Introduction: Dr. James Binney, the director of Moorehead Manor and editor of Issues of the Heart Journal, in an article titled, "Can Church Members Go to Hell?" said this:
When I first became a Christian, I assumed that all church going people were automatically qualified for the fast track into heaven. It was a given. After becoming a church member, then a pastor, I had to rethink the issue.
I have encountered many leaders who doubted their faith, others who could not clearly explain how they were saved, and even others who frankly admitted that they had never been saved. Imagine 20 pastors confessing their lost condition in one city! It happened...when George Whitefield preached in Boston. Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. said, "I have spent nearly my entire life in association with ministers. Nobody would tell you that every preacher in America is a saved man." (Dr. Jim Binney, Issues of the Heart, Fall 2000, p. 2).
Dr. Binney believes that many preachers are lost today. These preachers will be left behind when the rapture comes!
But the problem isn't just with preachers. Dr. Binney also believes that many church members are lost. He refers to several well-known church leaders to support his position:
Dr. Rod Bell, president of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship of America, estimates that 50% of church people are without Christ. His estimate concurs with that of Bob Jones, Sr. ...in the 1940's he also fixed the estimate at 50%. Dr. B. R. Lakin estimated that 75% are lost. W. A. Criswell would be surprised to see even 25% of his church members in heaven. Dr. Bob Gray, longtime pastor of the prestigious Trinity Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida, once said that probably 75% of those he baptized were not saved. Billy Graham puts the figure at 85% while A. W. Tozer and Southern Baptist consultant Jim Elliff raise it to 90%. These are shocking figures to be sure, but not surprising...many such lost people find their way into the roles of the church through evangelism methods that are less than thorough...In a country boasting of coast to coast Christianity with thousands of church buildings and millions of members, it is hard to realize the depth of the problem...with 80% of the American public declaring that they are Christians. The reason that so many who think they are saved may actually be lost is traceable to a misunderstanding about the means of salvation. Many religious people are misled into believing they are genuine Christians because of some external criteria. This may be the form of their prayer at the time of salvation. It can also include a dependence upon feelings, going forward at a public meeting, or meeting someone's expectations in any regard about the means of salvation. The Bible warns against dependency upon the wrong things for salvation (Dr. Jim Binney, Issues of the Heart, Fall 2000, p. 4).
The truth is that whether you agree with those who estimate 50% or those who at 90%, it is shocking to think that that our churches are filled with people who think they are going to heaven and are not; that our churches are filled with the saints and the aints! In my opinion this problem of false conversion has been compounded by the seeker sensitive movement that has been popularized by men like Bill Hybels and Rick Warren and the "cheap easy believism" that men like Dr. Leroy Forlines warned about years ago. Listen to a statement made by Bill Hybels just a few short years ago;
"We made a mistake... What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and became Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become self-feeders.
We should have gotten people (and) taught people how to read their Bible between services (and) how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own."
Hybels indicated that the emphasis on programs and meetings did not produce disciples.
Let me go one step further. What if the actual figures of genuine conversion was 40%, what that be acceptable? Or what if it was 25%, would that be acceptable? If you will let me, like Abraham who was trying to find 10 righteous men in Sodom, ask, what if the percentage of unconverted church members was 10%, would you find that acceptable? The answer to all these questions is a resounding no, no, no! What is to be done? Let's look at our text and see if we can learn anything that will help us to understand this phenomenon.
"Dangerous Liaisons"
Exodus 12:37-41
Exodus 12:37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. 40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
I. Their Deliverance
a. The passage
We are told that the children of Israel traveled a day's journey "...from Rameses to Succoth..." A good rate of travel for a group this large would have been about 15 miles. To put our text into perspective, the children of Israel are barely gotten started on their journey when the influence of the "mixed multitude" is evident.
b. The people
We are told that 600,000 Israelites on foot besides women and children left Egypt that night. Many estimates place it at over two million souls who were delivered by God. We are also told that a "mixed multitude" went out with them. Who were these people? Smith's Bible Dictionary says: They were probably the offspring of marriages contracted between the Israelites and the Egyptians; and the term may also include all those who were not of pure Israelite blood. In Exodus and Numbers it probably denoted the miscellaneous hangers-on of the Hebrew camp, whether they were the issue of spurious marriages with Egyptians or were themselves Egyptians, or belonging to other nations.
c. The possessions
Exodus 12:36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.
It should be noted that when Joseph place Israel in the land of Goshen he did so because they were herdsmen and cattlemen which the Egyptians despised and therefore they would be left unmolested by and large. Even though their bondage was a bitter one when they left Egypt that night they left with all their cattle. The land of the Egyptians had been laid waste by the plagues. We are also told that the Israelites plundered the wealth of Egypt when they left.
II. Their Danger
Numbers 11:4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
a. The character
In Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 38. a mixed multitude went with them--literally, "a great rabble" (see also Nu 11:4; De 29:11); slaves, persons in the lowest grades of society, partly natives and partly foreigners, bound close to them as companions in misery, and gladly availing themselves of the opportunity to escape in the crowd.
b. The conduct
Our text says that this mixed multitude fell "...a lusting..." or craving which how it is translated.
Numbers 11:4 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, "Oh that we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. ESV
The problem for the mixed multitude was not little faith but no faith at all. They had no faith to serve as a frame of reference or to put their trials into perspective; no faith in a God who had promised to provide for them and providentially care for them. They operated in the realm of the flesh because they were in a completely natural state spiritually speaking. Paul stated their problem when he wrote: 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
And in Galatians he writes: Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
There are folks in churches all over America who display these behaviors and yet they profess to know Christ.
c. The consequences
The actions and attitudes of the mixed multitude bred discontent among the people of God. Listen to their words; "...And the people of Israel also wept again and said, "Oh that we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic." ESV
This discontent led to the sins of complaining and murmuring against Moses and ultimately against Jehovah himself. The Bible has much to say about these twin sins and they have a devastating effect on individuals and congregations. Even Jesus was not immune to the murmuring of the Jews in His day and He rebuked them for it!
John 6:41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? 43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. It is interesting to note that God sent ten plagues on Egypt and the Israelites murmured ten times against God!
Numbers 14:22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
We could spend the remainder of our time this morning discussing the influence of this mixed multitude on the people of God but I think you get the idea.
III. Their Discipline
The Israelites suffered greatly because of the influence of this mixed multitude and even though it doesn't say so specifically I suspect that this mixed group was a thorn in the flesh of Israel for all of the forty years that they wandered in the wilderness.
a. The provocation
Numbers 14:23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:
Numbers 16:30 But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. 31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: 32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
b. The provision
Jehovah's answer to their complaints is a supernatural display of His power and provision. They cried for meat and He gave it to them in super-abundance. We are told in Numbers 11:31 And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.
First, let's ask a question or two about the quails. Israel had meat. They brought large herds of cattle, sheep and goats out of Egypt when they left. Presumably they saw these as sacrificial animals which is what Moses had told Pharaoh. So why did God provide quail?
Exodus 16:3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
Numbers 11:21 And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. 22 Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? 23 And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.
c. The punishment
Numbers 11:33 And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague. 34 And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted.
Conclusion: To me Israel symbolizes the church as it is delivered out of Egypt and has it wanders in the wilderness on its way to the Promised Land. The mixed multitude has had a tremendous impact, and not for good on the children of Israel. We will never know how much harm has been done to the cause of Christ by unconverted church members. What can we do? I want to suggest some things we can do based on Scripture.
1. Make sure that we are in the faith. The mixed multitude was with Israel but not of Israel.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2. Make sure your faith rests on the facts and not your feelings. Facts are sure but feelings are not! Facts do not change but feelings do and quite frequently.
1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
3. Does your faith pass the "fruit test?" Are you displaying the fruit of a genuine Christian?
Luke 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by his own fruit.
Galatians 5:22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. 23 There is no law against such things as these. GNB
In conclusion: In closing let me share some words from the Lord Himself who speaks about the problem of those who are religious but do not have a relationship with Him;
Matthew 7:21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
