I’ve tried to do this before, but it didn’t last. I’m trying once again to post my notes from our sermon this morning. I’m not going to do much more than write out the notes I took in my journal (at least for now). I may change my mind on that one.
CH Brown preached at our Prodestant Chapel Service this morning. The title of his sermon was “In a Nutshell” and the passages used were Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14-21.
Recently, the N.Y. Times began putting summeries on the first two pages. They did this because readers said they didn’t have time to read it all and they often overlooked articles they would like to have read.
Nicholas Carr said this decision was affected by internet reading that has changed the way our brains think.
He sees this as a problem that has cost a price.
He also notes that as people view things online, they’ve learned to skim over things rather than read in depth.
Today, that has happened with the scriptures.
We’re in a dangerous place to take what God has to say lightly.
We don’t want to take the time to read the Bible.
There is far mroe depth than just what is represented in John 3:16. A verse we all know and most of us have memorized.
In John 3:14 Jesus referrs to the serpent in the wilderness that was first mentioned in Numbers 21.
What does a snake in the wilderness have to do with John 3:16?
Most people probably do not know and aren’t familiar with the story of the serpent in the wilderness.
When the people of Israel complained against God in the wilderness, he sent firy snakes among them. Those that were bitten by these snakes died. They came to Moses and repented. They asked him to pray to the Lord for them. Moses prayed for the people and God told Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole. Everyone who is bitten when he sees it, shall live. Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. When someone who was bit by the fiery serpent would look upon the bronze serpent, they would live.
It takes time to look up this reference and read in-depth to find out what the snake in the wilderness has to do with John 3:16.
It takes time to read John 3:16 in full context.
It appears in a passage where Jesus is explaining salvation to Nicodemus, who was probably familiar with the story of the bronze serpent. Jesus is compared to the bronze serpent, in that those who believe in him receive eternal life.
We cannot approach God’s scriptures like a Google search. We need to take time to read in depth into God’s word.
Challenge: Don’t just take your Bible in a nutshell, but read and study God’s word.
Jennifer Scruggs says
What a great sermon! I can certainly appreciate the point. I will use this analogy in training my new MOPS leadership this summer!!! SO glad you posted this! 🙂 Have a GREAT week!!! 🙂