Spiritual Maturity #16
Last lesson we saw the sin and rebellion of Gods people
Israel. Digression from spiritual maturity to spiritual rebellion
so deep that God disfellowshipped them and sent them into captivity.
1. Despite their spiritual infidelity God still loves and seeks
their return and restoration. God had covered them up with love
and blessings beyond comprehension. And they acted as if God did
not exist. As if they have no feelings for God what-so-ever.
a. Now, how does something like that happen? Doesnt Seem
Possible. Yet we know it does happen. The question is: How does
it happen? It does not happen overnight. Process that occurs so
subtly and gradually you dont know it is happening until
its to late.
(A) The process is seen in Jer. 2: 5, 7, Thus says the LORD:
"What injustice have your
fathers found in Me, (Speaking to children about their fathers)
that they (They being the
fathers) Should turn away from Me and followed idols,and become
idolaters? (Now He
speaks to the children and says in Vs. 7, ) I brought you
into a bountiful country, to eat its
fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled My land
and made My heritage an
abomination. (They had no reason to forsake me and neither
do you).
(1) The Fathers were not allowed to enter the land because of
their sin. God brought them
into the land and now they are no different than their fathers.
The fathers lived sinful
lives and the children followed in their footsteps. Where did
they learn to be sinful like
that? From their parents.
(a) It began in one generation and continued to grow worse in
each subsequent
generation. Attitudes were learned, practiced and passed on from
generation to
generation. Seeds were sown years before the harvest was reaped.
And what
was the harvest they reaped?
(2) Jer. 2:11?13, Does a nation change its gods, for that
which are not gods? (A rhetorical question. Answer is no, not
even the heathen nations do that!) But My people have changed
their glory for what can not prosper them.......Vs.12, Be astonished,
O heavens at this (Isnt it an astonishing thing that people
could be so stupid?) and be horribly afraid; be very desolate
says the LORD, (Why be Horribly Afraid? Because God is coming
in Judgment. Why?) Vs.13, For My people have committed two
evils: #1, they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
and #2, they have made for themselves cisterns?? broken cisterns
that can hold no water. Forsook God and became their own
Gods. Reward is desolation.
Paul describes the process in Rom. 1:18-23, Made Gods in their
own image and things in world. Became their own. What was the
harvest they reaped? Vs. 28-32. You have a generation totally
Incapable of recognizing, loving and serving God. Completely lost.
Lesson is Clear. Allow weeds to go to seed, then blossom and go
to seed again. And It never gets better. It can only get worse.
No exceptions. God does not Lie, Gal. 5:9, A little leaven
leavens the whole lump. A little bit of yeast invades and
changes the entire loaf of bread. One sin, unconfronted, left
to grow will soon infect, corrupt an entire congregation.
Lk. 11:23?26. You become clean by the blood of Christ and then
allow sin to come back into your life. It will be stronger than
ever before and you will become worse than you were before you
became a Christian.
(c) 2 Thess. 2:10?12, talks about Christians who refuse to Live
by Gods Word. Do you WANT to let Sin in your life. God will
give you what you WANT. Give you a delusion so you will believe
with all your heart that your sin is ok and you will die in your
sin and when you do, you will be lost.
Remember God does not lie. He gives us fair warning. Gal. 6:7?8,
clearly warns us.
Do not allow sin to get a foothold. Left unchecked it will grow
like a weed and multiply. Seeds of spiritual treachery must not
be allowed to be sown or they will germinate, mature. They must
be plowed under.
(1) People who turn against God always begin with one small compromise.
Tolerate on small sin . Fertilize that sin by excusing it and
that sin will reseed itself and spread and become worse.
(a) Only one answer. Same answer given to rebellious Jews in Jer.
6:16; Isa. 1:18-20.
(1) The mouth of Jehovah God has spoken, Through His Son Jesus
Who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through Me. For you to grow to
spiritual maturity, you must believe that, obey that and you will
be saved.
(2) Acts 20:32.
Spur - 01/05/03 am
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