We have a sin problem and we need a cure. And here sin problem and we need a cure. And here sin problem and we need a cure. And here was God's cure for them in the was God's cure for them in the was God's cure for them in the wilderness. The people then came to wilderness. The people then came to wilderness. The people then came to Moses and said, "We have sinned by Moses and said, "We have sinned by Moses and said, "We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against speaking against the Lord and against speaking against the Lord and against you. Intercede with the Lord so that he you. Intercede with the Lord so that he you. Intercede with the Lord so that he will take the snakes away from us." and will take the snakes away from us." and will take the snakes away from us." and Moses interceded for the people. Then Moses interceded for the people. Then Moses interceded for the people. Then the people said to Moses, "Make a a the people said to Moses, "Make a a the people said to Moses, "Make a a snake image and mount it on a pole."

snake image and mount it on a pole." snake image and mount it on a pole." When anyone who is bitten looks at it, When anyone who is bitten looks at it, When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover. So Moses made a bronze he will recover. So Moses made a bronze he will recover. So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten and he looked at the someone was bitten and he looked at the someone was bitten and he looked at the bronze snake, he recovered. bronze snake, he recovered. bronze snake, he recovered. If you work in the medical field or you If you work in the medical field or you If you work in the medical field or you know someone, this image of a snake know someone, this image of a snake know someone, this image of a snake wrapped around the pole probably rings a wrapped around the pole probably rings a wrapped around the pole probably rings a bell. This is a sign or an insignia bell. This is a sign or an insignia bell. This is a sign or an insignia that's on many medical or hospital that's on many medical or hospital that's on many medical or hospital related things. And it's really a symbol related things. And it's really a symbol related things. And it's really a symbol of healing. It's in fact one of the of healing. It's in fact one of the of healing. It's in fact one of the oldest symbols of healing that we have oldest symbols of healing that we have oldest symbols of healing that we have today. And so this symbol nothing new today. And so this symbol nothing new today. And so this symbol nothing new for us. It is not strange at all. But for us. It is not strange at all. But for us. It is not strange at all. But imagine how strange it must have been imagine how strange it must have been imagine how strange it must have been for the people in the story. for the people in the story. for the people in the story. They're perishing in the wilderness. They're perishing in the wilderness. They're perishing in the wilderness. They're dying because they've been They're dying because they've been They're dying because they've been bitten by the snakes. And then yet they bitten by the snakes. And then yet they bitten by the snakes. And then yet they see Moses, their wise spiritual leader, see Moses, their wise spiritual leader, see Moses, their wise spiritual leader, make a bronze snake, an image of the make a bronze snake, an image of the make a bronze snake, an image of the very thing that's killing them, raise it very thing that's killing them, raise it very thing that's killing them, raise it on a pole and say, "If you want to live, on a pole and say, "If you want to live, on a pole and say, "If you want to live, look." Think about how disorienting that look." Think about how disorienting that look." Think about how disorienting that must have been for them. Wait, Moses, must have been for them. Wait, Moses, must have been for them. Wait, Moses, hold on. Let Let me get this straight.

hold on. Let Let me get this straight. hold on. Let Let me get this straight. You want me to look at the image of the You want me to look at the image of the You want me to look at the image of the thing that's killing me right now? Did thing that's killing me right now? Did thing that's killing me right now? Did you hear from God correctly? So, so the you hear from God correctly? So, so the you hear from God correctly? So, so the cure, the cure is to look at the thing cure, the cure is to look at the thing cure, the cure is to look at the thing that ruined all of humanity. It gets that ruined all of humanity. It gets that ruined all of humanity. It gets worse, by the way. Do you remember what worse, by the way. Do you remember what worse, by the way. Do you remember what happened to the serpent in the garden happened to the serpent in the garden happened to the serpent in the garden after deceiving Adam and Eve? The snake after deceiving Adam and Eve? The snake after deceiving Adam and Eve? The snake was cursed. The snake received a curse was cursed. The snake received a curse was cursed. The snake received a curse from God. The snake was cursed by God. from God. The snake was cursed by God. from God. The snake was cursed by God. And now you're telling me to look up at And now you're telling me to look up at And now you're telling me to look up at the thing that is cursed by God. So the the thing that is cursed by God. So the the thing that is cursed by God. So the thing that is cursed is to become thing that is cursed is to become thing that is cursed is to become my cure. It must have been one of the my cure. It must have been one of the my cure. It must have been one of the most baffling things the people had ever most baffling things the people had ever most baffling things the people had ever heard. It must have sounded like heard. It must have sounded like heard. It must have sounded like foolishness. Utter foolishness. Complete foolishness. Utter foolishness. Complete foolishness. Utter foolishness. Complete and utter foolishness. And yet for those and utter foolishness. And yet for those and utter foolishness. And yet for those that looked, there was power. that looked, there was power. that looked, there was power. power to save, rescue, and heal. power to save, rescue, and heal. power to save, rescue, and heal. And this power in foolishness, it has And this power in foolishness, it has And this power in foolishness, it has everything to do with you and the heart everything to do with you and the heart everything to do with you and the heart of the Christian faith.

of the Christian faith. of the Christian faith. So approximately 1500 years after this So approximately 1500 years after this So approximately 1500 years after this bizarre scene, we would find one of the bizarre scene, we would find one of the bizarre scene, we would find one of the first thinkers of the Christian faith by first thinkers of the Christian faith by first thinkers of the Christian faith by the name of Paul, the Apostle Paul. He the name of Paul, the Apostle Paul. He the name of Paul, the Apostle Paul. He would describe the heartbeat message of would describe the heartbeat message of would describe the heartbeat message of the Christian faith in this way in 1 the Christian faith in this way in 1 the Christian faith in this way in 1 Corinthians 1. For the word of the cross Corinthians 1. For the word of the cross Corinthians 1. For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are is foolishness to those who are is foolishness to those who are perishing. But it is the power of God to perishing. But it is the power of God to perishing. But it is the power of God to us who are being saved. In other words, us who are being saved. In other words, us who are being saved. In other words, Paul the apostle is saying the center, Paul the apostle is saying the center, Paul the apostle is saying the center, the core of the Christian faith, it it the core of the Christian faith, it it the core of the Christian faith, it it looks like foolishness, but actually looks like foolishness, but actually looks like foolishness, but actually when we look at the cross, there's when we look at the cross, there's when we look at the cross, there's power. Well, what happened on the cross? power. Well, what happened on the cross? power. Well, what happened on the cross? Jesus was lifted up. Jesus was lifted up. Jesus was lifted up. Jesus was lifted up on the cross. He was Jesus was lifted up on the cross. He was Jesus was lifted up on the cross. He was raised up on the cross just like how the raised up on the cross just like how the raised up on the cross just like how the bronze serpent was raised up and lifted bronze serpent was raised up and lifted bronze serpent was raised up and lifted up on the pole. up on the pole. up on the pole. In fact, Jesus would make this exact In fact, Jesus would make this exact In fact, Jesus would make this exact same connection in John 3. Jesus said, same connection in John 3. Jesus said, same connection in John 3. Jesus said, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must the wilderness, so the Son of Man must the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up so that everyone who be lifted up so that everyone who be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

believes in him may have eternal life." believes in him may have eternal life." Jesus is saying, "Just as the bronze Jesus is saying, "Just as the bronze Jesus is saying, "Just as the bronze serpent was lifted up, which gave life, serpent was lifted up, which gave life, serpent was lifted up, which gave life, the son of man, Jesus is raised up on the son of man, Jesus is raised up on the son of man, Jesus is raised up on the cross who gives eternal life. the cross who gives eternal life. the cross who gives eternal life. But how could Jesus compare himself to But how could Jesus compare himself to But how could Jesus compare himself to the snake? They're nothing alike. How the snake? They're nothing alike. How the snake? They're nothing alike. How could Jesus, the perfect one, compare could Jesus, the perfect one, compare could Jesus, the perfect one, compare himself to the serpent? I mean, the himself to the serpent? I mean, the himself to the serpent? I mean, the serpent was a liar. Jesus never lied. serpent was a liar. Jesus never lied. serpent was a liar. Jesus never lied. The serpent came to kill, steal, and The serpent came to kill, steal, and The serpent came to kill, steal, and destroy. Jesus came to give life and destroy. Jesus came to give life and destroy. Jesus came to give life and life abundant. So, how could he ever life abundant. So, how could he ever life abundant. So, how could he ever compare himself to the serpent? compare himself to the serpent? compare himself to the serpent? because of the spiritual principle that because of the spiritual principle that because of the spiritual principle that was laid in the wilderness, the was laid in the wilderness, the was laid in the wilderness, the spiritual template which looked like spiritual template which looked like spiritual template which looked like foolishness but was power. Namely, the foolishness but was power. Namely, the foolishness but was power. Namely, the thing that is cursed can become the thing that is cursed can become the thing that is cursed can become the cure. The thing that is cursed by God cure. The thing that is cursed by God cure. The thing that is cursed by God can become the cure. can become the cure. can become the cure. On the cross, when Jesus was raised up On the cross, when Jesus was raised up On the cross, when Jesus was raised up and lifted up, he was cursed. He was and lifted up, he was cursed. He was and lifted up, he was cursed. He was cursed by God because he absorbed all cursed by God because he absorbed all cursed by God because he absorbed all the poison of sin and death. All the sin the poison of sin and death. All the sin the poison of sin and death. All the sin and death that was circulating in your and death that was circulating in your and death that was circulating in your spiritual life, he absorbed into his spiritual life, he absorbed into his spiritual life, he absorbed into his life and heart. All of our sins, all of life and heart. All of our sins, all of life and heart. All of our sins, all of our mistakes, the big ones, the small our mistakes, the big ones, the small our mistakes, the big ones, the small ones, the ones we regret, the ones we ones, the ones we regret, the ones we ones, the ones we regret, the ones we probably should reg should regret but probably should reg should regret but probably should reg should regret but don't because of the deceiving power of don't because of the deceiving power of don't because of the deceiving power of sin. All of that was poured into Jesus's

sin. All of that was poured into Jesus's sin. All of that was poured into Jesus's life. But in turn, his righteousness, life. But in turn, his righteousness, life. But in turn, his righteousness, his goodness becomes our cure. his goodness becomes our cure. his goodness becomes our cure. Jesus's perfect life becomes the Jesus's perfect life becomes the Jesus's perfect life becomes the antenom, the antidote which brings us antenom, the antidote which brings us antenom, the antidote which brings us life and eternal life. The spiritual life and eternal life. The spiritual life and eternal life. The spiritual poison in us was injected into Jesus's poison in us was injected into Jesus's poison in us was injected into Jesus's spiritual bloodstream. And his spiritual spiritual bloodstream. And his spiritual spiritual bloodstream. And his spiritual life was injected into our spiritual life was injected into our spiritual life was injected into our spiritual bloodstream, bringing us life. bloodstream, bringing us life. bloodstream, bringing us life. Paul says the exact same thing in 2 Paul says the exact same thing in 2 Paul says the exact same thing in 2 Corinthians 5. Corinthians 5. Corinthians 5. God, he made the one Jesus who did not God, he made the one Jesus who did not God, he made the one Jesus who did not know sin to be sin to be cursed for us know sin to be sin to be cursed for us know sin to be sin to be cursed for us so that in Jesus we might become the so that in Jesus we might become the so that in Jesus we might become the righteousness of God. righteousness of God. righteousness of God. The cursed one becomes our cure. The cursed one becomes our cure. The cursed one becomes our cure. Jesus, he was spiritually cursed that he Jesus, he was spiritually cursed that he Jesus, he was spiritually cursed that he might become your spiritual cure.

might become your spiritual cure. might become your spiritual cure. This is the gospel. This is the good This is the gospel. This is the good This is the gospel. This is the good news of the Christian faith in which news of the Christian faith in which news of the Christian faith in which there is power in what appears to be there is power in what appears to be there is power in what appears to be foolishness. And this is how it speaks to you and I And this is how it speaks to you and I today. You know, for those of us who today. You know, for those of us who today. You know, for those of us who have trusted Jesus, this means that have trusted Jesus, this means that have trusted Jesus, this means that right now in this moment, you can have right now in this moment, you can have right now in this moment, you can have peace. Oh, you can relax. You don't have peace. Oh, you can relax. You don't have peace. Oh, you can relax. You don't have to look over your shoulders. You don't to look over your shoulders. You don't to look over your shoulders. You don't have to tiptoe around God. You don't have to tiptoe around God. You don't have to tiptoe around God. You don't have to wonder and with a little bit of have to wonder and with a little bit of have to wonder and with a little bit of anxiousness, how does God feel about me anxiousness, how does God feel about me anxiousness, how does God feel about me today? Instead, you can simply rest in today? Instead, you can simply rest in today? Instead, you can simply rest in the fullness of his love. This means the fullness of his love. This means the fullness of his love. This means you're already secure in God's love. you're already secure in God's love. you're already secure in God's love. God's love for you has already been puh God's love for you has already been puh God's love for you has already been puh poured out in full. poured out in full. poured out in full. Isn't it true that sometimes when we Isn't it true that sometimes when we Isn't it true that sometimes when we live the Christian life, we can kind of live the Christian life, we can kind of live the Christian life, we can kind of feel uncomfortable because if we're feel uncomfortable because if we're feel uncomfortable because if we're honest, sometimes we we live in a way honest, sometimes we we live in a way honest, sometimes we we live in a way where our lives don't exactly match up where our lives don't exactly match up where our lives don't exactly match up with how we know a follower of Jesus with how we know a follower of Jesus with how we know a follower of Jesus should be living. And sometimes we can should be living. And sometimes we can should be living. And sometimes we can even mess up really bad. We can blow it even mess up really bad. We can blow it even mess up really bad. We can blow it really bad. And there are times when we really bad. And there are times when we really bad. And there are times when we think, "Oh gosh, if Christians, if other think, "Oh gosh, if Christians, if other think, "Oh gosh, if Christians, if other people knew the kind of week that I people knew the kind of week that I people knew the kind of week that I had." I feel that way sometimes. Now, had." I feel that way sometimes. Now, had." I feel that way sometimes. Now, there's nothing wrong with conviction.

there's nothing wrong with conviction. there's nothing wrong with conviction. Yeah. When we mess up, when we disobey, Yeah. When we mess up, when we disobey, Yeah. When we mess up, when we disobey, we should have a healthy conviction. But we should have a healthy conviction. But we should have a healthy conviction. But if we're not careful, we can we can if we're not careful, we can we can if we're not careful, we can we can actually begin to believe the lie that actually begin to believe the lie that actually begin to believe the lie that because I messed up, God must feel because I messed up, God must feel because I messed up, God must feel differently about me. He must feel differently about me. He must feel differently about me. He must feel differently about me. We can start to differently about me. We can start to differently about me. We can start to think, I don't know if I deserve God's think, I don't know if I deserve God's think, I don't know if I deserve God's love right now. I I don't know if I love right now. I I don't know if I love right now. I I don't know if I deserve God's love right now. I have deserve God's love right now. I have deserve God's love right now. I have good news for you. You're right. good news for you. You're right. good news for you. You're right. You don't deserve God's love. None of us You don't deserve God's love. None of us You don't deserve God's love. None of us deserve his love. That's the point. deserve his love. That's the point. deserve his love. That's the point. That's the point of this whole thing. That's the point of this whole thing. That's the point of this whole thing. It's grace. It's that he pours out all It's grace. It's that he pours out all It's grace. It's that he pours out all the wonderful things that we don't the wonderful things that we don't the wonderful things that we don't deserve. You get God's forgiveness. You deserve. You get God's forgiveness. You deserve. You get God's forgiveness. You get God's righteousness. And we don't get God's righteousness. And we don't get God's righteousness. And we don't deserve it. And you already have in full deserve it. And you already have in full deserve it. And you already have in full God's love poured out on you already. God's love poured out on you already. God's love poured out on you already. And by the way, do you know what is the And by the way, do you know what is the And by the way, do you know what is the ultimate proof? What's the ultimate ultimate proof? What's the ultimate ultimate proof? What's the ultimate evidence and sign that his love has evidence and sign that his love has evidence and sign that his love has already been poured out on you? Jesus on already been poured out on you? Jesus on already been poured out on you? Jesus on the cross. The one who is lifted up is the cross. The one who is lifted up is the cross. The one who is lifted up is the ultimate sign and evidence and the ultimate sign and evidence and the ultimate sign and evidence and demonstration that you're good. That you demonstration that you're good. That you demonstration that you're good. That you can relax. That you already fully have can relax. That you already fully have can relax. That you already fully have his love. Okay. You you don't believe his love. Okay. You you don't believe his love. Okay. You you don't believe me? See, you know this passage that we me? See, you know this passage that we me? See, you know this passage that we read earlier where Jesus, he makes the read earlier where Jesus, he makes the read earlier where Jesus, he makes the connection between him being lifted up connection between him being lifted up connection between him being lifted up and the bronze serpent that's lifted up.

and the bronze serpent that's lifted up. and the bronze serpent that's lifted up. Do you know what verse follows next? Do you know what verse follows next? Do you know what verse follows next? It surprises a lot of people. It's the It surprises a lot of people. It's the It surprises a lot of people. It's the most famous passage in all the most famous passage in all the most famous passage in all the scriptures. John 3:16. scriptures. John 3:16. scriptures. John 3:16. For God loved the world in this way. He For God loved the world in this way. He For God loved the world in this way. He gave his one and only son so that gave his one and only son so that gave his one and only son so that everyone who believes in him will not everyone who believes in him will not everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Notice how perish but have eternal life. Notice how perish but have eternal life. Notice how Jesus he makes the connection between Jesus he makes the connection between Jesus he makes the connection between him being raised up on the cross as the him being raised up on the cross as the him being raised up on the cross as the ultimate demonstration of his love for ultimate demonstration of his love for ultimate demonstration of his love for you. You already have his love in full. you. You already have his love in full. you. You already have his love in full. He's already been raised up and lifted He's already been raised up and lifted He's already been raised up and lifted up on the cross. You think a little bit up on the cross. You think a little bit up on the cross. You think a little bit of your failure is going to change the of your failure is going to change the of your failure is going to change the way that he feels about you today? He way that he feels about you today? He way that he feels about you today? He already gave you his son. God already already gave you his son. God already already gave you his son. God already gave you his son. There's nothing left gave you his son. There's nothing left gave you his son. There's nothing left to hold back. There's not a single drop to hold back. There's not a single drop to hold back. There's not a single drop or an ounce of his love that he's or an ounce of his love that he's or an ounce of his love that he's withholding you from today. No, he loves withholding you from today. No, he loves withholding you from today. No, he loves you with his entire being. And so, you you with his entire being. And so, you you with his entire being. And so, you can rest in his love. And you can know can rest in his love. And you can know can rest in his love. And you can know that because Jesus was lifted up on the that because Jesus was lifted up on the that because Jesus was lifted up on the cross.

cross. cross. Now, you might be saying, "I I I I Now, you might be saying, "I I I I Now, you might be saying, "I I I I believe that intellectually, but I I believe that intellectually, but I I believe that intellectually, but I I just I just don't feel it because my my just I just don't feel it because my my just I just don't feel it because my my faith feels so small and my sin feels so faith feels so small and my sin feels so faith feels so small and my sin feels so big." Okay, so let's let's talk it out. big." Okay, so let's let's talk it out. big." Okay, so let's let's talk it out. Let's rubber ducky this thing. Uh let's Let's rubber ducky this thing. Uh let's Let's rubber ducky this thing. Uh let's kind of go back to our story for a kind of go back to our story for a kind of go back to our story for a moment. Don't you think there were all moment. Don't you think there were all moment. Don't you think there were all kinds of people who were saved that day? kinds of people who were saved that day? kinds of people who were saved that day? I Let's use our imagination for a I Let's use our imagination for a I Let's use our imagination for a moment. There was probably someone in moment. There was probably someone in moment. There was probably someone in the wilderness who got bit by the the wilderness who got bit by the the wilderness who got bit by the smallest snake in the wilderness. Like smallest snake in the wilderness. Like smallest snake in the wilderness. Like they had the least amount of poison they had the least amount of poison they had the least amount of poison circulating through their veins. And circulating through their veins. And circulating through their veins. And when they looked at the bronze serpent, when they looked at the bronze serpent, when they looked at the bronze serpent, they may have looked with utter they may have looked with utter they may have looked with utter confidence, full faith. Did they get confidence, full faith. Did they get confidence, full faith. Did they get healed? They did. But now there was healed? They did. But now there was healed? They did. But now there was probably someone else in the camp. Like probably someone else in the camp. Like probably someone else in the camp. Like for this guy, it was he was the for this guy, it was he was the for this guy, it was he was the unluckiest guy in the camp that day. He unluckiest guy in the camp that day. He unluckiest guy in the camp that day. He got bit by the biggest snake in the got bit by the biggest snake in the got bit by the biggest snake in the camp. He got the most amount of poison camp. He got the most amount of poison camp. He got the most amount of poison that like three gallons of poison that like three gallons of poison that like three gallons of poison minimum. And he may have been totally minimum. And he may have been totally minimum. And he may have been totally reluctant. He might have been cynical, reluctant. He might have been cynical, reluctant. He might have been cynical, pessimistic. This is ridiculous. Why pessimistic. This is ridiculous. Why pessimistic. This is ridiculous. Why would anyone look at the bronze serpent?

would anyone look at the bronze serpent? would anyone look at the bronze serpent? But when he reluctantly looked at the But when he reluctantly looked at the But when he reluctantly looked at the snake, was he healed? He was. Was he snake, was he healed? He was. Was he snake, was he healed? He was. Was he healed any less than the person with healed any less than the person with healed any less than the person with small sin but great faith? Not at all. small sin but great faith? Not at all. small sin but great faith? Not at all. They were healed exactly the same. Why? They were healed exactly the same. Why? They were healed exactly the same. Why? Because the power is not on the Because the power is not on the Because the power is not on the intensity of your faith. The power lies intensity of your faith. The power lies intensity of your faith. The power lies in the one who is intensely faithful. in the one who is intensely faithful. in the one who is intensely faithful. The power doesn't lie in the smallalness The power doesn't lie in the smallalness The power doesn't lie in the smallalness of your sin. No, your sin could be huge. of your sin. No, your sin could be huge. of your sin. No, your sin could be huge. But where your sin abounds, God's grace But where your sin abounds, God's grace But where your sin abounds, God's grace and love abounds all the more. Look, and love abounds all the more. Look, and love abounds all the more. Look, he's a really great savior. He's a he's a really great savior. He's a he's a really great savior. He's a really effective and powerful savior. really effective and powerful savior. really effective and powerful savior. You can trust him. You got small faith, You can trust him. You got small faith, You can trust him. You got small faith, you got big sin, run to him. Run to him. you got big sin, run to him. Run to him. you got big sin, run to him. Run to him. Maybe you're exploring the Christian Maybe you're exploring the Christian Maybe you're exploring the Christian faith and you're saying, "Hey, this faith and you're saying, "Hey, this faith and you're saying, "Hey, this almost sounds too good to be true, but almost sounds too good to be true, but almost sounds too good to be true, but like where's my contribution? Like where like where's my contribution? Like where like where's my contribution? Like where this feels really passive right now and this feels really passive right now and this feels really passive right now and all the other faith religions, it's all the other faith religions, it's all the other faith religions, it's about earning and there there's no about earning and there there's no about earning and there there's no earning here. What what do I do? How can earning here. What what do I do? How can earning here. What what do I do? How can I contribute?"

I contribute?" I contribute?" Well, let's go back to the story. Let's Well, let's go back to the story. Let's Well, let's go back to the story. Let's rubber ducky this thing one more time. rubber ducky this thing one more time. rubber ducky this thing one more time. You know, when God told Moses to command You know, when God told Moses to command You know, when God told Moses to command the people to look, was there any other the people to look, was there any other the people to look, was there any other action besides looking? Like, did Moses action besides looking? Like, did Moses action besides looking? Like, did Moses tell the people, "Everyone look at the tell the people, "Everyone look at the tell the people, "Everyone look at the bronze serpent, but before you do that, bronze serpent, but before you do that, bronze serpent, but before you do that, you got to try to suck out as much of you got to try to suck out as much of you got to try to suck out as much of the venom from your bitten area as the venom from your bitten area as the venom from your bitten area as possible. Like, you you got to reach at possible. Like, you you got to reach at possible. Like, you you got to reach at least an 85% quota of sucking out the least an 85% quota of sucking out the least an 85% quota of sucking out the venom before." No, he didn't say that. venom before." No, he didn't say that. venom before." No, he didn't say that. Did Moses say, "Hey, look, but you have Did Moses say, "Hey, look, but you have Did Moses say, "Hey, look, but you have to be as close to the bronze serpent as to be as close to the bronze serpent as to be as close to the bronze serpent as possible. You got to run. If you're far possible. You got to run. If you're far possible. You got to run. If you're far off, run as hard as you can and then off, run as hard as you can and then off, run as hard as you can and then look. Moses did not say that. He simply look. Moses did not say that. He simply look. Moses did not say that. He simply said look, said look, said look, look. look. look. He did not even qualify the quality of He did not even qualify the quality of He did not even qualify the quality of the looking. Moses did not say look the looking. Moses did not say look the looking. Moses did not say look intently. He did not say look and don't intently. He did not say look and don't intently. He did not say look and don't blink for 30 seconds. He simply said blink for 30 seconds. He simply said blink for 30 seconds. He simply said look. look. look. And God simply invites us believe.

And God simply invites us believe. And God simply invites us believe. Believe. Believe. Believe. Believe in the beautiful savior who was Believe in the beautiful savior who was Believe in the beautiful savior who was raised and lifted up on the cross. raised and lifted up on the cross. raised and lifted up on the cross. It's not our behaving that saves us. It's not our behaving that saves us. It's not our behaving that saves us. It's believing, It's believing, It's believing, trusting in Jesus that saves us. In trusting in Jesus that saves us. In trusting in Jesus that saves us. In fact, it's not even 99% fact, it's not even 99% fact, it's not even 99% of your believing with 1% behaving. No, of your believing with 1% behaving. No, of your believing with 1% behaving. No, it it's 100% it it's 100% it it's 100% believing. So, if you're tuning in today believing. So, if you're tuning in today believing. So, if you're tuning in today and you're saying, "That's good news and you're saying, "That's good news and you're saying, "That's good news because I've got nothing. I've got because I've got nothing. I've got because I've got nothing. I've got nothing. I've got 0% behavior." nothing. I've got 0% behavior." nothing. I've got 0% behavior." The good news is that when Jesus was The good news is that when Jesus was The good news is that when Jesus was raised up, he brought 100% of perfection raised up, he brought 100% of perfection raised up, he brought 100% of perfection for you. And if you trust him right now, for you. And if you trust him right now, for you. And if you trust him right now, you have a 100% already of his love in you have a 100% already of his love in you have a 100% already of his love in full. full. full. You are loved You are loved You are loved with a strange, bizarre and unusual with a strange, bizarre and unusual with a strange, bizarre and unusual love. So, let's sing and let's respond.

Hey, I am so glad that you joined us for Hey, I am so glad that you joined us for our service today. And I hope and pray our service today. And I hope and pray our service today. And I hope and pray that God used this message to encourage that God used this message to encourage that God used this message to encourage you right where you are. I'd love if you you right where you are. I'd love if you you right where you are. I'd love if you hit the subscribe button because then hit the subscribe button because then hit the subscribe button because then you could get the next alert for you could get the next alert for you could get the next alert for whenever we have services and when we whenever we have services and when we whenever we have services and when we ever offer content here on YouTube. So ever offer content here on YouTube. So ever offer content here on YouTube. So subscribe and join us for Mariners subscribe and join us for Mariners subscribe and join us for Mariners online.