Sermon Central
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The Dangers Of Grace Part 2
Contributed by David Scudder on Jan 3, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: A new generation was about to embark on a brand new journey into the long awaited Promised Land. The circumstances would be new, the enemies they would face would be brutal, but the challenge from God would not change: love Him and serve Him with all the
The Dangers of Grace
Part 2
Purpose: To teach the early warning signs of getting away from the Lord.
Aim: I want the listener to feel a deep sense of danger that their relationship with the Lord can grow cold very easily.
INTRODUCTION: Moses is 120 years old and is about to finish his journey on this earth. A new generation was about to embark on a brand new journey into the long awaited Promised Land. The circumstances would be new, the enemies they would face would be brutal, but the challenge from God would not change: love Him and serve Him with all the heart.
Every day we also begin a new journey. It would be wise for us to be sure that we are prepared for our journey.
There is a story in Our Daily Bread about an explorer who wasn't really prepared. He was a young man who wanted to photograph the beauty of Alaska.
"His adventure began in the spring of 1981 when he was flown into the desolate North Country to photograph the natural beauty and mysteries of the tundra. He had photo equipment, 500 rolls of film, several firearms, and 1,400 pounds of provisions. As the months passed, the entries in his diary, which at first detailed his wonder and fascination with the wildlife around him, turned into a pathetic record of a nightmare. In August he wrote,
'I think I should have used more foresight about arranging my departure. I'll soon find out.'
He waited and waited, but no one came to his rescue. In November he died in a nameless valley, by a nameless lake, 225 miles northeast of Fairbanks. An investigation revealed that he had carefully mapped out his venture, but had made no provision to be flown out of the area.
In the 32nd chapter of Deuteronomy we read that the Israelites made a similar mistake. For awhile they had all they needed, but it soon became obvious that they had given no thought to the outcome of worshipping false gods and living for their own enjoyment. They failed to consider 'their latter end.'" [1]
REVIEW:
Vs.15-18 I. What does Spiritual Coldness look like?
Moses explains that we should be on the lookout for five indications of spiritual coldness.
Vs.15a A. You stop working for God "Jeshurun grew fat"
1. By focusing on yourself "grew fat and kicked"
2. By ignoring your need for God's help "grown fat, thick, sleek"
Vs.15b B. You forget who owns you "forsook God who made him"
Vs.15c C. You overlook the wonder of God "scorned the Rock"
Vs.16-17 D. You change what you worship "New gods who came lately"
Vs.18 E. You ignore the worthiness of God "neglected the Rock"
LESSON:
Vs.19-27 II. How Does God React to our Spiritual Coldness?
Vs.19 A. God hates our coldness "The LORD...spurned them"
It is a mistake to think that God is not very concerned when we drift away from Him. We tend to think that God is only concerned that we don't do anything really stupid like hurt someone or go bungee- jumping without the bungee.
As far as we know Solomon never murdered anyone or stole anything and yet the Lord was even angry with Solomon. Why was God angry at Solomon? Solomon he let his love for God grow cold. 1 Kings 11:9 Now the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, (NAU)
Notice that God viewed the Jews as His "sons and daughter" but they "neglected the Rock who begot" them (Vs.18). One of the most disrespectful things we can do is enjoy God's blessings and then turn our back on the One who gave us those blessings.
Psalm 7:11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day. (NAU)
Vs.20 B. God hides from our coldness "I will hide My face"
Hosea 5:15 I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. (NAU)
Why would God hide from us? Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. (NAS)
Vs.21-22 C. God is heartbroken over our coldness "They have made Me jealous"
Paul quotes this passage in Romans 10:19-21 19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, "I will make you jealous by that which is not a nation, by a nation without understanding will I anger you." 20 And Isaiah is very bold and says, "I was found by those who did not seek Me, I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me." 21 But as for Israel He says, "All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." (NAU) i.e. God says, if you make Me jealous, then I'll make you jealous.
