Classic Sermon Outlines
CLASSIC SERMON OUTLINES — Matthew Henry
B. The People of the Judgment.
The fire of the Lord burned among the people whom God favored, but they displeased Him when they sinned and His anger was kindled against them. Though the pillar of cloud and fire was over them to protect them while they kept themselves in the love of God, that should be no-security to them when they rebelled against Him.
C. The Cause of the Judgment.
The people complained and it was that which provoked God to kindle His fire among them. Those who are always complaining about trifles must expect to have something given to them to complain about. Nothing is more displeasing to God than our being displeased at His method of settling matters.
II. THE MEMORIAL OF THE JUDGMENT OF GOD UPON ISRAEL.
A. The Purpose of the Memorial in Relation to Israel.
The fire of the Lord must not be forgotten; he therefore calls the place Taberah—a burning. And if posterity ask, "What burning?" it will be answered, "The burning of a part of the camp of the Israelites with the fire of the Lord for their discontent and murmuring."
B. The Purpose of the Memorial in Relation to Us.
By recording these things in His sacred writings God has more effectually preserved the memorial of them and transmitted it to us.
1. Personal rebukes. We must often call to mind the personal and private rebukes of Providence which we and our families have been under. We should remember what God has spoken not only by His Word, but also by His rod. We should remember them in order to renew our repentance for the sins that produced them.
2. Public judgments. We must call to mind public judgments upon the communities of which we are members; upon the land and nation and God's controversies with them; and upon the city and His voice that has cried to it. For as in the peace thereof we have peace, so in the trouble thereof we have trouble and must feel it.