Slide 2 The Serpent and the Cross Studies in John’s Gospel Chapter 3

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The Serpent and the CrossThe Serpent and the Cross

Studies in John’s GospelStudies in John’s GospelChapter 3Chapter 3

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Numbers 21:4-5Numbers 21:4-5

Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the

land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. The

people spoke against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For

there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.”

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Somewhere along this southern march Israel got impatient, or discouraged

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Their hearts were revealed Their hearts were revealed by their words.by their words.

Sin brought them death!Sin brought them death!An Immediate asking for the An Immediate asking for the

serpents removal. serpents removal. The Lord’s way, however, was…The Lord’s way, however, was…

Look and live!Look and live!

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Why Did Jesus Compare Himself Why Did Jesus Compare Himself to the Serpent being lifted up?to the Serpent being lifted up?

1. Because both were lifted up by God’s authority?

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Jesus’ Death Was Planned…Jesus’ Death Was Planned…

The church/kingdom was and is The church/kingdom was and is not a “substitute”.not a “substitute”.

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Isaiah 53:4-5Isaiah 53:4-5Yet we ourselves esteemed

Him stricken,smitten of God, and

afflicted.But He was pierced through

for our transgressions,He was crushed for our

iniquities;The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by

His scourging we are healed.

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Matthew 16:21-23Matthew 16:21-23From that time Jesus began to show his From that time Jesus began to show his

disciples that he must go to Jerusalem disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and

on the third day be raised. on the third day be raised. 22 22 And Peter took And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, him aside and began to rebuke him, saying,

“Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” happen to you.” 23 23 But he turned and said to But he turned and said to

Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting hindrance to me. For you are not setting

your mind on the things of God, but on the your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”things of man.”

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Romans 8:3Romans 8:3

For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God

did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an

offering for sin, He condemned sin in the

flesh

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2. Because both were the result of rejection

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Their sin did not come from hunger, Their sin did not come from hunger, lack of care, prayers unanswered, lack of care, prayers unanswered, etc. etc.

Numbers 21:7Numbers 21:7So the people came to Moses and said, “We

have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you.

1 Corinthians 10:91 Corinthians 10:9Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them

did, and were destroyed by the serpents.

Our sin is likewise rejection, trying the LordOur sin is likewise rejection, trying the Lord

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Romans 6:23Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the

free gift of God is eternal life in

Christ Jesus our Lord.

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1 Peter 3:18; 2:24-251 Peter 3:18; 2:24-25

Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh,

but made alive in the spirit;

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were

healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the

Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

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Hebrews 9:26Hebrews 9:26

He would have needed to suffer often since the

foundation of the world; but now once at the

consummation of the ages He has been manifested to

put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

His Sacrifice was because of SIN, it deserves our serious

consideration.

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3. Because both demanded submission

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Numbers 21:6Numbers 21:6

The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that

many people of Israel died.

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Both the cross and the serpent only draw “humbled” eyes.

Humility is like a good news filter!

“Many” died, although they were given a choice.

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

John 12:32

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4. Because both offered salvation, healing

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Bitten one Bitten one lived by lived by looking thenlooking then..

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the

world, that he gave his only Son, that

whoever believes in him should not perish

but have eternal life.17 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.

Everyone Everyone might have might have been healed been healed but, many but, many died.died.

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Acts 4:12 And there

is salvation in no one else,

for there is no other name under

heaven given among men by

which we must be saved.”

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5. Because neither removed the trial.

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There are different ways to deal There are different ways to deal with sin.with sin.

1 Cor.6:9-11 - one can be washed1 Cor.6:9-11 - one can be washed 1 Cor.10:13 - one can escape1 Cor.10:13 - one can escape 1 Cor.15:58 - be steadfast1 Cor.15:58 - be steadfast Hebrews 10:36 - show enduranceHebrews 10:36 - show endurance 2 Peter 2:20-22 - return to a worse 2 Peter 2:20-22 - return to a worse

conditioncondition

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Some lived…Many died !Some lived…Many died !

God desires God desires you to you to look and look and live, live, will you will you believe?believe?

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Slide 2 The Serpent and the Cross Studies in John’s Gospel Chapter 3