Summary: Spiritual snakes that take the joy and happiness of serving the Lord away from us when we are bitten by them

BITTEN BY A SNAKE--NUMBERE 21:1-9

Introduction: Snakes or Serpents are mentioned at least 53 times in the scriptures. Bitten by a snake-what a horrible way to die. It is uncertain as to why these snakes was called "firey." Perhaps it was because of their colors or perhaps it was because of the burning pain that coursed through the blood stream of the one bitten. Verse 6 describes these snakes as poisionous, deadly snakes. Can you imagine living among these snakes? they were all over the place, in grass, in houses, in beds, in pantry, everywhere. Not being able to sleep or eat for fear of snakes.

I-WHY DID THE SNAKES COME?

1-verse 4-5-discouraged, complaining, grumbling

2-did not appreciate the goodness of God

3-notice verse 6 "bit the people"-many died, others

did not die but knew the pain of being bitten

II-WHY DID THE SNAKES LEAVE?

1-repentence and prayer

2-came to Moses--the very one the complained about

3-read James 3:3-6

4-Moses had every right to say no to them and the

Lord had every right to refuse the prayer--but did

not

III-ALL THE SNAKES ARE NOT DEAD-SOME TODAY ARE BEING

BITTEN BY SOME SNAKE THAT CRAWL AMONG US

1-snake of discouragement

2-snake of criticism

3-snake of gossip

4-snake of pride

5-snake of stingyness

6-snake of unfaithfulness

7-snake of tradition

8-snake of fault-finding

9-snake of modernism

IV-WE NEED TO HAVE A SNAKE KILLING

1-same thing that killed them in Moses day will kill

them in our day

2-repentence and prayer

3-looking to the uplifed Christ