A Famine Not of Bread

Click here to listen to this sermon. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him’” (John 3:14-17). Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ It is called a caduceus and is the image first responders use in almost every city in America. You will often see it on the side of emergency vehicles, inside elevators, and perhaps on medical jewelry around people’s wrists. It is the snake (or snakes) wrapped around a pole. One thing is certain: when we see this image, we know help is on the way. This ubiquitous symbol tells everyone who sees it that the rescue they need is right where they will be. From the beginning of the wild...

"Moses and the Brazen Serpent" by Luca Giordano Click here to listen to this sermon. [Jesus said:] “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Many parents will tell you that the only thing worse than traveling a long distance with small children is traveling a long distance ten years later when they’re all teenagers. They can tell time now, so it is generally no longer a constant question of “How much longer until we get there?” but complaint after complaint. “Put something good on the radio.” “You’re going too slow.” “I’m bored.” “I’m hungry.” “Why do I have to always sit in the middle?” “It’s too hot!” “It’s too cold!” “I don’t have any bars [any wireless reception] here!” Now, take that picture and multiply it by thousands; then imagine the trip going on for months, years, even decades. ...

Click here to listen to this sermon. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. One of the best known verses in the Bible. But not so many know the sentence that precedes it. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). This short, somewhat obscure reference takes us back to an event in the life of God’s people, the Israelites, as they journeyed in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. Understanding that story will help us better understand who Jesus is and what He has come to do for us. So what happened? Throughout the 40 years of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness God took care of them. He gave them bread from heaven to eat and water to drink. God had graciously provided for their every need, yet they became impatient. And the people spoke against God and Mo...