Ezekiel 8:7
God desires to do a redecorating job in our lives, changing us from the inside out and replacing old paintings with new ones, but it requires granting Him permission and a willingness to be clean and pure.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the need for spiritual renewal in his sermon 'Ezekiel 8:7', illustrating how Jerusalem's forsaking of God led to abominations that were hidden from view but visible to God. He highlights that while people may attempt to hide their sins, nothing is concealed from God's sight, and He desires to transform our inner lives rather than merely cover up the external. Smith encourages listeners to invite God to redecorate their hearts, replacing old, sinful thoughts with purity and praise, reminding them that true change comes from a desire for God's cleansing power.
Text
"REDECORATING"
Intro: Jerusalem must fall - she has forsaken God, the fountain of living
water. Judgment is a difficult process - question of fairness.
Especially to captives, hundreds of miles away in Babylon. So God
took Ezekiel by the Spirit back to Jerusalem, to behold the
abominations done in the open.
I. "DIG A HOLE IN THE WALL."
A. Here as he looked around, he saw worse abominations.
1. Lewd paintings on the wall.
2. Men were engaged in vile activities.
B. God said, "See what they do in the dark?"
1. It is a mistake to think that you are hiding anything
from God.
a. Light and darkness are alike to Him.
b. The patience of God is often misinterpreted as:
1. Blindness.
2. Indifference (it doesn't matter).
3. Condoning.
4. Approval.
c. "Be not deceived, God is not mocked."
C. God had allowed Ezekiel to go into the chambers of their
imaginations.
1. It's impossible to hide your deeds from God but more
frightening.
2. It's impossible to hide your thoughts from God.
a. "Thou understandest my thoughts afar off."
b. "All things are naked and open before the eyes
of Him with whom we have to do."
3. As God walks through the galleries of your
imaginations, what kind of paintings does He see there?
a. What abominations does He behold?
b. "It is thy mercies that we are not consumed."
c. Jesus said, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so
is he."
d. Prov. - "Keep thy heart with all diligence..."
e. Jesus said, "For out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts, murderers, adulteries, fornications,
thefts, false witness, blasphemies."
II. GOD WANTS TO DO A REDECORATING JOB IN YOUR LIFE.
A. He changes from the inside out.
1. So often people try reforms.
a. We whitewash the wall on outside.
b. New drapes to cover the filthy art.
2. He wants to remove all the old paintings within.
3. Replace them with new.
a. A heart stayed on Him.
b. A heart of praise and thanksgiving.
c. A pure heart, "Blessed are..."
B. You may say, "But God, I have tried to clean up my act, but I
can't."
1. His answer to you is, "just grant Me the permission - I
will clean it up."
a. All it takes on your part is desire.
1. Do you desire to be clean?
2. Do you desire to be pure?
C. God will do for you what you can't do for yourself.
Sermon Outline
- God's Judgment on Jerusalem points: - The Abominations in Jerusalem - Lewd paintings on the wall - Men engaged in vile activities
- Light and darkness are alike to God points: - God's Perspective on Sin - God is not mocked
- Impossible to hide deeds from God points: - The Chambers of the Imagination - Impossible to hide thoughts from God
- God's Redecorating Job points: - Changing from the Inside Out - Removing old paintings and replacing with new
- Desire is all that is required points: - Granting Permission for Change
Key Quotes
“See what they do in the dark?” — Chuck Smith
“It is thy mercies that we are not consumed.” — Chuck Smith
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize that God sees all things and knows your heart, and it is impossible to hide your sins from Him.
- Grant God permission to clean up your heart and life, and He will do it for you.
- Desire is the key to change, and all it takes is a willingness to be clean and pure.