“Moses … struck the rock”

Numbers 20:7-13 - Moses and Aaron sinned by not treating God as holy. Because of this, they were not allowed to enter the promised land.

Numbers 20:24 - Moses did not “almost:” follow God’s ommand. God called his act rebellion.

Deuteronomy 3:24-29 - Moses pleads with God to allow him to enter the promised land.

Deuteronomy 34:1-6 - God did not relent and let Moses enter the promised land.

Moses was not held to a higher standard. God commands all men to live to His standard. See II Samuel 6:1-7.

What lessons do we learn from Moses in this story?

We can never be so right with God that we cannot fall.

We must always watch ourselves and show humility before God.

Do what God says like God says!

Some believe that Jesus divested Himself of the characteristics and qualities of deity and lived on earth as a man.

One cannot be God without the powers and prerogatives of God.

Some teach that Jesus had both human and divine attributes, but never used any of His divine attributes while on earth.

Jesus, while on earth, was fully God and fully man.

Proof that He was fully man: John 1:14

Proof that He was fully God: John 10:36

Proof that He used His own attributes of deity:

He forgave sins (Mark 2:5

He received worship (Matthew 8:2

He gave the apostles power over unclean spirits and to heal the sick (Mark 6:7

He knew He was the Son of God (John 10:36

He knew what was in man (John 2:25

His miracles proved He was the Son of God - deity

No Holy Spirit empowered apostle could:

Forgive sins. Jesus did.

Walk on water, except Peter for a while by the power of Jesus’ word. Jesus did.

Control the sea. Jesus did.

Say “I give you power over unclean spirits.” Jesus did.

Say “I have power to lay down my life and I have power to take it again.” Jesus did.

Say He was in heaven. Jesus did.

John 20:30-31

Of what did He empty Himself? Philippians 2:7-8

He did not empty Himself of authority and power.

If He did not have the attributes of God He was not fully God.

Colossians 2:9 - These passages being true, how could anyone think He emptied Himself of any divine attribute?

Does “all authority hath been given Me” prove that He did not have authority while He worked on earth?

He did not say this relative to His work on earth, but just before ascending into heaven.

Ephesians 1:20-22

Daniel 7:13-14 teaches the same thing by prophecy.

This is speaking of beginning His reigning as king.

Acts 2:30-36 - And Peter so applied it.

What about passages that say the Father or the Holy Spirit did a work by Jesus?

John 17:20-23 answers this question.

These passages show harmony, not distinctiveness.

Creation illustrates this. The Father created the world by His Son.

Hebrews 1:1-3

John 16:7 - Jesus talks about the Father sending the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name.

Jesus never used His attributes to overcome trials and tribulations.

He used the same avenue that are available to us. Matthew 4:1-10

But when it did not get in the way of His being the servant and example He came to be, He did use His powers to prove that He was whom He claimed to be!

How shall we treat God’s word?

No matter what sin we find in our lives or the live of our loved ones, it must be corrected. The penalty is too great to let sin continue (II Thessalonians 1:7-8.

The parable of the sower teaches us the importance of hearing the word with an honest and good heart (Luke 8:15.

Five key passages:

Romans 7:2-3 - A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If a woman is married to someone she is not bound to, she is an adulteress.

Mark 10:11-12 - The ssame teachin from the man’s perspective.

Luke 16:18 - If you marry someone who is an adulterer, you are an adulterer also.

Matthew 19:9 - If a spouse commits sexual immorality, God allows the innocent spouse to divorce and remarry.

Matthew 5:32.

And now for some questions…

Who has the right to marry?

One who has never been bound (Hebrews 13:4

One who has put away his mate for fornication (Matthew 19:9

One who mate has died

One who is remarrying a spouse he has put away (I Corinthians 7:10-11

Aren’t all marriages considered good by God?

No, adulterous marriages are not.

What should those in unscriptural marriages do?

Stop living as husband and wife. (Mark 6:18 Since it is an adulterous marriage, to continue in it would be sin.

What responsibilities do other Christians have regarding those in adulterous marriages?

I Corinthians 5:9-11 - Teach and encourage ALL people in sinful marriages

What is one wasn’t a Christian when a marriage, divorce, or remarriage took place?

I Corinthians 6:9-11 - People are accountable to God’s laws whether or not they are Christians.

If God’s laws do not apply to non-Christians, why are people told to repent before they are baptized? (Acts 2:38

Doesn’t baptism wash away past sins?

Yes, but you cannot continue in sin!

What about the situation some refer to as “mental divorce”?

This position argues that if he remarries (thus committing adultery), she may remarry because of his sexual immorality.

No. the marriage was already over before he committed adultery so she cannot scripturally put him away (Luke 16:18.

Is it possible for a marriage to survive an affar?

Yes. The guilty spouse must stop the sin, repent, and pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:22.

If we keep the right perspective and do not act selfishly, we will not have a problem with grumbling and complaining like the Israelites did. We must remember and have faith that God will provide for us.

James 5:7-10

Numbers 20:6

Luke 18:9-13 - The tax collector shows humility while the Pharisee shows pride.

II Corinthians 12:7-8 - Paul prays three times that his thorn be removed. When God does not remove the thorn, Paul is content with his state.

When we have a legitimate need, we should ask God in humility.

II Chronicles 33:9 - Manasseh shows humility and God is touched by his prayer even though Manasseh has been a very evil king.

Numbers 20:9-10. Moses sinned in speaking rashly with his lips, not just with his actions in striking the rock.