The Sovereign Lord Plants His Church

THE SOVEREIGN LORD PLANTS HIS CHURCH (Outline)

June 8, 2008 --

PENTECOST 4 --

Ezekiel 17:22-24

INTRO: In our country there are many different churches. Each denomination holds to its own tradi-tions and heritages (some are Biblical and others are not). There are false churches that do not teach the very basic truths of Scripture. There are erring churches that mix man-made teachings or reason with God’s true teachings. There are true churches that hold fast to God’s word in all of its truth and purity. Not only do they hold fast to God’s word they also practice it. All too often too many modern day preachers try to grab all of God’s glory and honor for themselves. To God alone is to be all the glory. "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow"(1 CORINTHIANS 3:6,7).

THE SOVEREIGN LORD PLANTS HIS CHURCH.

I. From a tender sprig. II. Into a splendid cedar.

I. THE SOVEREIGN LORD PLANTS HIS CHURCH FROM A TENDER SPRIG

A. Once again it was one of those times that Israel was at a very, very low point in their history.

1. Foreign kings conquered the children of God and took them away as slaves and prisoners.

2. Ezekiel was sent to speak the truth of God’s word. Their rebellion brought dire consequences.

B. Ezekiel makes the point that his prophecy was not his. He was bringing God’s word, verse 22a.

1. This was a vital point. Many false prophets brought false prophecies.

2. They told the people that more powerful kings would soon save them. It was not true.

C. The foreign kings in their great power were described as “great trees” having great strength.

1. Verse 22b. The Lord was not going to use a “great tree” to deliver his people.

2. Verse 23. God would plant his tender sprig. It would be planted back in Israel to deliver.

D. Ezekiel is describing the ultimate deliverance to and for God’s people. Ezekiel talks of the Savior, Jesus Christ. You may recall that Jesus came from the house and line of David. Now the house of David was not considered mighty, or glorious. The house and line of David was a humble beginning for the King of creation, the Savior of mankind. Rather than a great tree Jesus would come from this tender sprig. "In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land"(JEREMIAH 33:15). This was and is the Deliverer for God’s people.

E. This idea of a tender sprig was the emphasis of Jesus’ entire earthly life. Jesus was born in the little, sleepy town of Bethlehem. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, another quiet, small, insignificant village. The humble life of Jesus was a life of service. The humble, service life of Jesus serves as our example. "And whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many"(MATTHEW 20:27,28). As believers we now live to serve just as Christ came to live and serve creation. In humility we give to God the glory he deserves.

F. Many enemies of the cross of Christ are always waiting to take advantage of those who lead humble, Christian lives. A message of humility and service is definitely not often well accepted in our dog-eat-dog society today. But it is this very message of humility that reminds the believer of the challenge that is ours in this sin-darkened world. Christ came as a tender sprig to pay for our sins. Christ came as a tender sprig to pay for the sins of the world. We are the branches that now have sprouted from that vine, Christ. His life, love, suffering, death, and resurrection are the very root of our faith, life, and all that we truly treasure. Our tender sprig came "…to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death"(LUKE 1:77-79).

THE SOVEREIGN LORD PLANTS HIS CHURCH.

I. From a tender sprig. II. Into a splendid cedar.

II. THE SOVEREIGN LORD PLANTS HIS CHURCH MAKING IT INTO A SPLENDID CEDAR

A. Ezekiel told the people of God that the Sovereign Lord would plant a tender sprig. Jesus would come.

1. Eventually the people of God would be delivered. The tender sprig would become great.

2. Verse 23a,b. The Lord would do this for the benefit of God’s people – and more!