“Blessings & Curses” – II
INTRODUCTION: Read Deut. 11:26-28
Moses is giving the people God’s rules & regulations. He takes the people to Mt. Gerizim & Mt. Ebal.
There are 2 GROUPS:
o 6 tribes on Mt. Ebal to shout “Amen” to God’s CURSES … (those on my left).
o 6 tribes on Mt. Gerizim to shout “Amen” to God’s BLESSINGS … (those on my right).
In the valley was the Ark Of The Covenant & the Priests … the Tribe of Levi (that will be ME!).
Only the CURSES are listed here … (27:15-26). Blessings come in the N.T. … in Christ. It is in HIM that we find the BLESSINGS. Ephes. 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”
This morning we looked at 4 CURSES & BLESSINGS.
• 27:15 – It’s a CURSE to make an idol and put it in a secret place. We may think we have no idols. BUT … God doesn’t judge just MAN-MADE idols … He also judges the idols of the HEART. The BLESSING is in having our sins forgiven.
• 27:16 – It’s a CURSE to dishonor our parents. We need to remember that we are the children of our Heavenly Father. The BLESSING is in being PEACEMAKERS.
• 27:17 – It is a CURSE to jump a claim. God laid claim to you when He purchased you with His own blood. Don’t let the Devil steal your blessing. The BLESSING comes when we guard our treasures, and lay them up in Heaven.
• 27:18 – It’s a CURSE to lead a blind man astray. We need to lead them TO the cross … NOT … away from the cross. The BLESSING comes when we act as a WATCHMAN, and warn the wicked of impending danger of the wrath to come.
Let’s CONTINUE, as we look at God’s CURSES … and BLESSINGS.
I. CURSE #5 – 27:19 - Those on Mt. Ebal (LEFT side), say “Amen”.
Here is a CURSE on unjust judges. Do we have any “judges” here? I guess we can skip this one! Not so!
Instead of throwing out this CURSE, let’s APPLY it to ourselves. You & I judge people every day … their motives … thoughts … intents.
There are 4 ASPECTS OF JUDGMENT:
1.- We Aren’t To Be A Judge - Romans 14:13 – “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”
When we judge other people, and take the place of God, we pervert justice – 27:19. There is a CURSE attached to doing this. We aren’t able to judge the heart of our fellow man. THEREFORE …
2.- God Is To Be The Only Judge - Romans 14:4 – “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth.”
It’s a DANGEROUS thing … a CURSED thing … to try to take God’s place as a judge. Only God knows the heart. Ever wish you could read minds? I can ... right now. Same on you!
How would you like to have your thoughts put on a billboard for all to see. How would you like to walk around like a comic book character, with a bubble over your head with your thoughts printed in it … for all to see? God can SEE your thoughts … THEREFORE … only He is able to judge you.
3.- We Will Be Judged If We Judge Others - Romans 2:1 – “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”
When we judge others, God is judging us. That’s something to think about. Have you also noticed that those who judge you, are just as guilt of doing the same thing themselves? They might call it by a different name. They might not SEE it in themselves … BUT … they are quick to see it in you … AND … point it out! They will be judged by God.
4.- If Any Judging Is To Be Done, We Should Judge Ourselves - 1 Cor. 11:31 – “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” We need to reserve all judgment for OURSELVES. We need to judge our actions … our motives … our hearts.
STORY – A father was getting onto his young son for telling lies. He told his son, “When I was your age, I never told lies!” The young boy thought about this for a few seconds, and asked his Dad, “Well then, how old were you when you started?”
Before you judge OTHERS, judge YOURSELF. Use this STANDARD in 1 Corinthians 10:31 for judging yourself – “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” It’s so EASY to judge OTHERS … AND … so HARD to judge YOURSELF. We all do it … BUT … when we do, we pervert justice. 27:19.
The BLESSING is found in Matthew 5:11-12 – ribbon
And all the people on Mt. Gerizim (right side) said “Amen”.
Have you ever been FALSELY ACCUSED of anything? I remember in the 2nd grade, my teacher, Mrs. Sorrell, accused me of stealing her daughter’s toy (I was the last one to play with it before recess). It broke my heart! When I was with G.P.D., someone called into my Supervisor, accusing me of running them off the road, and cursing at them (I had just given them a ticket). They wanted me brought up on “Charges unbecoming an Officer”). My Supervisor laughed in his face, and told him, “That’s impossible! We’ve been trying to get him to cuss for 10 years, and haven’t been successful!”
How should we react when we are judged falsely? “rejoice” – You’ve got to be kidding! We aren’t to “rejoice” over the fact that we’ve been falsely accused. Our “rejoicing” is over the fact that we’ve just been rewarded in Heaven … WHEN … we react with the love of Christ.
REMEMBER – Only GOD can judge rightly … only GOD has the right to judge … WE don’t!
II. CURSE #6 – 27:20-23 - Those on Mt. Ebal (LEFT side), say “Amen”.
There is a CURSE upon those who commit incest with their bodies. We may think that we don’t have a problem with this … BUT … let’s look a little deeper. (We didn’t think we led blind people astray, or were unjust judges, either!).
God continually accused Israel of playing the harlot … by having illicit affairs with the gods of the heathens. You & I are the BRIDE of Christ. Have you ever cheated on your Bride (Christ)? Do you ever flirt with the Devil? Have you ever been unfaithful to your Bride?
Just like when you got married to your spouse, your body was given to Christ when you became the “Bride of Christ”. Romans 12:1-2 – ribbon. Our bodies are to be used for His service only. 1 Cor. 6:15 -
“Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.” It’s a CURSED thing to be unfaithful as the “Bride of Christ”.
NOW, let’s see the BLESSING - Rev. 14:13 – “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”
And all the people on Mt. Gerizim (right side) said “Amen”.
This old body of ours gets in the way of serving the Lord. One day, it will be made like unto His glorious body … a resurrected body … a holy body. Right now, our bodies are a hindrance, and a disappointment.
STORY – A middle-aged lady had ben dieting, and finally fit into a pair of shorts that had been too small. Her young son said, “Mom, you look really good in those blue shorts.” She began to feel real good, until he added, “Did you know that those shorts are the same color as the veins on the back of your legs?”
What a BLESSING that’s going to be … WHEN … we receive our new body … fit for eternity, and the eternal praise of God! Our bodies will finally fulfill the PURPOSE for which it was made.
III. CURSE #7 – 27:24 - Those on Mt. Ebal (LEFT side), say “Amen”.
Has anybody here killed their neighbor lately? Has anybody here WANTED to kill their neighbor lately?
STORY – A farmer’s mule kicked his mother-in-law in the head and killed her. The funeral was very well attended, especially by men. The new preacher noticed that there were mostly men at the funeral, so he approached 1 farmer and remarked that she must have been dearly loved. The old farmer said, “Preacher, they’re not here for the funeral … they’re here to bid on the mule!”
More of us are guilty of murder than we think. Most of us have probably POISONED someone. James 3:8
- “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” NOTICE the word “secretly” in 27:24. Most of the damage we do with our tongue, is done in “secret”. NOT out in the open … BUT …behind their back. Do you want to know a little “secret”? Whenever you “secretly” say something about someone behind their BACK … it eventually gets to their EARS!
You can STAB a person in their BACK with your tongue. You can KILL their reputation. You can POISON a relationship. You can RUIN their testimony. You can KILL their joy. It’s all done “secretly” … behind their back. Some people have never found out why God gave us 2 EARS, but only 1 TONGUE. It’s so we can LISTEN twice as much as we TALK. We will get into a lot less trouble that way!
Tonto used to tell the Lone Ranger about those who “speak with forked tongue”. James 3:10 – “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” There is a CURSE put on the tongue that’s used to poison and kill another.
NOW, let’s look at the BLESSING - Matthew 5:44 – “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
And all the people on Mt. Gerizim (right side) said “Amen”.
This is a tough verse! Our tongue was given to us to bring praise and glory to God … in the midst of … others cursing us. It’s EASIER to retaliate … speak evil right back at them … issue a “severe tongue lashing”. BUT … the BLESSING comes when we respond in LOVE.
Can’t do it? Of course YOU can’t! It’s against your nature. That’s why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live within you. It’s HIS nature to love and forgive … NOT ours. That’s where the BLESSING is … in turning it and ourselves over to the Holy Spirit.
IV. CURSE #8 – 27:25 - Those on Mt. Ebal (LEFT side), say “Amen”.
It’s talking here about taking a BRIBE. Anyone here taken a BRIBE lately? Be careful now … you didn’t think you were a judge, harlot, or murderer, either!
BRIBERY is actually very common – “The promise of payment to someone to corrupt their conduct.” Bribes are offered everyday … to you & me … AND … we very often take them. From whom? Satan.
Satan’s been at it sine the very beginning … in the Garden of Eden. He offered Eve a BRIBE. He told her that if she disobeyed God, she would become “as God” … knowing good AND evil. She took the bribe, and ate the forbidden fruit, along with her husband Adam. Ever since that day, mankind has been CURSED. Satan tries o BRIBE us the same way … through disobedience to God.
LOT’S WIFE, in disobedience to God, looked back at the city of Sodom … AND … was turned into a pillar of salt. She accepted the Devil’s bribe.
STORY – A boy in Sunday School heard the story about Lot’s wife looking back and turning into a pillar of salt. When the teacher asked if there were any comments on this story, one little boy said, “That’s nothing! Last week, my Mom looked back when she was driving, and turned into a telephone pole!”
Satan wants to BRIBE us through DISOBEDIENCE. For EXAMPLE:
• He bribes us with the promise of HAPPINESS … if we indulge in the “pleasures of sin for a season”.
• He bribes us with the promise of SATISFACTION … if we fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
• He bribes us with the promise of FULFILLMENT … if we neglect the things of God, and live to please ourselves.
AND … so often, we fall for his schemes … we take the bait … we become victims of his scams … we forsake the ways of God. CURSED is he who takes the Devil’s BRIBES.
NOW, let’s look at the BLESSING - James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
And all the people on Mt. Gerizim (right side) said “Amen”.
Satan’s bribes are always tempting. His promises look good. BUT … the consequences are a CURSE … a missed BLESSING. BLESSED is the man that endureth temptation!
V. CURSE #9 – 27:26 - Those on Mt. Ebal (LEFT side), say “Amen”.
CURSED are all who disobey God. Ignorance is no excuse of the law. BUT … to know the law of God … AND … break it anyhow … is INEXCUSEABLE! James 1:22 – “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
God tells the LOST that they will be CURSED if they don’t obey what He says in Acts 16:31 – “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” If you don’t, there is a CURSE … the Lake of Fire for eternity.
God tells the SAVED in Colossians 3:17 – “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus …” If you don’t, you won’t receive His full BLESSING. 27:26
NOW, let’s look at the BLESSING - Luke 11:28 – “blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
And all the people on Mt. Gerizim (right side) said “Amen”.
CONCLUSION:
Which do you prefer from God … a BLESSING or a CURSE? If you stand before God without the forgiveness of your sins, you will stand before Him CURSED. AND … you will have to endure the CURSE of God for eternity.
BUT … Jesus took the CURSE for you. Galatians 3:13 - “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
You can die with the curse on you … or put your trust in Jesus, Who took the curse for you. Deut. 23:5 – “but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee.” To receive the BLESSING, we need to let Jesus remove the CURSE of sin.
God has BLESSINGS waiting for you in Heaven. AND … the good thing is … we don’t have to wait until Heaven to get some of them. BLESSINGS are for the “here-and-now”, too. Don’t miss out on a single one of them!
STAND - PRAY
OUTLINE FOR HANDOUT:
“Blessings And Curses” – II
INTRODUCTION: Deuteronomy 11:26-28
- The BLESSINGS are found in Christ – Ephesians 1:3.
I. CURSE #5 – 27:19
There are 4 Aspects Of Judgment:
1.- We Aren’t To Be A Judge – Romans 14:13
2.- God Is To Be The Only Judge – Romans 14:4
3.- We Will Be Judged If We Judge Others – Romans 2:1
4.- We Should Judge Ourselves – 1 Corinthians 11:31
- Our STANDARD of judging ourselves is 1 Cor. 10:31.
BLESSING #5 – Matthew 5:11-12 - You should “rejoice” in your reward for being falsely judged.
II. CURSE #6 – 27:20-23
- Your body was given to Christ when you became the “bride of Christ” – Romans 12:1-2
- Our bodies are to be used for His service – 1 Cor. 6:15
BLESSING #6 – Revelation 14:13 – Your NEW body will glorify Him eternally!
III. CURSE #7 – 27:24
- Most of us are guilty of “murder” – James 3:8
- Killing with the tongue is tried in “secret” – James 3:10
BLESSING #7 – Matthew 5:44 – The BLESSING comes when we respond in love … by turning it over to the Holy Spirit.
IV. CURSE #8 – 27:25
- Satan offers you a bribe every day, like he did to Eve.
- Satan bribes us through the temptation to disobey God.
BLESSING #8 – James 1:12 – The BLESSING comes when we endure Satan’s temptations.
V. CURSE #9 – 27:26
- Disobedience to God brings lost blessings – James 1:22,
Acts 16:31, Colossians 3:17
BLESSING #9 – Luke 11:28 – BLESSING through obedience.
CONCLUSION: Jesus took your CURSE for you – Galatians 3:13
- Jesus turned the CURSE of sin into a BLESSING for you – Deuteronomy 23:5
- Don’t miss out on God’s BLESSINGS!
