Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, March 25, 2001, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including a zipped file of all of my 1999 and 2000 sermon outlines, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

THE SERPENT ON THE POLE

By Michael D. O'Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Numbers 21:1-9

Text: Numbers 21:8

Numbers 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

Introduction: The chapter opens with an account of the Lord's answer to the prayers of His people in giving them a wonderful victory over their enemies, the Canaanites. Right after experiencing the goodness of God, the Israelites began to grumble and complain. The seriousness of the sin of grumbling is seen by the facdt that God punished the people by sending deadly serpents to bite them for their wicked talk.

When Moses prayed for the people, God told him to make a fiery serpent on a pole, stating that everyone could be healed from the snake bites by looking at the serpent. I want us to consider the prophetical significance of the serpent on the pole.

First of all, consider with me:

I. THE ROLE OF THE SERPENT

There is absolutely no indication in either Testament that the Israelites understood the doctrinal or prophetical significance of the serpent. However, the Lord refers to it in the gospel of John:

John 3:14-16 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

A. It represented Satan

Revelation 12:9

B. It represented sin

C. It represented sinners

D. It represented a substitute

Second, think of:

II. THE RAISING OF THE SERPENT

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

John 12:32-33 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

The lifting up of Jesus in John 12:32 is, according to the next verse, a reference to the crucifixion. However, through the crucifixion, the Lord has been lifted up in other ways.

A. Our Lord has been lifted up in the writings of history

B. Our Lord has been lifted up by the work of the Holy Spirit

C. Our Lord has been lifted up by the word of God

D. Our Lord has been lifted up for worship in heaven

Next, consider with me

III. THE REQUIREMENT TOWARD THE SERPENT

Numbers 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

The bitten person, in order to be healed, had to:

A. Listen to the word of the Lord

Romans 10:17
John 5:24

B. Let go of his own ideas

This is repentance.
It is a change of mind from trusting dead works.

C. Look to the serpent in faith

Finally, consider with me

IV. THE RESULT OF THE SERPENT

Numbers 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

A. The power of God was seen

Romans 1:16

B. The pardon of God was secured

C. The purpose of God was satisfied

Jesus satisfied God's demand for justice, for payment for sin, and for a blood atonement when He died on the cross for you and me.

1. I've a message from the Lord, hallelujah!
The message unto you I'll give;
'Tis recorded in His Word, hallelujah!
It is only that you "look and live."

2. I've a message full of love, hallelujah!
A message, O my friend, for you;
'Tis a message from above, halleluja!
Jesus said it and I know 'tis true.

3. Life is offered unto you, hallelujah!
Eteral life thy soul shall have,
If you'll only look to Him, hallelujah!
Look to Jesus who alone can save.

4. I will tell you how I came, hallelujah!
To Jesus when He made me whole:
'Twas believing on His name, hallelujah!
I trusted and He saved my soul.

Chorus:
Look and live, my brother, live!
Look to Jesus now and live;
'Tis recorded in His Word, hallelujah!
It is only that you "look and live"

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