It is not enough to listen to a sermon and walk away saying, “What a marvelous message.”
The true test is when we go away saying, “I will do something about what I heard.”
A good sermon not only stretched the mind, warms the heart, and tans the hide but it also provokes the will to action.
The Dead Sea justly earned its name by constant input without corresponding outflow. In our lives, information without application leads to stagnation.
Before every meeting we should ask ourselves four questions:
Why did I come?
Am I willing to have the Spirit speak to me personally?
Will I obey Him if He does?
In the middle of his sermon a preacher asked his audience the name of the first hymn they had sung. No one could remember. He asked the text of the Scripture that had been read. No one knew. He asked what announcements had been made. No one could remember. The people were playing church.
The wise man is the man who hears the Word and obeys it. The foolish man also hears the Word but does nothing about it. Be ye doers of the Word, not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22
Exodus 16:14-22
The manna as a type. Explain. Webster’s definition is that a type is a person, thing, or even that symbolized or represents another.
Example. Abel’s lamb—Paschal lamb—Antitype-The Lamb of God.
Rodale gives alternate names for the term “type.” Symbol—prefiguration—a foreshadow—an example. See sheet N2.
The lesson we want to get over this morning is that the manna is a type of the “Written Word,” and also the “Living Word.” Eternal, never pass away. Indestructible. The written Word.
The Manna was a supernatural gift from God. So are the Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16. Holy men spake, etc. 2 Peter 1:21. All Scripture is God-breathed.
It was gathered by stooping. Small-Little Book. The Manna was pure—so is the Bible. Gathered daily. Never been changed, burned. Voltaire’s memoirs printing press, 500 men praying.
Russia—Japan. It was precious and scarce at one time. 1 Samuel 3:1. King James.
The Manna was despised by the mixed multitude. The truths of the Bible are not accepted by the world at large.
Written by men in exile—in the desert—in shepherd’s tents—in green pastures—beside still waters.
It was written by poor men, rich men, statesmen, preachers, captains, legislators, judges, exiles.
General McArthur told an American Bible Society visitor: “Never a day goes by, be I ever so tired, but I read the Bible before I go to bed.”
The Bible is unpopular because it teaches: the total depravity of mankind, all men are sinners, all have sinned, Luke 16, after death is judgment, Hell for the Christ rejecter. The Bible shows that man needs a Savior, God has provided One, Jesus Christ (“unto you is born…”), if we believe this and accept Christ as our personal Savior, the Bible says we have eternal life and will share with Christ the glories of heaven forever.
The Manna is a type of the Lord Jesus.
It was given at a time of great need. “Wilderness of Sin.” It came in the night. The Lord came into the world at a time of great need. The 400 years, the various rulers, the Romans, extinction, death stared in the face. Israel’s—the world’s darkest night. Heavens were as brass. A time of great need, At this time, the fullness of time, God sent His Son. Galatians 4:1-5.
The goodness, glory, provision, power of God was linked with the giving of the Manna. First mention of “Glory of God.”
The glory of God was seen at the coming of Christ. The angels sang “Glory to God in the Highest.” First message in 400 years.
The experience of the Shepherds.
The message: “Unto you is born this day a Savior, etc.” John 1:14, “The Word became/was made flesh—we beheld His Glory.” “Visible expression of the invisible God.” Colossians 1:15.
The manna was a gift from God. The Lord also was a gift from God. He was God’s gift to the world. “For God so loved—that He gave…” etc. Child born—a son given. Isaiah 9. He was the gift of gifts—all other gifts in one. Wages of sin—the gift of God. Romans 6:23.
The Manna came down to where the people were. “Sin not in your heart.” Romans 10. The Lord came down to where we were. “Jesus my Savior to Bethlehem came,” etc.
Gospel Hall—coal mines—Boy Wilson—home—prison—P.O.W. camps—hospitals—David and Hilary. David Brainard, the Indian Chief. “Follow me.” Paul Harvey. Surrender Saint—Sinner. James—John—Matthew. Ethiopian Eunuch. Not saved, backslider.
It was sweet to the taste. Angels food, bread from heaven. No one who has sincerely accepted Christ as Savior has ever been disappointed. See sheet number 1.
The Manna was the life-line of Israel for 40 years. Quantity: Two Million People. An omer a day = six pints. See no. 2.
Every day the Israelites gathered twelve million pints, which is nine million pounds, or four thousand five hundred tons each day. One million tons per year. Forty million tons in forty years.
No. 1
Romans 9:33, Romans 10:11, “Whosoever believeth in Him shall not be ashamed.” Disappointed.
Psalm 34:8, O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy is the man who trusts in Him. Psalm I, “O the happiness of the man.”
Psalm 119:103
How sweet are Your words unto my taste. Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.
Song of Songs 2:3
“As the apple tree among the trees of the wood,” etc. I sat down under His shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste. Psalm 10:7-10. Read.
The World. John 1:29-No.2
“Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” Murray McCheyne. Spurgeon.
Angry God. Luke 14:15-24.-No.3
Parable of the great supper. Excuses.
“The master of the house was angry.” None of them that were invited, etc.
The rich fool. Luke 12. The Antediluvians.
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that every imagination of his thoughts was evil continually. God was grieved, and said, “I will destroy man from the face of the earth.”