The Great Equalizer
Galatians 2
Last week we looked at Galatians 1, wherein the major theme was the Gospel of Christ.
The nature of the gospel was clearly set forth:
ITS MINISTERS ARE CALLED BY GOD ALONE.
ITS PRICE HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL
ITS POWER TO SAVE IS EXCLUSIVE
ITS MESSAGE WAS NOT INFLUENCED BY MAN
ITS CONVERTS ARE CHANGED BY IT
While this major theme continues throughout the letter to the Galatians, Paul also addresses some problematic issues that had risen within the church.
One of those issues was what the Bible calls "respect of persons."
This is the sin of preferring certain types of people above others and even pridefully acknowledging oneself to be better than other people for one reason or another.
This sin of respect of persons was a cancer within the church.
It was brought in by the Devil whose sole desire was to see the church corrupted.
It is out particular privilege and advantage to read the Apostle's letter to the Galatian church and avoid the same powerful temptation to sin in this way.
Let us read the text and see how Paul addresses certain false ideas that lead to respect of persons and lays out powerful truths that, if accepted, will keep a church from falling into this trap.
READ TEXT
PRAY
In Verse 2 we see something extremely important that is often lost in the study of this subject.
Paul showed respect for authority and wisdom in dealing with the elders - that is the spiritual leaders in the church.
One mistake that is often made is the assumption that, since the leadership of the church is no better than I am, I can disrespect them as much as anyone.
The whole point of the lesson here is that we are to defer rather than differ when at all possible, putting self aside and especially respect the authority that God has placed over us.
Paul was an Apostle called of God and charged by God with the preaching of the Gospel, but He did not seek out a public confrontation with the church leadership.
Paul wisely met with the leadership of the church to tell them what God had delivered to him and to let them know how he was going to preach this gospel to the church in Jerusalem.
God blessed that wisdom and discernment in Paul's ministry.
Verse 3,4
In the next few verses we see the first of several truths that Paul points out.
This first one debunks a commonly held belief in Christians throughout church history.
TRADITIONAL RITUAL DOES NOT MAKE ME BETTER THAN SOMEONE ELSE
Titus had not observed a common traditional ritual for the Jewish people and was being blasted by the elite group of traditionalists for being less spiritual because of it.
Paul points out the areas of our life which are within the bounds of liberty and are voluntary standards.
Verse 5,6
The second Truth that Paul lays out attacks the cult of personality.
Some people are more socially apt than others.
It is common among immature Christians to perceive social ability as spiritual prowess.
POPULARITY AND ESTEEM OF MAN DOES NOT MAKE ME BETTER THAN SOMEONE ELSE.
Paul points out that popularity is empty and counted as nothing to God.
While certainly, as Paul himself said, we are to live our lives without offense as much as possible, we need not find our value in the love of others because fame and recognition are fleeting.
The major point Paul is trying to make is for those who were distracted by the cult of popularity.
They were looking at the outside while God was interested on the inside.
Verse 7-9
The third major truth that I see is one that addresses an attitude that rears its ugly head in our fundamentalist movement even today.
NO FIELD TO WHICH I AM CALLED MAKES ME BETTER THAN SOMEONE ELSE.
It was generally accepted that since the Gospel came first to the Jews, the ministry to the Jews was of greater value and importance.
Paul is pointing out that the greatest position you could ever hold on this earth is the position to which God has called you.
We must realize that the field to which God has called us does not make us better than someone else.
Whether you are a missionary, a pastor, a Sunday school teacher or a toilet scrubber - when you are following God's will for your life you are in the highest possible position.
Verse 10
While the previous point allows for targeted ministry, Verse 10 makes a clear exception to the rule.
This truth is almost parenthetical in its layout with the others but important nevertheless.
NOONE IS EXEMPT FROM REACHING OUT TO THE NEEDY.
As I was raised in the ministry, I came to understand that weekly and sometimes daily calls for help from the needy were not to go ignored.
From the first day of ministry in Fort Bragg, Gospel Light Baptist Church has had a purposeful outreach to people in need.
As our resources have increased that ministry has become formalized and even named, but the driving force has always been to show God's love to people so that we might be able to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a fashion consistent with its nature.
Never forget it, when you help the least of these you do it for God.
Now we get into a portion of the chapter that specifically addresses the problem of respect of persons.
Remember that this speaks of esteeming certain people above others.
Verse 11,12
Here we see one Apostle needing to correct another.
Paul is on equal footing with Peter and points out publicly a sin which was committed publicly.
Such is the responsibility of a leader, if a sin of this nature is committed publicly, in that same forum, before any time passes, the spiritual leadership within the group is required to point out the error.
(It is important that we do not see this as permission to publicly rebuke those whom God has placed over us - 1Ti 5:1 ¶ Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; - There is a better way to do that)
In this instance, we see that certain things become clear:
RESPECT OF PERSONS STEMS FROM A FEAR OF MAN AND A LACK OF FEAR OF GOD.
Peter was afraid of what the Jews would think so he changed his behavior.
Had he only feared God, he would have stood firm in his fellowship with the Gentile brothers and sisters.
Verse 13
Verse 13 shows us that when we show respect of persons we lead others astray.
RESPECT OF PERSON IS A CONTAGIOUS DISEASE.
Peter led others to join his "click" of elite Christians, not fellowshipping with the lower class Gentiles.
Verse 14
Here we see one more aspect of this sin:
RESPECT OF PERSONS BREEDS HYPOCRISY IN THE RESPECTOR OF PERSONS
Peter was requiring of the Gentiles something he did not require even of himself.
Such is the nature of this sin.
It makes hypocrites of the best of us.
Verse 15,16
One more truth is revealed before getting to the actual solution to the problem.
MY WORKS DO NOT MAKE ME BETTER THAN SOMEONE ELSE.
Paul points out that if we meet a list of standards or rules for the sake of conforming to said list, it is of no value to us in the way of Justification.
It is our faith that justifies us, not our works, and I can take no personal credit for faith - it is by nature a work of God.
Certainly we should understand that works necessarily follow our faith, but this is a result of the faith by which I am justified.
I may look like, dress like, smell like, and act like a perfect little Christian (and well I should) but that is not what makes me holy before God.
It is the righteousness of His Son that I wear.
Verse 17,18
These two verses are the most complex in the chapter.
Quite simply though, it means that Christ presides over our lives now as the Prime Mover and is the source of all my actions.
I no longer act simply to conform to a list of rules.
I act in response to His moving in me.
The obvious question arises then.
What if I sin?
Paul answers this, It is not that this is Christ sinning in me.
That would be unthinkable.
It is that I have pulled out that old man, the one who only knew the weak letter of the law, and I have placed that dead rotting carcass on the throne of my heart, displacing Jesus for the moment.
In doing this I am a transgressor - I am not supposed to do this.
Verse 19
here we begin to see the solution - I do not live by the rules, I live by the Spirit Who wrote them.
How can I be sure to never be a respecter of persons?
By getting out of the way and letting Him live through me.
Verse 20
Here we see the doctrine of self-death.
We must reckon ourselves as dead, crucified with Christ.
It is not that I no longer live - I live a new man, no, actually, it is Christ Who lives in me.
I then live each moment by faith in Him, whose blood was shed for me in love for me.
The conclusion is in verse 21 - where we are encouraged to not frustrate the good work that God wants to do in our lives by letting self get in the way.
This is why Christ died, so that we might live for Him.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Gospel Of Christ
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
Galatians 1
Today we will be looking into the first chapter of a letter that the Apostle Paul addressed to the churches which were scattered throughout the province of Galatia.
The churches of Galatia were products of the ministry of Paul.
He had been powerfully instrumental in their founding and especially in their encouragement to continue and stay in the Christian faith.
The nature and motivation of this letter is soon revealed, as we will see in our text, and is this:
There had crept into the congregations some false teachers who were adding to the requirements of the Gospel.
These teachers were claiming that certain works were required for salvation.
They were not just encouraging people to change their appearances and their ways as a result of their salvation, but as part of it.
In doing so they were perverting the Gospel of Christ.
This first chapter sets a major theme for the entire letter as Paul reminds them of the nature of the Gospel of Christ and encourages them to reject any additions to it.
READ TEXT
Galatians 1:1 ¶ Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24 And they glorified God in me.
PRAY
Whether you are newly a child of God or have been in His family for some length of time, the teaching on the nature of the Gospel of Christ is always an essential element in our spiritual growth.
We can never get too much of it.
We must constantly immerse ourselves in it.
It is the truth that set us free from the penalty of sin.
It is the truth that does now set us free from the power of sin.
It is this same truth that will someday deliver us from the presence of sin.
If you are here today and you are uncertain about your eternal future or your relationship with God, it is the nature of the Gospel that you must hear above all other truths, for it is what you need to be saved.
Let us dive right into the text and see the nature of the Gospel as Paul so concisely lays it out before us.
The first thing we see about the nature of the Gospel of Christ is regarding Paul's own call to preach it.
It was important to Paul that the people of the churches of Galatia understand that the democratic nature of church government does not translate into a power of the people over the nature of the Gospel.
So, the first element that Paul brings in at the very introduction of the letter is this, regarding the nature of the Gospel:
ITS MINISTERS ARE CALLED BY GOD ALONE.
This was important because many believed that the most popular ministers had the most authority.
Paul's argument is clear: I was appointed to this position by God Himself, and I cannot but deliver the message He has given.
It matters not what the most popular message is or what the people want to hear, because they did not call me to the ministry.
Certainly, as we see the democratic process by which major decisions are made within the church body, it is easy to see how people thought they could influence the message that was preached, but the ministers of the Gospel are called by God alone.
The next aspect of the Gospel of Christ that we see is in verse 4:
ITS PRICE HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL
This was the major problem within the churches of Galatia, and therefore the primary point that Paul brings to bear.
Even today Christians fall into the trap of thinking that their works are helping them gain a place in heaven.
Beloved, every work that is motivated by this thought is a work unrewarded, because it disrespects the price that was paid for our sins and for the deliverance of our souls.
We come to God with nothing to offer and we accept by faith the payment that Jesus made at the great expense of His holy blood.
We must believe that price has been paid in full or we are, in part relying on something else to save us.
That amounts to a perversion of the Gospel and dilutes it to the point of making it powerless to save.
Its price has been paid in full.
Verses 6-9 bring us the next aspect of the Gospel of Christ:
ITS POWER TO SAVE IS EXCLUSIVE
Paul's scolding here reminds us of the fleshly tendencies within us to drift away from fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
It was the Holy Spirit that called us to the gospel, and when we change the nature and the ingredients of the Gospel of Christ we move away from the Holy Spirit.
Paul marvels at how quickly some of the Galatians had done this.
Even in the church today, the trend is similar, to exchange the personal guidance of a personal Holy Spirit for a list of rules separate from God's written word.
Such a substitute often results in a perversion of the Gospel itself, claiming that only those who follow the published list are saved, when in reality it is the publisher of the list that has removed from the Holy Spirit.
Verse 7 discredits all other "gospels" as being powerless to save.
The Gospel is the good news of Christ, and there is no good news in the requirement of my works for salvation.
Paul even warns that reputable people or figures might come preaching a works based gospel - these figures were to be accursed because their gospel is powerless to save.
The Gospel of Christ is exclusive in its power to save.
Verses 10-12 reveals one more point about the Gospel of Christ:
ITS MESSAGE WAS NOT INFLUENCED BY MAN
This reminds us of the salutation in which Paul laid the foundation for his authority to preach the gospel.
Now he is debunking an age old myth, that the gospel came by the creation of man.
The gospel came straight from Heaven with no human influence.
It came with the stamp of God's certification on it and that stamp was inked with the blood of Christ.
Paul is hereby arguing that if the Gospel came from men, he would seeking to please those men from whom it came, but it did not.
It came by personal revelation from Jesus Christ.
The particular problem that Paul is addressing is that the false teachers that had been adding works to the message of the Gospel were claiming that their doctrine had come straight from "headquarters."
They were lying about the approval of the Jerusalem church on the doctrine they were disseminating.
Paul is effectively saying, even if the Jerusalem church were to authorize such heresy, it would not change the Gospel because the Gospel came from God and was not influenced by men.
Paul continues this argument in verses 17-20 and declares that he was able, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to understand the Gospel message.
He did not get the message from church headquarters, but from God Himself.
We must be certain that our relationship with God is with Him not just with a denomination or a church.
The last aspect of the Gospel of Christ that I see Paul emphasizing is in verses 13-24.
ITS CONVERTS ARE CHANGED BY IT
Paul lays out as proof of the power of the Gospel his own changed life.
When in the past he was a persecutor of the church, he was now member of it.
When in the past he was zealously against the faith, he now held it as his only hope for salvation.
This is where works come into the equation.
They are not a means of salvation.
They are a result of it.
Paul's entire demeanor changed because of the power of the Gospel to change a man.
This is a challenge to you and to me.
Have you allowed the Gospel to change you?
Do you talk different, walk different, live different?
Remember, your life and even your person is supposed to be a reflection of the purity and holiness of the Gospel.
This should affect your mannerisms, your appearance, your habits, your goals and your relationships.
I cannot judge whether God has reached down into your heart and changed it, but I should be able to see the difference in your life and your person.
Let us examine our lives to see if there has been a change.
If you are here today with no assurance of your relationship with Christ, let me show you how you can never be uncertain again.
Let me show you the message of the Gospel straight from the pages of Scripture.
Galatians 1
Today we will be looking into the first chapter of a letter that the Apostle Paul addressed to the churches which were scattered throughout the province of Galatia.
The churches of Galatia were products of the ministry of Paul.
He had been powerfully instrumental in their founding and especially in their encouragement to continue and stay in the Christian faith.
The nature and motivation of this letter is soon revealed, as we will see in our text, and is this:
There had crept into the congregations some false teachers who were adding to the requirements of the Gospel.
These teachers were claiming that certain works were required for salvation.
They were not just encouraging people to change their appearances and their ways as a result of their salvation, but as part of it.
In doing so they were perverting the Gospel of Christ.
This first chapter sets a major theme for the entire letter as Paul reminds them of the nature of the Gospel of Christ and encourages them to reject any additions to it.
READ TEXT
Galatians 1:1 ¶ Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24 And they glorified God in me.
PRAY
Whether you are newly a child of God or have been in His family for some length of time, the teaching on the nature of the Gospel of Christ is always an essential element in our spiritual growth.
We can never get too much of it.
We must constantly immerse ourselves in it.
It is the truth that set us free from the penalty of sin.
It is the truth that does now set us free from the power of sin.
It is this same truth that will someday deliver us from the presence of sin.
If you are here today and you are uncertain about your eternal future or your relationship with God, it is the nature of the Gospel that you must hear above all other truths, for it is what you need to be saved.
Let us dive right into the text and see the nature of the Gospel as Paul so concisely lays it out before us.
The first thing we see about the nature of the Gospel of Christ is regarding Paul's own call to preach it.
It was important to Paul that the people of the churches of Galatia understand that the democratic nature of church government does not translate into a power of the people over the nature of the Gospel.
So, the first element that Paul brings in at the very introduction of the letter is this, regarding the nature of the Gospel:
ITS MINISTERS ARE CALLED BY GOD ALONE.
This was important because many believed that the most popular ministers had the most authority.
Paul's argument is clear: I was appointed to this position by God Himself, and I cannot but deliver the message He has given.
It matters not what the most popular message is or what the people want to hear, because they did not call me to the ministry.
Certainly, as we see the democratic process by which major decisions are made within the church body, it is easy to see how people thought they could influence the message that was preached, but the ministers of the Gospel are called by God alone.
The next aspect of the Gospel of Christ that we see is in verse 4:
ITS PRICE HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL
This was the major problem within the churches of Galatia, and therefore the primary point that Paul brings to bear.
Even today Christians fall into the trap of thinking that their works are helping them gain a place in heaven.
Beloved, every work that is motivated by this thought is a work unrewarded, because it disrespects the price that was paid for our sins and for the deliverance of our souls.
We come to God with nothing to offer and we accept by faith the payment that Jesus made at the great expense of His holy blood.
We must believe that price has been paid in full or we are, in part relying on something else to save us.
That amounts to a perversion of the Gospel and dilutes it to the point of making it powerless to save.
Its price has been paid in full.
Verses 6-9 bring us the next aspect of the Gospel of Christ:
ITS POWER TO SAVE IS EXCLUSIVE
Paul's scolding here reminds us of the fleshly tendencies within us to drift away from fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
It was the Holy Spirit that called us to the gospel, and when we change the nature and the ingredients of the Gospel of Christ we move away from the Holy Spirit.
Paul marvels at how quickly some of the Galatians had done this.
Even in the church today, the trend is similar, to exchange the personal guidance of a personal Holy Spirit for a list of rules separate from God's written word.
Such a substitute often results in a perversion of the Gospel itself, claiming that only those who follow the published list are saved, when in reality it is the publisher of the list that has removed from the Holy Spirit.
Verse 7 discredits all other "gospels" as being powerless to save.
The Gospel is the good news of Christ, and there is no good news in the requirement of my works for salvation.
Paul even warns that reputable people or figures might come preaching a works based gospel - these figures were to be accursed because their gospel is powerless to save.
The Gospel of Christ is exclusive in its power to save.
Verses 10-12 reveals one more point about the Gospel of Christ:
ITS MESSAGE WAS NOT INFLUENCED BY MAN
This reminds us of the salutation in which Paul laid the foundation for his authority to preach the gospel.
Now he is debunking an age old myth, that the gospel came by the creation of man.
The gospel came straight from Heaven with no human influence.
It came with the stamp of God's certification on it and that stamp was inked with the blood of Christ.
Paul is hereby arguing that if the Gospel came from men, he would seeking to please those men from whom it came, but it did not.
It came by personal revelation from Jesus Christ.
The particular problem that Paul is addressing is that the false teachers that had been adding works to the message of the Gospel were claiming that their doctrine had come straight from "headquarters."
They were lying about the approval of the Jerusalem church on the doctrine they were disseminating.
Paul is effectively saying, even if the Jerusalem church were to authorize such heresy, it would not change the Gospel because the Gospel came from God and was not influenced by men.
Paul continues this argument in verses 17-20 and declares that he was able, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to understand the Gospel message.
He did not get the message from church headquarters, but from God Himself.
We must be certain that our relationship with God is with Him not just with a denomination or a church.
The last aspect of the Gospel of Christ that I see Paul emphasizing is in verses 13-24.
ITS CONVERTS ARE CHANGED BY IT
Paul lays out as proof of the power of the Gospel his own changed life.
When in the past he was a persecutor of the church, he was now member of it.
When in the past he was zealously against the faith, he now held it as his only hope for salvation.
This is where works come into the equation.
They are not a means of salvation.
They are a result of it.
Paul's entire demeanor changed because of the power of the Gospel to change a man.
This is a challenge to you and to me.
Have you allowed the Gospel to change you?
Do you talk different, walk different, live different?
Remember, your life and even your person is supposed to be a reflection of the purity and holiness of the Gospel.
This should affect your mannerisms, your appearance, your habits, your goals and your relationships.
I cannot judge whether God has reached down into your heart and changed it, but I should be able to see the difference in your life and your person.
Let us examine our lives to see if there has been a change.
If you are here today with no assurance of your relationship with Christ, let me show you how you can never be uncertain again.
Let me show you the message of the Gospel straight from the pages of Scripture.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
For My Name's Sake
FOR MY NAME'S SAKE
Ezekiel 20:1-44
We are continuing today in our series through Ezekiel.
As I have studied chapter 20 for the past several weeks in preparation for this sermon, I have come under the overall impression of great mercy.
I have read many commentators' and preachers' writings on this chapter, and the general consensus is similar but with different emphasis.
One pastor, whose sermons I read regularly, preached from this chapter a sermon entitled "The Road of Rebellion."
I don't disagree with his understanding of the chapter, but I might phrase it a bit differently.
Ezekiel chapter 20 clearly maps out Israel's path from Egypt to Babylon.
It is a road that God's people traveled over a time period of about 900 years, one rebellious step after another, but while Israel's footsteps were characterized by rebellion, the road that they traveled was paved in mercy.
Let us read the first nine verses of the chapter to see the inquiry that spurred the prophecy and then the first of three legs of Israel's rebellious journey down God's road of mercy.
READ VERSE 1-9
Ezekiel 20:1 ¶ And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
2 Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
3 Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
4 Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:
5 ¶ And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;
6 In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
7 Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
8 But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9 But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
PRAY
The first portion of our text to which I want to draw your attention is verses 1-4.
In verse 1-4 and interesting thing happened: The elders, the leadership of Israel, for such is the generic term throughout Scripture for leaders, had come to the prophet Ezekiel to get instruction from the Lord.
This seems like a commendable thing at first, but then we see that God refuses to answer them and even insists He will not listen to their request for guidance.
We can assume a couple of things:
1.) Israel is not asking sincerely for guidance or God would give it. (James said, "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him.")
2.) Israel is not approaching God with Humility or God would not resist them. (God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble)
So we deduce that Israel has come before God's prophet for advice with a predisposition to do what they want instead of what God tells them.
Often this is how people attend church, although I pray not our own.
They have decided what kind of music they like and they have no intention of giving it up, regardless of what the Bible says.
They have their political positions and they have taken them off the table lest God require a change in this area of their lives.
They have their attitude and they approach the sanctuary with a firm grasp on their pride lest God should try to wrench it from their hands.
They make a show of attending church but they do not plan to change when God so instructs them.
This is how Israel's leadership approached Ezekiel and God saw right through their little facade.
God said, "I will not be inquired of by you," then He instructs Ezekiel to give them a history lesson.
God tells Ezekiel in Verse 4 to tell them about their fathers.
This is where we begin to map out Israel's footsteps of rebellion on a road paved with mercy.
The first leg of the journey begins with a Promise from God.
{God Says, "I promised them the Land of Canaan."} Verses 5,6
Along with that promise came a command.
{"I commanded them to forsake Idols."} Verse 7
Then we see Israel's response to the gracious promise and command of God.
[They Rebelled] Verse 8a
They clearly deserved God's unrelenting fury, but...
[They Received Mercy] Verse 9
God's reasoning in granting mercy is given in verse 9 as well, it is that same motivation that has consumed Him since before time began, that He might be glorified.
It is for His Name's Sake that He withheld severest judgment on Israel.
The second leg of the journey begins with Deliverance from Egypt.
{God Says, "I brought them out of Egypt."} Verse 10
Along with that deliverance came some requirements.
{"I gave them a system of laws and worship."} Verses 11,12
Then we see Israel's response to the gracious deliverance and requirements of God.
[They Rebelled] Verse 13a
They clearly deserved God's unrelenting fury, but...
[They Received Mercy] Verse 14
God's reasoning in granting mercy is given in verse 14 as well, it is that same motivation that has consumed Him since before time began, that He might be glorified.
It is for His Name's Sake that He withheld severest judgment on Israel.
The third leg of the journey begins with a Lenient punishment.
{God Says, "I gave them a limited punishment."} Verses 15,16
Along with that limited punishment came a chance for blessing.
{"I gave their children a chance for blessing."} Verse 17-20
Then we see Israel's response to the gracious correction and chance for blessing.
[They Rebelled] Verse 21a
They clearly deserved God's unrelenting fury, but...
[They Received Mercy] Verse 22
God's reasoning in granting mercy is given in verse 22 as well, it is that same motivation that has consumed Him since before time began, that He might be glorified.
It is for His Name's Sake that He withheld severest judgment on Israel.
Ezekiel's history lesson continues with more testimony of Israel depravity and rebellion in the face of God's consistently offered mercy.
God begins His conclusion and an application to the people of Israel in verse 33.
Ezekiel 20:33 ¶ As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:
God is determined to rule over His people.
If you find yourself rebelling against God's gracious requirements in your life, know this: He is determined to be glorified as King and worshipped as God in your life.
Verses 34-37 show that God means business.
Israel has not voluntarily submitted as a nation to Him, so He has decided to gather them together to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Verse 38 shows that God will finally judge the rebels severely, and there will be found no place for them.
The indication is that God will bring them out from the bondage of their situation and give them the opportunity to submit, and if they won't, they will not enjoy the blessings of the promised land.
Beloved, God has released you from the bonds of your sin.
He has freed you from your slavery to substances and ungodly relationships.
Now He is giving you the opportunity to live a victorious Christian life, for such is the symbolism of the land of Canaan for us.
How will you respond?
Will you submit to His every rule, or will you rebel?
The victorious Christian life is not for the rebellious but for the submitted.
Verse 39 amounts to an ultimatum to Israel, and it can easily be applied to our lives as well.
If you will cling to your idols, your idols are all you will have.
I trust your answer to God's ultimatum is, "I will submit."
There can be no other proper answer.
No halfway commitments to God will secure the blessings of a fully surrendered life.
This decision to submit will secure for you an acceptance of your worship - Verse 40
This decision to submit will result in an acceptance of your life and a testimony to the lost - Verse 41
This decision to submit will result in a fulfillment of God's promises of blessing in your life - 42
This decision to submit will result in a deeper distaste for your sin and a greater appreciation of God's mercy - 43,44.
Ezekiel 20:44 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
He has not dealt with us according to our sin.
He has paved our path with mercy.
Let us walk this road of mercy with steps of submission so that His greater purpose might be realized, for He has granted this mercy to us FOR HIS NAME"S SAKE.
Ezekiel 20:1-44
We are continuing today in our series through Ezekiel.
As I have studied chapter 20 for the past several weeks in preparation for this sermon, I have come under the overall impression of great mercy.
I have read many commentators' and preachers' writings on this chapter, and the general consensus is similar but with different emphasis.
One pastor, whose sermons I read regularly, preached from this chapter a sermon entitled "The Road of Rebellion."
I don't disagree with his understanding of the chapter, but I might phrase it a bit differently.
Ezekiel chapter 20 clearly maps out Israel's path from Egypt to Babylon.
It is a road that God's people traveled over a time period of about 900 years, one rebellious step after another, but while Israel's footsteps were characterized by rebellion, the road that they traveled was paved in mercy.
Let us read the first nine verses of the chapter to see the inquiry that spurred the prophecy and then the first of three legs of Israel's rebellious journey down God's road of mercy.
READ VERSE 1-9
Ezekiel 20:1 ¶ And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
2 Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
3 Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
4 Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:
5 ¶ And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;
6 In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
7 Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
8 But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9 But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
PRAY
The first portion of our text to which I want to draw your attention is verses 1-4.
In verse 1-4 and interesting thing happened: The elders, the leadership of Israel, for such is the generic term throughout Scripture for leaders, had come to the prophet Ezekiel to get instruction from the Lord.
This seems like a commendable thing at first, but then we see that God refuses to answer them and even insists He will not listen to their request for guidance.
We can assume a couple of things:
1.) Israel is not asking sincerely for guidance or God would give it. (James said, "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him.")
2.) Israel is not approaching God with Humility or God would not resist them. (God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble)
So we deduce that Israel has come before God's prophet for advice with a predisposition to do what they want instead of what God tells them.
Often this is how people attend church, although I pray not our own.
They have decided what kind of music they like and they have no intention of giving it up, regardless of what the Bible says.
They have their political positions and they have taken them off the table lest God require a change in this area of their lives.
They have their attitude and they approach the sanctuary with a firm grasp on their pride lest God should try to wrench it from their hands.
They make a show of attending church but they do not plan to change when God so instructs them.
This is how Israel's leadership approached Ezekiel and God saw right through their little facade.
God said, "I will not be inquired of by you," then He instructs Ezekiel to give them a history lesson.
God tells Ezekiel in Verse 4 to tell them about their fathers.
This is where we begin to map out Israel's footsteps of rebellion on a road paved with mercy.
The first leg of the journey begins with a Promise from God.
{God Says, "I promised them the Land of Canaan."} Verses 5,6
Along with that promise came a command.
{"I commanded them to forsake Idols."} Verse 7
Then we see Israel's response to the gracious promise and command of God.
[They Rebelled] Verse 8a
They clearly deserved God's unrelenting fury, but...
[They Received Mercy] Verse 9
God's reasoning in granting mercy is given in verse 9 as well, it is that same motivation that has consumed Him since before time began, that He might be glorified.
It is for His Name's Sake that He withheld severest judgment on Israel.
The second leg of the journey begins with Deliverance from Egypt.
{God Says, "I brought them out of Egypt."} Verse 10
Along with that deliverance came some requirements.
{"I gave them a system of laws and worship."} Verses 11,12
Then we see Israel's response to the gracious deliverance and requirements of God.
[They Rebelled] Verse 13a
They clearly deserved God's unrelenting fury, but...
[They Received Mercy] Verse 14
God's reasoning in granting mercy is given in verse 14 as well, it is that same motivation that has consumed Him since before time began, that He might be glorified.
It is for His Name's Sake that He withheld severest judgment on Israel.
The third leg of the journey begins with a Lenient punishment.
{God Says, "I gave them a limited punishment."} Verses 15,16
Along with that limited punishment came a chance for blessing.
{"I gave their children a chance for blessing."} Verse 17-20
Then we see Israel's response to the gracious correction and chance for blessing.
[They Rebelled] Verse 21a
They clearly deserved God's unrelenting fury, but...
[They Received Mercy] Verse 22
God's reasoning in granting mercy is given in verse 22 as well, it is that same motivation that has consumed Him since before time began, that He might be glorified.
It is for His Name's Sake that He withheld severest judgment on Israel.
Ezekiel's history lesson continues with more testimony of Israel depravity and rebellion in the face of God's consistently offered mercy.
God begins His conclusion and an application to the people of Israel in verse 33.
Ezekiel 20:33 ¶ As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:
God is determined to rule over His people.
If you find yourself rebelling against God's gracious requirements in your life, know this: He is determined to be glorified as King and worshipped as God in your life.
Verses 34-37 show that God means business.
Israel has not voluntarily submitted as a nation to Him, so He has decided to gather them together to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Verse 38 shows that God will finally judge the rebels severely, and there will be found no place for them.
The indication is that God will bring them out from the bondage of their situation and give them the opportunity to submit, and if they won't, they will not enjoy the blessings of the promised land.
Beloved, God has released you from the bonds of your sin.
He has freed you from your slavery to substances and ungodly relationships.
Now He is giving you the opportunity to live a victorious Christian life, for such is the symbolism of the land of Canaan for us.
How will you respond?
Will you submit to His every rule, or will you rebel?
The victorious Christian life is not for the rebellious but for the submitted.
Verse 39 amounts to an ultimatum to Israel, and it can easily be applied to our lives as well.
If you will cling to your idols, your idols are all you will have.
I trust your answer to God's ultimatum is, "I will submit."
There can be no other proper answer.
No halfway commitments to God will secure the blessings of a fully surrendered life.
This decision to submit will secure for you an acceptance of your worship - Verse 40
This decision to submit will result in an acceptance of your life and a testimony to the lost - Verse 41
This decision to submit will result in a fulfillment of God's promises of blessing in your life - 42
This decision to submit will result in a deeper distaste for your sin and a greater appreciation of God's mercy - 43,44.
Ezekiel 20:44 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
He has not dealt with us according to our sin.
He has paved our path with mercy.
Let us walk this road of mercy with steps of submission so that His greater purpose might be realized, for He has granted this mercy to us FOR HIS NAME"S SAKE.
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