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<v SPEAKER_00>In today's gospel, we see Jesus say, if you do not believe that I am, you will die in your sins.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's not symbolic.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's not poetic.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's not exaggerated.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That is as direct as it gets.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And the question is, do we believe that?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Or have we created a version of Christianity that's softer, safer, more comfortable?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because Jesus doesn't say, if you don't believe in me, it's fine.

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<v SPEAKER_00>If you don't believe in me, well, you'll figure out later.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And no, he says, you will die in your sins.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now go to the first reading because this is where it begins.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The people are tired, frustrated, impatient, and they start to complain, not just about Moses, but about God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Why have you brought us here?

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<v SPEAKER_00>There's nothing to eat.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We're disgusted.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Sounds familiar.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because this is not ancient history.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is who we are.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is our human condition.

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<v SPEAKER_00>When life gets hard, when things don't go our way, when we can't control the situation, can't control the narrative.

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<v SPEAKER_00>When God doesn't act on our timeline, we complain.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We question.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We turn inward, and then something happens.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Serpents, they bite, people begin to die.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now don't misunderstand this.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God is not being petty.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is not random punishment.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is revelation.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Sin kills, destroys the soul.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's the point.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And here's the problem.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We don't believe that anymore.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We think sin is a mistake, a weakness, a personality trait.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But scripture is clear.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Sin is deadly, not emotionally, not symbolically, spiritually deadly.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So what does God do?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Gives them a remedy.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not complicated, not hidden, a bronze serpent.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Lift it up.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And he says, look at it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And if you look at it, you will live.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Think about that.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The very thing that wounded them becomes the instrument of their healing.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now, if you go to the gospel, Jesus says, When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am.

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<v SPEAKER_00>There it is.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's the key.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He's talking about the cross.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The cross is the bronze serpent.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Lift it up so that anyone who looks at it and believes will live.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Here's the problem people don't want to look.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because to look at the cross is to face the truth.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That sin is real, that sin is serious, that sin has its consequences, and that we need saving.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And that's what Jesus is saying.

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<v SPEAKER_00>If you do not believe that I am, if you do not believe who I am, what I've come to do, what sin actually is, you will die in your sins.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's not common condemnation, it's a diagnosis.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So here's the challenge, and this is where it gets personal.

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<v SPEAKER_00>What are you refusing to look at?

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<v SPEAKER_00>What in your life have you minimized, justified, ignored?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because the Israelites had to do something very simple.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Look.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not explain, not fix, not argue.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Look at the bronze serpent.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We struggle with that.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because looking means being honest, having humility, surrendering.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Some of us are trying to manage our lives without God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Some of us, yes, we believe in God, but not enough to change.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Some of us know exactly what needs to happen.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But Jesus is not vague today.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He's not soft.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He's not trying to impress you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He's not trying to scare you or shame you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He's trying to save you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>If you do not believe that I am, not if you do not believe that I exist, if you do not believe that I am the Son, the Savior, the one who died for you, the one who was lifted up for you, then what happens?

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<v SPEAKER_00>You stay where you are.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And where you are is not neutral.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So here's what you, so here's what you do today.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Very simple, but very, but not easy.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Stop minimizing sin, call it for what it is.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Look at the cross, not casually, intentionally, and then believe enough to change.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not just feel, but real change.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because the cross is not decoration, it's not jewelry, it's not background, it is the answer to everything.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The same Jesus who says, You will die in your sins, is the same Jesus who says, look at me.

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<v SPEAKER_00>If you do, you will live.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So don't walk away, don't avoid, don't delay.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Look, believe, and live in Him.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Amen.