Desperately Distant from God
February 1, 2009 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: God invites us to Him, yet so many stay away.
Focus Passage: Exodus 20:18-21
Introduction: One time many years ago, the king of Hungary found himself depressed and unhappy. He sent for his brother, a good-natured but rather indifferent prince. The king said to him, "I am a great sinner; I fear to meet God." But the prince only laughed at him. This didn’t help the king’s disposition any. Though he was a believer, the king had gotten a glimpse of his guilt for the way he’d been living lately, and he seriously wanted help. In those days it was customary if the executioner sounded a trumpet before a man’s door at any hour, it was a signal that he was to be led to his execution. The king sent the executioner in the dead of night to sound the fateful blast at his brother’s door. The prince realized with horror what was happening. Quickly dressing, he stepped to the door and was seized by the executioner, and dragged pale and trembling into the king’s presence. In an agony of terror he fell on his knees before his brother and begged to know how he had offended him. "My brother," answered the king, "if the sight of a human executioner is so terrible to you, shall not I, having grievously offended God, fear to be brought before the judgment seat of Christ?"
I. Some stay away because they are afraid. V 18
a. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)
II. Some avoid God, because they would rather sin. V20
a. Thus says the LORD to this people, "Even so they have loved to wander; they have not kept their feet in check. Therefore the LORD does not accept them; now He will remember their iniquity and call their sins to account." (Jeremiah 14:10)
b. Shotgun chair modern art- people who wouldn’t dream of sitting in that chair live a lifetime gambling that they won’t have to face the penalty of their sins.
III. God can be found. V 21
a. "I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me. (Proverbs 8:17)
b. "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. (2 Chronicles 16:9)
Invitation: Are you running away from God, or toward Him? Why do you stay away from God? Are you afraid of Him, or do you not want to give up your sinning? A healthy fear (or respect) of God is good. But to stay away because we go on sinning is wrong.
