LAPSES THAT LEAD TO SPIRITUAL DEFEAT
Ezekiel 12-14

Introduction:     Up to this point in our study we have identified the sins of Judah . These chapters we’ll focus on the sinners. Judah ’s leaders faced judgment first. God had charged them with the responsibility for Biblically based leadership among His people, and they had failed miserably. They mislead God’s people because of deficiencies in their character, as shown in their lack of trust in God and His Word. How can we avoid the lapses that lead to spiritual defeat?

I.          DON’T RATIONALIZE – God Does What He Says ( Ch. 12)

Ezekiel urges God’s people to face reality on two fronts. First, they must face the elements that oppose God’s work in their lives. Second, they must embrace the truth that will set them free: God fulfills (all) His Word and demands a repentant, obedient lifestyle.

A.                 Dramatizing God’s Word (vv.1-20)

·        Dramatizing The Deportation (vv.3-16)

·        A Pantomime Of Fear (vv.17-20)

            B.         The Timing Of God’s Word (vv.21-28)

As they had with the prophets of old, the rationalizes of Judah ignored Ezekiel’s words (v.26).

II.         DON’T TRUST THE RELIGION OF FOOLS – God Deals In Truth (Ch.13)

In the preceding chapter, Ezekiel spoke aganst the people of Judah who rationalized away the fulfillment of God’s Word. In this chapter, he attacks the false prophets who gave the masses encouragement in their foolishness.

            A.        Identification of The Fools (vv.1-7)

They were fools (v.3). The word refers to the lack of spiritual diserment, not the lack of mental ability. The term applies to; Atheists (Ps.14:1) and Blasphemers (Ps.74:18).

·        These prophets relied on their own hearts and spirits (vv.2-3)

·        These false prophets spoke in the name of the Lord. Their message gave the illusion of comfort, but offered no real help.

·        God characterized these prophets as “foxes in the deserts.”(v.4) The false prophets made the people feel comfortable, although they were in danger of God’s judgment.

            B.         Judgment On The Fools (vv.17-23)

The false prophets  brought grief on two fronts.

·        Their deceiving words lulled sinners to spiritual lethargy. Instead of calling them to repentance which would lead them to know God, they said, “you’re ok just as you are.” They promised life to the wicked when the wages of sin is death.

·        They brought grief to the righteous. As the righteous tried to live according to God’s Word, the message of the false prophets discouraged them. The false prophets established another standard, their own thoughts. The religious establishment actually turned people away from the truth. Just because these false prophets spoke a satisfying message did not make them speakers of the truth. Lies spoken pleasingly are still lies. When God’s Word come to pass, as it will, it will them be evident that the Lord is God!

III.       DON’T MAKE YOUR OWN GOD –Repent Before The True God (Ch.14)

            A.        The Command (vv.1-11)

B.         The Consequence (vv.12-23)

Conclusion:       It is as though God is saying to His people, “Enough is Enough!” It is plain to see from Ezekiel’s message that the Lord wants His people to scrutinize their lives carefully and change their lives completely.