Leviticus 26:3
The sermon emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the resulting blessings or consequences based on our choices.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the certainty of God's promises as outlined in Leviticus 26:3, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's statutes and commandments. He explains that our choices determine the blessings we receive, such as peace, protection, and God's presence, which are by-products of a life lived in obedience. Conversely, disobedience leads to dire consequences, including futility and desolation. Smith reassures that God's word is sure, as He has fulfilled His promises in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
Text
"GOD'S SURE WORD"
Intro: Laws of nature in operation in universe. Gravity, magnetism, electricity,
cause and effect. There are spiritual laws governing man, cause and effect
are just as sure.
I. THE CONDITIONS, "IF YE WALK IN MY STATUTES AND KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS AND DO THEM."
A. "If" immediately see my power of choice.
1. I can walk however I please.
2. God will not force me to love or obey.
B. You may object that there are so many you cannot remember them all.
1. Love the Lord thy God...
2. Love thy neighbor as thyself.
II. THE RESULTS.
A. Plenty - verse 4, 5.
B. Peace - verse 6a.
C. Protection - verse 6b.
D. Power - verse 7, 8.
E. Posterity - verse 9.
F. Plenty - verse 10.
G. His presence - verse 11, 12.
H. Things that men are striving for today.
1. I want to have these things, and God wants me to have them, why don't
I have them?
a. Result from path of obedience not strife.
2. These blessings not attained by direct pursuit.
a. By-product.
3. Some have pursued some of these with success.
a. What value plenty without peace?
1. Solomon.
b. What value prosperity without protection?
c. "What shall it profit a man if he..."
III. SECOND CONDITION, "IF YOU WILL NOT..." (verse 14, 15..
A. The "if" again places the responsibility with me.
1. I can turn my back on God and refuse.
IV. THE CONSEQUENCE.
A. Futility - verse 16b & Judges 6: 1-6.
B. Defeat - verse 17 & I Samuel 4:10.
C. Draught - verse 19, 20 & I Kings 17.
D. Children devoured by beasts - verse 22 & II Kings 17:25.
E. Pestilence - verse 25b & Numbers 16:49.
F. Starvation - verse 29 & II Kings 6: 28, 29.
G. Desolations - verse 31 & II Kings 25: 9.
H. Dispersion - verse 33 & Psalm 44: 11.
I. Seventy years captivity verse 34, 35 & Jer. 25: 11, 12.
J. Preserved as ethnic group - verse 44.
V. GOD'S SURE WORD.
A. As He said, so He did.
1. He said He would again make them a nation (Ezekiel 37..
2. He said they would blossom and bud and fill the earth with
fruit (Isaiah 27:6..
3. As He said, so He did.
B. As He said, so will He do.
1. Psalm 102: 16.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - '{''A'': ''The power of choice in obedience.'', ''B'': ''Simplifying the commandments to love God and neighbor.''}' - THE CONDITIONS
- II points: - '{''A'': ''Plenty and abundance.'', ''B'': ''Peace and protection.'', ''C'': ''Power and presence of God.''}' - THE RESULTS
- III points: - '{''A'': ''Responsibility of choice to obey or disobey.''}' - SECOND CONDITION
- IV points: - '{''A'': ''Futility and defeat.'', ''B'': ''Draught and pestilence.'', ''C'': ''Starvation and desolation.''}' - THE CONSEQUENCE
- V points: - '{''A'': ''Fulfillment of God''s promises.'', ''B'': ''Assurance of future promises.''}' - GOD'S SURE WORD
Key Quotes
“If ye walk in my statutes and keep my commandments and do them.” — Chuck Smith
“As He said, so He did.” — Chuck Smith
“What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Reflect on your choices and how they align with God's commandments.
- Seek to love God and your neighbor as a foundation for your actions.
- Trust in God's promises and live in obedience to experience His blessings.