The Realities and Limits of Paul’s Authority

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 10:7-18

 

2 Corinthians 10:17-18

But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” ¹⁸ For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

(NKJV)

 

In 1 Corinthians 9, the Corinthians question Paul’s authority as an Apostle. The contents of this text indicate there may still be some questions, so Paul provides teaching on the reality and limits on his authority in Christ. While Paul is writing specifically to the Corinthians, his teaching on the reality and limits on his authority in Christ have application to the Church today.

 

This text begins with a question asking the Corinthians if they look at things according to outward appearances. Paul also asks those convinced they belong to Christ to consider that Paul and those with him are also in Christ (2 Corinthians 10:7). Even if Paul appears to boast about the authority given to him in Christ, it is not for the destruction of the Corinthians but their edification for which Paul is not ashamed (2 Corinthians 10:8). Some say that Paul’s letters are weighty and powerful but his words in person are weak and contemptible (2 Corinthians 10:9-10). The weightiness and power of Paul’s words when absent are demonstrated in his deeds when present with them (2 Corinthians 10:11). This is the reality of Paul’s authority.

 

Paul now discusses the limits of his authority by teaching that it is unwise for one to commend him or herself or to compare themselves among others in the Church, something Paul and those with him dares not do (2 Corinthians 10:12). Instead, Paul and those with him refuse to boast beyond the measure of the sphere provided by God (2 Corinthians 10:13). Paul’s sphere does include the Corinthians and why he came to them with the Gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:14). Paul hopes that as the faith of the Corinthians increases, so will his sphere of influence (2 Corinthians 10:15). Paul wants his sphere of influence to go beyond the Corinthians as their faith increases and the establishment of their faith (2 Corinthians 10:16). Paul wants the Corinthians to see him glorifying and commended by God (2 Corinthians 10:17-18).

 

In answer to questions about his authority (1 Corinthians 9), and the context of his previous teaching on spiritual warfare in 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, Paul establishes the reality and limits on his authority.

• The reality of Paul’s authority (2 Corinthians 10:7-11) – Paul’s authority is an authority given to him by God to edify the Body of Christ and not its destruction (2 Corinthians 10:8)
• The limits of Paul’s authority (2 Corinthians 10:12-18) – The authority of Paul’s ministry is limited to the sphere of influence given to him by God, which included the Corinthians at this time of his ministry (2 Corinthians 10:13).

 

The Church has spiritual authority, but that authority has limits on where and how each Church body should administer its authority. In his previous teaching on spiritual warfare, Paul established the reality of Church authority and the reality of the resources available to conduct spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:10-18). This is the reality of Church authority, an authority seldom recognized and exercised.

 

The Church must also prioritize its Spiritual authority. When viewed as a body, the Church has many members created and designed with various gifts and talents. In Acts 1:8, Jesus’ final words before ascending was that the Church be witnesses of Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the end of the earth. Each of these locations represents a sphere of influence for each Church body and the priority with which the Church should exercise its authority.

 

• Jerusalem – The believers in the early Church were mostly Jews living in Jerusalem with Jesus establishing that as the first place to exert spiritual authority. Each local Church body should have as its first priority outreach to its local community and city.
• Judea – Judea is the area of Israel containing Jerusalem with Jesus establishing outreach from the local community of Jerusalem spreading throughout the Judean region. As each local Church body’s authority grows in its local community, it should begin to spread to its local state, province, or area.
• Samaria – Samaria represents the remaining area of the nation of Israel and where Jesus envisioned outreach in each regional location would spread. As Church authority grows within the local region, it should spread throughout the nation.
• The ends of the earth – This is the global outreach of the Church that grows as Spiritual authority grows nationally in a nation. However, the priority of this global outreach should not take precedence with local outreach ignored.

 

As each Church body recognizes the reality of its authority in Christ and uses that authority with the priority outlined in Acts 1:8, coupled with a heart of repentance, revival will occur, and the harvest of souls brought in. If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins and to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Rebellions of Israel (In the Promised Land)

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 20:18-32

 

Ezekiel 20:18-19

“But I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols. ¹⁹ I am the Lord your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them

(NKJV)

 

Complacency is dangerous for a child of God for it can lead to one believing he or she can take care of problems with no need of bothering God about it. The Book of Judges in the Bible illustrates a cycle in Israel of turning to God, achieving victory, doing things on their own or becoming complacent, and turning back to God. The Church must also guard against becoming complacent for the time of the return of Christ is imminent and the harvest fields are ripe (Luke 10:2; Matthew 9:37) because complacent believers in the Church are not working the harvest.

 

This section of the text in Ezekiel speaks to the next generation of Israelites who are descendants of those who rebelled against God in the wilderness. The text begins with a reminder to this future generation not to make the mistake of their fathers and rebel against God’s Word (Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Ezekiel 20:18-20). This generation confronted a fork in the road and could continue down the road of rebellion like their parents or serve the Lord.

 

Unfortunately, this generation chose to follow the path of rebellion like their parents with God vowing to pour out His fury on them (Ezekiel 20:21). Fortunately for Israel, God withheld His fury so His name was not profaned by the Gentiles believing God delivered his people from Egypt only to have them perish in the land He promised them (Ezekiel 20:22). God also vowed to scatter the Israelites among the Gentiles for their disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:36-37; Ezekiel 20:23-24).

 

God pronounces this rebellious generation as unclean because of the detestable sin of offering their children up as sacrifices to the pagan gods they have decided to worship (Ezekiel 20:25-26). God now speaks to the elders who have asked him to inquire of the Lord on their behalf, reminding them that they too have blasphemed God by their unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 20:27). When the generation entering the Promised Land crossed the Jordan and saw the high hills and thick trees, they chose to offer their sacrifices there unto their pagan gods instead of God, their Lord (Ezekiel 20:28). The high place is named Bamah by God, the place Israel chose to defile themselves like their fathers (Ezekiel 20:29-30). Because of these abominations, God does not allow them to inquire of Him For God knows they desire to be like the Gentiles, worshipping idols of wood and stone (Ezekiel 20:31-32).

 

One would think that the rebellions of Israel would stop once they entered the Promised Land, but the rebellions continued. After crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land and the victory at Jericho (Joshua 6), Achan took as plunder some of the accursed things from Jericho, leading to the defeat of Israel at Ai (Joshua 7:1-9). Solomon also turned from the Lord, leading to the division of Israel after his death (1 Kings 12). This constant rebellion has now reached its climax with God no longer allowing the elders to make inquiries of them with them destined to seventy years of exile (Ezekiel 20:31; Jeremiah 25:11).

 

One would think that God coming to fallen humanity in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14) and dying for their sins even though He knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) would end rebellion against God but rebellion against God continues. Jesus taught that the way to life and salvation was narrow but the way to destruction is wide and easy and why many continue down that path (Matthew 7:13-14). Because many will choose the wide and easy way, Jesus told his disciples they would experience persecution in this world but also reminds us that He overcame the world (John 16:33). God cannot allow the Israelites, or His Church, to fulfill their desire to be like the Gentiles and worship idols of wood and stone or compromise with today’s woke culture (Ezekiel 20:32).

 

Rebellion against God in our time resembles the abomination of Israel when they sacrificed their children in the fire (Ezekiel 20:26) with millions of unborn babies murdered by abortion. Continued rebellion against God has led to the vile passion of homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27). We are also observing the acceptance as normal the mutilation of one’s body through gender reassignment surgery, something Paul cautioned against in Philippians 3:2. The Church must not remain silent but speak out against these woke culture abominations and rebellions against the Word of God.

 

If you are reading this and have not asked for the forgiveness of the sin in your life, I invite you to pray with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Spiritual Warfare

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

 

2 Corinthians 10:4

For the weapons of our warfare are not ^[a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds

(NKJV)

 

What I deem to be the thesis statement of the 911 Commission report about the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, was that they were at war with us, but we were not at war with them. Sadly, this statement is true of the Church today with Satan and his forces at war with the Church as his time draws short and the return of Jesus is eminent. The Church, however, is lukewarm, compromising, and functions in a consumerist manner to please everyone by not speaking out against sin. For revival to begin, the Church must awaken to the fact it is in a spiritual war and must engage.

 

The text begins with Paul telling the Corinthians his pleading with them is by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. His approach to the Corinthians is with lowliness and humility when with them but with boldness when absent (2 Corinthians 10:1). Paul does not want to be bold towards some who believe Paul and those with him walk according to the flesh (2 Corinthians 10:2). While Paul and those with him still walk in a fleshly body, that is not how they conduct spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3). The weapons of warfare used by Paul and those with him are not carnal but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). Paul defines the strongholds as arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Paul is ready to punish all disobedience when the obedience of the Corinthians is fulfilled (2 Corinthians 10:6).

 

Paul is preparing the Corinthians to fight a different type of war, a spiritual war that requires the use of spiritual weapons as opposed to carnal weapons of the flesh. In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul provides additional details of the spiritual weapons in the arsenal of the believer which a believer needs to stand against the wiles of the Devil (Ephesians 6:10-11). Paul goes on to define the enemy as not consisting of flesh and blood but principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.

 

• Principalities – Not the nations or organizations warring against God’s people but the demonic principalities behind their evil philosophies.
• Powers – Demonic powers that empower those who lead nations supporting ungodliness.
• Rulers of darkness – Not the men or women in earthly power but the spiritual rulers behind them (Daniel 10:10-14).
• Spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places – Wolves in sheep’s clothing having positions of authority in the Church appearing spiritual but lacking Godliness.

 

Whether we like it or want to admit it or not, we are in a spiritual war that requires different weapons and strategies. The Church must,

 

1. Repent – Church organizations have become comfortable with using conventional strategies for Church growth that mirror strategies for growing a business organization, like compromise or customer satisfaction. While there are business aspects to running a Church, like finances and maintaining facilities, numerical growth in the Church occurs as the Church lifts up Jesus drawing people to Christ (John 12:32).
2. Put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) –
1. Truth (Ephesians 6:14) – Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that true worshippers of God worship in spirit and truth (John 3:23). The belt on the armor of a Roman soldier held everything together just as the truth of God’s Word holds everything together for a spiritual warrior.
2. Breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14) – This is not our righteousness which is useless (Isaiah 64:6), but the righteousness of Christ a spiritual warrior has through the shed blood of Christ (Romans 3:22).
3. Shoes of the Gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15) – Bringing the Gospel wherever the spiritual warrior goes.
4. The shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16) – Protecting the spiritual warrior from the constant barrage of attacks from the devil.
5. The helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17) – Protecting the mind of a spiritual warrior with the assurance of salvation in Christ.
6. The sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) – The written Word of God as a weapon used by the spiritual warrior to defeat deception.
3. Engage in an unconventional battle –
1. Prayer (Ephesians 6:18) – Normally a soldier stands in battle but in this unconventional battle, soldiers are on their knees in prayer.
2. Empowered by the Spirit of God (Acts 1:4,8) – A conventional soldier is empowered by his or her training and the might of the weapons they possess. The spiritual warrior is empowered by the Spirit of God, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11).
3. Armed with the truth – The Word of God is the sword at the side of a spiritual warrior but is useless without training and practice in swordsmanship (Hebrews 4:12). A spiritual warrior regularly trains through the study of the Word of God and practices it in his or her daily life.

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed for the forgiveness of sins or to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

While many in the Church are praying for revival, we must realize revival comes through engagement in spiritual warfare and not some new Church program. 

The Rebellions of Israel (In the Wilderness)

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 20:1-17

 

Ezekiel 20:15-16

So I also raised My hand in an oath to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, ‘flowing with milk and honey,’ the glory of all lands, ¹⁶ because they despised My judgments and did not walk in My statutes, but profaned My Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols. 

(NKJV)

 

Why do we learn history in School? The main answer to the question is so we do not repeat the mistakes made in the past. For Israel in the time of Ezekiel, the elders were seeking some word of encouragement from Ezekiel but instead received a history lesson of their past abominations against the Lord to remind them of why they are in their current state. My prayer is that the lukewarm, compromising, and consumerist Church of today would learn from the mistakes of Israel and return to its missional commission to spread the Gospel and make disciples.

 

During the seventh year, fifth month, and tenth day of the month, certain elders come to Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord (Ezekiel 20:1-2). The Word of the Lord comes to Ezekiel asking if they have come to inquire of the Lord with the Lord responding that He will not be inquired of by them (Ezekiel 20:3). The Lord then instructs Ezekiel to make known to them the abominations of their fathers (Ezekiel 20:4).

 

The word begins with when the Lord chose Israel as His people when they were in the land of Egypt when the Lord swore on oath that He was the Lord their God (Ezekiel 20:5). The Lord then raised His hand in an oath promising to deliver them out of the land of Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands (Ezekiel 20:6). The Lord then instructed Israel to throw away their abominations and not to defile themselves with the idols of Egypt because the Lord is the Lord their God (Ezekiel 20:7). However, some rebelled against the Lord by not throwing away their abominations or forsaking the idols of Egypt with the Lord vowing to unleash His fury on them (Ezekiel 20:8). For His namesake, the Lord still brought Israel out of Egypt so as not to be profaned in the presence of the Gentiles (Ezekiel 20:9).

 

After leaving Egypt, the Lord brought Israel into the wilderness where He gave Israel his statutes and judgments that provide life when they are obeyed (Ezekiel 20:10-11). In addition, the Lord gave Israel His Sabbaths as a sign that He is the Lord their God who sanctifies them (Ezekiel 20:12). However, Israel rebelled again with the Lord vowing to unleash His fury on them again to destroy them in the wilderness (Ezekiel 20:13). Acting again for his namesake, the Lord did not destroy them but vowed they would wander in the wilderness and not enter the Promised Land (Ezekiel 20:14-15). Despite their rebellion in the wilderness, the Lord showed Israel mercy and did not destroy them in the wilderness (Ezekiel 20:16-17).

 

The elders came to Ezekiel to hear from the Lord about their dire situation, expecting words of encouragement and deliverance but instead receiving a history lesson about why they were in their dire situation. These elders know this history but stop at God choosing Israel as His people and do not remember the Commandment to worship only the Lord God (Exodus 20:1-3). Instead, these elders believe they deserve some special status as God’s chosen people with God required to deliver them despite their sins. Such pride is about to lead to Israel’s fall into exile (Proverbs 16:18), but not complete destruction due to God’s grace (Ezekiel 20:17).

 

The dire situation of the world and even some Churches is because of their despising God’s Word and compromising with wickedness. This is especially true for nations like the United States whose founding documents established the country on Godly principles, rejected by the nation’s current leaders in favor of compromising with and accepting evils like abortion, gay marriage, and transgenderism. The Church as the chosen bride of Christ is not exempt from God’s judgment and fury for compromising with the ungodly woke culture even if they attempt to justify it as a strategy for increasing membership and contributions by making people feel comfortable in the sin. The Church is not called to increase the number of members and contributions through compromise, but to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Increasing Church attendance comes through lifting up Christ (John 12:32).

 

For revival to occur in the world, the Church must abandon any secular marketing strategies for growth through compromise with the world by not standing firm on the precepts of the Word of God. The Church which consists of all claiming Jesus as their Messiah must repent of its lukewarmness and compromise with the world and begin lifting up Jesus who died for everyone’s sin. If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of sins and to make Jesus your Savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Each of us can contribute to doubling Church attendance this weekend by taking one person who needs Jesus to church with us. May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Giving With the Right Attitude

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

 

2 Corinthians 9:7

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of ^[c]necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

(NKJV)

 

The topic of giving in the Church is one many ministers avoid out of fear the congregation will believe he is trying to collect contributions to the Church to line his own pockets. While this may not be the case, some in the church may have experienced having their money grudgingly taken from them through Coercion, fear tactics, or guilt. In this post, we will address what it means to be a cheerful giver giving with thanksgiving out of a love for Christ.

 

Paul begins this text by reminding the Corinthians of the law of sowing and reaping, something people living in an agrarian society would have understood (2 Corinthians 9:6). However, a giver who gives cheerfully from the goodness of his or her heart and not grudgingly or out of necessity pleases God (2 Corinthians 9:7). Giving with this attitude ensures the giver’s needs are met and that he or she has an abundance to give to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). It will be said of one giving with this attitude that he gave abroad, to the poor, and that his righteousness will endure forever (2 Corinthians 9:9).

 

Paul then asks that God, the supplier of seed for the sower and bread for food, multiply the seed sown and increase the fruits of righteousness in the hearts of the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 9:10). The enrichment of God that comes through liberal giving should cause thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:11). The administration of this gift from the Corinthians not only supplies the needs of the one receiving the gift but abounds in many thanksgivings to God (2 Corinthians 9:12). The liberal gift shared by the Corinthians also brings glory to God as a confession to the Gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 9:13). Along with giving, the Corinthians pray for the recipients of the gift because of God’s exceeding grace (2 Corinthians 9:14). Paul ends the text by thanking God for the gift (2 Corinthians 9:15).

 

Paul wants to ensure those giving are doing so with the right attitude. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 Paul urges the Corinthians to give as they purpose in their hearts and not grudgingly out of duty to the Church or necessity or something done to avoid guilt. Instead giving should produce thanksgiving to God as the needs of the saints are met (2 Corinthians 9:12). God gave us his gift of salvation with exceeding grace and wants us to give to him with the same level of grace and gladness.

 

Give as God moves upon our hearts and not out of fear, guilt, or coercion. Unfortunately, the lukewarm, consumeristic, and compromising Church today often resorts to these tactics to raise larger contributions.

 

1. Coercion in the lukewarm Church – In Revelation 3:14-22, the Bible introduces us to the lukewarm Church of Laodicea. The attitude of this Church was a belief they did not need anything due to their riches and wealth (Revelation 3:17). There are Churches in existence today that support a prosperity gospel teaching that anyone having faith in Jesus Christ will become rich by giving to the Church using scriptures like Luke 6:38 as a foundation. This scripture is taken out of context for the verse preceding it speaks of passing judgment, so the giving spoken of is not money but judgment (Luke 6:37). While Scripture does not tell us if the Laodicean church supported a similar prosperity gospel but a needy person coming to the Laodicean church might have felt coerced to give to become wealthy like those in the Church. Also, a church trusting in its wealth and riches would not have wanted a needy person in its congregation unless they became a contributor.
2. Fear in the Consumerist Church – A consumerist church is a church that functions as a business and speaks of its focus on Christ and the Bible but has a business-like focus on fundraising and programs that focus on meeting the needs of congregants seeing them as consumers. Fundraising in these churches can resort to fear tactics that cause people to give out of fear of losing a program that makes them feel good or fear the church will need to close its doors for lack of money.
3. Guilt in the compromising Church – A consumerist church can become a compromising church that fears taking a stand on an ungodly issue like abortion, gay marriage, or transgenderism fearing loss of membership by offending someone. The problem with this compromising strategy is it offends true believers who worship the Lord in Spirit and truth (John 4:24) who are probably the core financial support of the church. The mission of the Church is not entertaining congregants like customers of a business but spreading the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20), for which there is no compromise. The guilt in the compromising Church in regards to giving is in not supporting preaching against sin that may alienate people from joining and contributing to the Church.

 

If you are reading this post and have been alienated from the Church and Christ by coercion, fear, or guilt to contribute to the Church, I urge you to pray for the forgiveness of sin and to make Jesus your savior. I do not want or need your money and am only interested in sharing the truth of God’s Word and for you to Make Jesus your savior so you can spend eternity with Jesus. I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

A Lamentation for Israel and Warning for the Church

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 19:1-14

 

Ezekiel 19:13-14

And now she is planted in the wilderness,
In a dry and thirsty land.
¹⁴ Fire has come out from a rod of her branches
And devoured her fruit,
So that she has no strong branch—a scepter for ruling.

(NKJV)

 

The nation of Israel in the Bible symbolizes an individual and a nation’s relationship with God. It is God’s intention for all individuals and nations to live in obedience to the Lord and His Word but like Israel individuals and nations fall into disobedience and suffer the consequences. Ezekiel 19:1-14 uses the symbolism of a lion and a vine to illustrate the fall of Israel’s leadership and nation from obedience to God, leading to the consequence of exile. The modern Church must learn from Israel’s examples or suffer the consequence of going into the exile of insignificance.

 

This passage begins with the Lord telling Ezekiel to take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel (Ezekiel 19:1). The lamentation begins with the mother of Israel symbolized as a lioness, lying down with the lions and nourishing her cubs among the young lions (Ezekiel 19:2). One of her cubs became a young lion that learned to hunt prey and devour men but when the nations heard of him, they trapped him in their pit, bringing him with chains to Egypt (Ezekiel 19:3-4).

 

When the lioness heard of this, she lost hope and took another one of her cubs and made him a young lion who roved among the lions and learned to hunt prey and devour men (Ezekiel 19:5-6). This young lion knew the desolate places of the enemy and laid waste their cities with the land desolated by the noise of his roaring (Ezekiel 19:7). In response to this, the nations came against him from every side, spreading their nets over him, trapping him in their pit (Ezekiel 19:8). The young lion was put in a cage and brought to the king of Babylon so that his voice was no longer heard on the mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 19:9).

 

The symbolism now switches from the mother of Israel as a lioness to a vine in Israel’s bloodline that was fruitful and full of branches because it was planted by many waters (Ezekiel 19:10). The vine became strong with strong branches for scepters of rulers, towering above the dense foliage (Ezekiel 19:11). However this strong vine was plucked up in fury, cast to the ground, with the east wind drying her fruit. Her once strong branches were broken and withered with fire consuming them (Ezekiel 19:12). Instead of her planting among many waters, she is planted in the wilderness of a dry and thirsty land (Ezekiel 19:13). Fire has come out from a rod of her branches, devouring her fruit, and leaving her with no strong branch or scepter for ruling (Ezekiel 19:14).

 

Once again, the Lord gives Ezekiel a word for the people that uses imagery to illustrate the extent of Israel’s fall from a great and powerful people of the Lord to a nation going into exile as a consequence of their sin (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Not only did the Lord through Moses warn Israel of the consequences of disobedience before entering the promised land, but God sent prophets to warn them and remind them of these consequences.

 

1. Micha warned Israel of exile to Babylon with the promise of their return (Micha 4:10).
2. Jeremiah gave numerous warnings about exile (Jeremiah 25:8-14, 29:10-14, 52:28-30).
3. Isaiah warned King Hezekiah that all he so proudly displayed to the Babylonians would be taken away along with his fellow countrymen (Isaiah 39:5-8).

 

This imagery from Ezekiel illustrates the downward spiral of Israel due to their continued disobedience with God showing mercy with his many warnings. Unfortunately, the warnings fell on deaf ears and the nation suffered 70 years of exile.

 

The lukewarm, compromising, and consumerist Church of today must repent or suffer the consequences of the exile of insignificance. Today’s Church is,

 

1. Lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22) – Similar to the Laodicean Church, Many Churches today are prideful, finding comfort in their riches and wealth and believe they need nothing (Revelation 3:17). What this Church lacks is the power of God through worship in the power of the Holy Spirit and the uncompromising truth of the Word of God (John 4:24). The early Church turned its world upside down, or right side up depending on your perspective, with the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, and not their riches, power, and wealth (Acts 17:6).
2. Compromising (Romans 12:1-2) – Romans 12:1-2 occurs after Paul explains what it is to live for Christ in the first eleven chapters of Romans. His words are clear instructing God’s people not to conform to the world but to experience transformation through the renewing of their minds. Paul is not speaking of a woke mental transformation compromising on foundational biblical truths regarding gender, marriage, and the sanctity of life (Genesis 2:24, 5:2,9:6), but a transformation through the study of the Word of God, bringing liberty (John 8:32; Proverbs 4:5). 
3. Consumerist Church (2 Timothy 4:3-4) – Similar to how one measures business growth, the world measures Church growth by numbers. A Church is successful if it has large numbers of members, fills large arena-sized auditoriums, and amasses great wealth through contributions. There is no mention of numbers in the great commission of the Church but a call to spread the Gospel, make disciples, and be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). I wonder how many true disciples of Christ are in the congregation of the mega-churches of today and even if there is a true disciple of Christ in the pulpit.

 

This is a call to the Church of today to repent of its lukewarmness, compromising, and consumeristic ideas of growth and return to the lifting up of Christ in spirit and truth (John 12:32). If you are reading this and have drifted from a relationship with Christ or never prayed for forgiveness from sin and to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.