ARCC Sermons

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

September 8th

The bible reading today is in Ezekiel 38,39.

Here Ezekial prophesied that there would be a great battle one day between Israel and the nations of the world. And Israel’s God would make sure that Jacob’s children won...big time.

“Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say to Gog, Thus says the Lord God: On that day when my people Israel are dwelling securely...at rest from conflict...You...Gog...and the other nations in the world...will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army. You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. “In the latter days” “I will bring you against my land”, that the nations may know me, when through you, O God, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭38:14-16‬

There was coming a day when God was going to assemble the armies of the nations upon the mountains of Israel. They would come to destroy Israel, but instead, God would destroy them and make it clear to the world that He was God over all forever and that Israel belonged to Him.

The battle would be so huge and so decisive against the unbelieving nations...“That.... those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them, shields and bucklers, bow and arrows, clubs and spears; and they will make fires of them for seven years so that they will not need to take wood out of the field or cut down any out of the forests, for they will make their fires of the weapons of their enemies. They will seize the spoil of those who despoiled them, and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord God.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭39:9-10‬ ‭

Let us listen to Isaiah’s prophesy about this coming battle with the nations...“For behold, the Lord will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire will the Lord enter into judgment with all flesh, and those slain by the Lord shall be many. For I know the works and the thoughts of the nations, and the time is coming to gather “all of them”. And they shall come to Jerusalem and shall see my power and glory, and I will set a sign among them...the sign of the “supernatural deliverance” of God’s “remnant” in Israel...And from “them”, (that remnant of Jewish believers), I will send to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands far away, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory.****And they shall declare my glory among the nations.

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66:15-16, 18-19‬ ‭

Now that would be some kind of introduction to evangelizing the world...except there was coming one better. The miracle of the Messiah. His miracle birth., His miracle-working life., His miracle “finish” to his death, and the prophesied miracle of His resurrection. Jesus’ climax was better and still is.

“I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the Lord. “ And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.

Behold, it is coming and it will be brought about, declares the Lord God. That is the day of which I have spoken.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭39:6-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Ezekiel prophesied that the Lord will make known His Holy Name to the most hard-hearted pagan in the world when He chooses. Sometimes He does it through firey judgment and at other times He uses His mercy and grace.

Ezekiel further prophesied that God would make Himself known in the “midst” of His people.

What a promise from God. We know that God made himself known to the prophet. But here He promises to reveal Himself to the congregation where we live.

No wonder God tells His people “not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together”...that’s where I will meet you.

Ezekiel further prophesied that “God put his foot down...” that the nations would not get away with profaning His Name. The end of all of that was coming....and “He” “will” bring it to pass.

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

September 7th

Our bible reading today is in Ezekiel 35-37.

“The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭37:1‬ ‭ESV‬

Over and over Ezekiel used the phrase, “the hand of the Lord was upon me...” That phrase was distinctive and meaningful in Israel. For example...“And the “hand of the Lord was on Elijah”, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭18:46

The hand of the Lord gave Elijah extraordinary ability. He outran the horse-drawn chariot of King Ahab down Mt Carmel to Jezreel.

“And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you Jehoram nor see you. But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the “hand of the Lord came upon Elisha”. And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭3:14-16‬ ‭

God’s hand giving Elisha patience with the disobedient king of Israel in order to bless the king's men in battle.

“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that “your hand might be with me”, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭4:10‬

So Jabez, a son of the promise in Judah, all the way to the Messiah, understood just how significant it was for the “hand of the Lord” to be upon him. So he asked God for it...and God granted it.

“...and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child John be?” For the “hand of the Lord was with him”.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:66‬ ‭

The hand of the Lord giving baby John, the forerunner of Jesus, a public expectation for God to mightily use him.

So the hand of the Lord came upon Ezekiel and brought him to a valley of war where he would sit in the midst of dry bones...the bones of fallen Israeli soldiers. It would be here, in a huge graveyard, that God would teach Ezekiel himself many faith lessons that he would then in turn teach Judeans in Babylonian captivity.

“And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭37:3-4‬ ‭

Did you hear it...? God addressed Ezekiel as “son of man”. Though opposed by many, Ezekiel was blessed to have a special assignment from God and with God. It would have been easy for the prophet to get puffed up and prideful. So God was reminding him that he was from earth and God was from Heaven.

“Son of man, can these bones live?” “You know Lord.” Ezekiel answered the way we should...in faith that God knows and will do what fulfills his purposes.

“Can these bones live?” Ezekiel knew that in themselves, those dry bones would never live again. He also knew that if it depended upon him, those bones would never live again. No, this was something that only God could pull off. Ezekiel would have to trust God with this seeming impossibility...and so must we friends.

“Prophesy to these bones Ezekiel...tell them to hear the voice of God” Talk about a strange assignment...preaching to dead men’s dry bones.

But Ezekiel obeyed instantly. What makes a servant of God? One pretty obvious thing is his commitment to saying yes to God, even before he hears the assignment.

O Lord may your hand be upon us for that kind of commitment to serving You and your purposes, especially when the assignment is out of our comfort zone.

“So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them.

But there was no breath in them. Then God said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”

So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭37:7-10‬ ‭

The picture? Why the Congregation of Israel of course. Exiled with no hope...a deadness in their hearts and minds that they cant resurrect.

But God can, and will. Just like these dry bones, you can live again with Him breathing into you His wind His life.

Awesome

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

September 6th

The bible reading today is in Ezekiel chapters 32-34.

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What a glorious promise. Christ’s elect go here and there in the shadows of their stubbornness and ignorance. They fall into the bog of sinning...who knows where. And God promises to find them and help them out.

There is no jungle too thick, there is no swamp too dangerous, there is no mountain too high, and there is no land too far away for Christ to find us and save us from our own bad decisions and poor judgments.

Oh friends in the faith, this promise that God gave to His people in exile is His promise to all of His chosen ones who believe Him. How powerful is the promise that our Savior keeps on saving us all the way to heaven. How sweet it is to the soul of the sheep who knows that his own wandering ways will be overcome by the faithful Christ Himself.

Now to chapter 34:13,15

“And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34:13, 15‬

What beautiful imagery of peace. No longer alone, no longer away from the Savior. Instead peace of mind and peace of soul for those sheep who belong to the Good Shepherd. A picture of relaxation and rest from fear and worry...” because my God came after me”...a picture of divine fullness. A work of the Spirit which brings perfect contentment and sweet satisfaction to the heart of God’s kids back in the fold on the beautiful and majestic mountains of Judea. Above the quiet waters and the fruit of the vine below...all of which comes from the Lord of salvation.

Reminds me of Jesus’ promise to his disciples...“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Back to today’s reading...“I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34:16‬ ‭

Remember the prophet, Jonah? He was a chosen one who lost his way and God went after him. In the midst of a storm with dangerous winds and waves. Jonah was thrown overboard to die in the sea, and God sent a whale to swallow him alive and carry him to shore and back into God’s service.

God promised to bring back the strayed of Judah...just like He did with Jonah.

God promised to bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. What a marvelous promise.

Did you hear it? God’s blessing came upon the injured heart and body. His blessing came upon the weak.

O friends, it is a sweet thing then to be among the injured and the weak. It’s ok to be one of the needy ones in the flock. God’s promises seem to run that way...

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

September 5th

The bible reading today is in Ezekiel chapters 28-31.

Our text and the power of the Holy Spirit reveals to us the scope of God’s Word, to prophet...to Israel, to prophet...to foreign nations, to prophet...to cities, to prophet...to foreign country’s kings and princes.

Early on in my faith walk with Jesus, I learned that God speaks to His church. So being in Christ and in His church, I knew that I could expect the Lord to speak to me in and through His words, the Bible.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭

I put these verses to memory and I have quoted them to myself and my family and my church family many, many times. So why wouldn't I want to read and study the Bible? It is the very words of God to my life and to those that I love. Then as I began to grow in my love relationship with Christ and His Word, the Bible, I learned that God’s words came to Israel in a special way too.

Let‘s listen to Paul...“For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh...the Israelites...For to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭9:3-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As we have read in our Old Testaments, we have listened to God speak to His chosen people...from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob, and the sons and daughters of Jacob...who became the nation of Israel...the promised land children...the patriarchs of the Faith and the faithful.

God spoke his words to His people uniquely. For instance....through a blood path ceremony involving Abraham, in Genesis....through a burning bush in Midian, involving Moses, and through a Warrior Commander from Heaven, involving Joshua at the battle of Jericho.

Yes, God speaks to His church of believers. From the day of her birth at Pentecost after the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. All the way to today and beyond.

But He also spoke to those who believed in Israel before the Messiah came. It would be through them that the Messiah would come into the world to save sinners...Jews and Gentiles.

Now today we hear God speak through the prophet to Rulers, Kings, and Pharaohs. Men who not only led their nations against Israel but also elevated themselves to the place of Gods.

Let’s listen to what our Savior God said to the King of Tyre...modern day Lebanon, east of the Jordan River.

“Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord God: “...your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas, yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god—you think you are indeed wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you; by your wisdom and your understanding, you have made wealth for yourself, and have gathered gold and silver into your treasuries. But you are not god...Pretty bold words to a king who lives like he’s God...

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭28:2-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

O fellow followers of Jesus, let us say it often...” we are not gods...we are disciples of the only God...and His name is Jesus” the warrior savior king commander who came as a suffering servant to die on a cross to save us from the penalty of our sins. We follow Him...He’s the Way the Truth and the Life ...Forevermore!

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

September 4th

The bible reading today is in Ezekiel 24-27.

Some of the reading is about God’s judgment upon Judah and Israel. Most of the reading concerns God’s judgment upon several foreign nations that applauded the destruction that Babylon brought upon Judah.

Now to the text...“The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke;

God was telling Ezekiel that his wife (the delight of his life) was about to die. It’s one thing for God to tell Ezekiel that someone else's wife was going to die back in Jerusalem in the months to come. It must have been a far harder message to receive about his “own wife” who was going to die tomorrow night.

Warren Wiersbe observed that a least in some way the wife of a prophet was attached to his mission and message.

Sarah trusted God even when her husband, Abraham, struggled with faith. Abraham would be called, later in life, the Father of the faithful...and I'll bet that he gave credit for that tribute to his wife.

Ezekiel’s wife made the trek to Babylon with her husband. I would venture to say that Ezekiel loved his wife very much as they did life together in Babylon. Why do I think that? Because God was going to use their relationship in life and death to foreshadow a hard prophetic truth.

“Your wife is going to die tomorrow...” “yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down.

Moses forbade his brother, Aaron, to mourn over the death of his two sons. It was indeed a unique situation. Otherwise, weeping and mourning was a common and accepted practice among God’s children.

Same in the day of Ezekiel. When God commanded the prophet not to weep, not to shed tears over the death of his wife, it was a unique situation. God had a message for his people. And Ezekiel and his wife’s death and funeral would be the visual aid.

“Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Ezekiel was not forbidden to be sorrowful. Even Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus, but the prophet would not be allowed to be overly demonstrative and manifest any loud wailing as was customary.

“Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet;” Go to the funeral like you would be going to work...working with Me and for Me and My people. Do not cover your lips, because I have a message I want you to deliver to My children...“And on the next morning, I did as I was commanded. “

O friends, see how obedience must be yielded by us to our Savior God? Especially when the duties are difficult?

And the people said to Ezekiel...“Will you not tell us what these things mean for us, that you are acting so strangely?”

So Ezekiel spoke “Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the yearning of your soul, and your sons and your daughters whom you left behind shall fall by the sword.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭24:15-19, 21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Ezekiel had a proper affection and confidence and satisfaction in his wife. But Judeans, those in exile and those left in Jerusalem, had a very improper relationship with the Temple.

And because the people loved the Temple’s presence and promise more than the God who dwelled with them. Because the Temple had become the pride, delight, and the soul desire of the people, rather than God Himself...God was going to destroy it suddenly and completely. And you won't have tears to mourn.

O Lord protect us from placing our confidence and our love and our satisfaction in things other than You.

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

September 3rd

The Bible reading today is in Ezekiel chapters 22,23.

“And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “And you, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Then declare to her all her abominations.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭22:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Ezekiel seems to have borrowed the phrase, “bloody city” from the prophet Nahum. Years before now, Nahum declared that Nineveh, the capital of the pagan nation of Assyria, was the city called bloody. Yes, God was calling Jerusalem bloody, like evil Nineveh. Not a good testimony to be sure.

That causes me to remember Matthew 5:16 where Jesus taught his disciples that the testimony of their lives mattered much.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Judah and Jerusalem had spouted words that associated them with their covenant God. But their actions were not consistent with the ways and will of their God. Instead of glorifying God with their everyday lives, they profaned the Name of their God with their daily deeds.

Lord, help us as Your covenant kids, Your chosen disciples, to practice what we preach...so that our lives will be an earthly reflection of You, Jesus.

God told Ezekiel to speak the sins of Israel...out loud...in public...there in Babylon. Oh, friends, that must have been embarrassing, convicting, and condemning. But remember, God’s Spirit had been dealing with these promised land people for generations. And still, their stubborn hearts were unmoved.

It was after then that God spoke publicly of them and to them, in order to bring them back to Him.

Some have asked, “Where did Jesus get His Matthew 18 formula for dealing with unrepentant disciples? Or in other words, “Where did we get church discipline from?”

From the same wisdom and love that God displayed toward Judah and Israel through the prophet Ezekiel.

For chapters in our reading, we have heard declared the sins of the Babylonian exiles in very plain and sometimes blushing language. Why? Because God’s Spirit would not only privately “wooo” the hearts of Judah but would also “wound” the heart of his wayward kids in order to get their attention and turn them back toward Him.

At this point in the history of Israel, Jerusalem is no longer the “beautiful city”. No longer the “holy city”. Jerusalem is the “bloody city”, for her many crimes against the sanctity of life...especially the lives of God’s prophets.

Remember Stephen, who preached Jesus in Jerusalem after the death and resurrection of Christ, and was stoned by the religious leaders in the city of David. Listen to him with me...“Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute, O Jerusalem? You, like your fathers, have killed those who announced the coming of the Righteous One...(like John the Baptizer)...you have even murdered the Messiah...

Now that was direct, wasn't it...? “Courage in truth and love”...even if it cost him his life.

‭‭Acts‬ ‭7:52‬ ‭

Two more things that especially caught my attention...“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me; (unusable to Me)...Now all of them are bronze and tin and iron and lead (they are all valuable to Me) So....I've put them in the furnace...(where I might purify them and make them fit for My use again)...For sadly, they are dross (silver filled with impurities...”)

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭22:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Oh Lord, we want to be made fit for the Master’s use again...even if that means trial by fire...so be it...for You will be the 4th man in the fire with us.

And finally...one of the saddest verses in the Bible...

“And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭22:30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God looked for a man for a particular life saving assignment...an intervention...an intercession...And “He found none”.

Even Ezekiel couldn't claim to be that man...(though I would say that he and Jeremiah could certainly be that man.) So what would be the answer? The Messiah...Jesus...He would be that man to save us...even if it cost him his life...Thank You Jesus!

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

September 2nd

The Bible reading today is in Ezekiel chapters 20,21.

“In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord and sat before me. And the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God, Is it to inquire of me that you come? As I live, declares the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭20:1-3‬ ‭

It has been two years since God sent His rebellious people into Babylonian captivity. Some of the elders, who had previously mocked the prophet’s preaching, sought Ezekiel out. They wanted to get the prophet’s help.

“They had some questions for God”. So before Ezekiel could even excuse himself to some quiet place to intercede for them, God spoke to the prophet.

“As I live, I will not be inquired of by these men.” Wow, that is harsh. What about the Father figure with arms wide open? What about the nursing mother figure with all the patience in the world for her baby? What about the Shepherd figure cradling the little lamb in His arms.

Well, the apostle Peter spoke to this very matter. “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to your elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

These angry, arrogant leaders in Israel, whose world was turned upside down by the righteous judgment of God upon them, were demanding a meeting with God, to give Him a piece of their minds.

They were not broken over their sin. They were mad about their circumstances, blaming God for them. They were not humbled or respectful in the company of God’s man. And that attitude said that they were not yet impressed with God’s presence and power. They would manipulate God like they did those under their charge.

And God would have none of their prideful demands. “Tell them that I will not give them an audience as long as I live...” Now that’s a serious dis! Indeed a word to the wise!

Is there any good news here. If God was so stern with Israel’s spiritual leaders, what hope do I have? The prophet answered that question by reminding the exiles of their storied past...”It’s not about you...it’s about God!”

“But they rebelled against me and were not willing to listen to me. None of them cast away the detestable things their eyes feasted on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. “Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

“But I acted for the sake of my name”, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭20:8-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God showed grace and Mercy in Egypt. He would show the same in Babylon. For His name’s sake...not for Israel’s track record.

There’s the good news.

You and I, fellow follower of Christ, we will always have good news to shore us up, no matter what comes our way...even when our worlds are turned upside down.

Jesus went to the cross “for us”. That’s true. He was our substitutionary sacrifice that paid for our sins and our home in heaven. But let us not forget, Jesus did what he did, not because we deserved it or earned it someway. Jesus saved us for His Name’s sake...for His glory!

Awesome...

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

September 1st

The bible reading today is in Ezekiel 18,19.

“What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, declares the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭18:2-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

An ancient proverb, not from God, but from another outside of Him, had been adopted by the Israelites for generations. The proverb was a complaint against God. The proverb was also an accusation that God’s judgments were unjust.

By saying the proverb, the speaker was proclaiming something about God that was not true. He was saying that God held the sons and daughters responsible for the sins of their fathers and mothers. The speaker of the proverb was saying that God is unfair in the judgment of His people.

“The father eats the unripe, forbidden, sour grapes...and “should” have been punished with a sour taste...but instead it is the son whose teeth are set on edge by the acidic juices.”

So how did that happen exactly? The truth?,,, The sons ate the same unripe, forbidden fruit. The sour taste came from their own sinning...not their dad’s.

Therefore, God’s judgment “is just”...“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭18:20‬ ‭

So don't speak that proverb any more, anywhere my children.

The people spouting the ancient proverb were trying to justify their own attempts at “escaping responsibility” for their actions.It happens everwhere to this day. Blame someone else for the consequences of our own sinning...not good...not God.

Next in the text today...“Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭18:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God was reminding his embittered, unrepentant people that their lives, their very souls belonged to Him.

In fact, He told them that “all souls” were His...those apart of His Kingdom and those who were not.

That would remind His people that He was sovereignly over all that were on the earth. That all souls everywhere, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, were responsible to Him

And thus...“If a man is righteous, doing what is just and right—he shall surely live, declares the Lord God.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭18:5, 9‬ ‭

But...“The soul that sins, is under the curse of death...”

Wow, this sermon leaves a question to be pondered by many of the Judean exiles...“ Am I one of the righteous?”

I sin a lot. And according to the words of the prophet, souls that sin they shall surely die. I don't want to die...separated from God and the promised land. “I want to live”. So how can I be righteous?

So many had forgotten what made them right with God. They knew that Abraham was their father. But they forgot what made their father right with God. Righteousness was a gift from God that Abraham received by a faith also given by God.

This reminds me of the crown jewel verse of Christianity, from which our eternal life springs, 2 Cor. 5:21

“For our sake God the Father made Jesus to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Jesus the spotless was made sin...he had no sin...where did sin come from? It came from sinners doomed to die. Sin on Jesus came from me.

So the Father took the spotless, pure righteousness of Christ and put it on me. Jesus was made sin. So that you and I who believe him may become the righteous who live.

Think on it...adore it...love it...be totally satisfied with it...be certainly humbled by it. The beautiful justice of God that saved sinners like us...Grace? Yes, Mercy? Yes....but first, Love took our sin and satisfied God’s holy justice...

O how grand a salvation, our hope in the Lord...our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness...Praise His Name...Thank You Jesus!

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

August 31st

The bible reading is in Ezekiel 16,17.

“Again the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations,”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭16:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Here, in the longest chapter in Ezekiel, in prophetic poetry, the prophet describes in detail the loathsome character of Israel’s sin.

God wants Israel to see in the clearest way possible the reason He abhors and hates Israel’s sin so much. Although there are many metaphors in our reading today, not everything in this chapter is simple symbolism. With so much idolatry practiced by God’s chosen, just knowing a little background of the idolatrous neighboring nations’ that had influenced Israel, it’s obvious that rampant adulteries, rapes, sodomies, fornications, prostitutions, and women and children murders took place all over Israel in the name of a worshipped god in that day.

God used Ezekiel to draw back the curtain on the sin of the children of promise. God did not hate his wayward kids...but He hated their sin and He wanted them to hate it too...enough to repent snd come back to Him.

Sadly, some young preachers become intimidated by church members who don't want their pastor to preach against their sins. And so the pastor skips over those verses in his preaching. Oh friends, may we be quick to encourage our preachers to preach every word in the bible, even the ones that point at us. We need every word of God to teach us, reach us, and change us into the disciples that God can use for His glory and the salvation of others.

Moving on in the text...“Son of man, pose a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel;”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭17:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God would have the prophet to speak a saying that would encourage thinking that would have the hearers put pieces of a puzzle together to come to an understanding of God’s message. God would give the prophet a parable (a story) to speak illustrating an important spiritual truth.

“Thus says the Lord God: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, rich in plumage of many colors, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar. He broke off the topmost of its young twigs and carried it to a land of trade and set it in a city of merchants. Then he took of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil. He placed it beside abundant waters. He set it like a willow twig, and it sprouted and became a low spreading vine, and its branches turned toward him, and its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out boughs.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭17:3-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God told Israel, through Jeremiah and Ezekiel, things that probably caused quizzical looks and wondering conversations among the exiles...about two eagles and a vine...King of Babylon and Pharoah of Egypt (the two eagles) and Lebanon/Israel (the vine).

We read about God using the Babylonian king to replant many Israelites in Babylon.

Question: Did the exiles grow spiritually in Babylon?...the parable seems to say so...” the vine took root and spread over the land of Babylon, spreading forth branches that would produce fruit...fruit of God’s Spirit demonstrated in good works and the conversion of Chaldeans to Yahweh and His love and salvation.

Question: With the prophet Jeremiah telling the Judeans to submit to Babylon and trust that God was going to bless His people in captivity...Why did Judah lift its branches to the second eagle, Egypt?

Judah’s leaders were so out of fellowship with God that they just couldn't wait on the Lord’s promise, they had to do their own thing and disobey God’s command not to make alliances with Egypt. Sadly, Judah’s trust in Egypt only took the remnant away from the blessing of God...not toward it.

Oh fellow followers of Jesus, may we not be surprised when the Holy Spirit reveals our own abominable life of sin. Yes, it’s painful. But it will lead us to humble repentance and faith back toward our Savior God.

And when God takes us out of our comfort zone, maybe into a Babylon experience...let us seek Him and wait upon Him...He is still at work for His glory!

Have a great day.