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Misrepresenting the Lord…
- The death of the sons of Aaron… vs. 1-2
- In all the excitement – the presence of the Lord – the fire coming out from the Lord…
- The two oldest sons of Aaron – Nadab & Abihu – grabbed their golden pans…
- Put some incense in them – and lit them on fire as an ‘offering to the Lord’…
- But it was ‘strange fire’ – not an offering God had commanded the priests to give…
- So fire came out from God and consumed them – and they died before the Lord…
- This seems to be a VERY extreme reaction to us on the part of God…
- But we are given 2 reason why this was such a serious error – with severe repercussions…
- 1st – Misrepresenting the Lord… vs. 3
- The priest were the representation of God to the people…
- So it was incredibly important that obey all laws of God – regard Him as Holy…
- If they did things God did not command them to do – they misrepresented God…
- If the priests were mad at the people – Israel would assume God was mad at them…
- If the priests told Israel to jump on one foot – they would assume it was from God…
- Whatever the priests said or did – was a pattern for Israel to follow after…
- A heavy responsibility – with stern consequences for misrepresenting the Lord…
- Just like the priests – pastors/teachers have the responsibly to represent Jesus to people…
- There are many priests/pastors/leaders who misrepresent the Lord today…
- I was watching a ‘Christian’ TV show a number of years ago…
- The claim was made if you did not send in money to support their program…
- God would hold you responsible for people not hearing the Gospel – going to hell…
- People listening to things like that – who don’t know better – believe it is from God…
- They get the impression God is broke – and needs for us to give to Him…
- * I Timothy 6:5 – “These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they don’t tell the truth. To them religion is just a way to get rich.”
- Like the priests Hophi & Phinehas – I Samuel 2:12-17…
- They would take the best of the meat of the sacrifices (steal) from the people…
- The had affairs with the women who came to worship – I Samuel 2:22
- They were such poor representatives of God – the people hated coming to God!
- I Samuel 2:17 – “Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men despised the offerings of the LORD.”
- When Christian leaders only seek to get from God’s people…
- Liars – dishonest – and immoral – the people watching think that is what God is like…
- Looking at those who are supposed to represent God…
- It is not wonder people are not that interested in getting to know Jesus!
- And God will judge these leaders for their misrepresentation…
- * James 3:1 – “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”
- There are many priests/pastors/leaders who misrepresent the Lord today…
- The priest were the representation of God to the people…
But someone who has a heart wholly sold out for the Lord!
2nd – Strong drink and wine… vs. 8-10
In the immediate aftermath of the death of Nadab & Abihu God gives Moses a command…
Do not drink when you are coming before the Lord – or you will die…
Because the alcohol will impair your judgment – keep you from thinking clearly…
A drunken leader cannot discern between good or bad – right or wrong…
He cannot teach the people about the Law and commands of God…
The suggestion is Nadab & Abihu had been drinking…
Perhaps during the 7-day feast of dedication of the priests – a time of rejoicing…
But their celebrating left them impaired – lacking good judgment…
So they offered a sacrifice not commanded by God – and paid with their lives!
A leader – pastor/teacher – is forbidden to drink at all…
I Timothy 3:3 – “A pastor must be… not given to wine.”
Because the Pastor is an example to the church – so he is not to drink alcohol…
If someone whom was struggling not to drink say their pastor drinking…
It might cause him to be tempted to start drinking again…
Because a drunk pastor is not going to be able to teach the people…
Can you imagine a pastor coming to Sunday service – drunk…
Would his sermon make any sense – would you be willing to listen…
If you had questions about the Bible – would he be able to answer…
The Bible does not say that it is wrong for others to drink alcohol – but… (4 things)
1st – Do not to be drunk…
Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.”
The Bible does say it is wrong to be drunk – to loose self control…
Much better to be filled with the Holy Sprit!
When full of wine you will do things you will regret (and not remember)…
When you are full of the Spirit you will do great things for God that never fade!
2nd – Remember not to stumble other brothers & sisters…
I Corinthians 8:13 – “If what I eat [or drink] is going to make another Christian sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live, for I don’t want to make another Christian stumble.”
We may have the liberty – and self-control – to drink moderately – occasionally…
But that does not mean that everyone else around us does…
If my freedom in Christ causes someone else to sin – then I should not drink…
Don’t use your freedom in Christ – to destroy the faith of someone else!
I knew a brother in the Lord who struggled with alcohol – lost his whole family…
He grew in the Lord – stopped drinking – and stated to get his life back…
One day a ‘brother’ invited him over to play some pool – offered him a beer…
‘We have freedom in Jesus’ – the brother told him – what can one beer hurt…
He ended up falling back into his old lifestyle – walked away from the Lord
One man’s freedom in Christ – can be another man’s undoing…
Be sensitive to each other’s weaknesses – protecting each other from sin!
3rd – Do what the Holy Spirit says…
Can you drink – wrong question – should you drink – right question…
I can drink all I want – I just don’t want to drink…
As with all things – pray and ask the Lord if He wants you drink…
If you can drink with a clean conscience – then no problem…
If the Lord’s convicting you of drinking – ask Him to change your heart…
Ask Him to take away the desire to drink…
Romans 14:23 – “…for whatever is not from faith is sin.”
If you want to stop drinking but just don’t seem to be able to…
Pray – keep asking the Lord to take away the desire…
But also don’t put your self in a place where you will be temped…
e.g. – beer in the refrigerator / hanging out with others who are drinking
4th – Make a wise choice…
You never hear someone say, ‘my life is so much better because I drink.’
In contrast many have said, ‘my life is much better since I stopped drinking.’
* Proverbs 23:29-35 – “Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the [bars], trying out new drinks. Don’t let the sparkle and smooth taste of [alcohol] deceive you. For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like a viper. You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can have another drink?”
How much better to be full of Jesus rather than full of wine!
From the heart… vs. 4-7, 12-20
Aaron and his sons were not allowed to morn… vs. 4-7
The sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel – Mishael & Elzaphan – removed the bodies…
The oil of the Lord was on Aaron and his 2 remaining sons Eleazar & Ithamar…
They couldn’t leave the Tabernacle or take off their priestly clothes…
They were in the middle of the dedication – if they left – they would also die…
But Moses told them all of Israel would weep for Nadab & Abihu in their place…
When others are hurting – going through a tough time – meet them where they are…
I knew a family who lost their child – two pastors came to ‘encourage them’…
The 1st pastor gave them all the ‘right’ verses – but was of no comfort…
The 2nd pastor just wrapped his arms around the parents – and cried with them…
Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
Aaron and his sons could not weep – but Moses and Israel wept for them!
Making the outside look good… vs. 12-18
Moses commanded the priests – to eat the sacrifices offered to the Lord…
This may seem like odd timing to be talking about eating food – 2 men just died…
But Moses was doing his best to be careful – make sure they followed the Law exactly…
The law commanded the priests to eat from the Peace / Grain / and Sin offerings…
So Moses became angry when he found the Sin offering uneaten – it was all burned up…
Likely in the sorrow over the loss of his sons – Aaron and his boys lost their appetite…
The last thing they wanted to do was celebrate and feast before the Lord…
An honest look at the heart… vs. 19-20
Aaron checked Moses – they had obeyed all the commands of God…
And in spite of that – Aaron had watched his two sons die that day…
If they had now gone and eaten the ‘sin offering’ – would God have even accepted it…
An honest response – Aaron was saying his heart was not in it…
If he only obeyed in actions – but not in heart – it would have counted for nothing…
There is a temptation in the Christian walk to want to ‘Look Good’…
To focus on the outward appearance – looking righteous and holy…
But God sees our heart – not just our actions – He knows who we really are…
I Samuel 16:7 – “For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
God is not nearly as interested in us keeping every rule – looking good on the outside…
As He is interested in what is in our heart – desiring to obey and follow the Lord…
The best example is not someone who is perfect in his or her actions…
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