Part 11 (1/2)

One pastor raised his hand and said, ”I'm not suffering at all. My life is just going so perfectly wonderful. Everything is great at my church. Everything is great at home. I'm not suffering in any way. I just...”He couldn't quite formulate a question.

Well, John Piper is a very gracious man. It took him a couple of minutes to get to the bottom line. He basically said, ”Do you know what? Too many Christians, including pastors, are living on wimpy faith. They're not putting themselves in a position to trust G.o.d.” Then Piper got serious. ”Do you want to suffer? Just go share Christ with every person on your street, and press it to the point where he knows that he's going to go straight to h.e.l.l if he steps out of this world without Christ. You'll suffer.

”Just call up all of the apostate pastors in your area who aren't preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he continued. ”Challenge them to get on the biblical program. You'll suffer.

”If you're not suffering in this world,” he concluded, ”it's becaue you're not choosing to walk to places where you have to trust G.o.d.”

I took John's words to heart! They challenged my faith. Now I pa.s.s them on to you. Do you want your faith to grow? Make a decision to ”corner” it-to live it out in the hard challenges of life. I don't mean through presumption or any fleshly putting G.o.d to the test. But allow G.o.d to lead you, then willingly go by faith into situations where you have no way out but with G.o.d. Corner your faith, and it will grow for sure.

You may wonder, ”But during those tough times, can I hang in there?” and ”Can Jesus sustain me in faith?” Remember Jesus' admonis.h.i.+ng words, ”'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL.

Contrary to popular opinion, pastors struggle with faith too. Now I no longer wonder about the reliability of the Bible or the historicity of Jesus Christ, but I do wonder about other matters of faith. I struggle at times to wait for G.o.d to balance the books of justice. I have seen and experienced at least my share of harsh treatment in this world, and it is not in my nature to sit quietly by and wait on G.o.d. When falsely accused, I want to lash out, say what I know, and set the record straight. I am aware of the axiom ”truth and time walk hand in hand,” but I often feel like truth takes too long to make itself heard. The answer? I keep going and commit my reputation to G.o.d.

Moving from ministry issues to family, I find it hard sometimes to trust G.o.d with my children. I become anxious about their futures in this dark world and want to protect them from every evil influence that would seek to capture their minds. And sometimes I get very disappointed with Christians. I don't see how people can live with such a gaping cavern between what they profess to believe and what they actually live. I see too many people harboring bitterness when we are clearly commanded to forgive. I see too many people living for the here and now. But the bottom line is: I see too many people people and need to get and need to get my eyes back on the Lord. my eyes back on the Lord. Like Peter walking toward Christ on the water, the moment that you and I take our eyes off the Lord, we begin to sink. I could tell you in detail how I resolve each of these issues, but the answer for me is always the same: Like Peter walking toward Christ on the water, the moment that you and I take our eyes off the Lord, we begin to sink. I could tell you in detail how I resolve each of these issues, but the answer for me is always the same: faith. faith.

LET'S TALK SOLUTION Here are three questions to ask as you develop faith, the fourth Promised Land att.i.tude: 1. Can you describe the last time you actually and specifically trusted G.o.d about something? Can you describe the last time you actually and specifically trusted G.o.d about something? Have you told anyone about that? If you have not, try to do so this month. Have you told anyone about that? If you have not, try to do so this month.

2. How would you rate yourself in the three keys to growing your faith: (1) focusing on the Word, (2) having a witness, and (3) walking daily in your faith? How would you rate yourself in the three keys to growing your faith: (1) focusing on the Word, (2) having a witness, and (3) walking daily in your faith? In what ways has your life become like a wilderness because you have been choosing doubt and unbelief over the power of trusting G.o.d by faith? In what ways has your life become like a wilderness because you have been choosing doubt and unbelief over the power of trusting G.o.d by faith?

3. Look back at the three steps to faith just above. Look back at the three steps to faith just above. What practical steps could you commit yourself to just now that would grow your faith and all the joy and blessing that comes with it? What practical steps could you commit yourself to just now that would grow your faith and all the joy and blessing that comes with it?

Look Up Father, thank You for giving me Your Word. Thank You for ordaining that the way to You is by faith. Forgive me for wis.h.i.+ng that everything about You could be seen and known as a fact. Forgive me for preferring the ways of this physical world to the spiritual realities that You have chosen to create. Teach me deeper lessons about what it means to walk by faith. Give me spiritual eyes to see this world as You do. Help me to embrace by faith the brevity of life and the nearness of eternity. Give me strength to guide those I love toward faith in You, and help me to be a good example of what it means to really trust You. Lord, my needs are g but You are a great and faithful G.o.d. I pray that You would, by Your Word and through my witness and walk of faith, increase my capacity to rest in and trust You. Might it be said of me before my days are through that I am a man/woman of faith. Keep this goal ever before me, I pray in Jesus' precious name. Amen.

NOTE.

1. 1. Michael P. Green, ed. Ill.u.s.trations for Biblical Preaching Ill.u.s.trations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989), 137. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989), 137.

CHAPTER 9:.

REPLACE A REBELLIOUS ATt.i.tUDE...

NUMBERS 16.

SAY IT IN A SENTENCE: SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:.

Rebellion against proper authority reveals a deeper rejection of G.o.d's authority, which brings devastating consequences to our lives.

Rebellion! What do you picture when you hear the word? Some Fonzie-like tough with the collar up on his black leather jacket and an att.i.tude that will not quit? Maybe you picture a sixteen-year-old standing up to parents and resolutely refusing to do what is asked. Or do you think of people resisting government authority and marching in the streets to demand their rights? What do you picture when you hear the word? Some Fonzie-like tough with the collar up on his black leather jacket and an att.i.tude that will not quit? Maybe you picture a sixteen-year-old standing up to parents and resolutely refusing to do what is asked. Or do you think of people resisting government authority and marching in the streets to demand their rights?

Rebellion has many faces, and all are not equally bad. Certainly the American Revolution had elements of rebellion in it, as did the women's and civil rights movements of the now-past century. But when rebellion is against G.o.d and His ordained authority structure, the consequences can be devastating.

That's rebellion in a nutsh.e.l.l. It's knowing what G.o.d wants me to do and refusing to do it. Like Saul, like Samson, like Jonah . . . wait, like me. We all have rebellion in our hearts. All of us have areas in our lives where we have chosen not to do what we know to be right. All of us know more than we are doing. That is rebellion.

In this chapter, we want to look at the rebellion of the children of Israel, find out where they went wrong, and see if we can avoid a similar peril in our own lives. Let's begin with this thought: Rebellion is serious.

This is no small matter or trifle that we're talking about. Lives are at stake. There is no heart that G.o.d has a harder time dealing with and changing than a rebellious heart. By the time Numbers 16 happened, Moses and Aaron had led the children of Israel-two million of them-on a journey from Egypt to the borders of the Promised Land. Actually it wasn't much of a journey. Did you know that it was only three hundred miles? And did you know that it took them, minus the wandering, only sixteen months, with a year of that time being spent at Mount Sinai camped in one place? Their rebellious att.i.tudes, however, extended a short trip into a lifelong journey-forty years of wandering -that they would never finish.

KORAH GOES CRAZY.

Your Bible probably subt.i.tles Numbers 16, ”Korah's Rebellion.” As with the other events from this section of Scripture, the apostle Paul says that what happened is recorded ”for our instruction” (1 Corinthians 10:11). Let's remember that during the events recorded in Numbers 16, Moses was more than eighty years old. He was a proven leader, though certainly not perfect. We see some of his faults, but he's humble and he has been successful. Clearly, the people's murmuring was often against Moses, but their failure wasn't his fault.

A group of men, led by Korah, got together and began a revolt. They wanted to carry out some kind of mutiny against Moses and Aaron. So they got in Moses' face about what they felt was wrong with his leaders.h.i.+p. In truth, they resented Moses and Aaron because of their prominence as leader and priest to the people. G.o.d's anger at their rebellion was so strong that Moses had to plead with G.o.d not to wipe out everyone because of the rebellion of a few. G.o.d responded, and Moses warned the people to back away from the rebels (verses 2124). Then Moses told the rebels, in effect, ”Do you guys want to be priests? Do you want to be me? Do you think you can do what I do?” He told them to pick up the censers, as a way to claim their new roles. A censer, in case you're wondering, is a pole with a pan on the end, covered by a lid. It was used to carry coals in wors.h.i.+p. The priests would scoop coals out of the fire and then bring them into wors.h.i.+p, where different fragrant herbs and spices would be placed in the censer as a fragrant offering before G.o.d.

Now only the priests were allowed to use censers in wors.h.i.+p. Through Moses, G.o.d told all these wanna-be priests, ”Go get a censer. Do you want to be a priest? Let's do this right now.” G.o.d allowed them to pretend to be priests so He could clearly indicate who was and was not really on His program. Second Timothy 2:19 says, ”The Lord knows those who are His.” ”The Lord knows those who are His.” The bottom line: In the midst of all of this, the ground opened up and swallowed all the rebels. Those with the censers fell alive down into h.e.l.l itself. Then other rebels were burned alive by a fire from G.o.d (see verses 2835). The bottom line: In the midst of all of this, the ground opened up and swallowed all the rebels. Those with the censers fell alive down into h.e.l.l itself. Then other rebels were burned alive by a fire from G.o.d (see verses 2835).

Amazingly, the people who watched all of this actually began to complain against against Moses and Aaron. They blamed their leaders for Korah's rebellion. So G.o.d sent a plague, and eventually more than fifteen thousand people died in the rebellion of Korah (see verses 4150). Moses and Aaron. They blamed their leaders for Korah's rebellion. So G.o.d sent a plague, and eventually more than fifteen thousand people died in the rebellion of Korah (see verses 4150).

That has got to be one of the most tragic stories in all of the Old Testament. These people knew the truth. They had no excuse-yet they chose rebellion, so G.o.d had to choose judgment. In case you didn't catch it: Rebellion is serious. Rebellion is serious. The Bible says that The Bible says that ”rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” ”rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” (1 Samuel 15:23 NKJV). Think about that for a moment: all of the horrific animal sacrifices and cruel, perverse activities that are connected with witchcraft. You say, ”Well, I would (1 Samuel 15:23 NKJV). Think about that for a moment: all of the horrific animal sacrifices and cruel, perverse activities that are connected with witchcraft. You say, ”Well, I would never never do something so sick and idolatrous as witchcraft.” No, I believe that you wouldn't. But G.o.d says that from His perspective, rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft. Rebellion is very serious. do something so sick and idolatrous as witchcraft.” No, I believe that you wouldn't. But G.o.d says that from His perspective, rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft. Rebellion is very serious.

WHO'S IN CHARGE?

Romans 13 tells us that the powers that be are ordained of G.o.d. So what are these powers? What authorities has G.o.d established?

-- Human government.

-- Church leaders.h.i.+p-elders and pastors-and other recognized church leaders.

-- Husbands in the home as leaders of the family.

-- Husbands and wives together as leaders of their children.

-- Our bosses at work and the people who are over us. You may say, ”You don't know where I work.” No, no, listen; that relations.h.i.+p is established by G.o.d for a reason.

-- The whole criminal justice system and the court system, which can be seen as part of human government.

The powers that be are ordained of G.o.d. And to make a choice to rebel against authority that G.o.d Himself has established is a very serious choice.

Now we could talk about different kinds of rebellion. We could talk about knowing what G.o.d wants me to do in His Word and not doing it. But the primary focus of Numbers 16, the wilderness att.i.tude we're trying to put off, is rebellion against people, not rebellion against truth. We're not talking about rebellion against the Word. This whole chapter is about the people that G.o.d has placed in authority in your life and how you handle them. In thinking about them, this is the first principle to remember: Rebellion is serious.

Here's a second truth about rebellion from Scripture: Rebellion exists in every human heart.

Numbers 16 vividly pictures how rebellion exists in every human heart. Take note of verses 12: ”Now Korah the son of Izhar, th son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took action.” ”Now Korah the son of Izhar, th son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took action.” The two names that are really important in there are The two names that are really important in there are Levi Levi and and Reuben, Reuben, founders of two of the twelve tribes in the nation of Israel. Verse 2 says that these descendants founders of two of the twelve tribes in the nation of Israel. Verse 2 says that these descendants ”rose up before Moses, together with some of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the a.s.sembly, men of renown.” ”rose up before Moses, together with some of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the a.s.sembly, men of renown.” Who are these rebels? They're not outcasts. They're not known troublemakers; not the untrained and uneducated, on the fringe of the nation of Israel. These are n.o.ble men of the Israelite society. They're responsible leaders gone bad. Who are these rebels? They're not outcasts. They're not known troublemakers; not the untrained and uneducated, on the fringe of the nation of Israel. These are n.o.ble men of the Israelite society. They're responsible leaders gone bad.

Korah was a descendant of Levi, the tribe that was given the responsibility of tabernacle wors.h.i.+p. Only the Levites could lead wors.h.i.+p, so Korah had a significant place in the tabernacle wors.h.i.+p. In addition to Korah and his Levites, we also meet Dathan and Abiram among the Reubenites who helped lead the rebellion.

With them were two hundred and fifty men from almost every tribe in the nation of Israel. Talk about strange bedfellows! But when the word of the day is rebellion, you would be amazed at the people who will get together.

We've seen this right here in our own church. All of a sudden, ”Who's talking to who? They don't even like each other!” Surprise, surprise; people who would hardly talk to one another and would have nothing to do with each other will come together on the basis of their mutual desire to resist the authority that G.o.d has placed over them. Rebellion does exist in every human heart.

Before we're too hard on the people here in Numbers 16, we need to look at ourselves. Are we guilty of the same att.i.tude? Keep in mind that by rebellion, rebellion, I do not mean ignorance (when I don't know and I need to be taught) nor discouragement (when I know, but I'm discouraged and I'm struggling). No, rebellion is knowing but not doing. Rebellion is not the pain of trying and failing and repenting and trying again. Rebellion is, ”I won't-I know I should-but I won't! You can't make me!” I do not mean ignorance (when I don't know and I need to be taught) nor discouragement (when I know, but I'm discouraged and I'm struggling). No, rebellion is knowing but not doing. Rebellion is not the pain of trying and failing and repenting and trying again. Rebellion is, ”I won't-I know I should-but I won't! You can't make me!”

Are those the thoughts behind your att.i.tude? Remember, rebellion is a lip-out, arms-folded, back-turned att.i.tude. ”Don't look at me like that! Get away from me! I'm going to do what I want to do!” It's a choice. It's a pattern of thinking formed over a long period of time. Those who choose rebellion as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.