1 00:00:32,579 --> 00:00:32,939 Amen. 2 00:00:32,939 --> 00:00:33,539 What a blessing. 3 00:00:33,539 --> 00:00:35,459 Love that hymn again. 4 00:00:36,739 --> 00:00:42,659 I always pause and not call them old hymns, but timeless hymns. 5 00:00:42,659 --> 00:00:44,219 Just appreciate that tonight. 6 00:00:44,219 --> 00:00:46,178 It's good to have brother Davison back with us tonight. 7 00:00:46,179 --> 00:00:48,339 So my long introduction. 8 00:00:50,579 --> 00:00:51,939 Come on, preach for us. 9 00:00:55,949 --> 00:00:56,749 Thank you, Pastor. 10 00:00:56,989 --> 00:00:57,469 Thank you. 11 00:00:57,469 --> 00:01:01,069 And thank you for the birthday song. 12 00:01:01,069 --> 00:01:09,189 I guess you remember a few years ago, they used to talk all 13 00:01:09,189 --> 00:01:13,389 the time and say they didn't remain married because they were 14 00:01:13,389 --> 00:01:14,269 incompatible. 15 00:01:15,229 --> 00:01:17,309 Remember, you used to hear that all the time. 16 00:01:17,789 --> 00:01:20,269 Well, Sandra and I looked at each other and said, well, we're 17 00:01:20,269 --> 00:01:21,069 not compatible. 18 00:01:21,879 --> 00:01:24,799 And every once in a while we'd really be on the same page and we'd 19 00:01:24,799 --> 00:01:25,999 totally agree on something. 20 00:01:25,999 --> 00:01:27,559 We'd say, we're compatible. 21 00:01:27,879 --> 00:01:29,599 But that happened about twice a year. 22 00:01:29,599 --> 00:01:30,759 You know, stuff like that. 23 00:01:31,559 --> 00:01:36,679 But the way I was raised, I'm the fifth of six kids, and my dad 24 00:01:36,679 --> 00:01:37,479 was a farmer. 25 00:01:38,519 --> 00:01:43,719 This time of year, you know, we were usually doing hay and still 26 00:01:43,719 --> 00:01:46,439 a lot of work to do right before school started and all that. 27 00:01:47,159 --> 00:01:50,559 And so birthdays came and went, and there wasn't much said 28 00:01:50,559 --> 00:01:52,679 about it at our house, you know, no big parties. 29 00:01:52,679 --> 00:01:54,659 That's all the family get together and all that. 30 00:01:55,059 --> 00:01:56,499 We just didn't do it that way. 31 00:01:56,739 --> 00:01:57,779 I'm not against it. 32 00:01:58,019 --> 00:02:00,099 Well, her family was just totally different. 33 00:02:00,499 --> 00:02:04,419 So when we got married and we started having kids and everything, 34 00:02:04,739 --> 00:02:09,219 and plus acknowledging her birthday like I should, it took me, 35 00:02:09,298 --> 00:02:13,739 oh, 40 years to really catch on to what I was supposed to be doing. 36 00:02:13,739 --> 00:02:21,129 But anyway, so I'm still not that big about it, but that number, 37 00:02:21,129 --> 00:02:24,749 80, none of my birthdays have bothered me, you know, to turn 30, 38 00:02:24,815 --> 00:02:26,449 40, 50, all of that kind of stuff. 39 00:02:26,449 --> 00:02:30,689 Always felt 10 years younger than I was anyway. 40 00:02:31,489 --> 00:02:35,329 And somebody asked me here just lately, well, how do you feel? 41 00:02:35,489 --> 00:02:38,369 Why, I don't feel like I'm a day over 90 years old. 42 00:02:39,009 --> 00:02:42,529 So I can tell things are changing and different. 43 00:02:42,689 --> 00:02:48,099 Such as that my mother's mother lived to be 103, and my mom 44 00:02:48,099 --> 00:02:50,739 was exactly three weeks shy of 96. 45 00:02:51,459 --> 00:02:55,019 My dad died of cancer when he was 70, but his two siblings lived 46 00:02:55,019 --> 00:02:55,939 into their 90s. 47 00:02:56,499 --> 00:02:59,379 So there's a lot of longevity in the family, which doesn't mean 48 00:02:59,379 --> 00:03:01,139 I'll be alive by this time tomorrow. 49 00:03:01,619 --> 00:03:06,219 But I am thankful for the privilege, though, of being at this 50 00:03:06,219 --> 00:03:11,899 stage and still able to get about and keep a pretty full schedule 51 00:03:11,899 --> 00:03:12,419 of preaching. 52 00:03:12,419 --> 00:03:15,059 And I'm very thankful for that, and I'm thankful to be here. 53 00:03:15,449 --> 00:03:18,969 My wife and I have both been blessed by being here in the services 54 00:03:18,969 --> 00:03:20,729 and then the fellowship of the pastor. 55 00:03:20,809 --> 00:03:25,609 And Ms. Tanya as well is just a real blessing. 56 00:03:25,609 --> 00:03:27,289 We always enjoy their fellowship. 57 00:03:27,289 --> 00:03:29,849 So thank you, Pastor, for the opportunity and thank you for the 58 00:03:30,089 --> 00:03:31,249 gesture and the kindness. 59 00:03:31,249 --> 00:03:32,009 We appreciate it. 60 00:03:32,009 --> 00:03:35,569 I make fun about it and make a fuss about it, but I do appreciate 61 00:03:35,569 --> 00:03:36,329 it very much. 62 00:03:36,889 --> 00:03:38,409 Well, you know where we're supposed to be. 63 00:03:38,569 --> 00:03:39,929 Ezekiel, chapter 18. 64 00:03:40,009 --> 00:03:41,449 Did anybody read. 65 00:03:42,269 --> 00:03:42,989 Well, look at that. 66 00:03:43,389 --> 00:03:46,509 Okay, I believe it's the same ones that raised their hand last 67 00:03:46,509 --> 00:03:46,789 night. 68 00:03:46,789 --> 00:03:47,549 Looked like it. 69 00:03:47,949 --> 00:03:54,029 And so anyway, Ezekiel 18 tomorrow night we'll be in Ezekiel 70 00:03:54,029 --> 00:03:54,349 14. 71 00:03:54,349 --> 00:03:55,309 We're backing up. 72 00:03:55,629 --> 00:03:57,309 I've saved it for Wednesday night. 73 00:03:57,789 --> 00:04:01,309 It just seems like a good church night message. 74 00:04:01,869 --> 00:04:05,429 And so if you know some of your fellow church members that haven't 75 00:04:05,429 --> 00:04:08,819 showed up for who knows what reason, why don't you give them a 76 00:04:08,819 --> 00:04:12,339 call, take it upon yourself and encourage him to be here, because 77 00:04:12,339 --> 00:04:17,299 I do believe that the chapter tomorrow night, you might read it 78 00:04:17,299 --> 00:04:19,979 and wonder, what does this have to do with the church? 79 00:04:20,539 --> 00:04:26,619 And I'm not one to wrench it and make it happen, but I think you'll 80 00:04:26,619 --> 00:04:32,739 see that it has a lot to do or a lot to say to us about church life 81 00:04:32,739 --> 00:04:33,259 as well. 82 00:04:33,339 --> 00:04:37,469 So I hope you'll bring your Bible and I hope it'll be a blessing 83 00:04:37,469 --> 00:04:38,789 and help and encouragement. 84 00:04:39,269 --> 00:04:42,989 So tonight we're in chapter 18, and if you want to stand for 85 00:04:42,989 --> 00:04:45,469 the reading of the Word of God, if you need to remain seated, 86 00:04:45,469 --> 00:04:46,629 obviously that's fine. 87 00:04:47,829 --> 00:04:50,789 We're going to stand and read a few verses tonight. 88 00:04:51,508 --> 00:04:55,909 Beginning in verse number one, it says the word of the Lord. 89 00:04:56,469 --> 00:04:59,829 Ezekiel said, the word of the Lord came unto me again, saying, 90 00:05:01,199 --> 00:05:07,119 what mean ye that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, 91 00:05:07,759 --> 00:05:11,279 saying, the fathers have eaten the sour. 92 00:05:11,439 --> 00:05:16,879 Have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge. 93 00:05:17,919 --> 00:05:23,039 Now God's talking to Ezekiel about this, and he means for Ezekiel 94 00:05:23,039 --> 00:05:24,879 to confront the people of Israel. 95 00:05:25,359 --> 00:05:26,559 Why are you saying that? 96 00:05:27,339 --> 00:05:30,819 The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are 97 00:05:30,819 --> 00:05:31,659 set on edge. 98 00:05:32,139 --> 00:05:36,619 As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more 99 00:05:36,619 --> 00:05:38,779 to use this proverb in Israel. 100 00:05:39,739 --> 00:05:45,899 Behold, all souls are mine, as the soul of the Father, so also the 101 00:05:45,899 --> 00:05:47,899 soul of the Son is mine. 102 00:05:48,699 --> 00:05:52,619 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. 103 00:05:54,289 --> 00:05:55,969 And then he goes on verse five. 104 00:05:55,969 --> 00:06:02,129 But if a man be just and do that which is lawful and right. 105 00:06:02,689 --> 00:06:06,369 Now, I'm not going to read it, but you have from verse number six 106 00:06:07,089 --> 00:06:14,049 down through verse eight, you have what I call a five point moral 107 00:06:15,009 --> 00:06:21,269 test or a five point moral standard, where he talks about five 108 00:06:21,589 --> 00:06:28,949 Moral positions where they should be right with God on all right. 109 00:06:28,949 --> 00:06:33,029 So in verse 5 again he says, but if a man be just and do that 110 00:06:33,029 --> 00:06:37,029 which is lawful and right, in other words, if he meets the five 111 00:06:37,029 --> 00:06:41,149 point moral standard that is mentioned down through verse number 112 00:06:41,149 --> 00:06:43,509 eight, then look verse number nine. 113 00:06:44,149 --> 00:06:47,469 He hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments to deal. 114 00:06:47,469 --> 00:06:53,039 Truly he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God. 115 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:55,519 He obeys, God lives by it. 116 00:06:55,599 --> 00:06:57,919 And God said he's gonna live. 117 00:06:58,799 --> 00:06:59,999 Now look in verse 10. 118 00:07:00,799 --> 00:07:05,759 But if he begat a son that is a robber, and then you could go to 119 00:07:05,759 --> 00:07:11,319 the following verses and see that he violated the five point moral 120 00:07:11,319 --> 00:07:11,919 standard. 121 00:07:12,479 --> 00:07:14,079 Then look in the end of verse 13. 122 00:07:14,879 --> 00:07:19,369 He shall surely die, his blood shall be upon him. 123 00:07:20,409 --> 00:07:21,129 Verse 14. 124 00:07:22,409 --> 00:07:24,009 Now lo, he. 125 00:07:24,489 --> 00:07:28,369 The one that violated the five point moral standard is what I'm 126 00:07:28,369 --> 00:07:28,889 calling it. 127 00:07:29,609 --> 00:07:30,569 Now lo. 128 00:07:30,889 --> 00:07:36,089 If he beget a son that seeth his Father's sins, which he hath 129 00:07:36,089 --> 00:07:40,929 done and considereth, and doeth not such like but then as ye 130 00:07:40,929 --> 00:07:43,849 go, he follows the five point moral standard. 131 00:07:44,229 --> 00:07:45,269 Look at the end of verse 17. 132 00:07:45,829 --> 00:07:52,789 He shall surely live as for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, 133 00:07:53,189 --> 00:07:57,069 spoiled his brother by violence, did that which is not good 134 00:07:57,069 --> 00:07:57,909 among his people. 135 00:07:58,309 --> 00:08:00,789 Lo, even he shall die in his iniquity. 136 00:08:01,749 --> 00:08:02,949 Now look at verse 19. 137 00:08:03,669 --> 00:08:08,069 Yet ye say, why doth not the Son? 138 00:08:08,629 --> 00:08:14,279 Why, they ask God, why doth not the Son bear the iniquity of 139 00:08:14,279 --> 00:08:14,879 the Father? 140 00:08:16,719 --> 00:08:20,359 When the Son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath 141 00:08:20,359 --> 00:08:24,399 kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. 142 00:08:24,959 --> 00:08:25,679 Verse 20. 143 00:08:26,319 --> 00:08:30,799 The soul that sinneth it shall die. 144 00:08:31,599 --> 00:08:35,359 The Son shall not bear the iniquity of the Father, neither shall 145 00:08:35,359 --> 00:08:37,519 the Father bear the iniquity of the Son. 146 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:41,639 The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and 147 00:08:41,639 --> 00:08:44,079 the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 148 00:08:45,519 --> 00:08:50,479 But if the wicked will turn and get right with God regarding 149 00:08:50,479 --> 00:08:57,359 his life, and going by that five point moral standard, then he 150 00:08:57,359 --> 00:08:57,999 can turn. 151 00:08:58,159 --> 00:08:59,599 Look at the end of verse 23. 152 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:01,839 He can return from his ways and live. 153 00:09:03,528 --> 00:09:06,728 And when a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, 154 00:09:06,728 --> 00:09:07,608 verse 24. 155 00:09:07,768 --> 00:09:12,168 And committeth iniquity, and doth according to all the abominations 156 00:09:12,168 --> 00:09:16,328 of that five point moral standard, shall he live? 157 00:09:18,168 --> 00:09:18,528 No. 158 00:09:18,528 --> 00:09:22,168 All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned 159 00:09:22,648 --> 00:09:26,568 in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he 160 00:09:26,568 --> 00:09:29,288 hath sinned in them shall he die. 161 00:09:31,009 --> 00:09:33,889 Yet ye say the way of the Lord is not Equal. 162 00:09:35,169 --> 00:09:37,329 Hear now, O house of Israel. 163 00:09:37,889 --> 00:09:40,369 Is not my way equal? 164 00:09:41,329 --> 00:09:43,489 Are not your ways unequal? 165 00:09:44,529 --> 00:09:47,729 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness and committeth 166 00:09:47,729 --> 00:09:52,049 iniquity, and dieth in them for his iniquity that he hath done, 167 00:09:52,049 --> 00:09:54,649 shall he die again? 168 00:09:54,649 --> 00:09:57,809 When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he 169 00:09:57,809 --> 00:10:02,139 hath committed and doth that which is lawful and right, he shall 170 00:10:02,139 --> 00:10:04,099 save his soul alive. 171 00:10:05,459 --> 00:10:09,859 Because he considereth and turneth away from all his transgressions 172 00:10:10,499 --> 00:10:13,219 that he hath committed, he shall surely live. 173 00:10:13,219 --> 00:10:16,419 He shall not die yet, saith the Lord. 174 00:10:16,579 --> 00:10:17,299 I'm sorry. 175 00:10:17,299 --> 00:10:20,899 Yet, saith the house of Israel, the way of the Lord is not 176 00:10:20,899 --> 00:10:21,379 equal. 177 00:10:22,899 --> 00:10:26,589 O house of Israel, Are not my ways equal? 178 00:10:27,629 --> 00:10:29,549 Are not your ways unequal? 179 00:10:30,429 --> 00:10:33,469 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according 180 00:10:33,469 --> 00:10:35,709 to his ways, saith the Lord God. 181 00:10:36,349 --> 00:10:36,989 Repent. 182 00:10:38,749 --> 00:10:40,109 How difficult is this? 183 00:10:41,309 --> 00:10:44,429 It need not be as difficult as people make it, I'll tell you that 184 00:10:44,429 --> 00:10:44,909 for sure. 185 00:10:45,389 --> 00:10:49,949 Repent and turn yourselves from all your transgressions. 186 00:10:50,349 --> 00:10:52,829 So iniquity shall not be your ruin. 187 00:10:54,119 --> 00:10:58,319 Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye have transgressed 188 00:10:58,319 --> 00:11:01,639 and make you a new heart and a new spirit. 189 00:11:01,799 --> 00:11:04,839 For why will ye die, O house of Israel? 190 00:11:05,719 --> 00:11:07,719 For I listen to what God says. 191 00:11:07,719 --> 00:11:12,519 I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth saith the 192 00:11:12,519 --> 00:11:19,009 Lord God, wherefore turn yourselves and live ye. 193 00:11:21,889 --> 00:11:29,449 I'm gonna step out here just a second and say that if a person not 194 00:11:29,449 --> 00:11:32,689 so familiar with the Word of God, let's say somebody that would 195 00:11:32,689 --> 00:11:35,009 be rather unlearned in the Word of God. 196 00:11:35,009 --> 00:11:37,809 They haven't made it their business to give a lot of attention 197 00:11:37,809 --> 00:11:38,609 to the Word of God. 198 00:11:38,609 --> 00:11:42,169 They haven't heard a lot of the teaching exposition expounding 199 00:11:42,169 --> 00:11:43,249 upon the Word of God. 200 00:11:43,329 --> 00:11:48,129 They might read chapter 18 by itself and wonder how in the world 201 00:11:48,129 --> 00:11:49,249 can anybody be saved? 202 00:11:50,519 --> 00:11:54,839 But I want you to get it in your mind right quick that chapter 203 00:11:54,839 --> 00:11:58,519 18 is not an evangelistic chapter. 204 00:11:59,079 --> 00:12:04,599 It is not about how to be saved or how to have your sins forgiven 205 00:12:04,839 --> 00:12:06,039 so as to go to heaven. 206 00:12:06,119 --> 00:12:09,479 This isn't a New Testament soul winning passage. 207 00:12:11,479 --> 00:12:15,249 It is a charge, a challenge from the prophet of God to the people 208 00:12:15,249 --> 00:12:20,809 of God who are in a covenant with God about whether they are gonna 209 00:12:20,809 --> 00:12:23,649 know living or not know living. 210 00:12:24,129 --> 00:12:26,649 And when he talks about the soul, he is simply talking about 211 00:12:26,649 --> 00:12:27,329 their life. 212 00:12:29,649 --> 00:12:32,849 He's not dealing with here their eternal destiny. 213 00:12:33,009 --> 00:12:36,849 It's whether they're gonna live under the favor of God or live 214 00:12:37,009 --> 00:12:41,169 under the judgment of God and die under the judgment of God. 215 00:12:41,699 --> 00:12:44,339 So don't look at it as an evangelistic. 216 00:12:44,339 --> 00:12:47,139 This is about who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. 217 00:12:47,139 --> 00:12:48,979 That is not what this chapter's about. 218 00:12:49,219 --> 00:12:53,819 And you'll get a total misconception if you enter into it 219 00:12:53,819 --> 00:12:55,539 with something like that in your mind. 220 00:12:55,939 --> 00:12:59,899 Okay, so kind of little statement there to get us going in 221 00:12:59,899 --> 00:13:01,699 the right direction from the very beginning. 222 00:13:02,099 --> 00:13:04,379 All right, I'm gonna have word of prayer and we'll be seated and 223 00:13:04,379 --> 00:13:04,899 get started. 224 00:13:06,179 --> 00:13:09,219 Father, I wanna say thank you again for this day. 225 00:13:09,219 --> 00:13:12,669 Thank you for the fellowship we enjoyed over lunch today and the 226 00:13:12,669 --> 00:13:13,189 time together. 227 00:13:14,229 --> 00:13:18,109 And as iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance 228 00:13:18,109 --> 00:13:18,789 of his friend. 229 00:13:18,789 --> 00:13:22,429 It's good, Lord, to have fellowship with your servants and 230 00:13:22,429 --> 00:13:25,429 with friends like the Crawfords. 231 00:13:25,429 --> 00:13:29,109 And for the friendship of this congregation, we're thankful. 232 00:13:29,509 --> 00:13:32,509 And so I pray now you would add your blessings to the reading 233 00:13:32,509 --> 00:13:33,269 of your word. 234 00:13:33,749 --> 00:13:38,259 Add your blessings, O God, to this effort to proclaim your word. 235 00:13:38,259 --> 00:13:43,019 I pray that it might be done with clarity and plainness. 236 00:13:43,499 --> 00:13:48,139 And I pray you'd give me the awareness and the alertness, O God, 237 00:13:48,459 --> 00:13:55,419 to follow the passage and the message and communicate, O God, why 238 00:13:55,419 --> 00:13:58,059 this chapter is still here. 239 00:13:58,619 --> 00:14:01,739 For the benefit of your people, for our learning and for 240 00:14:01,979 --> 00:14:04,059 our admonition, may it be accomplished. 241 00:14:04,729 --> 00:14:07,769 We know that can only happen by the work of your Holy Ghost, not 242 00:14:07,769 --> 00:14:12,529 because of man's preparation or man's oratory or anything like 243 00:14:12,529 --> 00:14:12,729 that. 244 00:14:12,729 --> 00:14:18,009 If your Holy Spirit is not at work, then this service will be for 245 00:14:18,009 --> 00:14:18,489 naught. 246 00:14:18,889 --> 00:14:22,409 So we're asking for the unction and the help and the working 247 00:14:22,409 --> 00:14:26,969 of your spirit in our lives, individually and in the life of this, 248 00:14:26,969 --> 00:14:29,209 your church, corporately. 249 00:14:29,369 --> 00:14:32,889 And we'll thank you and praise you in Jesus, wonderful name. 250 00:14:33,699 --> 00:14:34,139 Amen. 251 00:14:34,139 --> 00:14:34,619 Thank you. 252 00:14:34,619 --> 00:14:35,219 God bless you. 253 00:14:35,219 --> 00:14:35,939 May be seated. 254 00:14:36,499 --> 00:14:37,699 Get a little drink here. 255 00:14:47,859 --> 00:14:50,259 I dropped the lid, and I'm too lazy to go pick it up. 256 00:14:50,259 --> 00:14:53,059 So I'll probably knock that off here in a little bit. 257 00:14:54,419 --> 00:15:00,109 I have a quote from a author, preacher, not necessarily that I 258 00:15:00,109 --> 00:15:02,029 would look to, but a great quote. 259 00:15:02,269 --> 00:15:03,949 The name is Stuart Briscoe. 260 00:15:05,549 --> 00:15:07,229 I think he's beyond retirement. 261 00:15:07,229 --> 00:15:09,069 He may still be on earth. 262 00:15:09,069 --> 00:15:10,189 He may be with the Lord. 263 00:15:10,749 --> 00:15:13,789 But he said this quote that I thought was so fitting. 264 00:15:14,429 --> 00:15:21,269 He said, what man will feel like a man and try to live like a 265 00:15:21,269 --> 00:15:27,089 man if he believes that he bears no responsibility for his actions? 266 00:15:28,449 --> 00:15:31,249 Now, our whole culture needs to be confronted with this. 267 00:15:31,809 --> 00:15:33,329 Can somebody help me on this? 268 00:15:34,289 --> 00:15:36,929 But I'm afraid it's not just Those people out there. 269 00:15:37,649 --> 00:15:41,489 I'm afraid it happens maybe more than we want to admit. 270 00:15:42,449 --> 00:15:45,649 Maybe in our own lives, in the lives of God's people. 271 00:15:45,729 --> 00:15:46,689 I'll read it again. 272 00:15:47,169 --> 00:15:54,049 What man will feel like a man and try to live like a man if he 273 00:15:54,049 --> 00:15:59,049 believes that he bears no responsibility for his actions? 274 00:16:00,569 --> 00:16:05,209 You see, as you know, if a man believes he has no responsibility 275 00:16:05,209 --> 00:16:12,089 for his actions, then he will live his life as though he is a victim 276 00:16:12,649 --> 00:16:16,729 of circumstances that are predetermined upon him. 277 00:16:18,649 --> 00:16:24,259 He believes that his misfortunes or his hardships or his 278 00:16:24,499 --> 00:16:25,059 pains. 279 00:16:25,779 --> 00:16:29,299 If he believes that he bears no responsibility for his actions, 280 00:16:29,459 --> 00:16:35,699 then he will look at all of that as though I am a victim of predetermined 281 00:16:36,019 --> 00:16:40,899 circumstances that I have no control over. 282 00:16:42,019 --> 00:16:44,739 Nothing to say about now. 283 00:16:44,739 --> 00:16:48,889 That mindset, that way of thinking is called fatalism. 284 00:16:49,689 --> 00:16:50,489 Fatalism. 285 00:16:50,969 --> 00:16:55,409 I'll just say to you, to make it short, you won't find fatalism 286 00:16:55,409 --> 00:16:56,409 in the Word of God. 287 00:16:56,969 --> 00:17:00,889 You won't be taught fatalism in the Word of God. 288 00:17:01,209 --> 00:17:02,009 Not at all. 289 00:17:03,209 --> 00:17:08,329 And I mention this because in our chapter and in this prophecy 290 00:17:08,329 --> 00:17:13,849 of Ezekiel, the people that he is preaching to, they are people 291 00:17:14,169 --> 00:17:20,769 that are beset by that very way of thinking because they are 292 00:17:20,769 --> 00:17:22,169 in difficult circumstances. 293 00:17:22,169 --> 00:17:23,849 We'll talk about here in just a little bit. 294 00:17:23,929 --> 00:17:27,809 They are in difficult circumstances, and they are in difficult 295 00:17:27,809 --> 00:17:32,409 circumstances that are of their own making, by and large. 296 00:17:33,529 --> 00:17:37,689 And yet they are in denial of that and believe that they are rather 297 00:17:37,769 --> 00:17:44,899 victims of circumstances that were brought on by those before them. 298 00:17:45,619 --> 00:17:50,259 And they see no need to bear any responsibility, or they cannot 299 00:17:50,259 --> 00:17:56,739 see why God feels he needs to deal with them the way he's dealing 300 00:17:56,739 --> 00:17:57,299 with them. 301 00:17:57,699 --> 00:18:02,379 You should have done that with those before us because they felt 302 00:18:02,379 --> 00:18:06,339 no responsibility for their own actions, for their own behavior, 303 00:18:06,419 --> 00:18:08,499 and for the condition that they were in. 304 00:18:10,099 --> 00:18:13,219 Now remember that at this time. 305 00:18:13,219 --> 00:18:14,739 This is a little review here. 306 00:18:15,459 --> 00:18:17,939 Remember that what is taking place. 307 00:18:18,819 --> 00:18:23,219 Babylon has made a move against Judah and against Jerusalem. 308 00:18:24,419 --> 00:18:29,019 Many or a good number of people have been carried away into 309 00:18:29,019 --> 00:18:29,699 Babylon. 310 00:18:30,339 --> 00:18:32,579 More will be carried away later. 311 00:18:33,379 --> 00:18:40,559 But right now, at this point, Jerusalem is under siege by the Babylonians. 312 00:18:41,199 --> 00:18:46,759 And life is hard in Jerusalem because they are sealed off by the 313 00:18:46,759 --> 00:18:47,839 Babylonian army. 314 00:18:48,079 --> 00:18:51,479 And so the goods can't come in, the goods can't go out, the trade 315 00:18:51,479 --> 00:18:52,399 is not there. 316 00:18:52,559 --> 00:18:56,959 And you can see in the marketplace, what shall I say? 317 00:18:56,959 --> 00:19:00,239 The shelves are growing empty, and there's just not much there. 318 00:19:00,639 --> 00:19:06,049 And they're recognizing the shortage of food and of the necessities 319 00:19:06,049 --> 00:19:06,689 of life. 320 00:19:07,169 --> 00:19:11,009 So the people there are suffering, and then you Take those 321 00:19:11,009 --> 00:19:14,369 people that got carried away into Babylon already you have those 322 00:19:14,369 --> 00:19:15,009 of the. 323 00:19:15,489 --> 00:19:20,489 Of the elite of Israel, the royalty of Israel that were placed 324 00:19:20,489 --> 00:19:22,449 in the house of Nebuchadnezzar. 325 00:19:22,449 --> 00:19:26,089 And you remember that Nebuchadnezzar is training them so 326 00:19:26,089 --> 00:19:29,529 that they might serve in the Babylonian way and think like Babylonians, 327 00:19:29,529 --> 00:19:32,719 eat like Babylonians, talked like Babylonians, gave them the names 328 00:19:32,719 --> 00:19:34,999 of Babylonians and such as that. 329 00:19:34,999 --> 00:19:38,119 And so he's preparing them so that he might use the best of the 330 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:44,399 best of the people of Israel to be of benefit in the central government 331 00:19:44,719 --> 00:19:51,999 of Babylon and among his house and among his leaders and such as 332 00:19:51,999 --> 00:19:52,319 that. 333 00:19:53,199 --> 00:19:54,799 Now that's in Babylon itself. 334 00:19:54,799 --> 00:19:56,679 Daniel is the prophet to those people. 335 00:19:56,679 --> 00:20:00,039 He is one of those people, and he is God's prophet to those people 336 00:20:00,039 --> 00:20:00,799 that are there. 337 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:03,519 And then you have another element of people that have been 338 00:20:03,519 --> 00:20:04,159 carried away. 339 00:20:05,279 --> 00:20:07,839 You know, it's all relative. 340 00:20:08,079 --> 00:20:11,879 But a good distance from the city of Babylon, and there is sort 341 00:20:11,879 --> 00:20:15,719 of a remote place called the River Chebar, which is a branch off 342 00:20:15,719 --> 00:20:21,359 of the Euphrates river and at the city called Telabim, a very undesirable 343 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:21,759 place. 344 00:20:22,319 --> 00:20:23,999 And their life is not easy there. 345 00:20:23,999 --> 00:20:26,079 Their life is not good there. 346 00:20:27,929 --> 00:20:29,369 It's really a difficult thing. 347 00:20:30,089 --> 00:20:35,649 And so what you have is that all of Judah, whether we're looking 348 00:20:35,649 --> 00:20:38,249 back in Jerusalem, we're looking at the people in Babylon, 349 00:20:38,249 --> 00:20:41,169 or we're looking at the people at the River Chebar, then no matter 350 00:20:41,169 --> 00:20:44,929 where you look, the people of Judah, they're in a very depressed 351 00:20:44,929 --> 00:20:45,209 state. 352 00:20:45,609 --> 00:20:49,289 This is a really, really difficult stretch, a difficult time, 353 00:20:50,169 --> 00:20:56,079 as they are suffering under the oppression of the besiegement 354 00:20:56,159 --> 00:20:58,159 and then of the captivity. 355 00:20:59,039 --> 00:21:05,999 Now what we have to understand is that the Israelites, the Jews, 356 00:21:06,399 --> 00:21:10,439 they are hearing from their own prophets that this isn't going 357 00:21:10,439 --> 00:21:11,119 to last long. 358 00:21:11,359 --> 00:21:13,599 It's the third night I mentioned it, so I'm sure you got 359 00:21:13,599 --> 00:21:17,319 it by now that they think Egypt is going to come up and help 360 00:21:17,319 --> 00:21:18,399 them against Babylon. 361 00:21:18,649 --> 00:21:22,529 And the Babylon will never actually destroy Jerusalem like the 362 00:21:22,529 --> 00:21:23,609 prophets were saying. 363 00:21:24,169 --> 00:21:27,849 And they had their own prophets that were saying, no, no, 364 00:21:27,849 --> 00:21:28,049 no. 365 00:21:28,049 --> 00:21:31,209 If there's gonna be anything really bad happens, it's a long ways 366 00:21:31,209 --> 00:21:32,889 off, it's not gonna happen now. 367 00:21:33,049 --> 00:21:40,889 And so the likes of Jeremiah, who was the prophet back in Israel 368 00:21:40,889 --> 00:21:45,769 or in Jerusalem, and Zephaniah, who was a prophet contemporary 369 00:21:45,769 --> 00:21:49,569 of Jeremiah, they were prophesying that people should repent. 370 00:21:49,969 --> 00:21:53,129 And the day of the Lord is near, a terrible day of judgment 371 00:21:53,129 --> 00:21:56,209 is coming, talking about the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem 372 00:21:56,849 --> 00:21:58,369 and the major captivity. 373 00:21:58,609 --> 00:22:00,009 And they're preaching about that. 374 00:22:00,009 --> 00:22:04,049 They're preaching with passion and with heart and warning them. 375 00:22:04,369 --> 00:22:05,889 I like what Zephaniah says. 376 00:22:05,889 --> 00:22:06,369 Chapter one. 377 00:22:06,369 --> 00:22:07,729 The day of the Lord is near. 378 00:22:07,729 --> 00:22:08,449 It is near. 379 00:22:08,849 --> 00:22:11,729 He's not talking about the day of the Lord that you and I know, 380 00:22:12,389 --> 00:22:12,749 prophecy. 381 00:22:12,749 --> 00:22:15,989 He's talking about the immediate one, when God was going 382 00:22:15,989 --> 00:22:21,109 to allow Babylon to come in and absolutely annihilate Jerusalem 383 00:22:21,349 --> 00:22:27,349 walls, houses burnt, their temple destroyed, people killed, 384 00:22:27,429 --> 00:22:29,029 people taken into captivity. 385 00:22:29,429 --> 00:22:32,509 It's going to lie in rubble, it's going to be barren, and all 386 00:22:32,509 --> 00:22:35,309 that's going to be left there by the time the Babylonians are done. 387 00:22:35,309 --> 00:22:38,399 There's a few poor people that God leaves there, and that's it. 388 00:22:39,439 --> 00:22:40,879 And so it's given the warning. 389 00:22:40,959 --> 00:22:41,999 Now, excuse me. 390 00:22:42,559 --> 00:22:46,919 Day by day by day, they're seeing that thing develop right before 391 00:22:46,919 --> 00:22:51,359 their eyes, but they're in denial while their own prophets are 392 00:22:51,359 --> 00:22:53,359 saying, ah, those things are afar off. 393 00:22:53,439 --> 00:22:54,639 You're going to be okay. 394 00:22:54,719 --> 00:23:01,039 So you got God's prophets as they see things being fulfilled virtually 395 00:23:01,039 --> 00:23:03,999 every day that these prophets are saying are going to happen. 396 00:23:04,649 --> 00:23:08,649 And they see that what their prophets are saying that they're 397 00:23:08,649 --> 00:23:14,249 trusting in looks more remote or impossible day by day by day. 398 00:23:14,329 --> 00:23:17,689 But even at that, they won't budge. 399 00:23:18,489 --> 00:23:20,568 They won't humble themselves before God. 400 00:23:21,049 --> 00:23:22,649 They won't turn from their sins. 401 00:23:24,009 --> 00:23:25,289 And they're mad about it. 402 00:23:25,929 --> 00:23:27,689 They've got an attitude about it. 403 00:23:28,489 --> 00:23:33,339 In fact, in the chapter here, you'll see three hateful things that 404 00:23:33,339 --> 00:23:38,299 the Israelites are saying to one another and no doubt saying to 405 00:23:38,299 --> 00:23:40,659 Ezekiel, the prophet in his hearing as well. 406 00:23:41,299 --> 00:23:45,899 Three accusations against God, three nasty things that they are 407 00:23:45,899 --> 00:23:46,179 saying. 408 00:23:46,179 --> 00:23:47,739 I want to show them to you right quick. 409 00:23:47,739 --> 00:23:49,619 We can kind of go through this real fast. 410 00:23:49,619 --> 00:23:50,899 Look at verse number two. 411 00:23:51,779 --> 00:23:52,979 Here's what they're saying. 412 00:23:53,779 --> 00:23:56,739 They're saying to one another and to whoever will hear. 413 00:23:57,059 --> 00:23:59,739 The fathers have eaten the sour grapes and. 414 00:23:59,889 --> 00:24:02,529 And the children's teeth are set on edge. 415 00:24:03,009 --> 00:24:06,249 Now, let me try to, you know, dramatize it here just a little bit. 416 00:24:06,249 --> 00:24:07,969 People or two guys are talking together. 417 00:24:08,049 --> 00:24:10,889 Yeah, I know why this is happening to us. 418 00:24:10,889 --> 00:24:11,729 Who knows? 419 00:24:12,689 --> 00:24:17,009 And so they wind up saying to each other this, yeah, it's the fathers 420 00:24:17,009 --> 00:24:21,009 that ate the sour grapes, but it's us that getting to bad taste. 421 00:24:21,489 --> 00:24:24,529 So, you know, you get this picture in your mind of fathers eating 422 00:24:24,529 --> 00:24:28,159 grapes, and they're sour grapes, but they're just eating them 423 00:24:28,159 --> 00:24:28,439 away. 424 00:24:29,159 --> 00:24:30,439 Fine, eat them up. 425 00:24:30,999 --> 00:24:34,639 And now the sons are going, you know, with all the contortions 426 00:24:34,639 --> 00:24:37,959 that you'd go through when you put Something real sour in your mouth. 427 00:24:38,839 --> 00:24:39,639 So this is. 428 00:24:40,039 --> 00:24:41,239 Somebody said, this is weird. 429 00:24:41,239 --> 00:24:43,479 No, I'm just saying this is what they're saying. 430 00:24:43,639 --> 00:24:46,839 The fathers are the ones that ate the sour grapes. 431 00:24:46,839 --> 00:24:49,639 They're the one that brought the bitterness to this place. 432 00:24:49,799 --> 00:24:53,139 And we are the ones that are having to taste it and. 433 00:24:53,289 --> 00:24:54,729 And having to live with it. 434 00:24:55,209 --> 00:24:58,609 And so they are blaming God, saying, isn't this something? 435 00:24:58,609 --> 00:24:59,849 The way God works? 436 00:25:00,009 --> 00:25:03,689 It's the generation before us that fouled up, and we're the ones 437 00:25:03,689 --> 00:25:04,489 paying for it. 438 00:25:04,649 --> 00:25:06,089 That's the bottom line right there. 439 00:25:06,329 --> 00:25:07,289 That's what they're saying. 440 00:25:07,369 --> 00:25:08,889 They're the ones that messed up. 441 00:25:09,208 --> 00:25:10,769 We're the ones that are paying for it. 442 00:25:10,769 --> 00:25:11,769 Like us. 443 00:25:12,009 --> 00:25:12,809 We're fine. 444 00:25:13,289 --> 00:25:14,489 When really they're not. 445 00:25:14,489 --> 00:25:15,049 Not at all. 446 00:25:15,049 --> 00:25:16,249 That's what this is about. 447 00:25:16,809 --> 00:25:18,409 All right, so here's the second thing. 448 00:25:18,569 --> 00:25:20,209 I see you're not too excited about that one. 449 00:25:20,209 --> 00:25:21,049 Let's try one more. 450 00:25:21,129 --> 00:25:22,489 Look in verse number 19. 451 00:25:24,079 --> 00:25:24,879 Verse number 19. 452 00:25:25,119 --> 00:25:26,159 Yet ye say. 453 00:25:26,319 --> 00:25:27,439 Here's what they say. 454 00:25:27,839 --> 00:25:34,639 Yet ye say, why doth not the Son bear the iniquity of the Father? 455 00:25:36,079 --> 00:25:39,239 See, they're not inquiring and saying, is this the way it is? 456 00:25:39,239 --> 00:25:41,119 No, they're saying, this is the way it is. 457 00:25:41,439 --> 00:25:43,919 They're saying, why is Ezekiel preaching all of this? 458 00:25:44,159 --> 00:25:46,399 You know, we understand how God works. 459 00:25:46,719 --> 00:25:49,679 The fathers mess up, and he beats the brains out of the boys. 460 00:25:50,639 --> 00:25:51,519 That's what they're saying. 461 00:25:52,159 --> 00:25:53,839 They're accusing God of that. 462 00:25:54,399 --> 00:25:56,719 If you don't believe that, just hang tight just a second. 463 00:25:57,199 --> 00:25:59,839 And they're saying, it is the fathers that messed up. 464 00:25:59,919 --> 00:26:01,039 So what does God do? 465 00:26:01,039 --> 00:26:02,959 Well, because it gives them a free pass. 466 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:03,919 Now, what is. 467 00:26:03,919 --> 00:26:05,079 How's he going to deal with it? 468 00:26:05,079 --> 00:26:06,399 He beats us over the head. 469 00:26:07,119 --> 00:26:08,479 That's the way God works. 470 00:26:08,559 --> 00:26:11,839 That, ladies and gentlemen, is what they're accusing God of. 471 00:26:12,799 --> 00:26:15,039 Nowhere's the third thing. 472 00:26:15,119 --> 00:26:17,559 And it really vindicates or backs up what he said. 473 00:26:17,559 --> 00:26:18,879 Look in verse number 25. 474 00:26:19,979 --> 00:26:21,579 Look, verse number 25. 475 00:26:22,779 --> 00:26:23,979 Yet ye say. 476 00:26:24,059 --> 00:26:24,939 Here it is again. 477 00:26:25,019 --> 00:26:25,579 Watch this. 478 00:26:25,579 --> 00:26:28,219 Now, the way of the Lord is not equal. 479 00:26:29,419 --> 00:26:31,179 Now, hold on just a second, somebody. 480 00:26:31,499 --> 00:26:32,339 I don't know what that means. 481 00:26:32,339 --> 00:26:33,579 The way of the Lord is not equal. 482 00:26:33,579 --> 00:26:35,418 We're talking about a balance. 483 00:26:35,819 --> 00:26:38,939 Like, if you're gonna weigh something out, it would be equal. 484 00:26:38,939 --> 00:26:39,899 If it is. 485 00:26:40,779 --> 00:26:41,339 It is. 486 00:26:41,739 --> 00:26:44,299 Something is placed here of this weight. 487 00:26:44,299 --> 00:26:46,139 It's equal if it's the same weight as here. 488 00:26:46,299 --> 00:26:47,259 And it's like this. 489 00:26:48,209 --> 00:26:50,929 But in their minds, it's like this. 490 00:26:52,049 --> 00:26:53,569 All the weight is over here. 491 00:26:54,609 --> 00:26:56,689 And the ways of the Lord are Not equal. 492 00:26:56,929 --> 00:26:59,409 There's nothing fair about this. 493 00:27:00,449 --> 00:27:03,809 Excuse me, we're talking about the righteous God. 494 00:27:04,529 --> 00:27:07,409 I said the holy almighty one. 495 00:27:08,049 --> 00:27:13,409 We're talking about God, whose name is Jehovah, the self sufficient 496 00:27:13,409 --> 00:27:13,989 selfishness. 497 00:27:15,579 --> 00:27:19,259 And we could talk about his attributes for about eight days and 498 00:27:19,259 --> 00:27:23,179 non stop and the righteous and holy nature of God. 499 00:27:23,179 --> 00:27:28,779 And here are people who rather than looking at themselves and acknowledging 500 00:27:28,779 --> 00:27:33,699 their own need to get right with God, they are saying it's God 501 00:27:33,699 --> 00:27:34,699 that is the problem. 502 00:27:35,179 --> 00:27:37,539 Now I mentioned the other night, I'll mention it again, this 503 00:27:37,539 --> 00:27:38,859 is really nothing new. 504 00:27:39,669 --> 00:27:41,589 This is in their past as well. 505 00:27:41,829 --> 00:27:44,069 As the people passed through the land of Israel. 506 00:27:44,069 --> 00:27:46,149 You remember when they got so discouraged. 507 00:27:46,229 --> 00:27:49,589 They were so much discouraged is the way the Bible puts it. 508 00:27:49,589 --> 00:27:52,669 They were much discouraged and they murmured against God and the 509 00:27:52,669 --> 00:27:53,589 snakes came in. 510 00:27:54,309 --> 00:27:55,269 You remember that one? 511 00:27:55,588 --> 00:27:57,829 Well, that's why God dealt with them in the way he did. 512 00:27:57,989 --> 00:28:01,309 Because they're saying that God is not righteous and God is not 513 00:28:01,309 --> 00:28:03,989 dealing with them fairly and God is not dealing with them. 514 00:28:03,989 --> 00:28:04,309 Right. 515 00:28:04,549 --> 00:28:06,069 And now they're saying the same there. 516 00:28:06,149 --> 00:28:07,349 I want you to look at that again. 517 00:28:07,429 --> 00:28:14,069 They are saying the way of the now this is blatant arrogant pride, 518 00:28:14,869 --> 00:28:17,749 self centeredness, rebellion against God. 519 00:28:18,149 --> 00:28:21,429 The way of the Lord is not equal. 520 00:28:21,829 --> 00:28:22,869 That's what they're saying. 521 00:28:24,229 --> 00:28:26,069 So there you have the threefold thing. 522 00:28:26,229 --> 00:28:29,109 The fathers eat the sour grapes, the son's teeth are set on 523 00:28:29,109 --> 00:28:29,509 edge. 524 00:28:29,589 --> 00:28:31,829 And the second one was what? 525 00:28:32,549 --> 00:28:34,879 The way of the Lord is not equal. 526 00:28:35,199 --> 00:28:36,239 That's the third one. 527 00:28:36,319 --> 00:28:37,559 The second one was. 528 00:28:37,559 --> 00:28:38,479 What was that one? 529 00:28:40,479 --> 00:28:41,519 Let's see why. 530 00:28:41,519 --> 00:28:44,159 Yeah, the son bear the iniquity of the father. 531 00:28:44,159 --> 00:28:48,999 So they had this threefold idea about God and the way he's dealing 532 00:28:48,999 --> 00:28:49,439 with them. 533 00:28:49,439 --> 00:28:53,399 And as they talked to one another it was like, this is not 534 00:28:53,399 --> 00:28:53,679 right. 535 00:28:53,679 --> 00:28:58,039 I can just see them kicking the dirt and upset and mad and griping. 536 00:28:58,039 --> 00:29:00,439 And if you think, I don't know, I think you're reading too 537 00:29:00,439 --> 00:29:01,069 much into it. 538 00:29:01,069 --> 00:29:04,889 Go go back and read the book of Numbers right past and you'll 539 00:29:04,889 --> 00:29:09,009 see this is very much in their genes, this is very much in their 540 00:29:09,009 --> 00:29:11,249 DNA that they. 541 00:29:11,569 --> 00:29:12,209 Excuse me. 542 00:29:12,209 --> 00:29:14,929 Rather than acknowledging the favor of God, the blessings of God, 543 00:29:14,929 --> 00:29:17,729 the opportunities that God has given them, the fact that they are 544 00:29:17,729 --> 00:29:21,489 still in existence as a nation is the grace of God itself. 545 00:29:21,649 --> 00:29:25,489 And instead of that, no, they are blaming God for every negative 546 00:29:25,489 --> 00:29:26,849 thing that they are experiencing. 547 00:29:27,379 --> 00:29:28,019 Excuse me. 548 00:29:28,019 --> 00:29:33,539 And they are willing to bear no responsibility themselves. 549 00:29:35,779 --> 00:29:36,499 Not at all. 550 00:29:37,379 --> 00:29:39,939 So they are making these accusations against God. 551 00:29:40,499 --> 00:29:42,819 Now as always, God's ready for this. 552 00:29:43,379 --> 00:29:44,819 I Mean he's got an answer. 553 00:29:45,299 --> 00:29:50,739 So I want you to go back and look in chapter 18 and look in verse 554 00:29:50,739 --> 00:29:51,379 number four. 555 00:29:52,909 --> 00:29:57,749 Now, you may just read this casually and maybe not see what's 556 00:29:57,749 --> 00:29:58,189 really there. 557 00:29:58,189 --> 00:29:59,909 So let's kind of look at it carefully. 558 00:29:59,909 --> 00:30:04,989 Verse number four, While they are saying the Father, verse two. 559 00:30:05,069 --> 00:30:08,069 The fathers eat the sour grapes and the Son's teeth are set 560 00:30:08,069 --> 00:30:08,509 on edge. 561 00:30:08,509 --> 00:30:11,149 While they're saying the ways of God are not equal and not fair. 562 00:30:12,109 --> 00:30:14,189 God said, verse 3. 563 00:30:14,349 --> 00:30:19,629 As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more 564 00:30:19,789 --> 00:30:20,079 to. 565 00:30:20,149 --> 00:30:21,829 To use this proverb in Israel. 566 00:30:22,549 --> 00:30:24,069 Can I have your attention just a second. 567 00:30:24,309 --> 00:30:27,829 This is God's way of saying, I don't want to hear this anymore. 568 00:30:28,709 --> 00:30:31,269 Did anybody ever hear that from your parents when you were growing 569 00:30:31,269 --> 00:30:31,589 up? 570 00:30:32,229 --> 00:30:32,669 Yup. 571 00:30:32,669 --> 00:30:35,829 I can remember saying to my dad, dad, I would like to go to town. 572 00:30:35,988 --> 00:30:37,629 I got my own car and everything. 573 00:30:37,629 --> 00:30:40,749 You know, I'm going to go in and see Herbie and whatever. 574 00:30:40,749 --> 00:30:42,109 I got something I want to do. 575 00:30:42,109 --> 00:30:45,609 My dad says, no, you're not going to. 576 00:30:45,759 --> 00:30:49,719 And he didn't appreciate it if I asked why that he said I wasn't 577 00:30:49,719 --> 00:30:50,959 going was enough. 578 00:30:50,959 --> 00:30:53,359 My brothers are eight and 10 years older than me, and I noticed 579 00:30:53,359 --> 00:30:55,359 from watching them that's kind of the way it was. 580 00:30:55,839 --> 00:30:57,359 If dad said no, it's no. 581 00:30:58,799 --> 00:31:01,039 So if you go like this, you'd say, but, dad. 582 00:31:01,039 --> 00:31:01,759 But, dad. 583 00:31:02,639 --> 00:31:03,999 Don't but dad me. 584 00:31:05,039 --> 00:31:06,399 I heard that a time or two. 585 00:31:06,479 --> 00:31:07,559 Don't butt dad me. 586 00:31:07,559 --> 00:31:08,639 I told you, you're not going. 587 00:31:09,839 --> 00:31:11,799 And it would be according to his mood. 588 00:31:11,799 --> 00:31:14,319 Perhaps it'd be according maybe to the attitude of the person 589 00:31:14,319 --> 00:31:15,599 that's trying to get him to change. 590 00:31:16,609 --> 00:31:19,009 And my dad would say, I don't want to hear any more about it. 591 00:31:19,569 --> 00:31:21,289 My dad said, I don't want to hear any more about it. 592 00:31:21,289 --> 00:31:24,089 I decided the best thing would be he wouldn't hear any more about 593 00:31:24,089 --> 00:31:24,369 it. 594 00:31:25,409 --> 00:31:28,689 My sisters were really slow to learn that they had real issues and 595 00:31:28,689 --> 00:31:31,009 problems, but I thought that was rather comical. 596 00:31:31,009 --> 00:31:33,889 But I didn't appreciate it when it happened to me, you know? 597 00:31:34,129 --> 00:31:36,489 And so you know what God is saying? 598 00:31:36,489 --> 00:31:37,969 I don't want to hear this anymore. 599 00:31:39,249 --> 00:31:41,569 You're saying things that you don't even know what you're saying. 600 00:31:43,069 --> 00:31:46,349 The fathers ate the sour grapes and the children's teeth are 601 00:31:46,349 --> 00:31:47,109 set on edge. 602 00:31:47,109 --> 00:31:50,749 Like, here we are, lily white, and they're the ones that made the 603 00:31:50,829 --> 00:31:54,149 mistakes and did the sin, and we're the ones that are paying for 604 00:31:54,149 --> 00:31:54,389 it. 605 00:31:54,389 --> 00:31:57,229 God said, I don't want to hear that kind of talk anymore. 606 00:31:57,629 --> 00:31:58,589 And now read on. 607 00:31:58,589 --> 00:32:01,229 Look in verse number four. 608 00:32:02,029 --> 00:32:02,669 Verse four. 609 00:32:02,829 --> 00:32:03,789 God said this. 610 00:32:03,949 --> 00:32:10,389 Behold, all souls are mine. 611 00:32:13,269 --> 00:32:14,389 What do you mean by that? 612 00:32:15,509 --> 00:32:21,749 The soul of the Father, so also the soul of the Son is mine. 613 00:32:24,229 --> 00:32:25,109 What is he saying? 614 00:32:27,829 --> 00:32:31,429 Where God is saying, every generation is mine. 615 00:32:33,359 --> 00:32:34,319 Every generation. 616 00:32:34,799 --> 00:32:35,919 Look at me just a second. 617 00:32:36,159 --> 00:32:37,599 Is accountable to me. 618 00:32:38,879 --> 00:32:42,399 I am not a remote God that deals with people from far off. 619 00:32:42,639 --> 00:32:44,239 I am a personal God. 620 00:32:44,559 --> 00:32:48,319 And every generation is mine. 621 00:32:49,439 --> 00:32:54,159 And this generation is responsible for their behavior toward 622 00:32:54,159 --> 00:32:54,479 me. 623 00:32:55,039 --> 00:32:58,749 And the next generation is responsible for their. 624 00:32:58,979 --> 00:33:01,059 For their behavior toward me. 625 00:33:01,779 --> 00:33:06,699 It's not as though I ignore the behavior of this one until I 626 00:33:06,699 --> 00:33:08,499 realize, well, they really did bad. 627 00:33:08,579 --> 00:33:10,339 So I'll beat the brains out of these. 628 00:33:10,579 --> 00:33:11,779 God said, I don't do that. 629 00:33:12,339 --> 00:33:13,779 I am a personal God. 630 00:33:13,779 --> 00:33:17,739 And I deal with this generation according to their behavior 631 00:33:17,739 --> 00:33:18,419 before me. 632 00:33:18,419 --> 00:33:22,579 And I deal with that generation according to their behavior 633 00:33:22,659 --> 00:33:23,379 before me. 634 00:33:23,459 --> 00:33:26,469 And look down in verse number four at the end. 635 00:33:26,629 --> 00:33:29,109 He says it this time and says it again. 636 00:33:29,829 --> 00:33:33,509 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. 637 00:33:34,549 --> 00:33:35,509 Look at me a second. 638 00:33:35,669 --> 00:33:38,949 You are not being punished for what they did. 639 00:33:39,749 --> 00:33:44,949 I dealt with them in the way I knew to deal with them in righteousness 640 00:33:45,349 --> 00:33:47,909 and judgment in their time. 641 00:33:48,309 --> 00:33:52,469 And I will deal with you according to your behavior before 642 00:33:52,469 --> 00:33:54,109 me, your time. 643 00:33:54,429 --> 00:33:57,069 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. 644 00:33:57,389 --> 00:34:04,189 It's his way of saying, every soul that is every life, every life 645 00:34:04,589 --> 00:34:10,749 of every generation has personal responsibility before God. 646 00:34:12,269 --> 00:34:12,669 See? 647 00:34:14,029 --> 00:34:16,669 Okay, so why are you making such a big deal about it? 648 00:34:17,149 --> 00:34:19,309 Because that seems to be so little understood. 649 00:34:20,859 --> 00:34:22,059 Because it seems to be so. 650 00:34:22,299 --> 00:34:28,939 I mean, I can count on one hand in all these years the number 651 00:34:28,939 --> 00:34:32,419 of times I've dealt with somebody whose life went far away 652 00:34:32,419 --> 00:34:38,619 from God, who got in all kinds of misery and all kinds of, you know, 653 00:34:38,859 --> 00:34:42,579 nonsense upon them that came upon their lives as a result of their 654 00:34:42,579 --> 00:34:43,179 nonsense. 655 00:34:43,579 --> 00:34:44,699 And you talk to. 656 00:34:44,779 --> 00:34:46,209 And how many times did you. 657 00:34:46,839 --> 00:34:50,279 Somebody say, brother Sam, the truth of the matter is I messed up. 658 00:34:50,999 --> 00:34:52,439 I rebelled against God. 659 00:34:52,759 --> 00:34:54,199 I just ran from God. 660 00:34:54,599 --> 00:34:55,959 I turned from the Lord. 661 00:34:56,359 --> 00:34:57,879 You know what it's mostly like? 662 00:34:58,199 --> 00:35:00,359 Yeah, well, I was doing fine till they. 663 00:35:00,999 --> 00:35:02,919 And they start finding people to blame. 664 00:35:03,399 --> 00:35:06,279 And something happened in the home or something happened at the 665 00:35:06,279 --> 00:35:09,759 church or something happened in the youth department or somebody 666 00:35:09,759 --> 00:35:13,559 that they looked up to failed, or somebody broke their heart and 667 00:35:13,559 --> 00:35:16,139 somebody disappointed them and somebody. 668 00:35:16,139 --> 00:35:18,019 And they've always got somebody to blame. 669 00:35:18,419 --> 00:35:20,259 No, I'm not making this up. 670 00:35:20,259 --> 00:35:25,139 This is still very much in the DNA of many people who may not have 671 00:35:25,139 --> 00:35:30,259 any Israeli or Jewish genes in you, but we are all connected back 672 00:35:30,259 --> 00:35:31,418 to Adam's race. 673 00:35:31,418 --> 00:35:35,939 And you might remember when Adam and Eve got called into account, 674 00:35:36,579 --> 00:35:39,219 there was a little blame game going on there too. 675 00:35:39,219 --> 00:35:40,019 Do you remember that? 676 00:35:40,419 --> 00:35:44,739 And so that's the nature of sinful and faithful ladies and gentlemen, 677 00:35:44,739 --> 00:35:47,819 that people do not want to accept the responsibility for their 678 00:35:47,819 --> 00:35:50,179 own conduct and their own behavior. 679 00:35:50,419 --> 00:35:52,979 And God said, here's the way it is. 680 00:35:53,699 --> 00:36:00,259 I deal with this generation and every person in it according 681 00:36:00,339 --> 00:36:02,179 to their response to me. 682 00:36:05,219 --> 00:36:10,149 And I will deal with this generation and, and every soul in 683 00:36:10,149 --> 00:36:12,669 it according to their response to me. 684 00:36:16,669 --> 00:36:22,669 Well, somebody says, okay, what am I supposed to do with that? 685 00:36:23,949 --> 00:36:28,309 Well, we have here in the account where God makes it very clear 686 00:36:28,309 --> 00:36:29,229 and very simple. 687 00:36:29,949 --> 00:36:31,389 There's no need scratching. 688 00:36:31,469 --> 00:36:33,789 I don't know if I understand that. 689 00:36:33,869 --> 00:36:36,909 Well, okay, he goes and he talks about verse number five. 690 00:36:37,399 --> 00:36:43,159 Here's a guy, here is a man that is a just man. 691 00:36:43,959 --> 00:36:45,959 Now how is he measured as a just man? 692 00:36:45,959 --> 00:36:48,639 Remember, this isn't talking about personal salvation, Pastor. 693 00:36:48,639 --> 00:36:49,879 That's not what it's talking about. 694 00:36:50,039 --> 00:36:52,359 It's talking about how he lives his life before God. 695 00:36:52,839 --> 00:36:54,119 So here's a just man. 696 00:36:54,199 --> 00:36:55,719 Well, how would he be a just man? 697 00:36:56,039 --> 00:36:58,679 Well, he wouldn't be a just man by thumbing his nose at God, 698 00:36:59,079 --> 00:37:01,719 doing everything God said not to do, now would he? 699 00:37:02,849 --> 00:37:05,169 Okay, thank you for your overwhelming response. 700 00:37:06,369 --> 00:37:08,609 Then how would he be a just man? 701 00:37:08,929 --> 00:37:10,929 Well, he knows what God said to do. 702 00:37:11,169 --> 00:37:14,769 And it's not like he was a perfect man in his life, but the 703 00:37:15,169 --> 00:37:18,528 testimony of his life was he endeavored to be obedient to God 704 00:37:18,528 --> 00:37:19,649 and do what he said. 705 00:37:19,729 --> 00:37:22,529 There's a five point moral standard there. 706 00:37:22,769 --> 00:37:26,209 It has to do with the sexual morality. 707 00:37:26,529 --> 00:37:28,089 It has to do with finances. 708 00:37:28,089 --> 00:37:29,969 It has to do with how you treat other people. 709 00:37:30,579 --> 00:37:31,299 It has to do. 710 00:37:31,699 --> 00:37:32,859 You can read it, it's there. 711 00:37:32,859 --> 00:37:35,299 It's repeated three times in the chapter. 712 00:37:35,379 --> 00:37:38,499 And so I chose not to get into that so as not to get carried away. 713 00:37:38,659 --> 00:37:40,819 But I'm just saying you can read it yourself. 714 00:37:41,539 --> 00:37:44,779 And so this man took it upon himself to treat people right. 715 00:37:44,779 --> 00:37:47,579 If he loaned somebody money, didn't charge him interest because 716 00:37:47,579 --> 00:37:50,339 they're one of their own, of their own people. 717 00:37:52,419 --> 00:37:54,659 And he was true in his morality. 718 00:37:54,819 --> 00:37:56,739 He married a wife and he was true to his wife. 719 00:37:56,739 --> 00:37:59,639 He wasn't an adulterer, he wasn't a fornicator, he wasn't a 720 00:37:59,639 --> 00:38:01,559 whoremonger, he wasn't any of that. 721 00:38:01,879 --> 00:38:03,159 He was a moral man. 722 00:38:05,239 --> 00:38:11,799 He lived a moral life and he kept the five point moral standard 723 00:38:11,959 --> 00:38:16,199 that is here and God Said that man is a just man. 724 00:38:16,519 --> 00:38:18,679 So, okay, God, how are you going to deal with him? 725 00:38:18,759 --> 00:38:21,959 Well, the way I'm going to deal with him is because his family 726 00:38:22,519 --> 00:38:23,879 before him messed up. 727 00:38:24,239 --> 00:38:25,759 I'm gonna make him pay. 728 00:38:26,479 --> 00:38:29,279 No, no, not at all. 729 00:38:29,919 --> 00:38:30,639 Not at all. 730 00:38:31,039 --> 00:38:33,919 God said, I'm gonna deal with him according to the way he's living 731 00:38:33,919 --> 00:38:37,519 his life before me and this man is going to live. 732 00:38:37,999 --> 00:38:41,679 Now, did you know if you go back to the book of Deuteronomy, 733 00:38:41,679 --> 00:38:44,159 I preached on this just a while back at a meeting. 734 00:38:44,159 --> 00:38:47,279 But anyway, back in the book of Deuteronomy, he's talking about 735 00:38:47,279 --> 00:38:48,439 being obedient to God. 736 00:38:48,439 --> 00:38:50,079 You know, where he rehearses the law. 737 00:38:50,079 --> 00:38:52,319 That's what Deuteronomy is, rehearsing the law. 738 00:38:52,319 --> 00:38:55,759 And he said, you know, to know what God says and act upon what God 739 00:38:55,759 --> 00:38:57,799 says and be obedient to God. 740 00:38:57,799 --> 00:38:58,599 Look at me a second. 741 00:38:58,599 --> 00:39:00,279 He said, this is your life. 742 00:39:02,279 --> 00:39:03,639 You want to know what living is? 743 00:39:04,359 --> 00:39:08,519 Know what God says in regards to what he expects of your life. 744 00:39:09,559 --> 00:39:11,119 Act upon what God says. 745 00:39:11,119 --> 00:39:13,239 And God said, this will be your life. 746 00:39:14,439 --> 00:39:15,319 You're going to live. 747 00:39:15,879 --> 00:39:19,679 Don't forget Jesus said, I am come that you might have life. 748 00:39:20,639 --> 00:39:22,239 We say, yeah, eternal life. 749 00:39:22,239 --> 00:39:23,119 We're going to heaven. 750 00:39:23,119 --> 00:39:23,479 Yeah. 751 00:39:23,479 --> 00:39:24,879 That isn't all he's talking about. 752 00:39:25,119 --> 00:39:28,519 He said, I am come that you might have life and that you might 753 00:39:28,519 --> 00:39:30,319 have it more abundantly. 754 00:39:30,719 --> 00:39:32,799 I don't want to just exist in this world. 755 00:39:32,959 --> 00:39:37,079 I want to live and I don't want to just exist and live and say, 756 00:39:37,079 --> 00:39:39,759 yes, I'm saved and I know my sins are forgiven. 757 00:39:39,839 --> 00:39:45,659 If he has joy and abounding, joy and fruitful, I want in on it. 758 00:39:46,059 --> 00:39:50,859 And God says, if you just know what I say and act upon what I say, 759 00:39:51,099 --> 00:39:57,619 you will live not just in the sense of existing, but in the sense 760 00:39:57,619 --> 00:40:03,899 of living a full life, living a meaningful life, leading a life 761 00:40:03,899 --> 00:40:07,539 that affects others in a wonderful way, leading a life that 762 00:40:07,539 --> 00:40:11,039 will make others consider God's demands on their own life, 763 00:40:11,679 --> 00:40:13,919 living a life that will glorify God. 764 00:40:14,879 --> 00:40:16,159 That's what he's talking about. 765 00:40:16,799 --> 00:40:20,039 And he said, if a man lives that way, it doesn't matter what 766 00:40:20,039 --> 00:40:20,879 his daddy did. 767 00:40:23,199 --> 00:40:24,959 It doesn't matter what anybody else did. 768 00:40:26,559 --> 00:40:30,999 It just matters that this person here determined, I'm going 769 00:40:30,999 --> 00:40:35,079 to find out what God wants of me and I'm going to act upon what. 770 00:40:35,229 --> 00:40:37,629 What God expects of me. 771 00:40:46,029 --> 00:40:48,749 Yeah, I know you're surprised to see me. 772 00:40:48,749 --> 00:40:52,189 You weren't expecting the pastor to come by, but I just wanted 773 00:40:52,189 --> 00:40:52,669 to come, man. 774 00:40:52,669 --> 00:40:55,669 We miss you at church, haven't seen you in a long time. 775 00:40:55,669 --> 00:40:59,469 And you know, we just, you know, converse a little bit and then 776 00:40:59,629 --> 00:41:01,299 just say, you know, why don't you. 777 00:41:02,009 --> 00:41:04,649 I can remember when you were on fire for the Lord and you were 778 00:41:04,649 --> 00:41:08,209 important to the life of the church and you were a contributor, 779 00:41:08,209 --> 00:41:08,769 a giver. 780 00:41:08,769 --> 00:41:10,089 We're not talking about finances. 781 00:41:10,089 --> 00:41:11,689 You were a giver, not a taker. 782 00:41:11,849 --> 00:41:13,449 And you were just. 783 00:41:13,689 --> 00:41:15,929 And man, we miss you. 784 00:41:16,169 --> 00:41:19,769 And I hate to see you missing out on the blessings of God and the 785 00:41:19,769 --> 00:41:20,489 favor of God. 786 00:41:20,489 --> 00:41:20,889 No. 787 00:41:24,809 --> 00:41:28,489 Is there anything I can do or talk to you about to help you? 788 00:41:28,829 --> 00:41:29,469 No, no. 789 00:41:33,469 --> 00:41:34,509 Your hang up is. 790 00:41:34,589 --> 00:41:37,789 Well, he said they did. 791 00:41:38,509 --> 00:41:44,589 Somebody fouled up and since then, that's it. 792 00:41:46,349 --> 00:41:47,149 I'm just done. 793 00:41:47,309 --> 00:41:47,949 I'm done. 794 00:41:48,509 --> 00:41:52,349 Okay, so you are not following Jesus. 795 00:41:53,949 --> 00:41:57,579 Not because Jesus failed you, but they failed you. 796 00:42:00,059 --> 00:42:01,419 Does that make any sense? 797 00:42:03,259 --> 00:42:04,459 I'm asking you a question. 798 00:42:05,819 --> 00:42:06,619 Is this on? 799 00:42:07,019 --> 00:42:07,579 It is. 800 00:42:07,899 --> 00:42:09,739 Does that make any sense at all? 801 00:42:18,379 --> 00:42:20,299 Trying to think whether to tell this or not. 802 00:42:23,669 --> 00:42:25,949 But I mean, I know a situation I want to talk about because of the 803 00:42:25,949 --> 00:42:27,829 way everything flies around out there. 804 00:42:28,549 --> 00:42:32,069 But what if I'd have gone to my wife and said, sandra, I can't 805 00:42:32,069 --> 00:42:33,109 be married to you anymore. 806 00:42:34,709 --> 00:42:39,589 Now, you know, this is an illustration because I've never done 807 00:42:39,589 --> 00:42:42,709 that because I don't have the nerve to. 808 00:42:42,709 --> 00:42:46,149 She might say, oh, yeah, you know, I'm not sure. 809 00:42:47,679 --> 00:42:49,119 58 years, 59 years. 810 00:42:49,119 --> 00:42:49,959 That's a long time. 811 00:42:49,959 --> 00:42:50,319 So. 812 00:42:50,639 --> 00:42:51,879 Well, I can't be married to you. 813 00:42:51,879 --> 00:42:55,199 And let's say she was surprised and disappointed at that. 814 00:42:55,199 --> 00:42:57,279 Let's assume that. 815 00:42:57,279 --> 00:42:58,399 That would be the why. 816 00:42:58,399 --> 00:42:58,799 Why? 817 00:42:58,879 --> 00:42:59,279 Why? 818 00:42:59,519 --> 00:43:00,719 Well, you know, so and so. 819 00:43:00,719 --> 00:43:03,919 Yeah, you know, his wife has the same name as you. 820 00:43:06,239 --> 00:43:07,119 She left him. 821 00:43:09,679 --> 00:43:11,439 Well, what's that got to do with you and me? 822 00:43:11,759 --> 00:43:13,439 For all I know, you might leave me. 823 00:43:15,959 --> 00:43:20,079 So I'm not going to be married to you because of how, that what 824 00:43:20,079 --> 00:43:20,999 she did to them. 825 00:43:23,639 --> 00:43:26,919 And if you're a thinking person, you're saying that we don't 826 00:43:26,919 --> 00:43:29,639 say stupid in the pulpit, but if we did, this would be a good place. 827 00:43:30,199 --> 00:43:32,919 That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of in my life. 828 00:43:33,719 --> 00:43:34,839 And you would be right. 829 00:43:36,519 --> 00:43:39,479 And yet there are people that do God that way all the time. 830 00:43:42,079 --> 00:43:46,039 Because I will say to whoever is in this room that your steps have 831 00:43:46,039 --> 00:43:48,319 been taken backward and you've never got it right again. 832 00:43:48,799 --> 00:43:50,559 I'm going to say something to you right now. 833 00:43:50,639 --> 00:43:51,919 God never failed you. 834 00:43:53,839 --> 00:43:55,359 Jesus never failed you. 835 00:43:56,799 --> 00:43:58,319 I said he never failed you. 836 00:43:59,119 --> 00:44:01,279 He's not even capable of Failing you? 837 00:44:03,039 --> 00:44:04,359 Well, I'm not saying he did. 838 00:44:04,359 --> 00:44:05,679 No, I'm not saying he did. 839 00:44:06,259 --> 00:44:06,899 But they did. 840 00:44:06,979 --> 00:44:11,739 Yeah, well, what's so weird about me not wanting to be married 841 00:44:11,739 --> 00:44:15,299 to her anymore because of what somebody else did in their marriage? 842 00:44:16,659 --> 00:44:21,779 That has nothing to do with Sandra and me and what that person 843 00:44:21,858 --> 00:44:22,579 did to you. 844 00:44:22,739 --> 00:44:26,299 There are words in the Bible that tell you how to go about making 845 00:44:26,299 --> 00:44:26,899 that right. 846 00:44:28,579 --> 00:44:32,459 And if you don't want to make it right, then why are you blaming 847 00:44:32,459 --> 00:44:33,059 God for this? 848 00:44:33,059 --> 00:44:33,979 I'm not blaming God. 849 00:44:33,979 --> 00:44:35,219 Will you stop following him? 850 00:44:35,819 --> 00:44:37,819 You stop being a true disciple of Jesus. 851 00:44:38,219 --> 00:44:39,899 You stop growing in the Lord. 852 00:44:40,379 --> 00:44:41,499 You stop serving. 853 00:44:42,299 --> 00:44:44,219 You stop being a servant and a giver. 854 00:44:46,459 --> 00:44:47,339 What do you mean? 855 00:44:48,379 --> 00:44:49,019 Well, they. 856 00:44:49,499 --> 00:44:51,859 I don't understand why everybody still thinks they're such 857 00:44:51,859 --> 00:44:52,459 a good person. 858 00:44:52,459 --> 00:44:54,859 Well, where they are, God will deal with that. 859 00:44:55,899 --> 00:44:58,219 God's gonna deal with you, with where you are now. 860 00:44:58,219 --> 00:45:01,899 Are you in submission to the authority of Jesus Christ in your 861 00:45:01,899 --> 00:45:02,219 life? 862 00:45:03,629 --> 00:45:04,189 Well, no. 863 00:45:04,189 --> 00:45:05,629 Well, then don't blame them. 864 00:45:06,669 --> 00:45:10,109 Because if you want to follow Jesus and love him and walk with 865 00:45:10,109 --> 00:45:13,389 him, nobody on this planet can keep you from it. 866 00:45:14,669 --> 00:45:17,309 And you've got the same attitude as these people did. 867 00:45:17,309 --> 00:45:20,349 You're saying the ways of the Lord are not equal. 868 00:45:20,429 --> 00:45:22,909 You're saying that they're the ones that made a mistake and I've 869 00:45:22,909 --> 00:45:26,109 got the sour taste in my mouth and I'm backslidden because of them. 870 00:45:26,349 --> 00:45:27,389 That is a lie. 871 00:45:28,359 --> 00:45:29,719 That's an absolute lie. 872 00:45:30,199 --> 00:45:31,559 That is not even true. 873 00:45:31,799 --> 00:45:33,359 Yeah, but you don't know what happened to me. 874 00:45:33,359 --> 00:45:35,679 Well, I'm sure it's worse that happened to you than what's ever 875 00:45:35,679 --> 00:45:37,479 happened to anybody else before you. 876 00:45:38,439 --> 00:45:40,279 Oh, excuse me for the sarcasm. 877 00:45:40,279 --> 00:45:41,959 That is an ugly way to talk. 878 00:45:41,959 --> 00:45:42,839 But I meant it. 879 00:45:44,439 --> 00:45:45,959 It's true, isn't it? 880 00:45:46,839 --> 00:45:48,199 It's absolutely true. 881 00:45:50,119 --> 00:45:53,239 God said, you need to understand, I deal. 882 00:45:53,559 --> 00:45:57,549 If this man does what's right before me, then you know what's going 883 00:45:57,549 --> 00:45:58,309 to happen to him? 884 00:45:58,469 --> 00:45:59,509 He's going to live. 885 00:46:00,389 --> 00:46:02,149 He's going to know what life is. 886 00:46:02,629 --> 00:46:06,469 You'll never talk to this guy who is being obedient to God. 887 00:46:06,549 --> 00:46:08,509 Doing his best doesn't mean he's a perfect man. 888 00:46:08,509 --> 00:46:10,069 But he's trying to live before God. 889 00:46:10,069 --> 00:46:11,869 He's not got a rebellious spirit. 890 00:46:11,869 --> 00:46:15,149 He's not willfully bowing his neck to the authority of God. 891 00:46:15,149 --> 00:46:16,789 He may stumble along the way. 892 00:46:17,029 --> 00:46:18,829 He may make a mistake here and there. 893 00:46:18,829 --> 00:46:22,379 But in his heart he is not defiant against God nor turned against 894 00:46:22,379 --> 00:46:22,859 the Lord. 895 00:46:22,859 --> 00:46:24,699 And he means to follow the Lord. 896 00:46:24,699 --> 00:46:28,899 Then God said this man, if you want to talk to somebody that knows 897 00:46:28,899 --> 00:46:29,659 what living is. 898 00:46:29,659 --> 00:46:30,699 Go talk to him. 899 00:46:30,859 --> 00:46:33,019 Because he has life. 900 00:46:36,939 --> 00:46:38,219 Because I deal with him according. 901 00:46:38,539 --> 00:46:42,379 Now look in verse 10, it doesn't matter if it's his own son, 902 00:46:43,899 --> 00:46:44,699 verse 10. 903 00:46:45,179 --> 00:46:50,379 But if he begat a son, even if it's his happy life, man, son, he's 904 00:46:50,379 --> 00:46:51,779 got choices to make himself. 905 00:46:54,099 --> 00:47:00,699 Choices to make himself through time. 906 00:47:00,699 --> 00:47:03,859 And I've had this thrown at me a few times over the years. 907 00:47:04,019 --> 00:47:05,059 Preacher's kids. 908 00:47:06,019 --> 00:47:07,059 Preacher's kids. 909 00:47:07,699 --> 00:47:08,819 Yeah, I know what you mean. 910 00:47:08,819 --> 00:47:10,019 Here's one right here. 911 00:47:11,139 --> 00:47:12,499 I can see why some people. 912 00:47:12,979 --> 00:47:16,459 Just kidding, no preacher's kids. 913 00:47:16,539 --> 00:47:20,339 Look, I don't care if it's a preacher's kid or a deacon's kid 914 00:47:20,339 --> 00:47:21,259 or your kid. 915 00:47:21,259 --> 00:47:23,499 If you've never been a preacher or a deacon, either one, 916 00:47:24,139 --> 00:47:25,419 it doesn't matter what kid. 917 00:47:25,419 --> 00:47:30,859 Your kid is going to have to make decisions before God for himself 918 00:47:31,259 --> 00:47:33,099 and for herself. 919 00:47:34,219 --> 00:47:34,779 Eventually. 920 00:47:34,779 --> 00:47:35,659 That's going to happen. 921 00:47:36,539 --> 00:47:38,219 There's no mistake about it. 922 00:47:39,659 --> 00:47:46,779 And if there is a man like this guy here and God says he has 923 00:47:46,779 --> 00:47:50,619 life, but he has a son that says, I don't want nothing to do 924 00:47:50,619 --> 00:47:51,299 with that stuff. 925 00:47:51,459 --> 00:47:54,539 There are people I think were hypocrites and, you know, judgmental 926 00:47:54,539 --> 00:47:55,619 and all that kind of stuff. 927 00:47:55,619 --> 00:47:59,459 Well, if he beget a son and he defies God and he goes against the 928 00:47:59,459 --> 00:48:03,779 five moral, five point moral standard and he's a robber and he's 929 00:48:03,779 --> 00:48:07,299 immoral and all of that thing, and he's not honest in his resources 930 00:48:07,299 --> 00:48:12,139 or anything like that, and he steals money or takes usury when 931 00:48:12,139 --> 00:48:12,899 it's not right. 932 00:48:13,219 --> 00:48:16,259 And then God says at the end of that he shall die. 933 00:48:17,619 --> 00:48:19,539 Now does that mean that God's gonna kill him? 934 00:48:19,619 --> 00:48:20,659 Well, it could. 935 00:48:21,699 --> 00:48:23,539 Doesn't necessitate that. 936 00:48:24,579 --> 00:48:26,499 But he's gonna die without living. 937 00:48:28,659 --> 00:48:32,699 What I mean, I'm usually messed up on a lot of things. 938 00:48:32,699 --> 00:48:34,119 I'm not messed up on this whole. 939 00:48:34,189 --> 00:48:36,269 He not gonna know the kind of life this guy has. 940 00:48:36,829 --> 00:48:39,309 Nobody'll look at him and say, that's living. 941 00:48:40,029 --> 00:48:40,749 You know why? 942 00:48:41,549 --> 00:48:44,989 Cause the joy is not there because of the burden of sin. 943 00:48:45,629 --> 00:48:47,389 There's a burden of guilt that's there. 944 00:48:47,949 --> 00:48:50,589 There's a burden of bitterness that's there. 945 00:48:51,229 --> 00:48:56,989 There's an attitude that goes with those who are always blaming 946 00:48:57,069 --> 00:48:59,869 somebody else for why they're not right themselves. 947 00:49:00,979 --> 00:49:02,659 There's a spirit that goes with that. 948 00:49:02,819 --> 00:49:07,539 And as far as his living a life of joy and fullness and meaning, 949 00:49:07,539 --> 00:49:08,259 he's not. 950 00:49:08,419 --> 00:49:11,219 He might be dead while he's walking, you know what I'm talking 951 00:49:11,219 --> 00:49:11,539 about? 952 00:49:11,859 --> 00:49:13,539 Because his life is not full. 953 00:49:13,699 --> 00:49:15,299 His life is not abundant. 954 00:49:15,299 --> 00:49:16,899 His life is not joyful. 955 00:49:16,979 --> 00:49:17,859 It's not there. 956 00:49:17,939 --> 00:49:19,779 And sometimes God can take him out. 957 00:49:19,779 --> 00:49:23,299 I read in the book of First John, there is a sin unto death. 958 00:49:23,459 --> 00:49:29,069 It's not unlike God to take a child and say, okay, that's enough, 959 00:49:32,109 --> 00:49:33,069 and take them out. 960 00:49:34,669 --> 00:49:35,709 He would do that. 961 00:49:36,509 --> 00:49:37,469 You said he would. 962 00:49:40,109 --> 00:49:41,668 So I suppose that happens. 963 00:49:41,668 --> 00:49:42,589 Of course it does. 964 00:49:43,309 --> 00:49:44,189 Read it in the book. 965 00:49:46,509 --> 00:49:50,109 But the point is everyone. 966 00:49:50,269 --> 00:49:51,589 And then he goes on to the next one. 967 00:49:51,589 --> 00:49:55,149 We'll say, this rebel here, verse number 10 through 13, let's 968 00:49:55,149 --> 00:49:59,569 say he has a son, and we're into the third generation, and he 969 00:49:59,569 --> 00:50:02,409 has a son, and he's the son of this rebel. 970 00:50:02,409 --> 00:50:04,329 He's the son of this wicked man. 971 00:50:04,409 --> 00:50:06,009 He's the son of this sinner. 972 00:50:06,169 --> 00:50:09,129 Yeah, but he decides he's gonna fear God. 973 00:50:10,569 --> 00:50:12,009 Yeah, but his dad messed up. 974 00:50:12,009 --> 00:50:13,969 I mean, he'll pay for that for the rest of his life. 975 00:50:13,969 --> 00:50:15,129 That isn't what God said. 976 00:50:17,049 --> 00:50:21,129 God said, if he lines up with my word and does what I says, he. 977 00:50:21,129 --> 00:50:22,649 Look at it at the end of verse 17. 978 00:50:22,729 --> 00:50:24,329 This is the end of that section. 979 00:50:24,999 --> 00:50:26,199 He shall surely live. 980 00:50:26,999 --> 00:50:27,919 He's going to live. 981 00:50:27,919 --> 00:50:33,559 You want life now, you know, I'm going to wind this thing down. 982 00:50:34,119 --> 00:50:37,519 But when you go to talking about the judgments that are in the 983 00:50:37,519 --> 00:50:40,519 book of Ezekiel, and the judgment, the kind of judgment we 984 00:50:40,519 --> 00:50:45,159 talked about previously in the Last Message, and the wrath of God. 985 00:50:45,159 --> 00:50:48,919 The judgment of God and his judgment upon them, the Babylonians 986 00:50:48,919 --> 00:50:49,879 coming against them. 987 00:50:49,879 --> 00:50:54,209 Look, look, God is not in heaven saying, ah, this is what I 988 00:50:54,209 --> 00:50:58,769 delight in inflicting misery upon my people. 989 00:50:59,329 --> 00:51:00,609 No, just the opposite. 990 00:51:00,609 --> 00:51:02,449 Would you look at the end of the chapter again? 991 00:51:03,089 --> 00:51:07,489 God said, therefore will I judge you, O house of Israel, everyone 992 00:51:07,489 --> 00:51:10,929 according to his ways, saith the Lord God, repent. 993 00:51:13,089 --> 00:51:14,849 Here is our God. 994 00:51:16,539 --> 00:51:20,059 To people who willfully defy him. 995 00:51:21,339 --> 00:51:22,139 Excuse me. 996 00:51:22,699 --> 00:51:26,739 To people who are standing around kicking the dirt saying, the 997 00:51:26,739 --> 00:51:27,979 ways of the Lord are not equal. 998 00:51:27,979 --> 00:51:28,859 Isn't that something? 999 00:51:29,579 --> 00:51:32,339 They ate the sour grapes and we got the bitter taste. 1000 00:51:32,339 --> 00:51:33,299 Isn't that something? 1001 00:51:33,299 --> 00:51:34,459 The way God works. 1002 00:51:34,699 --> 00:51:36,059 Isn't that the way God works? 1003 00:51:36,139 --> 00:51:39,819 The fathers do the sin, the sons get beat over the head, poor. 1004 00:51:39,819 --> 00:51:40,299 Yeah. 1005 00:51:40,619 --> 00:51:42,379 And you know what God says to them? 1006 00:51:43,069 --> 00:51:49,109 I mean, come on, why wouldn't God just say, why wouldn't he do 1007 00:51:49,109 --> 00:51:49,389 that? 1008 00:51:50,429 --> 00:51:52,589 God said, I take no pleasure in judgment. 1009 00:51:54,029 --> 00:51:55,469 And he says, repent. 1010 00:51:56,749 --> 00:51:58,908 Turn yourself from your transgressions. 1011 00:52:00,269 --> 00:52:03,629 You read the whole section again, and here's what you conclude. 1012 00:52:04,589 --> 00:52:05,749 Find out what God says. 1013 00:52:05,749 --> 00:52:06,509 He expects. 1014 00:52:09,399 --> 00:52:13,479 Do what he says, and live. 1015 00:52:15,159 --> 00:52:16,119 It's not that hard. 1016 00:52:18,199 --> 00:52:20,759 Life need not be as complicated as people make it. 1017 00:52:22,039 --> 00:52:22,759 For real. 1018 00:52:24,839 --> 00:52:26,119 Just know what he says. 1019 00:52:26,439 --> 00:52:26,999 Have you. 1020 00:52:28,759 --> 00:52:30,519 I just put that on hold for just a second. 1021 00:52:30,519 --> 00:52:33,079 Have you read Deuteronomy 28 lately? 1022 00:52:36,369 --> 00:52:37,569 Well, read it sometime. 1023 00:52:38,609 --> 00:52:40,129 Or Leviticus 26. 1024 00:52:41,889 --> 00:52:43,889 You know what he says in Deuteronomy 28? 1025 00:52:44,049 --> 00:52:45,649 The first 14 verses. 1026 00:52:45,729 --> 00:52:49,169 God says, if you'll do this in obedience to me. 1027 00:52:50,929 --> 00:52:52,209 I preached on that years ago. 1028 00:52:52,209 --> 00:52:58,089 And the title of the message is, do right before God and look 1029 00:52:58,089 --> 00:52:58,849 out behind you. 1030 00:52:59,579 --> 00:53:04,339 Because God says, if you'll just take me at my word and act upon 1031 00:53:04,339 --> 00:53:09,579 my word, my blessings shall run over you. 1032 00:53:10,299 --> 00:53:11,619 Do right and look out behind you. 1033 00:53:11,619 --> 00:53:12,859 You're about to get run over. 1034 00:53:13,019 --> 00:53:13,659 By what? 1035 00:53:13,819 --> 00:53:15,899 The favor and blessings of God. 1036 00:53:18,059 --> 00:53:19,339 I don't like the Old Testament. 1037 00:53:19,339 --> 00:53:20,539 That's Old Testament. 1038 00:53:22,139 --> 00:53:23,179 That's what it says. 1039 00:53:24,379 --> 00:53:25,339 14 verses. 1040 00:53:25,339 --> 00:53:26,059 I think it's 14. 1041 00:53:26,139 --> 00:53:26,939 Might be 17. 1042 00:53:27,619 --> 00:53:27,939 Look at it. 1043 00:53:27,939 --> 00:53:29,459 Don't look at it now, but look at it later. 1044 00:53:30,819 --> 00:53:32,019 Just do what I say. 1045 00:53:33,139 --> 00:53:34,659 You won't believe the blessings. 1046 00:53:35,859 --> 00:53:39,379 And then he has about 54 verses that go like this. 1047 00:53:39,779 --> 00:53:45,299 But if you don't, you're gonna bring misery upon yourself. 1048 00:53:45,779 --> 00:53:50,979 Verse after verse after verse after verse after verse, after verse 1049 00:53:51,059 --> 00:53:51,939 after verse. 1050 00:53:52,019 --> 00:53:54,019 Why the big segment on the negative? 1051 00:53:54,479 --> 00:53:56,159 To get through to his people. 1052 00:53:57,599 --> 00:54:00,079 To get them to see, do you want life? 1053 00:54:00,799 --> 00:54:01,759 Do you want to live? 1054 00:54:03,919 --> 00:54:07,759 And if you're missing out on it because of some circumstances 1055 00:54:07,999 --> 00:54:12,199 or because of some hurtful experience or because of some bitterness 1056 00:54:12,199 --> 00:54:16,319 in your own soul or resentment against somebody that you feel like 1057 00:54:16,559 --> 00:54:21,439 failed you, if you want them to keep you from him, you can live 1058 00:54:21,439 --> 00:54:23,959 that way and die that way. 1059 00:54:26,679 --> 00:54:33,559 Or you can say, I'm going to repent toward God and I'm going to 1060 00:54:33,559 --> 00:54:35,079 humble myself before Him. 1061 00:54:35,559 --> 00:54:36,879 And it is true. 1062 00:54:36,879 --> 00:54:39,079 I'm not trying to sound like Joel Osteen. 1063 00:54:39,319 --> 00:54:43,559 If you want to follow Jesus, nobody can keep you from it. 1064 00:54:44,839 --> 00:54:48,799 If you want to know God's favor, nobody can keep you from being 1065 00:54:48,799 --> 00:54:50,139 in love with God and. 1066 00:54:50,449 --> 00:54:51,889 And obedient to Him. 1067 00:54:52,449 --> 00:54:55,729 And no circumstance can keep you from that. 1068 00:54:56,049 --> 00:55:01,329 Even when there are miserable failures all around you of all kinds 1069 00:55:01,329 --> 00:55:03,409 and hurtful experiences. 1070 00:55:03,729 --> 00:55:07,009 Why, God's even made it where you grow by them. 1071 00:55:07,329 --> 00:55:12,929 And even they can be for your good and his glory. 1072 00:55:16,459 --> 00:55:17,099 The final verse. 1073 00:55:17,099 --> 00:55:18,219 Let's stand together, shall we? 1074 00:55:18,219 --> 00:55:19,179 Verse 32. 1075 00:55:21,339 --> 00:55:26,099 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth saith the 1076 00:55:26,099 --> 00:55:35,339 Lord God, wherefore turn yourselves and live ye well. 1077 00:55:35,339 --> 00:55:37,579 I can't help but think of these young people over here again. 1078 00:55:39,179 --> 00:55:40,859 O these young people. 1079 00:55:41,499 --> 00:55:43,499 Oh, the world is so. 1080 00:55:44,379 --> 00:55:45,499 Oh, these young people. 1081 00:55:46,379 --> 00:55:48,219 How about you don't listen to that stuff? 1082 00:55:49,499 --> 00:55:54,619 Just say as much as I know and can know the will of God. 1083 00:55:55,099 --> 00:55:56,859 I'm just gonna try to follow the Lord. 1084 00:55:58,939 --> 00:56:00,139 I'm not gonna be perfect. 1085 00:56:01,179 --> 00:56:02,819 I'm gonna need some help along the way. 1086 00:56:02,819 --> 00:56:06,419 And God will no doubt rebuke me through teaching, preaching other 1087 00:56:06,419 --> 00:56:06,939 ways. 1088 00:56:08,299 --> 00:56:11,179 But I'm gonna make up my mind to follow the Lord. 1089 00:56:13,699 --> 00:56:16,099 And if you want to do that, nobody can stop you. 1090 00:56:17,539 --> 00:56:19,939 Some of the greatest testimonies at Southwest Baptist 1091 00:56:19,939 --> 00:56:21,939 Church are some bus kids. 1092 00:56:22,499 --> 00:56:25,379 Some of them pastoring churches now graduated from Heartland 1093 00:56:27,138 --> 00:56:30,379 that have never received one word of encouragement from their 1094 00:56:30,379 --> 00:56:30,819 parents. 1095 00:56:31,299 --> 00:56:34,379 Some of them who are raising kids, sending them to Heartland, 1096 00:56:34,379 --> 00:56:37,379 and they've still never had an encouraging word from their parents. 1097 00:56:37,919 --> 00:56:40,199 And they're serving God, raising their kids for the glory 1098 00:56:40,199 --> 00:56:42,799 of God, pastoring churches and winning souls. 1099 00:56:44,639 --> 00:56:45,399 How about that? 1100 00:56:45,399 --> 00:56:47,919 Makes you want to kick the devil in the teeth, doesn't it? 1101 00:56:47,919 --> 00:56:50,239 You don't want you to listen to that stuff. 1102 00:56:51,119 --> 00:56:53,999 You make up your mind to follow Jesus and follow him. 1103 00:56:54,799 --> 00:56:57,359 Yeah, but these people out there are really living. 1104 00:57:00,479 --> 00:57:01,119 Truly. 1105 00:57:03,289 --> 00:57:08,529 Some are trying and doing some of the weirdest things on earth to 1106 00:57:08,529 --> 00:57:10,409 make it look like they are really living. 1107 00:57:11,849 --> 00:57:14,009 But real living is defined right here. 1108 00:57:15,929 --> 00:57:18,409 And if you want to follow Jesus, you can. 1109 00:57:19,609 --> 00:57:22,249 Don't let the wrong boy in your life or some beautiful young 1110 00:57:22,249 --> 00:57:22,809 ladies over. 1111 00:57:22,809 --> 00:57:24,329 Don't let the wrong guy in your life. 1112 00:57:27,449 --> 00:57:30,819 And you knuckleheads over here, guys, don't you go after the 1113 00:57:30,819 --> 00:57:31,859 wrong kind of girl, either. 1114 00:57:31,859 --> 00:57:34,579 Let God bring you your Eve. 1115 00:57:36,259 --> 00:57:37,059 Oh, yeah. 1116 00:57:37,299 --> 00:57:38,659 You can live for Jesus. 1117 00:57:39,219 --> 00:57:40,259 You can know this. 1118 00:57:41,859 --> 00:57:43,939 I don't know all your backgrounds, but I know this. 1119 00:57:44,019 --> 00:57:48,699 You can know what this son knew, though his daddy did wrong. 1120 00:57:48,699 --> 00:57:50,099 He said, I'm gonna do right. 1121 00:57:51,299 --> 00:57:52,579 I'm gonna follow God. 1122 00:57:53,859 --> 00:57:58,009 And every one of us is responsible for our own behavior. 1123 00:57:59,529 --> 00:58:00,489 Every one of us. 1124 00:58:00,649 --> 00:58:01,489 That's what he said. 1125 00:58:01,489 --> 00:58:04,169 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. 1126 00:58:04,329 --> 00:58:08,409 Everybody bears personal responsibility. 1127 00:58:10,009 --> 00:58:11,369 Don't point the finger. 1128 00:58:11,689 --> 00:58:14,729 They no go look in the mirror.