1. The Bronze Thing One piece of metal Three different uses I. An Instrument To Save Nu.21:4-9

2. Basic facts 1. Rabbis: God, not the snake, saved True: He saves, not bronze, but… this is a false choice “He who turned toward it was saved, not by what he saw, but by thee, the Savior of all”

3. 1. God, not the snake, saved 2. “No first aid book would recommend it” a.Human cure would get credit b.First aid book never produced a miracle or a Savior c.Those who looked, lived 3. “Illogical and foolish” a.“Test of faith” b.1 Co.1

4. Parallel tests of faith Blood on door Ex.12 Blood sacrifice Lv.1-7 Water: leprosy 2 K.5 Water: sight Jn.9 Water: sins Ac.2

5. What would false prophets do? An Israelite is dying of snake bite: 1. “Just believe; you can look later” 2. “A look nullifies God’s grace” 3. “A chariot could run over you” 4. “Hypocrites around the pole” 5. “Snakes are still here; you could be bitten again. Why bother?”

6. I.An Instrument To Save Nu.21:4-9 II. An Idol To Shatter 2 K.18:4

7. Fallen men make idols of nearly anything Lord’s cross, burial cloth = relics Bronze snake on pole: High antiquity Undoubted authenticity Miraculous powers

8. Break it into pieces “Such was the venom of the Israelitish idolatry, that the brazen serpent stung worse than the fiery”  “Piece of brass”  “Piece of brass” degrades the idol; it is worse than worthless “So Hezekiah had it turned from an object of false worship into scrap- metal”

9. “What about baptism?” “Doesn’t this passage illustrate the misuse of baptism (it’s the Lord who saves, not water)”  It refutes R. Catholic doctrine of baptismal regeneration  Does it refute NT teaching?

10. Wrong emphasis on good things Church buildings: Jn.4:24; Hb.10:25  Pride  Maintenance  Emphasis  Misuse  Amulet

11. I.An Instrument To Save Nu.21:4-9 II. An Idol To Shatter 2 K.18:4 III. An Illustration To Symbolize Jn.3:14-16

12. Jesus was “lifted up” Crucifixion, Jn.12:32 Ascension, Ac.2:33  Bronze must go through fire  Jesus went through judgment for us Lk.12:49-50 (51-53) “Fire” Persecution Suffering Cross “Water” Agony Mk.10:38 Cross

13. Nature of saving faith (15): action Blessings of saving faith (Jn.3:16):  Love of God  World  World (Jn.12:32)  Gave only Son  Gave only Son (v.14)  Believe  Believe (Nu.21, Father; Jn.3, Son)  Eternal life

14. Why compare Jesus to deadly snake? (Gn.3; Rv.12) 1. Snake venom killed rebellious Israelites; sin, a rebellious world 2. God provided remedy. 2 Co.11:2 3. Cure resembled disease. Stung by snake; healed by likeness (Ro.5; 8:3) 4. Bronze snake had no venom; Jesus was w/o spot or blemish (1 Pt.1:18-19)

15. 1. Snake venom; sin 2. God provided remedy 3. Cure resembled disease 4. Bronze snake had no venom, Jesus, no sin 5. Remedy is conspicuous (pole, cross) 6. Israelites who looked, lived; sinners look by faith 7. Both are stumbling-blocks to human reason. 1 Co.1:18… 8. Both were effective: “all” who looked… 9. Both were only way to be saved