Ezekiel 18:30
God's judgment is certain and future, and repentance is the only alternative to spiritual death.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the certainty of God's judgment as the highest authority, warning that there is no appeal beyond it. He urges listeners to repent genuinely, not just feel remorse, and to turn away from their transgressions to avoid the ruin that sin can bring. Smith illustrates the destructive consequences of sin through the lives of biblical figures like Saul, Samson, and Solomon, highlighting that sin leads to spiritual death. He challenges the audience with the question, 'For why will ye die?' urging them to choose life through repentance.
Text
I. "THEREFORE I WILL JUDGE YOU."
A. The highest court of the Universe.
1. Carl Chessman trickery, maneuvering.
2. No appeal beyond.
B. I will.
1. Judgment is yet future.
2. Judgment is certain.
3. Some feel a false ease.
II. ALTERNATIVE.
A. Interior.
1. Repent.
a. Not remorse.
b. Sorry enough to quit.
B. Exterior.
1. Turn from transgressions.
a. Disobedience to God's will.
Ill. SO SIN SHALL NOT BE YOUR RUIN.
A. Sin has ruined many lives of great potential.
a. Saul - Lust, jealousy, uncontrolled temper.
b. Samson - Lust, bad environment.
c. Solomon - Idolatry - "loved wives more than God."
B. For why will ye die?
a. Eventual result of sin.
1. SPIRITUAL DEATH!
Sermon Outline
- I points: - '{''1'': ''The highest court of the Universe'', ''2'': ''No appeal beyond''}' - '{''1'': ''Judgment is yet future'', ''2'': ''Judgment is certain'', ''3'': ''Some feel a false ease''}'
- II points: - '{''1'': ''Repent'', ''a'': {''1'': ''Not remorse'', ''2'': ''Sorry enough to quit''}}' - '{''1'': ''Turn from transgressions'', ''a'': {''1'': ''Disobedience to God''s will''}}'
- III points: - '{''a'': {''1'': ''Sin has ruined many lives of great potential'', ''b'': {''1'': ''Saul - Lust, jealousy, uncontrolled temper'', ''2'': ''Samson - Lust, bad environment'', ''3'': ''Solomon - Idolatry - ''loved wives more than God''''}}, ''B'': {''a'': {''1'': ''SPIRITUAL DEATH!''}}}'
Key Quotes
“THEREFORE I WILL JUDGE YOU.” — Chuck Smith
“For why will ye die?” — Chuck Smith
“SPIRITUAL DEATH!” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Repentance is necessary to avoid spiritual death.
- God's judgment is a reality that we must take seriously.
- Turning from sin and obeying God's will is essential for a life of purpose and fulfillment.