Living On A Fault Line

LIVING ON A FAULT LINE

Heb. 12:25-29

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. A Texan, a North Korean, and a New Yorker were walking down the street when they were approached by a reporter. “Excuse me,” he said, “Could I have your opinion on the current food shortage in Ukraine?”

2. The Texan said, “What’s a shortage?” The North Korean said, “What’s food?” The New Yorker said, “What’s ‘Excuse me’?”

B. ARE WE LIVING RISKY?

1. Imagine you’re driving down the interstate about 75 mph. You know your brakes are leaking fluid – you saw a puddle underneath your car this morning. It’s been 3 or 4 days since you checked the level of fluid. It’s very possible that at any moment, you could shove down the break pedal and nothing would happen – your car would be out of control! Would you continue to keep driving? Many do, because they don’t have the time or money to get their brakes fixed!

2. We’re going to talk about living on the edge, about taking chances we know we shouldn’t, of ignoring God’s boundaries and violating God’s best will for our lives.

C. TEXT

“25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.” Heb. 12:25-29

D. SETTING THE SCENE

1. California is notorious for its earthquakes, with nearly 7,184 of them taking place last year alone. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake hit with a magnitude 7.8 impact. It occurred along the northern end of the (San Andreas) fault, causing an estimated 3,000 deaths and destroying over 80 percent of the city.

2. https://geology.com/articles/san-andreas-fault.shtml

3. However, the section just north of Los Angeles hasn’t ruptured for more than 150 years, and the section east of Los Angeles hasn’t ruptured in more than 300 years.

4. The U.S. Geological Society has stated that there’s a 75% probability that a 7.0 or greater earthquake will strike Southern California within 30 years – during our lifetime. It sounds crazy, but...

I. SOME PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LIVE ON FAULT LINES

A. WARNED, BUT MOVE THERE ANYWAY

1. Earthquake scientists say that 2.4 million people live along the Hayward Fault (part of the San Andreas System) adjacent to Berkeley, Oakland and San Jose California. Satellite pictures show it running right through a football stadium at UC Berkeley! https://seismo.berkeley.edu/hayward/goole_earth_hayward_fault.jpg

2. Do these people not know about the earthquake potential? Yes, they do! One Palm Springs article said that “most locals don’t have earthquake insurance” [Desert Sun; 11-15-17]. If a massive quake hits, they’d lose their homes!

3. The USGS is projecting that a quake of at least 7.8 will strike, costing 1,800 lives and $200 Billion in destruction.

4. Yet despite all these warnings, people move into these areas, get jobs, build houses, and raise families. People like us from Texas – who’ve never been around earthquakes – perceive this as similar to becoming comfortable with a rattle snake running loose in your house!

B. LIVING IN SIN = QUAKE ZONE

1. What would it be like to live in California on a fault line? An earthquake WILL HAPPEN, it’s only a matter of time. Why would a person build over a fault line? It’s like tempting God - living with your life in jeopardy; at any moment the ground may open up and you be swallowed up!

2. Living in sin is exactly like that. We don’t know when our earthquake of judgment will hit, but it surely will. Will we continue to stay in the place of danger?

3. The Bible says, “11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” Eccles. 8:11, NKJV. Just because God HASN'T judged, doesn't mean He WON'T Judge!

II. WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE TO TAKE RISKS?

A. SIX REASONS WHY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO TAKE RISKS

1. 1st, they THINK: “God won’t condemn me; I’m an exception. God & I have a special arrangement.” That’s NOT true; God treats all people the same (Acts 10:34). He doesn’t give anyone a free pass. Judgment is universal!

2. 2nd REASON: “Christians exaggerate the danger. Yes, God IS holy, but He’s going to overlook my sin.” God doesn’t see the 10 commands as optional. If you’ve lied, stolen, disobeyed parents, used God’s name in vain, lusted, etc. – the Bible says you’re a sinner, and without true repentance you’re headed for Hell! “But I’ve only done one sin!” That’s all it takes. James said, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (2:10). So we fall into one of two categories: completely Innocent OR Guilty. Which are you?