Crossing the Line With God

Introduction:

Despite the harshness of the law, God dealt with His people Israel with much grace and mercy in their rebellions against Him.

Moses himself had a special place with God

• Meekest man on earth (Numbers 12:3)
• Faithful in all Gods house (Numbers 12:7)
• Spoke to God mouth to mouth (Numbers 12:8)
• Pattern for the Prophet to come (Deuteronomy 18:18)
• Found grace in the sight of the Lord (Exodus 33:17-23)

Yet Moses and Aaron crossed a line with God and was not allowed to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12, Numbers 20:23-24; Deuteronomy 1:37; Deuteronomy 3:23-26; Deuteronomy 4:21-22; Deuteronomy 32:48-52).

The Bible teaches us that we can still cross lines with God (1 John 5:16; 1 Corinthians 11:29-31).

Whatever made God so angry with such a man of God as Moses stands as a warning to us. We should guard our lives and hearts so that we do not cross that line.

1. HE BELIEVED NOT
1. The Privilege of Moses (see notes on Moses above); consider Luke 12:48
2. The Sin of Moses (Numbers 20:12-13)
3. The Sin of Unbelief
1. Blocked entrance into the Promised Land (Hebrews 3:17-19)
2. Will block entrance into heaven (Hebrews 4:1-3; Revelation 21:8; Acts 16:30-31)
3. Will block the working of God in your life (Matthew 13:58; Romans 4:18-21)
2. HE REBELLED AGAINST GODS WORD
1. The Privilege of Moses (Numbers 12:8)
2. The Sin of Moses (Numbers 20:24; Numbers 27:12-14)
3. The Sin of Disobedience
1. A sin worthy of death (Joshua 1:18)
2. The rebellion of Saul (1 Samuel 15:10-11, 17-23)
3. Causing the wrath of God (Colossians 3:5-6)
3. HE SPOKE UNADVISEDLY
1. The Sin of Moses (Psalm 106:32-33)
2. The Importance of our Words (Matthew 12:36)
1. Words spoken in anger (Ephesians 4:26)
2. Words spoken in jest (Ephesians 5:4)
4. HE SANCTIFIED NOT GOD
1. The Sin of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:48-51)
2. The Example of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3)
3. The Example of Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 2:12-17)
4. The Sanctification of the Son (John 10:36)
5. The Discernment of the Lords Body (1 Corinthians 11:29-30)

Nothing Unworthy – “Boleslaus, one of the kings of Poland, carried about with him the picture of his father; and when he was to do any great work, or set upon any design extraordinary, he would look on the picture, and pray that he might do nothing unworthy of such a father’s name. Thus it is that the Scriptures are the picture of God’s will. Before a man engages in any business whatsoever, let him look there, and read what is to be done, what to be omitted.” –from New Cyclopaedia of Prose Illustrations (page 10).

Conclusion: Though we live in an age of Grace and though anyone truly saved will never lose their salvation, we are still able to cross lines with God that bring certain judgment on our lives. If you are in danger of crossing the line, seek Him today. Cry out to God and turn your heart and life to Him with all haste.