INTRODUCTION - THE GREATEST MAN OF GOD IN HISTORY DIED BEFORE HIS TIME CAME, BECAUSE OF A FOOLISH SIN

• It is a serious thing that is terrible enough to cause a man's death-take a close look!
• Life is a series of blessings, or curses- we need to know the seriousness of the rules of 1ife
• To find the full meaning of this passage, we need to compare scripture with scripture- to look to the past, present, and future; and to understand prophetic significance-Type

I. THE PAST - MOSES SMOTE THE ROCK AT HOREB - Exo 17:5-7

As Israel journeyed she had to be helped by God,- and was helped one step at a time

A. THE EVENT OF SPEAKING TO THE ROCK CONTAINED A GREAT MESSAGE FROM GOD IN TYPE AND SYMBOL

1. When Israel faced a little testing, the people complained, murmured, ready to kill her leader
2. God's testing is always a preview to a blessing - When asked He gave orders v.6 - solved problem
3. God performed a miracle- let Moses bring forth water- symbol of life-enough for all men

B.  THIS SYMBOL FROM THE O.T. WAS FULFILLED IN THE N.T., IT BECAME THE REALITY OF LIFE ITSELF

1. The world was at its blackest hour- spiritual blackness, Roman captivity, People thirsty-
2. Christ The Rock- I Cor 10:4 -smitten- blood & water came forth-John 19:34 - sufficient for all
3. Jesus Christ offers the water of life- John 4:14 sufficient to quench thirst of the soul!

C.  THERE IS A PERSONAL APPLICATION FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL SOUL TODAY, DRINK OF THIS WATER & LIVE

1. The World is full of confusion, thirsty people, many wanting their own way- murmuring, stones thrown
2. Many false leaders add to confusion- true leadership is mocked-stoned, people are dying!
3. Only Jesus Christ can quench the Thirst of the Soul-John 7:37 -Will you drink of Him?

Moses took action- God gave the water! Now You must take action- & God will give you LIFE

II.  THE PRESENT - MOSES SMOTE ROCK AT KADISH - Num 20:7-13

Our Responsive Reading gave us an account of a terrible mistake, and a horrible curse

A.  THIS EVENT TOO CARRIED A GREAT MESSAGE FROM GOD IN TYPE AND SYMBOL FORM, MUST BE GIVEN RIGHT!

1. Again Israel was without water- you would think that she had learned- but again they murmur
2. God told Moses-"Speak to rock", 8, God had His reasons for the different instructions- believe
3. Moses lost patience-v.10-big WE-& smote! God gave the water anyway-Grace-; but cursed Moses

B.  THE SYMBOL IF CARRIED FORWARD INTO THE NEW TESTAMENT WOULD NOW TEACH FALSE DOCTRINE - A LIE!

1. God wanted to show Christ smitten ONCE-Heb 10:12-14 -Jesus died once- key point of history
2. When man needed a repetition of pardon and forgiveness- he had only to speak 1John 1:9-
3. Jesus also taught this lesson as plainly as he could-foot washing- John 13:6-10 - only feet!

C.  THERE IS A GREAT PERSONAL APPLICATION FOR CHRISTIANS TODAY IN THIS, RETURN & BE REFRESHED!

1. If you are saved, & stumble into sin- you do not need to be saved again- just confess sin!
2. But we need regular refreshing cleansing, -Daily, & in Church in public worship-refresh!
3. Some carnality is easily forgiven-/but spiritual sins -pride can cause great loss in your life

Your daily Thirst can be a source of continual refreshing- or can burst into strife-sin

III.  THE FUTURE - THE DEATH OF A MAN OF GOD - Deut 34:5-7

There were some carnal sins that God seemed to forgive easily, but not spiritual sins!

A.  THE EVENT OF THE DEATH OF MOSES BEFORE HIS TIME CAME, IS ALSO A GREAT LESSON IN TYPE & SYMBOL

1. His strength was not abated v.7, at 120 yrs- but God took him home, quickly, mysteriously
2. No greater Prophet v.10- but you do not store up grace to excuse spiritual sins! -serious
3. It is a serious thing for us- or Moses- to corrupt God's Grace- search Scripture- be sure

B.  THE SYMBOL IN THE N.T. IS EVEN MORE FULLY DEVELOPED, BUT STILL OBEDIENCE IS BY FAITH

1. Salvation is only in Jesus- Acts 4:12, and it is impossible to be saved twice- Heb 6:4-6
2. Thank God for eternal security- John 10:28, and his daily cleansing- John 13:10-we need both
3. God is no less zealous today than he was with Moses- Some today find Joy in Jesus-some miserable

C.  THE PERSONAL APPLICATION IS UP TO YOU, AND YOU CAN DECIDE WHICH GOD WILL GIVE BLESSING? CURSE?

1. The rebellious soul- God will cut off- Prov 29:1 -suddenly! without remedy! know & see it so
2. The foolish Christian will die before his time- Ecc 7:17- Do you know which sin is serious?
3. The faithful Christian is in God's hand- Rom 8:28, & even in death has purpose- 2 Tim 4:6

As long as God is in His heavens- Man will be blessed & cursed according to what he does!

CONCLUSION - WILL YOU SETTLE THE QUESTION OF YOUR ETERNAL SOUL? THEN SEEK THE DAILY REFRESHING NEEDED!

1. Let the smitten Rock give you the water of life- Salvation- Trust in Jesus & be saved.
2. Speak to the Rock when you need additional refreshing- & the communion with Jesus is sweet
3. Little sins- & obedience in small things- might make difference between Joy & Sorrow-

God has his reasons for asking you to be Baptized- Church Member- (Watchcare-students
You never know what He has for you in Titheing- faithful attendance- sacrifice-

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