Wandering with Others - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.

Intro: (1) census → interest in numbers/lists (2) chapter overview (2) four descrips of biblical community

Divine Presence (1): (1) God’s covenant name (cf. v.46) → opp’s to reflect on God’s faithfulness (2) God is one who speaks → used over 150 times (3) five ways to hear him → through others, in hard places, when gathered, daily, through remembering (4) God’s with us in our wandering (cf. air traffic controller)

Secure Belonging (2): (1) counting via relationship → clans, houses, names (cf. jury duty) (2) belonging ensured inheritance → app to Christ/church (cf. Gal. 3:26-29), membership (3) societal depersonalizing trend (cf. technology) (4) antidote to loneliness (cf. surgeon general report) → take time to notice people

Added Protection (3): (1) army for defense, conquest (2) fighting follows family → we fight for each other best when we know each other (cf. Remember the Titans) (3) what we fight → spiritual enemy, temptation, priorities of “world” (5) if we don’t fight FOR, we will fight AGAINST (cf. first generation)

Loyal Commitment (4): (1) census helpers → much of Numbers is clarifying roles (3) NT pictures (cf. body, building) (4) arenas → church, home, workplace, missions (5) commitment flows from identity → names in v.5-15 (cf. God our rock, light, salvation, reward, generous giver, Father, one who hears)

Conclusion: (1) importance of three-legged stool (2) app to summer soul care