14 June 2009
Second Sunday (Communion Service provided today)
U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
Fortress Chapel
Contingency Operation Site (C.O.S.) Sykes
Tall-afar, Iraq
BIG IDEA: God takes a believer (who have faith and trust in Him) and plants him in a specific location with a small beginning to miraculously grow and become a huge blessings to all people.
REFERENCES: Parable: means to throw alongside; Galatians 6:8-9 (ESV) For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up; Ezekiel 17:22-24 (ESV); Psalm 78:2-3 (ESV) I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and know, that our fathers have told us; Ephesians 3:9 (ESV) and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; Psalm 104:12 (ESV) Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches; Ezekiel 31:6 (ESV) All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth to their young, and under its shadow lived all great nations; Mark 4:26-34 (ESV) The Mustard Seed and The Leaven; Luke 13:18-21 (ESV) The Mustard Seed and The Leaven; Daniel 4:12 (ESV) Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it; Matthew 13:31-32 (ESV) He put another parable before them, saying “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”; Matthew 13:13 (ESV) This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand; Romans 13:3-4 (ESV) For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; 2 Chronicles 36:9-21 (Zedekiah reign eleven years in Jerusalem but did what evil in the sight of the Lord of host); Matthew 17:20b KJV .”… If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you; Galatians 6:9-10 (KJV): Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith; Psalm 20; 2 Corinthians 5:6-17; Mark 4:26-34; 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13;
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Ezekiel 17:22-24 (ESV)
II. READ THE PERICOPE: Ezekiel 17:22-24 (ESV)
III. READ THE TEXT: Ezekiel 17:23 (ESV) On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest.
IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to others that God takes a believer (who has faith and trust in Him) and plants him in a specific location with a small beginning to miraculously grow and become a huge blessings to all people.
V. SERMONIC THEME: “Thirteen Thirty-two (1332)”
VI. INTRODUCTION:
Thirteen Thirty-two (1332).
It has been said that one of the greatest “parables” of the Old Testament is – The Shepherd Psalms of “Psalm 23 (KJV)” - where David utters in the midst of his challenges and circumstances:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 1: Someone else has said that “instructions by parables have been in use from the earliest times”.
a. Many of you are already aware that throughout the Good Book, in both the Old and New Testament, parables … are very short stories with a double meaning.
b. In the biblical tradition, the terms translated from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek to mean “parable” should be translated “metaphor” …
c. … Because it serves as a symbol, image or figure of speech which was intended to convey a specific message through “sayings, clichés, proverbs and riddles.
d. For who can ever forget the “parable” of the “The Ewe Lamb” in 2 Samuel 12:1-4?
e. For don’t you remember, Nathan (the prophet) rebukes David (the king) for having secretly slept with Bathsheba – his Soldier’s spouse;
f. You remember the Story of David and Bathsheba don’t you?
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 2: And How can we ever forget the “parable” of the “Dry Bones - in Ezekiel 37:1-14”?
a. This is when Israel had been scattered by Assyria and Judah was in captivity in Babylon For don’t you remember, God showed Ezekiel a time when the dead nation would come alive again.
b. And, in the vision Ezekiel was shown a picture of utter defeat.
c. He saw bones on the battlefield, and the bones were very dry – scattered, bleached and unburied.
d. Yet, through the power of God’s Word, the bones came together and formed an exceedingly great army, and God revived the Nation!
e. Parables use symbols, images, and figure of speech to convey a specific message through “sayings, clichés, proverbs, and riddles.
f. In other words, “parables” (for the most part) compares “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning” as in the parables of our Lord … shared in the “Good Samaritan in Luke 10:27-37 and the “Prodigal Son” in Luke 15:11-32.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 3: Likewise, in our text this morning, Ezekiel a priest called to be a prophet, shares with us the rundown - or the summary - of the Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine.
a. According to Biblical History, because of the disobedience of God’s People and the King of Judah – …
b. … God allowed King Jehoiachin to be disgraced, captured and carried into captivity into Babylon.
c. As a result, of King Jehoachin’s capture, his uncle Zedekiah was made king.
d. The name “Zedekiah” means the justice of the Lord.
e. His name was supposed to remind both Zedekiah and the people of God that “fair dealings” were important to God.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 4: Zedekiah was “one” of the seed of the land of Judah that was planted (by God) in the fruitful field of Jerusalem by great waters where it would grow.
a. It was to have a small beginning. But God never intended for it to grow too big and become permanent.
b. So, God allowed Zedekiah to make a covenant with Nebuchadnezzar, but the stipulations were in order for him (Zedekiah) to remain King of Judah and enjoy the regal power and dignity of the office - he must serve and give homage to the King of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) .
c. As a result, he (Zedekiah) would enjoy the power and dignity of being king of Judah with a “small beginning” but would grow into a “big” cedar tree.
d. In fact, Zedekiah actually took an oath and made a vow IN THE NAME OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL to be loyal and faithful to Nebuchadnezzar.
e. Romans 13:3 ESV – reminds us all that rulers … (saved and unsaved) … are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad …
f. Likewise, a highway patrolman is not out to give a Speeding ticket to the Soldier that is driving the Speed Limit; he’s out to get the one that isn’t driving the Speed Limit.
g. Initially, Zedekiah did well and Judah was growing. He was even impressing positive thoughts upon Nebuchadnezzar because Nebuchadnezzar was even pleased with him.
h. My brothers and sisters, we can’t win the unsaved by being hypocrites. When we make a VOW, we have to honor our words with actions of loyalty.
i. The Good Book says it’s a dangerous thing to make a VOW to God and not keep it.
j. Zedekiah got beside himself, and turned away from the oath and covenant that he had previously made.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 5: As a result, he didn’t keep his word. He grew tire of paying tributes to Nebuchadnezzar the great eagle.
a. So he rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar which caused his leaders to also rebel and be unfaithful.
b. As a result, King Zedekiah caused the nation of Judah to become weaker.
c. Because Neb … took away the chief men of war … as hostage because of Zedekiah’s lack of faithfulness to the covenant made in the God of Israel’s Name.
d. As long as he remained faithful to the king of Babylon, Zedekiah did well. He could have remained respectful and honorable while at the same time he could have returned the entire nation of Judah to God – with Godly leadership …
e. … - Instead, Zedekiah tried to dethrone Nebuchadnezzar by sending ambassadors to make alliance with another great eagle – The King of Egypt.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 6: For the Good Book says that Zedekiah tried to get horses and an Army of Soldiers to assist him against the King of Babylon.
a. As a result, of his actions, he betrayed the oath that he had made in the God of Israel’s Name. God said Zedekiah’s actions were punishable by death.
b. As a result, God said He (himself) would take a Nation that has faith and trust in Him and plant it in a specific location with a small beginning …
c. … for it to miraculously grow and become a huge blessing to all Nations. For the Good Book says in …
d. Ezekiel 17:23:
On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest.
e. Now, my brothers and sisters when God plants us in an area – all we have to do is Grow where we have been planted.
f. Remain faithful and loyal to those that have the rule over us. For the scripture says (in Galatians 6:9-10 (KJV): Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 7: Because God can take a small beginning – like a mustard seed - and miraculously – without any assistance from us, grow it into a Mustard Tree.
a. For don’t you remember, Christianity had a small beginning. It started out with just 12 disciples, and today there are over 250 Denominations of Christianity in the United States of America.
b. In the Book of Matthew, we find another “parable” of Jesus.
c. This time it’s the “Parable” of the Mustard Seed.
d. For don’t you remember, it is here that Jesus tells us all that the emergence and growth of God’s Kingdom on earth is similar to that of “a black mustard seed”.
e. Even though the “black mustard seed (when it was planted)” in Jesus’ day was the “smallest” and the most popular of all garden seeds.
f. Someone has said that it took 725-760 “black mustard seeds” to weigh a gram; and it takes 28 grams to equal ONE OUNCE. God specializes in small beginnings!
g. Everything big has had a small beginning. Every Army General started out as a Lieutenant; Every Command Sergeant Major has been a private; and every adult has been a baby. Everything big has had a small beginning!
h. In Palestine, even though the “mustard seed” had a small beginning; it MIRACULOUSLY grew to 10-12 feet in a few weeks.
i. In other words, God takes the smallest faith and trust in Him and miraculously increases it into a Tree of Blessings for all. What God has promised; He’s ABLE also TO PERFORM!
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
CELEBRATION:
THE GOOD BOOK SAYS in Matthew 17:20b (KJV):”… If ye have faith as a grain … of mustard seed,
ye shall say unto this mountain,
Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you”;
And I heard Jesus say (in MATTHEW Thirteen Thirty-two (1332): It is the smallest of all seeds,
but when it has grown …
it is larger than all the garden plants …
and becomes a tree,
so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches …
I might be a seed today … but my future looks bright … as a MUSTARD TREE …
where inter-racial and multi-cultural birds ( black birds, white birds, blue birds, red birds, and yellow birds) will all NEST in my branches …
