Angering God
August 16, Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: We must avoid the things that anger God.
Focus Passage: Zephaniah 1:5-6
Supplemental Passage: "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars." (2 Chronicles 16:9 NASB)
Introduction: [Describe someone pushing buttons to make someone mad.] The verses before this passage explain that God has had enough with Judah pushing His buttons and has told them what HE is going to do. These verses tell how Judah got in that predicament.
I. Waiver between God and something else (vs 5)
a. God – self – money – status – TV – sports – pleasure – etc
b. Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." 1Kings 18:21
c. "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15 NASB)
II. Quit following God (vs 6a)
a. But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. "Luke 9:62
b. 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. (Matthew 15:8)
c. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. (1 John 2:19 NASB)
d. how many people have we baptized that have already quit coming?
III. Ignore God altogether (vs 6b)
a. 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry. Luke 12:19
b. So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD, because of the word of the LORD which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, and did not inquire of the LORD. Therefore He killed him and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse. 1Ch 10:13 -14
c. Mark 11 – Jesus drove out the money changers of the temple.
d. For the shepherds have become stupid And have not sought the LORD; Therefore they have not prospered, And all their flock is scattered. (Jeremiah 10:21 NASB)
e. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15
Invitation: Are you living a life that angers God? Are you sitting on the fence, that is do you have one foot in God’s kingdom and one foot in the things of this world? Are you following God or are you simply going through the motions to keep up appearances? Are you still in communion with God? That is, do you still pray at other times than just meals or emergencies? If you have never trusted Jesus, there is no better time than right now! The Bible says that “Today is the day of salvation!” It says that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:9-10 NASB) If you have already trusted Jesus, but feel yourself slipping, confess that to God and draw close to Him again!
