FBCWest

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things God calls us to do. Many people say unforgiveness harms us emotionally or physically, but Scripture shows that refusing to forgive carries an even deeper spiritual consequence. Jesus commands us to forgive others as God has forgiven us in Christ, not merely once, not only when it feels easy, and not only after someone asks. Through the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus shows the seriousness of receiving mercy while refusing to give mercy. From the cross, Jesus prayed for those crucifying Him before they even asked for forgiveness. And through Joseph’s story, we see how God can take what others meant for evil and use it for good. This sermon challenges us not only to forgive one person, but to become forgiving people, reflecting the heart of our Father, who forgave a debt we could never repay. Sermon Notes Ephesians 4:32 Forgive each other as God has forgiven you Matthew 18:21 – 35 How many times are we forgive & what happens if we don’t Matthew 6:12 We are to pray forgive us as we have forgiven. Matthew 6:14 & 15 If you don’t God. Does not forgive you Luke 23:34 Jesus prays for those who are crucifying Him and they have not even asked for forgiveness

As Balak, king of Moab, becomes terrified of Israel, he sends messengers to hire Balaam to curse God’s people. Balaam at first refuses because God tells him not to go and not to curse Israel. But when a more distinguished delegation arrives with the promise of greater honor and greater payment, Balaam asks again and reveals the deeper problem: a heart tempted by profit more than obedience. This sermon explores how the call of money can influence people to do what they should never do, and how Balaam becomes a warning throughout Scripture. Connecting Jude 11, 1 Timothy 6:10, and Matthew 16:26, this message shows that the love of money is not harmless. Money can pull a person away from faith, truth, and obedience to God. The real issue is not earning a living but loving money so much that it competes with God for first place in the heart. This is a warning against compromise, greed, and trying to reopen doors God has already closed. It is also a call to value your soul more than wealth, power, prestige, or temporary gain. What will a person give in exchange for his soul? Balaam’s story reminds us that no amount of money is worth losing eternity. Sermon Notes Numbers 22:1 – 4 Balak, king of Moab became afraid of the sons of Israel Numbers 22:5 & 6 Balak sends messengers to Balaam to curse the sons of Israel Numbers 22:7 Elders of Moab and Midian go to Balaam with money to pay him to curse the sons of Israel Numbers 22:8 Balaam told them to spend the night so that he could find out what God wanted him to do Numbers 22:9 – 12 God and Balaam have a conversation about the men and God tells him not to go and not to curse the sons of Isarael Numbers 22:13 & 14 Ballam tells them he cannot go Numbers 22:15 – 17 Balak sends a bigger and more distinguished group and increases the price Numbers 22:19 & 20 Ballam asks God again about going Jude 11 The error of Balaam - money 1 Timothy 6:10 Love of money is the root of all sorts of evil Matthew 16:26 The value of the soul

God’s people face another crisis: no water, renewed complaints, and rising pressure on Moses. After Miriam dies, the congregation contends with Moses and Aaron, blaming them and accusing them of bringing the people into a “wretched place.” Instead of solving anything, their complaining produces nothing. Moses and Aaron do what God’s people should have done from the beginning: they fall before the Lord and seek His instruction. Sermon Notes Numbers 20:1 Miriam dies and is buried Numbers 20:2 – 5 No water and the people complain Numbers 20:6 Moses seeks God’s instructions Numbers 20:7 – 10 Moses told to take Aaron’s rod and the people, then he is to speak to the rock Numbers 20:11 Moses strikes the rock twice Numbers 20:12 & 13 Moses told because he did not treat the Lord as holy, Moses will not be able to enter the promise land Exodus 17:5 & 6 Moses struck the rock once the first time 1 Corinthians 10:4 That rock was Jesus Matthew 16:13 – 18 Upon this rock 1 Peter 2:4 – 10 Jesus is the cornerstone and we are living stones being built together

Very few people are willing to stand in the gap, and even fewer are willing to do so for people who complain about them, blame them, or even hate them. Aaron step into that very place. After rebellion and judgment, the people continue to grumble against Moses and Aaron. God’s wrath begins, and a plague spreads through the camp. At Moses’ instruction, Aaron takes his censer, runs into the midst of the congregation, and stands between the living and the dead. He risks his own life to make atonement for the very people accusing him. This sermon challenges us to ask: Are we willing to stand in the gap for others? Will we intercede for those who misunderstand or mistreat us? Are we living in gratitude for the One who stood in the gap on the cross for us? The gospel is not about what we have done, it is about what Christ has done. We were dead. He made us alive. And now, as His workmanship, we are called to reflect His heart by standing in the gap for others. Sermon Notes Numbers 16:41 & 42 The people grumbled and blamed Moses and Aaron for yesterday Numbers 16:43 – 45 God tells Moses to get away from the people Numbers 16:46 & 47 Moses tells Aaron to make atonement for the people and he does so Numbers 16:48 Aaron by standing between the living and the dead stooped the plague Numbers 16:49 & 50 The results of the plague Ephesians 2:1 – 10 We were dead, but now alive because of Jesus

Israel makes the same mistake twice. First, they say, “we can’t,” then they say, “we can,” and they are wrong both times. Because the deciding factor was never their ability but weather God was with them. After God’s judgment that the older generation would die in the wilderness, the people mourn and then attempt to take the Promised Land anyway. Moses gives them a clear warning that they will not succeed, because the Lord is not among them. The Ark and Moses remain in the camp, but the people presume they can move forward without God. They go their own way and are defeated exactly as Moses said. Sermon Notes Numbers 14:39 & 40 The people mourn the pronouncement, but attempt to take the promise land anyway Numbers 14:41 – 43 Moses warns the people that they will not succeed without the Lord Numbers 14:44 & 14 They went anyway and lost Psalm 140:6 – 8 God covers you in battle Psalm 144:1 – 8 God is our shield and stronghold Romans 8:28 – 38 Because of God we are overwhelming conquerors

At the moment Israel stood on the edge of the Promised Land, and faced a decision shaped by two conflicting reports. After God delivered them from Egypt, provided for them in the wilderness, and brought them to Canaan’s border, the Lord told Moses to send spies into the land. The spies returned after 40 days confirming exactly what God had promised: the land truly was “flowing with milk and honey.” But then came the divide. The majority report focused on the strength of the people and the fortified cities, and it turned into a bad report fueled by fear. The minority report urged the people to go forward. The real question was not whether the land was good, but whether Israel would trust God. Sermon Notes Numbers 13:1 – 3 The Lord tells Moses to send people to spy out the land and he does so Numbers 13:17 – 20 Moses tells the spies how to go and what to look for Numbers 13:21 – 26 The spies come back after 40 days and confirm that the land is and how God described it – it’s a land flowing with milk and honey Numbers 13:28 & 29 Majority report is that the people in the land are too strong Numbers 13:30 Minority report we can take the land Numbers 13:31 – 33 Majority report a bad report that they are too strong Exodus 14:31 & 14 The Lord will fight for you Ephesians 6:10 – 17 Our struggles are spiritual so arm ourselves spiritually

After generations of slavery, God delivered Israel from Egypt with undeniable power. Yet shortly after gaining freedom, the people began to complain and even longed to return to slavery for the comfort of familiar food. Israel’s complaints about manna are met with a merciful response from God. God delivers His people. • Israel’s willingness to exchange freedom for comfort • How complaining reveals misplaced trust • God’s provision of manna and meat—and the consequences of rejecting it • Moses’ burden and God’s merciful provision of help • The danger of assuming God’s power is limited • The connection between Israel’s wilderness struggle and Christian freedom today • Why believers are warned not to return to a yoke of slavery Sermon Notes Numbers 11:1 The people complain of adversity and the Lord consumed some of them with fire Numbers 11:2 & 3 Moses prayed and the fire stopped Numbers 11:4 – 6 People complained that in Egypt they could eat fish, cucumbers and other things Numbers 11:7 – 9 Manna described and how it was harvested Numbers 11:10 – 15 Moses wants to die because of the people and the burden he is carrying Numbers11:16 & 17 To lift the burden God initiates the Sanhedrin Numbers 11:18 – 20 The Lord says that the people are to consecrate themselves and they will be given meat to eat Numbers11:21 & 22 Moses doubts God’s power Numbers 11:23 The Lord says “Is His power limited?” Numbers 11:24 – 30 God places His Spirit upon the elders Numbers 11:31 –33 The Lord gives them meat, but while they are chewing it the Lord struck them with a plague Galatians 5:1 Christ set us free, do not becomes slaves again