Ezekiel 22:30
God's primary desire is to have a relationship with humanity, but He must judge due to His righteousness, and He is searching for men and women to stand in the gap and intercede on behalf of a corrupt nation.
Chuck Smith emphasizes that God is actively seeking individuals to serve Him, highlighting the deplorable state of Judah, where corruption permeated leadership, the priesthood, and the prophets. Despite the nation's moral decay and rejection of God's guidance, God remains merciful and desires repentance, searching for someone to intercede on behalf of the people. However, He found none willing to stand in the gap, leading to inevitable judgment. Smith draws parallels to contemporary society, urging listeners to recognize the need for righteousness and the importance of seeking God amidst a morally corrupt world.
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"GOD WANTS YOU"
Intro: Old recruiting signs, "Uncle Sam wants you." God is always seeking
to recruit for His service. God is plenteous in mercy - slow to
judgment. The last thing God wants to do is judgment. Yet because
He is righteous, He must judge. When everything else fails,
judgment must come. Right up to the moment the axe falls, God is
crying, "Turn ye, turn ye, for why..."
I. JUDAH'S DEPLORABLE STATE.
A. Nation thoroughly corrupted.
1. Government leaders corrupt.
a. Filled with greed, self interest - accepting
bribes.
b. Dishonest, corrupt!
2. The priesthood had failed.
a. God's representatives.
b. They became materialists.
c. They denied the supremacy of the spiritual.
d. They sought to interpret the Word of God rather
than believe.
3. The prophets were liars.
a. They were saying, "peace, peace," - when God
was bringing war.
b. They were predicting victory - when God had
determined defeat.
c. They were crying prosperity - when God was
about to take away their possessions.
4. The people had become irrecoverably corrupt.
a. When the foundations are destroyed, who can
stand?
b. Lack of true spiritual guidance led to carnal
cesspool.
1. Pornography, adultery, fornication,
incest.
c. With the false prophets holding out false
hopes, no need to repent.
II. GOD'S SEARCH FOR A MAN.
A. God is so merciful - even now He would forgive them, if they
would only repent.
B. God sought for a man to stand in the gap.
1. A great breach had come in their relationship with God.
2. The hedge of His divine protection was gone.
3. God was looking for intercessors.
C. "But I found none."
1. Everyone had his own excuse.
a. I'm building a house.
b. I'm planting a field.
c. I'm developing financial security.
d. These things will all soon be destroyed.
2. Carnal man is absorbed in what to eat, drink, wear.
a. But seek ye first, the kingdom of God...
III. "I FOUND NONE, THEREFORE I POURED OUT MY WRATH UPON THEM."
A. They gave Him no alternative.
1. He had called - they would not answer.
2. He had warned - they ignored it.
3. He pleaded - they mocked Him.
4. He stretched out His arms - they walked away.
5. Being righteous He must act, He has left no excuse.
6. He had desperately sought for a man.
B. History, they say, repeats itself.
1. Principles are the same.
a. "Righteousness exalts a nation, sin is..."
b. Seek God and you will be blessed - forsake God
and you will be destroyed.
2. Times may change - principles don't.
a. Man is the same. He is a sinner and lost
without God.
C. Looking at our nation today.
1. Moral cesspool.
2. Corrupted leaders.
3. Corrupted prophets.
4. Hedge of defense broken down - great gap.
5. God is seeking men and women.
Sermon Outline
- JUDAH'S DEPLORABLE STATE points: - Nation thoroughly corrupted - Government leaders corrupt - Filled with greed, self interest - accepting bribes - Dishonest, corrupt!
- GOD'S SEARCH FOR A MAN points: - God is so merciful - even now He would forgive them, if they would only repent - God sought for a man to stand in the gap - A great breach had come in their relationship with God
- GOD'S WRATH points: - They gave Him no alternative - He had called - they would not answer
Key Quotes
“GOD WANTS YOU” — Chuck Smith
“Right up to the moment the axe falls, God is crying, 'Turn ye, turn ye, for why...'” — Chuck Smith
“I found none, therefore I poured out my wrath upon them.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must seek God and His kingdom above all else, as the foundation for true spiritual guidance and a life of righteousness.
- God is searching for men and women to stand in the gap and intercede on behalf of a corrupt nation, and we must be willing to answer His call and take responsibility for our actions.
- We must not ignore God's warnings and pleas, but rather repent and turn to Him, lest we face the consequences of His wrath.