I believe the worst thing that can happen to any people, or to any church, short of denying the faith, is to become content and complacent - to be “at ease.” This is the warning God gave to Israel in our text - “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!” "At ease" speaks of being recklessly, carelessly at ease. Even though they had quit serving Him, God’s people felt secure in their walled cities. Vv. 3-6 describe their attitude: “Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; (4) That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; (5) That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; (6) That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.” I can think of at least 2 examples of churches that were “at ease” in the New Testament. In the book of Revelation we see the church at Sardis. Revelation 3:1 tells us about that church: “Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” "Name" refers to reputation; that by which one is known. Here was a church that was living on past reputation. To the world they appeared to be flourishing. There may have been much activity go on. They had a “form of godliness” . . . but they no longer operated with godly power. We must be careful not to confuse activity with service and spirituality. They appeared to be doing all the right things, but in reality they were empty, vain. There was deadness: 1) In their souls; 2) In their services; 3) In the spirit of their pastor. (Nothing will sap a preacher’s strength faster than a dead church holding dead services.) There was deadness in the preaching because of this. Because there was deadness in the preaching, there was deadness, in their hearing, and in their praying. To the outside observer, all seemed well, but to the One who knows the hearts and deep secrets of men they were dead. The church at Laodicea is the other example. Revelation 3:17 tells us that this church also held a high opinion of themselves. Jesus said to this church, “Because thou sayest . . . and knowest not.” Their assessment of themselves was quite different from that of the Lord. They were comfortable. They saw themselves as doing O.K. They had a good bank account. They were increased with goods (had the latest and best stuff). They thought they were in need of nothing. They were self-sufficient. But the Lord saw them differently. He said they were wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked . . . and they had put Him on the outside. Many of the Lord’s churches in these last days seem to have adopted the attitudes of Laodicea, Sardis, and even these Israelites. It is a condition that refers to an indifference toward that which is most important in God’s eyes. Yet, in that condition we expect God to bless us and to act for us in difficulties and afflictions. So here is God’s warning - “Your condition has separated you from Me so that I cannot bless.” Isaiah 59:1-2 says, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” We need to let the things God said to Israel (and Judah) be a warning to us so that we do not fall into the same condition as them. Four words describe and warn us of this condition.

I. ISRAEL WAS COMFORTABLE -- VS. 1.

II. ISRAEL WAS CONTENT -- VS. 1.

III. ISRAEL BECAME CALLOUSED -- VS. 3.

IV. ISRAEL COMPROMISING -- VV. 4-6.