Ezekiel
Calvary Chapel Cherry Creek
Ezekiel 48 vs 1-35
April 21, 2021 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 48 Verse 1 • Now there may be an intricacy here worth just a minute or two. During the Great Tribulation, we read in Revelation 7 that there will be 144,000 Jews “sealed” as servants of God and verses 5 – 8 detail 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes. However, Dan is not mentioned. Instead, Joseph’s son Manasseh appears to take his place. Why? • Well, first it’s appropriate in one sense as Joseph was given a “double portion” by God in Genesis 48:22. But why omit Dan? We can only speculate because we are not told but many believe it is because Dan was the first of the tribes of Israel to go after, accept and embrace idolatry. (Which are really all the same because the result/destination of all three is the same) • That’s an interesting offering and certainly acceptable and supportable. And if that’s true, then after the Great Tribulation, notice, Dan is restored. Not only that, as a demonstration of the awesome and amazing grace of God, not only is Dan restored, he is made and put first. • I will be the first to say that I have failed God far more times than I care to or could ever remember. But I’ll also be the first to say that I know that He put Himself on the cross knowing all of my failures. You need to be fully reconciled to God today. Know why? Because you are… (It’s like Falcon holding Cap’s shield but it’s me holding the heart of God saying, “Feels like it should be someone else’s.” And He replies, “It isn’t. It’s for you.”) Maybe I’ve fallen. Embraced idolatry. Not guarded my own heart and now my heart is a full-on knot needing to be untied or in the process of being untied. Maybe I’m not a good person at all. God still, right now, puts me and He puts you even before Himself. He calls me worthy. He calls me to just come home…that’s awesome. Ezekiel Chapter 48 Verses 2 – 8 • Now I think equally as important as the point we just received regarding the tribe of Dan, Judah (and we will find later in the Chapter this about Benjamin as well) is given a portion of the land, look… having the sanctuary in it. Ok why? Some have postulated, and I find this quite acceptable, that Judah and Benjamin are ultimately given honor and privilege in the architecture and plan of God due to their faithfulness. Benjamin and Judah were the only two tribes to remain faithful to David (or the Davidic Dynasty I should say) who was the king, the ruler, by the will and word of God. They, as you may know, formed together the Southern Kingdom or Judah while the rest of the tribes formed the northern Kingdom or Israel when the nation split. • So, let this be as an encouragement to all people. Because we all fall into these two categories (Dan and/or Judah) in seasons and situations of life. There is on the one hand, the tribe lost (as it were) to idolatry. God welcomes you home. And then there is on the other hand, walking in faith and faithfulness to God will have its reward. He has not forgotten you. You are not forsaken. • It’s the story of the prodigal son. The son that returns to the father is honored with a feast. A celebration because the son that was once dead to the father has returned and the father’s heart is overjoyed. But how does that story begin? Luke 15:11, “There was a man who had two sons.” That brother never left. Always served his father. And for him, in the same story, he became distraught. • Luke 15:28-31, “He was angry and would not go in. Therefore, his father came out and pleaded with him. So, he answered and said to his father, “These many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.” And he said to him…here’s the answer to that heartache…, “Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.” • Here is the God we serve. That if you have been far from Him, there is nothing more that He wants then for you to just come back home. Look, all the way back home… To come all the way home is to leave what is not of home behind. Nothing would please Him more. And look, if you have not been far from God and yet it seems that the bottom is dropping out of everything…He is a God that cares and loves you…so what does He do…He pleads with you by the ministry of the Holy Spirit and reminds you…puts it back into your mind…maybe even now…that He hasn’t left, won’t and hasn’t forsaken you (even though it may seem and feel that way), and all that He has is still yours. (Just like the song “Do It Again,” and I love this as the people sing, “I’m still in your hands, this is my confidence, you’ve never failed me yet!”) • Thus, Dan….unfaithfulness is forgiven and you are received. And also Judah…faithfulness is honored and you are received. This is the heart of the Father. Ezekiel Chapter 48 Verses 9 – 15 • Ok so check this out…dwellings and common-land…the city shall be situated in the center of it. Allow me this exhortation church… No matter what you are into, what you do, where you go, your down time and free time, may I just exhort you to keep the Lord at the center of it? I’m not talking about everything in your life is religious formality. That’s not what I’m talking about at all. And if you know me at all, you know that is not my life nor my heart. • Jesus laid this out for us in John Chapter 10 Verse 10. He said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Paramount in your heart of hearts should be, let it be, make this decision for yourself child…first in position in your heart ought to be the solid rock of Christ and the Word of God. Build everything from there and the thief can do nothing. Living unto the Lord, that is a life of safety, peace, joy and blessing. No matter what comes or does not come. Ezekiel Chapter 48 Verses 16 – 19 • Everyone does their part. This is a healthy body. Each of us, not members of the church or this church, but Christians in general, all have a job to cultivate. Now, this phrase in the Hebrew is ultra-interesting and really, it’s not the word cultivate per se, it’s probably translated this way due to contextual proximity to the previous sentence about food. The word used is actually, “serve.” • The will of God and the job we have as Christians is to first serve the Lord and second, to serve others in the things of the Lord. That’s it. That’s the tool that I am. And when I am not used for that purpose, when I go my own way, which any other way is really to serve myself, then I and my life can get all out of sorts in a hurry. • I was thinking about this. It takes a long time to build a house. Build a car…whatever…but both can be destroyed in only moments. The thief knows this…we need to protect against this in our lives. How? Serve the Lord. Serve others unto the Lord. • What is the will of God for you? What are you called to do? How it is that you and I can walk into the life that God has planned for us? Which is definitely the best version of us…?? Serve the Lord. Serve each other. That is exactly the bombshell Jesus came to reveal. Truly the full un-fleeced revelation that was being set up throughout the Old Covenant and entire Old Testament. • They asked Jesus one day, “What is the meaning of life?” What they literally asked in Matthew 22:36 was, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” But Jesus knew the real question which was, “What is most important? In this entire world, what is the meaning of it and behind it and even for it and me…” • And in Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Each of us, every Christian. This is the will of God for your life. Get these right and everything will be as the Lord would have them to be in your life. Fall off the rails on these two, and…well, imagine a train at full speed coming off the rails…as the thief, the derailer celebrates your fall… Ezekiel Chapter 48 Verses 20 – 35 • Ugh! What an amazing way to end this book! What a remarkably comforting way for God to return Ezekiel back to Babylon. God is so good. Ezekiel had heard time and time again from God. God had spoken directly to him. And yet he still was in captivity. And so, the kindness of God…God speaks to him again. And the phrase that God holds him tightest to tell him is comprised of these last four soul strengthening treasures no doubt to Ezekiel himself. “The Lord is There.” Jehovah Sama (pronounced shawm-maw). This is the hope that lies ahead for each of us. The place and condition for each of us that know the Lord and have been born again by the Spirit of God. • But even now…this is the joy and the stability of the Christian. I love this name. I want the name of the city of me, at the center of who I am both on the inside and on the outside, my heart of hearts, I want it to be this today. “The Lord There.” Why? Because it’s the right thing to do? Perhaps. I get it. But truly, because of who He is and what He has already accomplished for me, and for the solid hope that remains in my future because of Him. • He has cast my sin as far as the east is from the west. He gives me a second chance and a second try every morning. He renews mercy upon my soul. He renews my strength. He comforts, He consoles, He encourages, He leads, He provides, He gives me hope, He gives me a true north for my compass that left on its own just spins and spins and spins…or worse its like Jack Sparrow’s compass and just points to what I want which most often breaks the entire meaning of life (to love God first and serve others unto the Lord)…He loves me and He is good to me. He is kind to me and desires kindness towards me… • Yup, take hope suffering saint, this is where we will be…where your faithfulness will be rewarded…honored…put on display as it were…and for the saint suffering loss at your own doing…your unfaithfulness will be forgotten…this is where we are going…but…but…but…this is also where you can be today. Right now. • Put down the sin. Put it down. Pick up your cross. Pursue the Lord and His will for your life. Put the Lord at the center of it all and walk in agreement with Him, in fellowship with the Lord, and in the power of the Holy Spirit… Tonight, is the name of your heart of hearts, “The Lord is There?” At this moment, we all CAN answer yes. Please come home…
Ezekiel 47 vs 1-23
April 14, 2021 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 47 Verses 1 – 2 This is interesting because this is definitely different than any characteristic that we’ve ever seen concerning the Temple. Ezekiel says that he says water flowing from the temple itself. A couple of things here. This means that the temple is somehow the source… Water is a critical element of life. In fact, it is the most important resource in the world. Check this out…it is essentially what we are as water makes up 2/3 of the human body and 70% of the human brain is water. Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid including sulfuric acid. It is water that regulates the earth’s temperature. Look, why am I going into this? Because the most essential element that you and I need today in order to be complete, to be well, is to receive and to relate and to walk with the Lord. And the fact that water flows eastward, towards the world, out of the temple as its source illustrates that for me very clearly. The source isn’t a job, a marketplace, a stock market, a stadium or a store…the source is the Lord Himself. Jesus said to the woman at the well in John 4:10, “If you know who it is you are talking to, that I am the gift of God for even you, then you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.” This water flowing is that living water and I submit to you that living water is available to you and to I today in the act and effort and faith and trust in God. Ephesians 5:25-27 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word...” Significant. The Word of God itself is likened to this living water. Jesus said, John 7:37-38, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me, and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Now, check this out…did you know, fact, water is the most common substance found on earth? It’s intriguing…we have the Word of God…its right here. Plentiful, available, powerful and effective…and yet so often I still turn to the marketplace, or the job, or the ministry…or something else…but none of those things cleanse, fill, give life. Point complete but hold that thought for a little bit later in the study… Ezekiel Chapter 47 Verses 3 – 6 This is one of my least favorite stretches of scripture… Why? Because I’m not strong enough for this. I’d like to explain it to you, so that you might be prepared and perhaps even enlightened, but I fear this in my life. Just being honest with you. You see, what’s happening here is that Ezekiel, in a way, is being tested. A measurement is a test of sorts. Seeing if something sizes up. At first, notice, Ezekiel doesn’t go into the waters but through the waters and that speaks of and points to the thought of a trial, tough stretch perhaps in your life…in my life…and this first bit, Ezekiel is only up to his ankles. No problem. No danger. Still wet, still uncomfortable, perhaps his Nike Sandals are ruined…but no problem. Then another trial. See every time its 1,000 cubits, same length and so there is a harmony, an identicality to what is happening…and so, trial one complete, you are big enough. Trial two…up next. This time, knee deep. There’s a loss of power here. Mobility. Ankle deep water, you can take some strides. Knee deep, different story. That trial hit different. But still, you’re big enough. Third trial up next. At this point, walking even becomes difficult. And now perhaps you see why I don’t necessarily look too forward to these things. Even walking, daily step by step, hard through this one…and yet God calls us even further. Fourth…this time, no footing…it’s all gone. Overwhelmed…I can try to swim, but this one is not able to be crossed…and the gap between verse 5 and verse 6 is just the absolute worst. I hate that gap. But after I have been through this and verse 6 comes, I learn. I learn that God is faithful and that even when I am not able, God becomes my able. He says, “See this now?” That word is consider, respect, pay attention, understand and enjoy… And His heart returns me. That word for return oddly could be translated, “resurrects.” It’s a return from death…like a rebirth, a breaking through…this is the cycle of God’s faithfulness. And learning that…when I am weak, then I am made strong. Teaches me how to swim. I don’t look forward to this at all…just being honest…but knowing this helps. Not always in the trial…in the trial I just want it all reversed and/or super fast-forwarded…but by faith, I am SURE that is coming because I have learned and am learning that God is faithful. I just want to give you one more thing here…silly and short…but the pattern of these verses is clear. “He brought me out,” “He brough me through,” “He returned me.” That’s the pattern and God is faithful. Stay the course, keep the faith. Ezekiel Chapter 47 Verses 7 – 9 Alright so quick point here. The Word of God gets applied to a situation, or an attitude, or a reaction, or whatever…and then it gets applied to another, and another and another…and that water flows. All of these little streams that are healed in and of themselves flow all the way to the main event…to the heart (the sea), …and ultimately the whole of you heals. Now, how can the sea heal when it’s the sea…wretched and bitter…how can an inflow heal that? Simple. There also has to be an outflow. Ugh, God help me with this one! I’m terrible at this but God gives me such grace and instruction and wisdom through people that He places around me! We have GOT to let things go! Let today be today and yesterday be yesterday. Grudges, offenses, pains, attitudes, that which is not good…why do we/I hang on to those things so tightly? Here’s the key…The seas are healed by the inflow because in some way, the inflow allows for the outflow as well. So, you wanna let it go? Me too. Be healed, feel better, rise up? Increase the inflow! I can’t just let it go. I’m far too stubborn and frankly too humanly sharp for that…but I can increase the inflow and that somehow enables the outflow. Hopefully that makes sense! Ezekiel Chapter 47 Verse 10 This is in the area of today what is called The Dead Sea. We won’t be going to En Gedi on our upcoming trip to Israel but one of the reasons tour groups go is because of this prophecy. There at En Gedi today there is a natural spring of water that flows over the top of the cliff and down towards The Dead Sea. According to Ezekiel, this area will be significant to say the least in the coming Millennial Reign. Ezekiel Chapter 47 Verses 11 – 12 One thing to note here that may help you, it helps me, is that as the healing waters flow, not everything is just turned perfect. Swamps and marshes aren’t healed. It’s ok to not be perfect when you’re walking with the Lord or healing or whatever. This drives me crazy personally as I like things right and good all and everywhere. But the truth is, well the thing is, we just gotta keep going in the grace of God. If everything is perfect then where is there room for grace. So be ok with not being ok…completely. That’s coming. And God knows and He wants me to know (maybe this is just for me) that I am to walk with Him and to progress and move forward even when there are some marshes and swamps along the way. My problem is that I stop and stare at the marshes wondering why they’re not perfect and I miss the huge flowing perfect river and the entire healed sea… Don’t be like me (but I’m learning). Notice the reason why this river heals and feeds and brings life wherever it goes is because of its source connection. It is not just a flowing river but it is a body of water that is always in the sanctuary of God. That speaks of constant connection, incessant relationship and walking with the Lord…and the connection to the source is truly the connection to all of the other things so very much needed. Ezekiel Chapter 47 Verses 13 – 23 I love this. This would be shocking to Ezekiel and every other Jewish reader of this text. Even strangers are given land…the outcast, the gentile, the uncircumcised, the servant and the stranger. They all have an inheritance in the giving of God. God will not rest until He has done all that He can do for everyone, everywhere… This is the character of the King of kings. That what He does and how He does it and how He loves and who He loves, we simply observe and wonder. Because He just loves. He just blesses. He just gives. He’s just good. And you and I and them and they…all of us, but you especially, He has an inheritance for you. I’m going to go and get mine. By His mercy, grace and love…my prayer tonight is that God would increase my faith!
Ezekiel 46 vs 1-24
April 7, 2021 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel chapter 46 Verse 1 • Keep in mind that the East Gate is reserved only for the use of the Lord. We will see the temple prince worship in the vestibule of the East Gate but going through the East Gate (which would be towards the Holy Place in the temple) is reserved only for the Lord. Now, it’s opened on the Sabbath which connects for us to the Person of Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross, as we read in all three of the Synoptic Gospels, (Matthew 12:8, Mark 2:28, and Luke 6:5) that Jesus Himself is the Lord of the Sabbath. • Concerning the sabbath day, the day of rest, being a pointer to Jesus Christ and the work of the New Covenant in the heart of man, Hebrews 4 is the authoritative text, for sure. Interesting about Hebrews 4, its all about entering into the rest that is provided by Jesus. That life as we ought to live it, life filled with fulfilled longings of the human heart…the need for love, joy, purpose, passion, intrigue, adventure…being welcomed and reconciled to God, that is what is meant by entering into His rest. • What’s interesting is that chapter is also the chapter of obedience. Hebrews 4:1-3a, “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest.” • This rest, this completing of the human heart is connected to obeying God and, don’t miss this, what we just read connected obeying God to believing God. Okay, so one point is that the promises, and blessings, and rest and completion that God provides to a person comes through obeying Him. Trusting Him and following Him and being near to the Lord. And, point two, is that obedience really is just belief with calories applied. • You see, obedience alone is superficial and without power and won’t lead your heart to the Sabbath rest promised and provided in Jesus. We don’t obey because its right, we obey because we believe. The belief calorizes the obedience and that brings about relationship. • So how do you get started? Same chapter. Hebrews 4:11-12, “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” It all begins with receiving the Word of God with an open heart, willing to believe and willing to be changed for the better and for the forwardness towards a close or closer relationship with Jesus Christ. • That’s the beauty and the power of the Word of God. Even if you’ve read it front to cover and heard sermons and teachings on every verse, if you approach the Word of God today with an open heart, any part or point will do a new work in your life! And that work received increases your faith, fuels your belief and empowers your obedience…and all of that walks you right into a full heart of rest in the Lord. Ezekiel Chapter 46 Verses 2 – 3 • Notice, the house of God is not just a place of worship for only the prince or the priests, but for all people. No matter who you are, where you are, whatever…God just wants to welcome you near to Him. All because He loves you! Ezekiel Chapter 46 Verses 4 – 5 • That’s totally interesting that it says there, “As much as he wants to give.” Three times we will read that in this chapter. That offerings are to be brought to the Lord but all three times, it will be, “As much as he wants to give.” That speaks of one-on-one acceptable proportionate intimate personal discussion between you, between an individual, and God Himself. I really believe that is the way He wants it. I really believe that is pure and holy Christianity. No procedure and no template…just you and just Jesus. Ezekiel Chapter 46 Verses 6 – 9 • Entering one way and exiting another. Do you know what that is? Social distancing! HA! • This is awesome. When the people come to worship God, they are to enter one way and then go out another way. What’s that all about? God wants to do more and more completion and rest work in your heart every time you come to Him. He doesn’t want you to leave the same as you came. Not when His Word is being read and taught… We should, man we have to, we should be filing away the truths of God’s Word just as swiftly as they are coming our way and resetting and reshaping our own hearts and minds…lest we come and go, come and go, come and go, and learn all types of things we can readily repeat but cannot benefit from personally in our own lives. God wants none of that for me, and none of that for you. • Also, quite awesome, the people are to come in one way and leave another way but not the prince, and in this I do believe the prince is a “type” of the Lord. That as we come and go…and as we change…one of the wonderful things that actually enables our growth and maturing of trust in the Lord is that He does not change. He remains the same. Makes me to unlock a bit for Him especially as I think about and meditate on something that I’ve learned that has helped me so much, grown me so much, and I realize that even when I was not grown, the Lord know those things, knew I lacked those things, and loved me anyway. He doesn’t change and as I change, I appreciate that about God even more. Ezekiel Chapter 46 Verses 10 – 17 • Now, an interesting thought for the Christian is that to, and in Christ, we are both sons and servants. So, for me, I know that all that God has He has given to me. That was proven to me at the cross. But at the same time, I serve Him. I actually think this is quite important. That we receive the grace and the forgiveness that has been delivered through His unconditional love…but that I also understand what it cost Him, that He didn’t have to do it, and that there are many many that have yet to receive the love of God…and so even though I am a son, I believe the proper response is to serve. What blesses the heart of a father more than a servant son? • Look, serving as a son is the best. Serving the Lord when you don’t have to is absolutely the best. He doesn’t demand it. He doesn’t hold anything over me if I don’t. He’s just good. Good to me. And so even as His son, with all the entitlements of eternity, it is my joy to honor and serve the Lord. Ezekiel Chapter 46 Verse 18 • I love that verse. What that verse means essentially is that the prince of God cannot, is not permitted, to take from someone to give to someone else. If he wants to give, he must give of himself, not from taking from others. Probably an entire sermon series can be preached on that principle of God. Ezekiel Chapter 46 Verses 19 – 24 • Final point here as we close out this chapter…at the extreme western end of the chambers of the priests and in every corner of the temple property, there was a place to prepare the sacrifice. I want to offer to you tonight that this is symbolic of prayer. Personal prayer is where this kind of business is done between me and God. And also, effective and pure prayer is sacrificial prayer. Not my will, but God let Your will be done, on earth…as it is in heaven. There is some major sacrifice in those words… • Think about the sacrifices of the temple. They are for God, they are for me or whoever is bringing them, and they are for others. The temple of God is designed with this at all corners and even the extreme section of the priests’ chambers, this is what it is for. • I want to win every battle against the flesh in my life. I want to overcome every ounce of darkness in my heart. I want evil to lose. All of those things are entirely and heavily burdensome and fatiguing if I am being honest. But Romans 12:1-2 says, “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Do you know who that “you” is? In my life, it’s not you…it’s me. This is what God wants of me. • And so, my faith, where it truly lives, is not in my actions or in my fruit…not to me…its in my personal prayer life and time with God. That is where the battle is truly fought for me. And I’m not putting a prayer trip on you and telling you to pray more, I’m just encouraged by what Ezekiel saw and to me it makes sense. So, no trip for more prayer, but certainly an urgent plea that you do have a real and effective prayer life. Prayer is your personal relationship with God. And it is all of the cornerstone locations of the temple of God.
Ezekiel 45 vs 1-25
March 31, 2021 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 45 Verses 1 – 3 • This chapter is a bit of a “zoom out” from the previous chapters. This is a larger lens view of the land, not just the temple. The temple and the city are to be set in a special set apart district belonging directly to the Lord. The length of this district will be about 7 miles by 3 miles and the square mile temple complex will be within it. Ok so with that understanding, check this out… Ezekiel Chapter 45 Verse 4 • Wait a minute. This land, this district belongs to the Lord. A holy section of the land set apart for the Lord. That is what we read already in this chapter. But awesomely, we just read that yes, it is the Lord’s land but belonging to those who come near to minister to the Lord. So, which is it? Is it the Lord’s or is it the ministers? The answer is not yes… • It is the Lord’s. This land is holy. It is His. In His grace and as a repetition of His character, a revealing of who He is, this is what He does. He calls it theirs. God invites those that chose Him to share in all that He has for Himself. This is the character of God, and we, I would never know it if it weren’t for what He has done for me. • I cannot imagine what it took for Him to send His Son to die in the place of an enemy. I know that God so loved the world and I know that the blood of Jesus has atoned for all sin, but honestly, that’s secondary to me…secondary to the fact that He so loved me, that His blood and what it cost Him atoned for my sin… • Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” And so, I make a choice and that choice is to serve the Lord. My choice to make, I’ve explored other paths, I’ve contemplated and studied other ways to do this life, and this is the choice I have made. Not because it is right…that’s not enough for me. But because of who He is…God’s demonstrated powerful and pure character of grace and infinite strength, and unconditional love. Romans 2:4 (my accentuation), “Know the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance.” FREEDOM. And seen here, in these words, is that as I give my heart to Lord, He gives me all that is His own in return. “All things,” as Paul wrote. • But and yet still I know…in all that I have received, grace, mercy, forgiveness, acceptance, eternal life, heavenly citizenship, the gift of the Holy Spirit ministering fruit into my heart and life like love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control, I know, and this I believe is the right way to be and believe and to think and to progress, I know that underneath it all…all that I have laid claim to by my own choice in freewill of giving my heart to Jesus Christ, I know that it is all His. • And so, we talk a while. And I tell Him…and He says to me, “But I give it to you.” And I’m thankful, and I’m blessed, and we just go on for a while longer until I tell Him again that I know it’s all His… I think that is a bit of communion between the Father and His son, or His daughter, I think that’s a bit that He cherishes…something between us that He really loves. • It’s like if I owned a mansion, beautiful and clean and glorious and my daughter who had nothing came to live with me…perhaps had torn down the foundations of her life, failed on her own…and when she comes home, she is met with more than a welcome but with a gift…that all I want is not just for her to be with me but for me to give everything I have to her. As a father, it would bless me to give her all that she could not give herself. That’s what I see here and that’s how it is with me and my Father…and I believe that is what He wants, because He is good. • It says here in verse 4 that this holy section will be, “Belonging to the priests,” and that word belonging is big-league. It means a “standing.” A place for them to stand. No fall, no fail, no weakening…where they are does not shift, but what God has given them is a place in which they are secured, and they stand. In a world of shaky and shifting sand, that right there is a big-league deal. Ezekiel Chapter 45 Verses 5 – 6 • Here is introduced a bit of mystery because it appears that the city, speaking of Jerusalem, which belongs to the whole house of Israel, is not the city we know today. That it is somehow different. • Today, the entire city, or area that we know as Jerusalem is 48 square miles. The “Old City” which is how we refer to basically the original city of Jerusalem which is within the walls of Jerusalem is only a third of a square mile. • This city is approximately 7 miles by 2 miles so we have a mystery…that the city will be reformed, redefined and resized when Jesus comes back on the scene and I quite like that. It just becomes different. God recasts the measures…and I look forward to that. • Now, that work even occurs in a life today…If you say “yes” to God, He will always show up. Did you know that? Maybe…well move it up in the order of what matters in your heart and how you think! God is able to do more and give more and please more and satisfy more and secure me more than I could ever get for myself. And we are surrounded in this world with people that serve self and miss what God has for them. We compete for good things when God will simply give the best things to each one of us specifically best for us, if and as we trust Him. • Listen, you can’t compete with me. I WANT you to win! I want what God wants for me and for you and in that there is this victorious thumbing of the nose to all that is darkness, all that is of this fallen nature and world because I am coming for everything THEY EVER said I couldn’t have! • Revelation 12:10-11, “Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” This is inaugurated eschatology. Bringing what will be to the now. This is that overcoming that God can call into place and recast and bring forth what was not before. That’s work that I cannot do in my life but simply just trusting the Lord and following His lead, He can do it and eternally, astoundingly, more than I could ever do for myself. Ezekiel Chapter 45 Verses 7 – 8 • It’s interesting that the translators have added some context here for us that I do not believe is necessary and this is one of the few times where this happens that I do believe by adding to the text for understanding purposes, they may have rather taken away from the understanding. • The words, “The rest of,” are in italics in your Bibles because those words don’t appear in the original copies in Hebrew. Words added for contextual understanding. God says here, “My princes shall no more oppress My people.” God’s heart is for the people, and God raises up leaders and watchers and caretakers to do just that, to care for those entrusted to them. Anyone that leads anything, that’s what He wants of you, for me…to care for them. • And so, He says, in order to turn from their oppression of the people, “They shall give the land.” It’s not about you or what you can get or the people serving you. True leadership is about serving them, what you can give to them to love them as God loves them. God wants to provide for the people around you. And He does that by sending them YOU! I am God’s provision for you and you are God’s provision for me. Even to the unbeliever. Even to the lost. Even to the hurting and the mistaking…God change my heart on this! I want to walk in this one right here…because that right there will change everything to be something so much better than I can know! • And the crazy thing is, and this is true in all of the things of God, what you can get through oppression may make you happy for the moment, you get something you want…your craving is satisfied until the next craving…but what you get in leading as the Lord would have you to lead is far far more. Far more…and carries lasting joy and lasting satisfaction with sustained highs higher than the high of the moment of indulgence! Trust Him! Ezekiel Chapter 45 Verses 9 – 10 • Many times merchants had weights to sell with and an entirely different set of weights to buy with. And so inevitably, if one 5 ounce weight was slightly heavier than the other, that one would be used for selling while the lighter weight would be used for buying. They both say “5 ounces.” It’s just simple common sense to do that way. Maximize your money…but…it would be at the cost of others. • This is not the character or the way of the Most-High. We today apply the same principle in our judgement of others. We use light weights for our own sin and heavy weights for the sins of others. It should not be so. God says, “Honest scales.” Ezekiel Chapter 45 Verses 11 – 17 • Many believe this prince to be David…but here we see the prince fulfilling the office of the priest, which David was not. David was the king. Not the priest. I’m not saying that this prince is not the resurrected and glorified King David…I’m just saying that there are points on both sides of the discussion to consider, if you want to discuss it at all…which I really don’t. Ezekiel Chapter 45 Verses 18 – 25 • The point of this whole chapter and really the entire Millennial Reign period and even the point of all creation is that God just loves. He just loves. Somehow love is what He is…I don’t know how, I don’t know what that looks like…but I read and watch His character and His choices and I know it to be true. God loves me and you unconditionally and has a perfect and powerful plan for us both. Trust Him and see the superiority of what He can do with your life!
Ezekiel 44 vs 1-31
March 24, 2021 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 44 Verses 1 – 2 • We had talked about before how the East Gate to the Old City of Jerusalem is shut today and was done so first in 810AD by Muslim Crusaders, reopened in 1102AD by Christian Crusaders, then walled up again by Saladin in 1187AD and finally rebuilt and sealed (as it remains today) by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1541 when Jerusalem was under Ottoman Turkish control. But I mentioned this then and I will here again, I do not believe the East Gate of Ezekiel 44 is the East Gate that we can see today. This is the to-be-built East Gate as described in chapters past. • However, that brings up a good point, there’s been a lot of activity and resources and things done even over generations due to what? In my opinion, a misinterpretation. Or even worse, not even a misinterpretation, its more like ignorance and stupidity due to contextually related laziness! We ought to be aware of this danger in our own lives…what are we wasting our life on or even defending that we could one day wake up and realize how wrong we are/were?! • Honestly, at least for me, I want to minimize and eliminate that totally in my life. So, whatever the situation, through God’s grace and faithfulness in my life, I default to the flesh…always will, I am a sinful man, but I consider and contemplate the spirit immediately. • Why? Jesus said in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.” Do you know what “profits nothing” is? Waste, like trash! Something you will wake up on one day and say, “Man, I wish I hadn’t of been that way, done that thing, been that person.” How is it, why is it that there are so few living their todays with any thought or care towards that end? Honestly, confuses me! • And so, Galatians 5:16, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Translation, you won’t trash your life, your witness, your character, your hopes for the relationship, the ministry, the job, etc.…you won’t amass regret, shame, nothingness…” So, whatever the situation, through God’s grace and faithfulness in my life, He is willing, able and ready to lead me through it in the Spirit…what would He have me to do? Do you think like that? It’s not only a right/wrong thing…it’s a smart/dumb thing…just being real with you. • One other thing to point out here…notice, no man shall enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it. The way that God can enter is not the way that man can enter. What has been done in terms of the work of salvation, neither you nor I can do for ourselves. All we can do is receive it. We can’t add to it, we can’t subtract from it. It is our responsibility to come to the understanding that Jesus is the Only Way. And part of that process is to understand then who and what I am, which is humbling. • It’s a two-part understanding…coming into a saving faith. It’s not just the acceptance that Jesus has paid the price for my sin, it’s also that I am unable to pay the price, pay the debt that I personally owe. I’m not good enough, I don’t have the power or ability, there is no worthiness here…I am at a loss and therefore I am lost without Jesus. There is a humiliation there…in a very good way. An equalization with every other person…on my way to receiving salvation by faith through grace…softens things up a bit in the heart of hearts. • Second thing here is…anything in terms of lasting growth in character, maturity, poise, power, understanding and wisdom…do you know that those are things in your life that only Jesus can do for you? Try them in your own strength…and what you are doing is mixing pride, victim mentality and me mentality into the process. You’re introducing flaws into the architecture. And that building won’t stand. • Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-25, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” Precisely how you build all of those things I mentioned into your life and who you are…, character, maturity, poise, power, understanding and wisdom, Christian. By believing that when God speaks, He is telling the truth…and submitting your ways under His ways…all of those things then…they come as fruit… • Show me someone who has no love, no kindness, not gentleness, no self-control, no poise, power, understanding, character or wisdom…and that is not a person that is not accomplished or not educated or not promoted, they can be all of those things…but one thing they are not is a servant of the Most-High God and they are not close to Jesus. These are doors only He can go through in your life…only things He can do for you. Ezekiel Chapter 44 Verse 3 • Who is this prince? Did he write Purple Rain? Little Red Corvette? Ha, I don’t think so. The fact is we don’t know who this prince is. He is not the Messiah. Next chapter we will find him bringing sacrifice for himself…so this cannot be the Messiah. So, we really don’t know who this prince is… Ezekiel Chapter 44 Verses 4 – 7 • This is the Old Testament…and yet even here we see clearly the statement of two circumcisions. First, the one of the flesh the Jews would be well acquainted with, but this circumcision of the heart they would have been introduced to as well beginning in Deuteronomy 10:12-16, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Indeed, heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it. The Lord delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. Therefore, circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.” • And notice which comes first in the economy of God? What’s the point and why do I bring this up? Coming to church is a good thing. Always is, always will be. But coming to church just to come to church is not what God asks of you, wants for you or desires from you. He wants you to be the church. And then this, what we call church, is the joyful and purposeful gathering of His people. • So, you follow the Lord. You believe in God and you’re a Christian. That’s great. Have you opened your heart to Him? That’s the circumcision, the revealing and unmasking and even sacrificing in the flesh for the sake of knowing and honoring God. How do you know? Are you changing? Religion alone won’t change you. All religion can do is provide you with a veil, a mask to momentarily hide the mess…opening your heart of hearts to God…this is what works effectively in the life of the believer. • Now, there’s more…once you have gone through this circumcision of the heart, now you must be careful to not allow the scar to set in. The healing and hardening again…the heart of flesh, softness and even a bit wounded in the sight of God…staying in the Word, walking with God, staying in fellowship and serving the Lord through serving those that He loves…your heart stays softened and maturity, growth occurs. Ezekiel Chapter 44 Verses 8 – 9 • I have this written in my Bible and I give it to you. Ritual without reality is meaningless. Circumcision of the flesh is meaningless without circumcision of the heart. Baptism is meaningless without the human spirit being born again anew unto a life of devotion to God. Communion is meaningless without a heart humbled by the cross of Christ… Even in the Millennial Reign, the sanctuary of God will be off limits for those that walk in a meaningless faith… Ezekiel Chapter 44 Verses 10 – 18 • This is revealing to the fact that while all sin is forgiven and is cast as far as the east is from the west in terms of impact upon salvation, there remains consequence for sin. This was 4,000 years ago. The Levites leading the nation in the worship of false idols…and yet here in the Millennial Kingdom, there remains consequence. Remember that when you are toying with the flesh…that yes you are under grace and yes through the blood of Jesus your sins are forgiven, but the consequence, you won’t escape. • There is a difference between ministering to the people or ministering to the Lord. A HUGE difference. One sweats. For one, it is work. It is heavy. It is frustrating. It is fearful. It is restless. But to the other, its no sweat. Now, interesting, in ministering to God, you minister best to people. But ministering to people, you minister zero to God. Why do you do what you do? To love the Lord or to do what’s right and best for the people? If what you do for the Lord is the latter, you are not ministering at all to the Lord. Let everything you do be unto the Lord first…or in the economy of God, its not unto Him at all. Ezekiel Chapter 44 Verses 19 – 20 • To shave your head or to let your hair grow long in that culture was a sign of mourning. For the priests of God, there will be none of that. Even though sorrow may last of the night, joy returns and comes afresh and anew in the morning…for those serving the Lord, not man. Ezekiel Chapter 44 Verses 21 – 25 • Interesting, so during the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth, there will be death… • Did you know that a fundamental duty of the priest is to teach the people how to discern wrong from right? Do you know that in order to do that, you have to have more than book knowledge? Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up…edifies. Before you can teach what is right, you must walk in what is right. And so, the implication, priests of God…you and I…fundamentally His will for our lives is to walk in His ways… Ezekiel Chapter 44 Verses 26 – 31 • So, no roadkill, HA! But the point is that just as it was in the former times, it shall be in the latter times. As everything given to us in the Old Testament and even in the New is a shadow of something yet to come but as Paul wrote in Colossians 2:17, “The substance is of Christ.” • And this also means that you, as a child of God, are not to be a scavenger…that whatever it is you need, God will provide. Even when there is roadkill in front of you and you are hungry…in that moment…can you say no to the flesh and yes to the Spirit? That is to walk in faith.
Ezekiel 42 & 43
March 10, 2021 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 42 Verses 1 – 11 • “According to plan,” is such an odd statement for Ezekiel to include. I my minds eye he is trailing his heavenly guide, and as the guide shows him a measurement or a structure, Ezekiel is recording in detail what he sees. And yet here, this statement, that somehow Ezekiel was aware that this was all in accordance with a plan that already existed. • Ok first thing I would say is, could I just have a copy? So that I don’t have to recreate it all as we go through step by step! Right!!? There are, however, two things that occur to me as a result of this contemplation. • First, in the presence of the heavenly host, in the Lord’s house, no doubt with the Lord even there Himself, Ezekiel gets an overwhelming sense that there is order, there’s reason in it all, there is a plan. It’s also true in our days, times and seasons. And this is why it is so important to be close to the Lord in your relationship. To be in fellowship, to be in the Word, to take time to pray and to seek the Lord… There is great comfort and peace in the presence of God… Like He’s working it all out… and in a holy, higher and heavenly way, there is a plan in place… • But you still may just have to let that unfold step by step. And that’s the second thing that occurs to me. If the plan were just given to Ezekiel, the blueprint was just put into his hands, then he would not feel the height of the walls, he would not experience the width of the courtyards, he would not understand the length of the chamber walls… Even though there is a plan, and God has the ending worked out even from before the beginning, it is to Ezekiel’s benefit that he takes to the hard and narrow path… I certainly don’t like it that way when I’m in it…but once it is all complete, it makes all the difference. Ezekiel Chapter 42 Verses 12 – 13 • Interesting and important concept on display here…the temple area is huge and at the center of it is the Lord’s house, but all around, in small areas of the larger and in the corners of the structures there are private chambers…and I wrote this in my Bible I don’t know how long ago, “This teaches me that my attendance upon God in public worship and church service does not excuse me from the duties of the closet.” If it’s not who I am when I am not at church, its not who I am… Ezekiel Chapter 42 Verse 14 • I love this! Another amazing picture and critically important and helpful example! This speaks of privacy, intimacy and singleness with the Lord! Intimacy means that there is something there, something between two that is reserved for only them…and that special reservation makes the relationship particular and unique. Special for both parties. The priests would have specifics reserved for their service and relationship only for the Lord. What do you have in your heart of hearts, in your relationship with the Lord? Is it your approach, openness, obedience, trust…what is it? What is it that you have only and reserved for Jesus Christ? Here is where is intimacy in your walk…and intimacy and power and joy and confidence go hand in hand in hand in hand when it comes to your relationship with the Lord. • Uncompromised trust. Unquenchable adoration. Incessant gratitude. Interminable dependence. Undisguised and unmasked heart of hearts. Just a few of the things in my life that are reserved only for the Lord. All of those things are only for my King…everyone else will trample them underfoot…not because everyone else is bad…but because everyone else is not Him. So, I’ve bucketed up all of the things that are holy, all of the specifics, and in my heart of hearts and walk with the Lord, those things adorn me…that’s what I bring. And He brings grace, faithfulness, goodness, guidance, righteousness… And we go on together… Ezekiel Chapter 42 Verses 15 – 20 • One thing that is so wonderful about this temple scene is that for 40 chapters Ezekiel has had it pretty rough and the messages given to him from God for the people have no doubt been hard for him to deliver but he has done it. Everything that has been asked of him. He has laid himself aside time and time again and so now we have chapter after chapter walking him through the details of God’s house. I think that is pretty wonderful. Ezekiel Chapter 43 Verses 1 – 2 • If you recall, it was towards the East that the glory of the Lord departed the temple back in Ezekiel Chapter 10. Now today, although it is the gate to Herod’s Temple, not the gate to this temple, today, the East Gate is sealed. It was sealed by the Turks when they controlled Jerusalem, knowing that the Jews had a prophecy that their Messiah would return through the East Gate. Not only is it sealed, but there is a Muslim cemetery there today. • But, turn over to chapter 44 and look at verse 2. “And the Lord said to me, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore, it shall be shut.”” So really, in sealing it they have hastened the fulfillment of prophecy….so…yea…FAIL! HA! Ezekiel Chapter 43 Verses 3 - 9 • I love this scene. The glory of God enters. The Spirit of God lifts him up. And then, a “Man” stood beside Ezekiel and strengthened him, and God spoke with him and said, “This is the place of My throne.” This is a trinitarian scene, one, and two…God is holy, and no one can look upon God and live, and yet it is the work of the Holy Spirit that enables us to be made clean, be made holy so that we can be in His presence and not immediately melt…and all the while it is the “Man” that stands with us and comforts and strengthens…a wonderful picture of the Christian experience! • And verse 9 speaks of relationship. Give and take, my job your job. Two-way street. Put down the things of the flesh and let’s go this thing together, God says! What is that in New Covenant speak? Repentance…turn away from being in love with sin and turn towards a relationship with God and the promise is…He will be with us! Ezekiel Chapter 43 Verses 10 – 11 • Revelation continues! If you do make the personal decision to turn away from sin, stiff-arm the ways of the flesh in who you allow yourself to be, then the measurements of God’s ways, God’s will, God’s place, God’s plan, God’s purpose…all of the details, now He is free to make known to you. God cannot make the depth of things like wisdom, reality, purpose, power, righteousness, joy…He cannot make those things understood and known and experienced by me when all I do is choose the flesh! That will literally train me to stay a train wreck. God is too good and cares too much for me than that. So, my job, turn…go after Him…and then His promise, storehouses of heaven are opened to me in terms of the details of understanding…and with that begins the work of spiritual maturity in my life. Ezekiel Chapter 43 Verses 12 – 20 • To take this literally, which is certainly what I intend to do, then one must conclude that there are on-going sacrifices even in the presence of the Lord. Why? Well, one thought. If this is the Millennial Reign time period, which I do believe it is, then there are four people groups there. Those that were dead in Christ and resurrected at the rapture, those that were alive and raptured, those that were killed for their faith during the Great Tribulation, and those that simply survived the Great Tribulation. • So, it could be, in that fourth category, that these sacrifices are for them. Why? Under the New Covenant we are saved by grace through faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. Welp, problem. They’ve all seen Jesus. He returned in Revelation Chapter 19. So, how is it now that these are able to dwell on an earth in the literal presence of a holy God? Sacrifice as Hebrews 9:22 says, “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.” Just a possible thought. Certainly not without difficulties. Ezekiel Chapter 43 Verses 21 – 24 • Ok, I like that. God doesn’t just want sacrifice; He wants seasoned sacrifice. Jesus said in Matthew 6:17-18, “When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place.” It’s not enough for me to come to church, or to be a pastor or preacher or teacher or husband or father or employee or supervisor or friend…He wants my heart in it! Seasoned up! Ezekiel Chapter 43 Verses 25 – 27 • Eight is the number of new beginnings. Do the work, receive the conviction of the Holy Spirit for your sin. Repent, turn towards God…having received the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for your sin…and even tonight for you could be a new beginning. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation, all things have passed away, behold all things are made new.”
Ezekiel 41 vs 1-26
February 24, 2021 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 41 Verses 1 – 4 • I love this picture of the representative of heaven escorting Ezekiel into the sanctuary, the holy place, and even into the area of the Most Holy Place and what’s incredible about this whole scene is that Ezekiel is permitted to be there. Ezekiel is just a man, just like you and I. Flawed and entirely imperfect. Not one element or inch of him is perfect or holy and yet here he is, welcomed and even escorted into the Most Holy Place. • This can be the result of only one thing. That the sins of man have been atoned. It can’t be that Ezekiel is a good man in and of himself. Has done good things throughout his life to appease God…to be where he is at, in the Most Holy Place, and not defile it simply by his presence, means that sin has somehow not just been outweighed by good works, but has been entirely absolved. • Hebrews 9:24-26 says, “For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” • That word for “put away” is athetesis and it literally means to disannul. What does that mean? To cancel! This is the power of what Jesus has done for you and for me. Not this, “Well, there’s the sin…but look there’s the covering blood,” no! Much more powerful than that…the accusation of evil against you and against me which is justified by our works has been cancelled, case dismissed, because of the justification in His blood! It’s like someone has written a long dissertation about how bad I am and then Jesus came and clicked the little “X” in the corner and cancelled it all. And now it is as is written in Hebrews 4:16 that we therefore come boldly to the throne of grace… • There’s no veil in this temple…no separation between the place of the earthly priests and the presence of God…and Ezekiel is brought into and shown things in the Most Holy Place. Why is this so important to understand? Because this is the weight of salvation. The power of the blood of Jesus. That in Him, your sins and my sin has been forgiven. Paid for, atoned, absolved and overcome by man fulfilling the law in the Person of Jesus Christ. And now through Him we are made holy. Nothing else. Nothing more…because there is nothing more. Everything else is universally less…and inferior! Ezekiel Chapter 41 Verses 5 – 7 • That is different and new compared to the temple design of the past. This one, as the walls went upward, widened due to the ledges and the chambers. What does it mean? No really, I’m asking, what does it mean, because I don’t know, ha! In fact, there are lots of subtle, and several not so subtle, differences between this Millennial Temple and the design given previously in the Old Testament for the temple construction. If you’re into that sort of thing then dive in…but God doesn’t explicitly give us the reasons for any of the differences. Ezekiel Chapter 41 Verses 8 – 17 • Just a couple of things here…first, notice the wood paneling from the ground to the windows. Not very fancy. Paneling was popular like in the 70s, ha! What was the construction of the previous temple? Wood…overlaid with gold all around. This temple is much more humble, simple…not so flashy. Again, we’re not told why but perhaps it is because the treasure is no longer the house but the owner Himself. • He’s there. In Person, in sight, in presence, incredible. And I like this…if the Lord is there, then it doesn’t necessarily have to be impressive outwardly, He Himself is what is impressive. Beauty fades…did you know that? I think we all do…and what is so important to us is how we look, come across, our beauty…when truly, even to others around us…what’s really important is who’s home in our hearts. Who’s there. Is it the Lord? Or is it the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and/or the pride of life…? • God doesn’t need anything fancy. He brings the fancy with Him. And you would be 1000 times more beautiful and attractive and wonderful to others in their perception of you if you received that truth. • I also want to say, Ezekiel started in Chapter 40 on the outside. Measuring with great tedious measurements and recordings the things on the outside…but because he didn’t grow weary of it all…now he is measuring the inside. Perhaps that is just a word for me…but I’ll give it to you as well… • Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not lose heart.” I have many times grown weary with ministry and in the ministry with specific things and people…but that is where worship and faithfulness and discipline come in…and I know…that in order to receive what God has for me then (future), I have to be willing to receive what God has for me now… • That’s true in ministry, its true in vocation, its true in relationship, its true in marriage, its just true. And one more thing on that…I know that as I groan…I make others groan as well…and I’m not willing to go there. Entirely unlike Christ when I find myself there…and I begin to claw out immediately. I mean, you have it hard enough…I just think about others around me like Scott or Dave or Lindsey or April…those that are in the battle of ministry, front lines…and they see me groaning…I might as well tie a millstone around their necks the weight I’m putting on them. Unacceptable. And even worse, I’ll miss the interior measurements of the future…better to just serve the Lord today, no matter where I am… Ezekiel Chapter 41 Verses 18 – 20 • This is one of the not-so-subtle differences from the previous temple. The previous temple, there were four faces on each cherub. What’s missing here is the eagle and the ox. Why? Yo no se. (No clue!) HA! But I do like the symbology here of the heavenly being and the palm trees. Palm trees as we spoke of last week have heavy symbology of life, strength, beauty and peace. While the cherubim represent the heavenly man…one part man, one part lion…the true character of the Godly, surrounded, (encompassed if you will), in enduring life, strength, beauty and peace. Ezekiel Chapter 41 Verses 21 – 26 • No Table of Showbread, no candlestick…those elements aren’t needed because the source of both are there. The Table of Faces…the people are there with the Lord and the Lord Himself is the light…these pictures and types given in the previous temple of the representation of what was to come, God reunited with His creation…is now come to pass. God’s faithfulness and grace complete in this final temple… • And I want to leave you with one more critically intriguing point. This temple is thousands of years after the law was given and priests were appointed. Thousands…its yet still ahead and so we don’t know exactly how many thousands but we know its at least 3000 years after the law was given. Why do I bring that up? • Back in Chapter 40 we were told in verse 46 that the priests that come near to minister to the Lord are the sons of Zadok. Zadok was a Levite priest during the time of King David. When Absalom conspired against his father, David was forced to flee from Jerusalem rather than go to war with his son and kill him. • Zadok went with David and he led the procession of Levites who carried the Ark of the Covenant. Zadok would return to Jerusalem at the command of David to spy (if you will) on Absalom and keep David apprised of what was happening there in the city. Zadok at one point becomes the reason why David was not killed by Absalom. • Years later, Adonijah, another of David’s sons, sets himself up as king. While some supported Adonijah, Zadok remained faithful to David and anointed Solomon as king. While the supporters of Adonijah were ultimately stripped of their positions and responsibilities, under Solomon, Zadok became high priest. Why tell you all of this…? • Here we are…3,000 plus years later and God still remembers the faithfulness of Zadok. That, for me, is entirely awesome and eternally inspiring. • And what’s more, Zadok’s faithfulness is rewarded upon his sons. There are so many reasons to discipline your flesh, grow in the spirit, and walk with God…so many reasons to become and remain faithful…and one of them, enough for me perhaps since as a boy I never had anyone that cared enough about me to not serve themselves…one of the rewards that is enough for me is that my kiddos and kiddos kiddos will be rewarded, set up in positions and opportunities of reward…because God does not forget faithfulness towards Him…not even after thousands of years…
Ezekiel 40 vs 1-49
February 17, 2021 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 40 Verse 1 • According to Leviticus 16, the tenth day after the beginning of a new year (Rosh Hashanah), or the tenth day of Tishri, is Yom Kippur. The Day of Atonement. This is the holiest day on the Jewish Calendar. Ezekiel Chapter 40 Verses 2 – 5 • Chapters 40 through 48 are one grand vision of the new temple in the new city. The timing of these things coming to pass are an interesting discussion. Some offer that this is the temple in the New Jerusalem but that offering is Biblically unfounded as Revelation 21:22 says, “I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” • Others offer that this is the temple during the Millennial Reign of Christ. That perspective in my opinion seems to fit the best but it too has issues because we are going to read of sacrifices and burnt offerings continuing which causes a difficulty. Why do they continue? It could be as a remembrance of sorts and I’m ok with accepting that because Jesus said in Luke 22:16, speaking of the Passover supper, “I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Which perhaps allows for sacrifice of remembrance during the Millennial Reign. • The description we are given in these chapters of the coming temple also seems to fit the Millennial Reign period because of what we do not read of. We do not read of the veil, it is not mentioned, the Ark of the Covenant is not mentioned, no high priest is mentioned…all elements and items necessary for the temple unless Jesus is there Himself… • Chuck Smith offers an interesting spiritual perspective on these chapters…that they represent in some way, the church…I can’t get with that personally…and yet others offer that this is a heavenly view of the temple that is actually in heaven. We have numerous verses in the Bible, more than 20 specifically, that speak to the things commanded on this earth in terms of the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple itself are modeled after heaven itself. (Verses like Hebrews 8:4-5) • One super interesting verse regarding this temple in heaven is Revelation 11:19, “Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple.” Raiders of the Lost Ark! Where is the Ark today? Ethiopia? Maybe according to the History channel…ha. I believe we have biblically that the Ark of the Covenant is in heaven. I can also make a case that the Ark itself, the presence of the glory of God, the mercy seat of God, God’s presence on this earth, the meeting place of God and man, is Jesus Himself. And when Jesus came, the Ark was gone. • The last time the Ark is mentioned in the Bible, in terms of location, before Revelation Chapter 11 is 2 Chronicles 35:1-6 and a parallel passage in 2 Kings 23:21-23 when King Josiah ordered the caretakers of the Ark of the Covenant to return it to the temple in Jerusalem. Forty years later, King Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and less than 10 years after that, he burned it to the ground. It’s interesting and mysterious for sure. A biblical puzzle…that truly cannot be solved…unless you approach the scriptures simply which is my default and then the answer is simple, it is in heaven. Removed from the earth and no longer necessary once Jesus was deployed! • Now, just a thought I had that encourages me to no end…if the Ark is in Heaven, then that means manna is there too. The tablets of the law…and one other thing…the rod of Aaron. The first two items are from God directly but I think it is wonderfully encouraging, intriguing even, that Aaron’s rod is there. Why? Its earthly…used by God on earth. Blessed by God on earth. But somehow it belongs and resides in heaven. Perhaps just like you and just like me… • One more thing here, this angelic being says to Ezekiel, “Look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and fix your mind.” I like that a lot. Because we are told in Psalm 34:8 to taste and see that the Lord is good…and God said specifically of Jesus in Luke 9:35, “This is My Son, hear Him!” We do those two things…it will fix everything else. And doing those things never gets to the status of having done those things. This is a continual thing, a journey, a life…that’s why we each have our own walks with the Lord…not our own “stands…” Ezekiel Chapter 40 Verses 6 – 16 • Interesting that the on each gatepost were palm trees. Palm trees symbolize almost indescribable strength. One species of the Palm tree can grow to 200 feet tall! They are just a long pillar in looks and yet they stand! And they stand for long periods of time. Upwards of a century thus symbolizing life, growth and strength. • From the earliest of civilizations, the palm tree was a symbol of life itself and you can see that on ancient Assyrian reliefs that we still have today. It was leaves and branches of the palm tree that they laid before Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem to accomplish and secure eternal life for mankind. Even more, the Coco De Mer Palm Tree has the largest seeds of any plant on the earth and there are more than 2,500 species of the Palm. Just awesome. All of these facts relevant and these are the symbols we find on the gateposts throughout the Lord’s temple. Ezekiel Chapter 40 Verses 17 – 43 • So, we have the description of the elements for the offerings, including the sin offerings, and yet there is no active sacrificing happening. There in verse 43 we read that the flesh was already on the tables…., which to me further supports the remembrance perspective… Ezekiel Chapter 40 Verses 44 – 49 • Reading through all of this is no doubt quite tedious but it does strike me that 25 times in this chapter alone we read of the representative of heaven measuring to specific measurements. The point that can be taken from that is that God is entirely so very very precise. He sees, measures, understands, fully and perfectly comprehends everything and He is aware and involved in everything. Not a fraction of a cubit slips by His precision of sight! • Let that be an encouragement tonight as we go our way…back to our homes, our jobs tomorrow, our nation that is in such disarray, our world that is in complete upheaval. That this is not how the story ends… That God is the one who measures it all…He is sovereign and above it all…it implies ownership…even over your life and situation. Quite comforting indeed.
Ezekiel 39 vs 1-29
December 30, 2020 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 39 Verses 1 – 2 • Think of chapter 39 really as a more detailed chapter 38 and specifically, while I do believe contextually and practically that Gog, the prince of Magog, can make a move against Israel anytime, this could kickoff truly any time, the timing of these things coming to completion is perhaps brought better into focus with this chapter. (After studying through it however, you may disagree) The fact is that there are very smart and very good Bible studiers that offer three different timing perspectives relevant to the Gog/Magog war in accordance with the scriptures. We will talk through them a bit tonight but the three offerings are 1) that it begins before the Great Tribulation; 2) that it occurs at the end of the Great Tribulation; and 3) that it happens at the end of the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ. • Interesting and consistent throughout scripture, it says here that Gog will be, “coming up from the north,” which sounds quite backwards. If you are heading south then you are heading “down,” but consistent in scripture, whenever anyone approaches Israel or Jerusalem, they are always going up. Why? Not only because it is a city on a hill but because Israel as a people and a nation have been chosen and hallowed by God. • Deuteronomy 7:6 says, “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.” And so, to go to Jerusalem is to go up to Jerusalem no matter from what direction you are coming. • The same, in a way can and should be applied to the born-again Christian. 1 Peter 2:9-10, speaking to the church of Jews and gentiles, Peter writes, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” • This is an encouragement for sure but let me also propose this fact as an exhortation. When people come to you, are they going up…or are they going down? Do you build them up, lift them up, hold them up…uphold them, or are you one who tears down? To build someone up or lift someone up or hold someone up…that means from where they are coming, you are…well…up! This ought to be a characteristic of all of the people of God, as Peter writes, “Chosen to be the cause of praise of Him who has chosen you.” • One more thing on this…this is also why we have to be careful in terms of our personal, emotional and even professional alignments. We are most certainly to befriend the lost and seek to be near to those who need the Lord, but we have to be careful who we yoke to…who we attach ourselves to, remembering to Whom we belong. • Chuck Smith used to say that if you take a pack of wolves and introduce a domesticated dog to that pack, the wolves won’t become domesticated. Before long, the dog will become wild. And so, remember the mission, remember the calling, remember that you are chosen and be in the business of having folks travel up to arrive at you. Not in a way that you are superior, but in a way of love, joy, peace, kindness, faithfulness, longsuffering, goodness, gentleness and self-control. Ezekiel Chapter 39 Verses 3 – 5 • Here is where perhaps we have a bit of focus into timing. Turn over to Revelation Chapter 19. Look specifically at verses 17-18. “Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.” • Where are they gathered? This scene is first described for in terms of location in Revelation 16:16, “And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.” When are they gathered? Revelation 16 and Revelation 19 are prior to the Millennial Reign of Christ, which doesn’t come into play until Revelation 20…and so, the timing of the defeat of Gog and Magog, some offer that it is at the end of the Great Tribulation, before the 1,000 year (millennial) reign of Christ and at the time of Jesus’ second coming. • Now, others offer the perspective that the Ezekiel 38 and 39 battle take place after the Millennial Reign of Christ as we read in Revelation 20:7, “Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.” • So, with that being said, there are scholastic camps within Christianity that place Ezekiel 38 and 39 at the end of the Great Tribulation and yet there are others that place Ezekiel 38 and 39 at the end of the Millennial Reign. In my opinion, both camps are entirely acceptable in accordance with scripture. Ezekiel Chapter 39 Verses 6 – 7 • These two verses seem to support the pre-millennial position as God says, “Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord…” When? After He does these things. Well, if He has returned and reigned for a thousand years, it is quite obvious to expect that the nations already know Him… • What’s interesting to note here is that there is no evidence in this chapter, scenario, war, scene…no evidence at all that the Israelite forces ever engaged in any confrontation. God brings weapons that no earthly general could command. Raining hailstones and such. Listen, when you are in the battle with the flesh or with the boss or with the co-worker or with the spouse or with whomever or the whatever, remember, the Lord’s arsenal is much more potent than your own. Seek His ways. I often say, if you want Godly results, do things God’s ways. Ezekiel Chapter 39 Verses 8 – 16 • Truly a mysterious set of verses. Apparently, there will be such a loss in terms of lives that it will take an entire nation 7 months to bury the bodies of their enemies! The national vocation of Israel will be undertaking! Crazy! It appears that the carnage is widespread, not localized and its also odd that a single bone would be located. Why is the bone not with the rest of the remains? And where’s the beef! HA! It takes quite a while to reduce a corpse to bones…has some sort of weapon been used that perhaps makes that process instantaneous? Ezekiel Chapter 39 Verses 17 – 20 • Again, a scene very similar to the scene in Revelation 19 and this time we read, “All the men of war,” which seems to fit the description of the Battle of Armageddon. Ezekiel Chapter 39 Verses 21 – 22 • What we just read certainly fits the return of the Lord, post Tribulation, at the onset of the Millennial Reign time period as Israel now recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. What we just read also fits our time very well, better than any other time in the past, technologically as it says here, “All the nations shall see.” That has only become possible in our time and with satellite enabled television broadcasting, there is literally no place on earth that won’t have access to see the return of the Lord. Ezekiel Chapter 39 Verses 23 – 29 • And so, if we put the entire timeline together, we arrive at an order of events yet ahead for the nation of Israel and for us. Chuck Smith offers the perspective that the Gog/Magog-led invasion/war with Israel could be the catalyst even for the rapture itself. Many nations will join and be involved and that invasion will kick off, be a catalyst for the final moments before the return of the Lord. The invasion and aggression against Israel will be followed shortly by the rapture of the church, the revelation or the coming forth of the Anti-Christ and the beginning of the Great Tribulation. • There is peace for 3.5 years but then at the mid-way point of the Great Tribulation, the Anti-Christ goes into the rebuilt temple there in Jerusalem and proclaims himself divine which the Bible describes as the Abomination that causes Desolation. The Jews flee and for 3.5 years there is literally hell on earth as God pours out His judgement on a man-exalting, Christ-rejecting earth. • At the end of the seven years, the armies of the world gather together at the Valley of Megiddo, there in Israel to come against all that is of God Most High…and then the heavens open and Jesus returns (Revelation 19) riding a horse named “Faithful and True” and with Him the armies of heaven, those that have been clothed and cleaned (us!), to judge the earth and to make war. But before the battle even begins it is over and great is the bloodshed amongst the nations, kings and armies of the world. So much so that the birds and beasts fill themselves for months and for months as bodies are being buried. • Then Jesus sets up His earthly Kingdom, (the one that He established thousands of years ago) and He rules and reigns for a thousand years with Satan bound and unable to meddle in the business of men. After that, Satan is released and again goes to Gog and Magog and stirs them up to lead yet another (some say the first) rebellion against God and His people. They gather against God and are this time entirely devoured in battle. • Then Satan, is cast into the Lake of Fire where the beast and the false prophet already are. Then comes the Great White Throne Judgment where the books are opened and especially the Book of Life. Any anyone not found in the Lambs Book of Life were cast into outer darkness, the Lake of Fire, and removed from the script and record of creation. Then, God creates a new heaven and a new earth where there is no sin, flesh or death…no interest rates, no mortgage payments, no deadlines, no traffic, no republicans or democrats, no family problems, no church division, no anger, regret, remorse, offense…all and everything are made clean and the devil is no more…and there we dwell alongside of our God and Father for all of eternity. • We all fit, we are all complete, everything finally makes sense…and we are alive forevermore…all of this enabled by and because of God’s great love for us and forgiveness/removal/payment of our sin through the blood of Jesus.
Ezekiel 38 vs 1-23
December 23, 2020 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 38 Verses 1 – 3 • Most agree and believe that Gog is not a land itself but rather an element, and most probably the ruler or leader, of Magog as it says here, “Gog, of the land of Magog.” Magog simply translated means, “The place of Gog,” and so Magog is all three or affiliated with all three of the places listed here including Rosh, Meshech and Tubal as Gog is listed as their prince. • There is a lot of discussion with interesting points coming from all angles of the conversation as to who specifically or where specifically these places are in our modern-day placement of world geography. The only completely accurate answer is to say, we don’t, and really no one knows for sure. We will all one day know for sure…do you know when? Tonight after I tell you, HA! No….when this comes to pass. Why? Because we are reading the most accurate, trustworthy written script in all the world. Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” • It is believed, one perspective, and I choose to present to you the perspective that is the most reasonable and researchable in my conclusion but you are welcomed and encouraged to dig in yourselves much more than I will today…it is believed that Gog is the prince, the chief ruler of Magog. Magog is mentioned in Genesis 10:2 as a descendant of Japheth most likely settling in the north, giving birth to a people/territory and Magog in context of these verses is itself comprised of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. • Accepted by most perspectives and Bible scholars, Rosh, Meshech and Tubal speak of the area we now know as Russia. Meshech and Tubal were peoples to the north of Israel, located near the Black and Caspian seas which is the area today of Russia. Interestingly, and perhaps related although not necessarily, Rosh sounds similar to Russia, Meshech sounds similar to Moscow, and Tubal sounds similar to Tobolsk which is located today in Russia. Again, that may be pure coincidence. • Perhaps not coincidence, if you search into the history of the Great Wall of China you will find that it is also referred to as the Wall of Magog…further supporting the locales discussed. Ezekiel Chapter 38 Verses 4 – 6 • This speaks of an invasion attempt or at the very least, a homeland attack on Israel and if this is Russia and her partners, then that is certainly a feasible circumstance. Today Russia is no friend to Israel and in fact are friends with several of Israel’s enemies including Iran and Syria, not to mention known bad players such as Hamas. We’ve also seen just in our recent history several pressing economic reasons, even above political and ideological reasons, as to why Russia would consider even making this move against Israel…or should I say, leading this move. • Persia is of course modern-day Iran and we can easily identify Ethiopia and Libya. Gomer’s last name is not Pyle (HA) but rather Gomer and Togarmah are understood to be the area of modern-day Turkey. Now that’s an interesting one…because just a few decades ago, Turkey and Israel were buddies…sharing intelligence and all but just recently, as of late, Turkey under Erdogan has become quite the aggressor and enemy of Israel. • The idea here is that the nations allied with God and Magog really come from all directions against Israel and there is a hint of perhaps more nations being involved as well simply in the number of nations mentioned being seven which Biblically could also mean a complete coalition and not just these specific nations listed…more on that later. Ezekiel Chapter 38 Verses 7 – 8 • Many interpret verse 8 to give the timing of this prophecy at the time that Israel comes back into the land but conceivably the timing of this prophecy is anytime…why? Because they are indeed back! Ezekiel Chapter 38 Verse 9 • Here’s where I see a window of opportunity for other nations not listed to be heavily involved. Not only do we read here, “many peoples,” but super interesting for me, we read, “covering the land like a cloud.” Listen, what do we have today that runs the world? The cloud…this could speak of all types of cyber-enabled attacks from many different nation-state players… Ezekiel Chapter 38 Verses 10 – 12 • Not possible just a few decades ago as Israel didn’t have anything to desire but just in the last few decades, this little country, tiny in relation to its neighbors has grown mighty in its worth, technology and resources. You may not know this but the most valuable top export of Israel is cut diamonds. And just to give you an idea of their growth or prosperity, Israel’s GDP percentage growth from 2008-2018 is 41%! (US is about 14%) • Now you might say, “This is far-fetched…Israel by no means dwells safely.” Totally agree…I’m not sure you can find any nation, state or person that does dwell “safely” in our world. This word translated for us as “safely” can also be translated, “confidently,” or, “in assurance.” (As it is in other places of the Old Testament.) • Today, Israel certainly dwells confidently. With perhaps the greatest military and intelligence, defense and counter-intelligence technology and capability in the world, second to only the United States. And it’s interesting, we don’t dwell safely, there is not safety especially with the politically charged narrative around each person’s safety of health today…but even so…we can and ought to dwell confidently. • In fact, John wrote in 1 John 5:13, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” We don’t have safety…tomorrow is not promised…and look, for the Christian, that should be ok…we live in assurance and confidence secured for us by Jesus Christ at the cross and empty tomb that should drive peace in our hearts. Ezekiel Chapter 38 Verse 13 • This seems to indicate that other nations and peoples may become involved as they see Gog and Magog and their allies coming against Israel and then wanting to get in on the plundering. Like a feeding frenzy. Blood in the water. They know of Israel’s great technology and resources and if they are going up for grabs, they want in. Or, it could be that a group of nations may even object to the invasion. • Now Sheba and Dedan are modern day Saudi Arabia while Tarshish is commonly accepted to be the area of modern-day Spain, but others argue that it is modern-day England. But who are the young lions? Some postulate that this is the only place where the western world fits into this prophecy…as the lion is a common symbol of the English and the fact they are young could be a pointer towards the US. Total guess…but interesting none the less. Ezekiel Chapter 38 Verses 14 – 20 • There can be no doubt that what we are reading is indeed yet to come. No event in history can be applied to these prophecies and some have offered that what we just read describes the affect and fall out from a nuclear attack. Ezekiel Chapter 38 Verse 21 • It could be that as the surrounding nations gather against Israel that they begin to battle each other for access to the proposed plunder but truly, whenever man goes to war, it is against his own brother. This includes even our own personal wars…even in our own hearts. This harkens all the way back to the first war which took place between brothers, Cain and Abel. Ezekiel Chapter 38 Verses 22 – 23 • God is made known not only for the calamity and destruction of the invading forces, not only for the protection and defense of His people, but for the fact that thousands of years before any of this could even possibly come about, He told us of it. This is the confidence of the follower of Christ. That we, like children under the protection of a good Father, are prepared for what is yet ahead. And God is magnified by all that know the Word and draw near to the Lord because in them, in you and in me, dwells a safety unknown and unknowable by the world.
Ezekiel 37 vs 1-28
December 9, 2020 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 37 Verse 1 • Man did this start out well! The hand of the Lord was upon Him and he was brought out in the Spirit of the Lord…both of those things are right where you want to be…but then God sits him down in the midst of a valley? And that valley was like a scene out of a low-budget monster movie! A valley of dry bones! You might be walking hand in hand with the Lord, filled with His Spirit, and yet you may find yourself in an awful situation… • The crazy thing is that many times when you are walking uprightly in the Lord, that’s when you find the valleys! Why? Well, its like this. You don’t take note of the housing prices until you’re in the market to buy. You don’t notice the gas prices until you’re ready to fill up. And when you are walking in the flesh, man the dry bones are just everyday life. It’s when you begin to walk in the Spirit that you see these things and what yesterday was no big deal is today entirely concerning. • The key is not where you are, the key is who’s you are. This valley of dry bones is hopeless if its just Ezekiel…but what we see next is because of the Word of God and the action on the part of God Himself. So, you’re in a tough spot? Keep the faith, man! Stay the course! Stay kind, stay loving, stay joyful, stay peaceful, stay with the Lord! Perhaps that valley needs a tool like you to find new life! Ezekiel Chapter 37 Verses 2 – 3 • Probably the best response possible! It’s like God saying, “Where do you want to go eat?” And Ezekiel answering, “Where do you want to go eat?” HA! Do you know why we hate to hear that so much from our spouses? Because it’s a trap. Because I’m going to say where I want to go and then she is going to say what? “Hmmmmm!” If you’re going to answer that way then whatever he or she says back should be where you go! Problem solved! HA! That’s how it is right here with the Lord! • Ezekiel is perplexed. He is uncomfortable. He is out of place. He is horrified! In his culture, law and upbringing, being near a dead body is dangerous business because if he happened to touch anything, he is unclean! A very big deal for him. And so, in this tough spot, he turns to God and says, “I don’t know. You lead.” Perfect response. • Now, this valley isn’t just filled with bones. The bones are dry and it says here that as Ezekiel inspects further, he discovers that indeed they were very dry. That means not only the absence of life, the presence of death, but that means that its been a long time…a long time since there was life. Even to the point that no remnant or remembrance of life remains. • This is prophetical towards Israel yes, but this is also the condition of the fallen state of man. And we will see that in application as we continue… Ezekiel Chapter 37 Verses 4 – 10 • Certainly, a prophecy of Israel is given here as we will find out in the next verse but notice a few truths also revealed in what we just read. I just want to make this statement, on the part of Ezekiel, this is almost a foolish confidence in God’s Word… You want me to do what? Speak to bones? And something will happen? There wasn’t even that discussion. Ezekiel just simply received the Word of God and acted upon the Word of God…and look at the result! LIFE! • One important element is repeated seven times in these seven verses…and that element is the breath. The bones come together and yet there is no life. The sinews, the muscle, the flesh and the skin, and yet there is no life. It is not until the breath of God is breathed into man that there is life. • That is a significant truth for us to consider. That word breath is used 378 times throughout the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi and 232 times the same word is translated spirit. The application here, the clear point to make here is that without the breath of God, the Spirit of God, first in our hearts but also in our situations and moments, there’s just simply no life. God is life Himself. The Originator. The Inventor. He is the Source and therefore if you desire death, leave God out of it. Now we see why the world is going the way it is… • And notice, how is it that that these bones begin to assemble, come together and come alive? God’s command to these bones is, “Hear the Word of the Lord.” We know from 2 Timothy 3:16 that the Word of God is God breathed…and therefore it is the breath of God in and of itself. Read the Word, hear the Word and keep the Word and what you are doing is sowing life into your life!! • They hear the Word of the Lord and notice first, the bones go into order. Things go into their proper order when the Word of God is obeyed. Then the flesh and the muscle begins to come. Strength upon the order. And then the Holy Spirit begins to work…and love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, self-control bring fullness of life. Slain by sin, but now alive in Christ! Standing upright as it says there in verse 10, and you become a force as an army. Strong and exceedingly great in character, purpose, usefulness and faith. How? How was it all enable? Hear the Word of the Lord!! Ezekiel Chapter 37 Verses 11 – 14 • As a nation, Israel did indeed come out of the grave on May 14, 1948. No other nation in the history of the world has lost its homeland and remained a people. Preserved not only the blood line but also the culture, the history, the traditions, the language…. All other nations in history disperse, they blend, not Israel. Israel just died. But then in a moment of global sympathy, in a night, the nation was reborn, just as God promised here in this prophetic chapter, 2,500 years ago! • Now, this has only been partially fulfilled as today much of the nation remains just bones and flesh…but there is coming a day yet ahead where, as Paul writes in Romans 11:26, “And so all Israel will be saved,” when the Lord returns to rule and to reign the entire world from Israel during the Millennial Kingdom period. Ezekiel Chapter 37 Verses 15 – 20 • This is a prophecy of the unity of the Jewish people in the coming Kingdom. Not like the times before. The Northern Tribes and the Southern Tribes, the Northern Kingdom of Israel led by the tribe of Ephraim and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Ezekiel Chapter 37 Verses 21 – 23 • It’s a fantastic promise of God. That not only will He bring them back, and this is applicable in the Spirit for us and our circumstance today, not only will it be Him that brings them back, but it is also His work and promise to fix ‘em (make them one), teach them, show them and have them no longer to defile themselves, He will deliver them and ultimately He will cleanse them. Then He lays claim to them…like steps back and looks at His good work. • That’s a fantastic promise of God. Because the religion of man says that I need to do all of those things for myself and then I will be acceptable to God. But the Bible knows nothing of that religion. We are simply to come to Him at His call. Trust Him at His Word. Follow Him at His lead. All of these other things…they are just a benefit and result of being near to God. • That is a fantastic weight off of my shoulders. Because I cannot do those things although I feel a tearing in my heart that they need to be done…but I cannot do them. But…I can, at my own free will, deny myself, take up my cross and follow Jesus. That I CAN do…and that activates God’s promises in my life! Ezekiel Chapter 37 Verse 24 • We are squarely in the Millennial Kingdom now. As we discussed last week, many believe, and I see no reason to reject, that David himself, resurrected at the time of the rapture (the dead in Christ shall rise first, 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (the rest of the dead do not rise until after the Millennial Period, Revelation 20:5)), this is David himself restored as king over all of Israel and one Shepherd…Jesus Christ. And new heart, new Spirit, the whole world walking in the judgments and statutes of God. Ezekiel Chapter 37 Verses 25 – 28 • This is the fulfillment of the prophetic Jewish feast, the Feast of Tabernacles. That feast was instituted by God in Leviticus 23:42 in which God instructed the Jews to live in tents for seven days. Leave their homes and live in a tent for seven days as a reminder of when God led the Israelites by His divine presence in the wilderness and how God provided for their every need then. • But, as with each of the seven feasts of the Jews, there is also a prophetic fulfillment for this feast in which God would again “tabernacle” with His people. This is that time. It is the final feast…after Passover…the Feast of Pentecost, then the Feast of Trumpets, then the Feast of Atonement (Israel fully restored as we read of in this chapter), then the Feast of Tabernacles….and we lived happily ever after!
Ezekiel 36 vs 1-38
December 2, 2020 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 36 Verse 1 • In all of scripture, this is possibly the best-spoken prophecy. “Hear the Word of the Lord.” So very simple. Just a few words, but the power contained in the keeping surpasses anything else in terms of the benefit and blessing on a life. The single constant in every crisis of faith, in every imploding marriage, in every collapsing ministry and in every shameful and tragic circumstance is that it is a consequence of simply not following the Word of God. And we ought to be clear, if I am not following the Word of God, then I am not following the Lord. • The Word of God is more than what we perceive in the flesh. It is life and it is the Spirit. It is goodness for our faith and strength for our souls. It is the breath of God breathed into our lives, hearts, situations and attitudes. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is God breathed…” And Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.” • We are not to read the Bible and file every verse away as an instruction for life…that’s not what I’m saying. We are to draw near to Jesus, each one of us personally, seek Him in our heart of hearts, spend time walking with Him, finding out His goodness, His holiness, His Godliness…and then folding that relationship into our approach to the Word of God. It’s more than instruction to follow, it is indeed the presence of the power of Christ for our benefit through belief. • Jesus said in John 5:39, “You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; yet these are they which testify of Me.” If you can receive the prophecy of, “Hear the Word of the Lord,” then you receive the Lord Himself…right into your moment-to-moment life…and that is why it is the absolute best-spoken prophecy in all of scripture. Ezekiel Chapter 36 Verses 2 – 8 • In these verses God self-proclaims that He is their refuge. He is a fortress for the weak and the down-trodden. He is a Protector, a Father, a Friend…He will fight for them…I love this promise He makes to Israel, and God’s promises are as consistent across the board as His character, that those that have put them to shame, those that have taken advantage of them, done them wrong, that He will deal with them. • Now, go back to verse 1, if you walk in the flesh, if you and I make a choice, knowingly or unknowingly to live our lives and conduct our affairs outside of the counsel and leadership of God, then being put to shame, being taken advantage of, being done wrong by others and this world…listen, that’s just consequence. We cannot claim the protection of God, the close proximity to God, if we are far from Him. • And I say knowingly or unknowingly because I have seen so very many times, folks far outside the will of God, very far from the heart of God, and entirely unable and unwilling to listen to sound Godly counsel (whether sharp or gentle) in terms of turning from their ways…and yet they are entirely convinced in their own minds that they are walking uprightly. It’s awful. But in that circumstance, that person is unknowing…and I know what is ahead. • Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” We at all times need to be willing and ready to hear the Word of the Lord and to challenge our own ways! Challenge them like in terms of a fight! Prove to me that you (speaking to my attitude, my actions, my decisions, my ways) prove to me that you are a mirror image of the cross of Jesus Christ. Prove to me that you fulfill the Word and will of God and prove to me that you will lead me to holiness! Not righteousness, not right-full-ness, not intellectual superiority…but to holiness… That is the fight! • Do it. Have that war…the war against the Spirit and the flesh isn’t a bad thing, man…it’s bad if you don’t have that… But for those who are walking with the Lord, in holiness, blamelessness, walking in love and humility…then God will take care of the mountains that have risen against you. He is furiously jealous for me…and for you. Ezekiel Chapter 36 Verses 9 – 15 • Israel’s restoration is being declared by God and if you visit Israel today, surely you can see the fulfillment of these prophesies as the waste places are now inhabited. Many cities have been built and so many beautiful orchards and fields have been planted. The land that laid waste and desolate has been reclaimed after many centuries. The marshy valleys have been drained and have become fertile and very fruitful, even more than before they were made desolate. • And that is the promise that we have also. We fight, strive and struggle to avoid the desolation, the wrong done to us, and I truly get it…I do the same thing…but I also always consider, filed away in my OS as a guiding light, 1 Corinthians Chapter 6:7-9, “Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived!” • Remember, to glorify God there almost always must be a sacrifice. Sacrifice in our comfort culture is the most hated four-letter word…and yet it is through our own personal sacrifice that we greatest resemble the cross of Christ. In sacrifice we train our own hearts in humility. In sacrifice we train our hearts to turn to the Lord and to cry out to Him. And its through this sacrifice that God will not only restore what has been lost, just as He did for Israel, but even more so, He will do better for me than at my beginning… • A truly difficult thing to walk in…I do not deny that…but true and right nonetheless. Ezekiel Chapter 36 Verses 16 – 23 • The hardship and reproach that was brought upon the people was a consequence of what they had done, not a consequence of having an uncaring God. But in their own consequence, rather than own up to it themselves, they deflected responsibility. God is angry with us. God is judging us. And so on…well that creates a circumstance where they can be comforted and God can be blamed! It shrouds the real reason why they are where they are…and that brings reproach upon the name of God. • The nations knew that these people served a singular particular God. So, half of the people said, “Their God is not a good God,” and the other half of the people said, “These people, look what they are doing, blaspheming their own God?! And these are His people?! Puny God!” And so, either way, because of their actions and attitudes and really because of their lack of repentance and responsibility, reproach was placed upon God. And the same goes for us. We will be held accountable as to how we represent Him… Ezekiel Chapter 36 Verse 24 • That has happened… Ezekiel Chapter 36 Verse 25 • That has most certainly NOT happened…. Today, more than 40% of Jews in Israel are secular Jews. Non-worshippers. Indifferent to, rejection or exclusion of religion and religious consideration. That is the definition of secularism. Ezekiel Chapter 36 Verses 26 – 38 • This is yet ahead, the future of Israel under the global leadership of Jesus Christ in the Millennial Reign, but we see a sure glimpse of this even today. This action set…precisely what happens to anyone who turns their life over to the Lord right now. A new heart, a new spirit, the old heart of stone and the old spirit of futile emotion-driven shortsightedness dies…and God’s Spirit takes up residence in your newly formed softened heart of hearts… • Then you don’t need to worry about the rights and wrongs, the dos and don’ts because as it says in verse 27, “I will cause you to walk in my statutes.” Why? How? Because there’s relationship there. Care. And the Spirit of God is directing your path! See what else comes about…God delivers me in that moment from uncleanness (v29). No more guilt. No more weight of the past. I’m new and so is my future! • No more famine of spirit but a joy enters, a sureness and satisfaction…because you’ve found what you’ve always been missing…right relationship with God. Verse 31, then you will remember your evil ways and you will loathe yourselves…and that’s great because that self is GONE and through repentance you’re done with that way, person, life and sin…never to go back! You finally see your sin for what it is…you’re not the victim, everyone else isn’t the problem…its always been pride and a lack of humility that has continually diseased your life! • More! You are now enabled (verse 33) to rebuild and now your foundation holds…no more ruins…and as you and God build your life…(verse 35) it’s like a beautiful and fortified garden…and in the end, you could care less about any of the credit, that person is dead…(verse 36), you will give glory to God because He’s done it…and He gets all of the credit. No longer are you self-made, self-assured, self-confident, all of that is morgue talk…now you are selfless and finally alive, giving glory to GOD! • The fulfillment of this is yet ahead for the Jew and for the nation of Israel, but for you, it is available right now… But you have to allow God in…to give you a new heart, and to wipe out all of that comfort junk food for your soul….such as pride, selfish sorrow, victim mentality and the spirit of blamelessness…(we are to blame…just like the scattered Jews…) and let God do what He wants to do…lift you up!
Ezekiel 34 and 35
November 25, 2020 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 34 Verses 1 – 10 • There were many things that the Lord discusses here that He brings against the shepherds of Israel but the one most egregious is that they neglected to feed the flock. Five times in ten verses, amongst other things, God makes mention of feeding the flock. Why? Because that is primary, it is first. All of these other things are symptomatic of the first. • You don’t feed that which you do not love. If you don’t love them, you don’t provide for them. And therefore, they go without (here are the other things), they become weak, the become sick, they have to look for food elsewhere and they are driven away. Yes, there is the work of protection and guiding and all that a shepherd is to do, but if there is no food, the flock is doomed. • The contextual indictment against the leaders of Israel is that they weren’t caring for the people, they were caring for themselves. Three things we can liken to food in terms of relevancy to the church today (relevant to any situation really where there is leadership, implicitly or explicitly…your home or your place of employment if you are a supervisor, etc.). The Lord Himself, the Word of God and the fruit of the Spirit. I truly believe this is what enables a flock to thrive, produces healthy sheep, and blesses the Lord. • First, Jesus is the Head of the church and the source for direction, sustenance, and guidance…and no matter the issue, He presides. Jesus said in John 6:51, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven.” Second, the Word of God. If the church no longer deals the Word of God, not just from the pulpit but also in the pews, then we are no longer strong, well and fed. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” And finally, preaching Jesus and teaching the whole counsel of God’s word is activated and made not effective but sweet, kind, loving, as it should be, when you allow for the fruit of the Spirit. Love is indeed nourishing to the spirit and heals the broken, sets free the captive and calls home the sinner. • We hold there, don’t transgress that set, Jesus as the Head, the Word of God uncompromised and the Fruit of the Spirit a must…and the flock of God will thrive, it will produce healthy sheep and it will bless the Lord. • Now, an important thing to remember, lest condemnation set in…many will yet scatter…many. Not all desire Jesus to preside, the Word of God to be universally applied and the Fruit of the Spirit being a must. Most all say they do but the proof is in the actions, not the words. And where would the flock be if the shepherd busied himself with courting the wolves, and so an important thing to remember is that not all are the flock of God. Jesus said in John 10:26-27, “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Even Jesus, when they were ready to throw Him off of the cliff in Luke Chapter 4, even He left them there and went to another city… • So how do you know? Because this becomes difficult. Folks are around for years and then they lose their minds seemingly and bear the teeth of the wolf…how do you know what to do? Back to the food. Jesus, the Word of God, the Fruit of the Spirit. Go to prayer. Respond…don’t react. Give time for prayer. Seek the Lord and if someone must be dealt with then look, the Lord knows whom are His. How? They listen to Him. Ultimately God goes after His own and although many can out run a pastor, or a pastoral team, or a church or a brother or a sister in the Lord, no one can outrun the Holy Spirit…unless they are not of His flock. • One more thing here because I just mentioned it. Thank God for pastoral teams. I am well equipped and enabled to love this flock. Teach the Word. Blessed by God with direction and leadership…and just as I am well equipped in these areas, God has raised up others alongside me well equipped in areas that I am not…and so it is important that the church not be led solely by a man…but by the Lord. And the Lord calls, equips, enables and places men and women, under-shepherds under the under-shepherds, to do the work of the ministry. Ezekiel Chapter 34 Verses 11 – 16 • It is almost impossible to make a sheep lie down. This is the result of the leadership and lordship of Jesus Christ in a church…because to set these conditions is just impossible under the strength of men…but if we relentlessly report to the Lord…these are the conditions that He will set (over time – be patient, stay the course, the trial will be worth the triumph). • Sheep will only lie down if these four requirements are met: 1) Because they are social, they will not lie down if there is friction in the flock. 2) Sheep will not lie down when flies and parasites are present. 3) Sheep won’t lie down until they are free from fear. 4) They won’t lie down as long as they feel the need to find food. God does this work. How do we let Him? Report to Jesus. Serve up the Word of God. And for dessert, a healthy continuous flow of the Fruit of the Spirit. Ezekiel Chapter 34 Verses 17 – 19 • Very interesting! God not only deals with the shepherds, but with the flock itself! You’ve been given good pasture and clear water and with your feet, the idea is with your running about, you are fouling it? God declares that He will deal with that as well. Ezekiel Chapter 34 Verses 20 – 24 • This is most certainly a reference to the Good Shepherd of the line of David, that Jesus will be the Head of the church and the sitting leader of the world in the Millennial Reign period but many also believe that this is literally prophecy and that during the Millennial Reign of Christ on this earth that David himself will re-assume the throne of Israel and rule over the Jewish people. Ezekiel Chapter 34 Verses 25 – 31 • This is the coming age for the nation of Israel. All of this is yet to come but will indeed come to pass! It should be noted that the flock is God’s. Not mans. And even for the shepherds that do tend the flock of God well, serving the Lord, not enslaving but freeing folks, not exploiting but feeding, even in those ministries, it is God who alone is able to provide the showers of blessings and the fruit on the trees. So He gets the all of the credit! Ezekiel Chapter 35 Verses 1 – 6 • Ok, I know what you are thinking. Aren’t we out of the section of this book of judgment on surrounding nations? And the answer is yes, but this is forward looking. Yet to come. Mt. Seir is in modern day Jordan and it is the land of the Edomites, the descendants of Esau to this day. • The contest between the Israelites and the Edomites, as it says here, began in ancient times. Esau was the older brother of Jacob and from the time that Jacob received their fathers blessing over his older brother, they have been enemies. As a people…because as we know from scripture, Jacob and Esau were able to work it out… But even yet still today, the Edomites or the Arabs are at continual war with the Jews. (For more information on the final judgement coming from the Edomites, check out Obadiah Chapter 1.) • Notice, while there are many things we could stop and talk about here, just one…God says, because you have not hated blood (violence), blood will pursue you…there is a great truth here that I’ve mentioned many times in the past. There is no defense when it comes to the flesh. To hate blood, to hate the things of the flesh is aggressive, it is active, it is driver seat language…and if I am not active against the flesh in my heart of hearts then it will become my aggressor. Ezekiel Chapter 35 Verses 7 – 11 • So many times God speaks against this nation (a total of 40 times in all of scripture)…that it will take a tragedy or a series of tragedies to bring them to know that God is Lord. Contrast that with Malachi 3:10-12, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; “And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts.” • If we would just bring God everything in the first place, give over our lives to Him in the first place, then He shows that He is Lord just the same! By pouring down blessing after blessings! Would to God that we would learn that the King reigns through wisdom and not through regret! Ezekiel Chapter 35 Verses 12 – 15 • One note of confidence for the church, for the people of God, is that when people set their hearts against the people of God, they will have God Himself to deal with. God says, “I have heard your blasphemies which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel,” and then in the next breath God says, “Thus with your mouth you have boasted against Me and multiplied your words against Me…” • Wonderful truth to remember and to draw comfort and confidence from…and you know what else that means? You don’t have to answer back. When they insult, threaten, accuse and attack, just stand your ground, keep your peace, it is the Lord’s battle if you are His…and you know what, there’s some good satisfaction there, because when you do that, it will drive your adversary into a rage of crazy…while you sip coffee watching the Holy Spirit work. A simple application of Jesus as the Head, the Word of God as the direction and the Fruit of the Spirit as the strength.
Ezekiel 33 vs 1-33
November 18, 2020 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 33 Verses 1 – 2a • It’s interesting and when I say that many times I mean that it’s important to consider that Ezekiel is not told to speak to the people but rather to the children of the people. I think the point is that some folks are too grown up to be taught. Don’t be that way. We read of Jesus in Matthew 18:1-4, “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” • It’s natural to measure your own maturity in how much you’ve become. Across the spectrum. What you know, what you’ve seen, what you understand, what you’ve done, on and on…be careful. The best of people have done all of those things and yet are extremely teachable, entirely correctable, deliberately totally humble. Don’t go tell the adults, they won’t listen. They’re too grown. Tell the greatest, the ones that will hear and understand…tell the children of the people. Ezekiel Chapter 33 Verses 2b – 6 • Notice a few things here. This does have application to the Body of Christ as a whole. Those that have received the truth, have entered into salvation, those who do have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. There is application here for sure. We are to be witnesses of Jesus Christ, ready in and out of season to give a defense for the hope that we have. Do you know what that looks like? Someone asking if you’re a Christian, and then asking why. Are you ready to answer that question? You should be. And once you give that witness, once you sound the trumpet, what they do with it is their responsibility. I find nowhere in the Bible where we are to argue anyone into the Kingdom of heaven…and so that is most certainly applicable to all Christians… • But notice, not everyone in the city was a watchman. Verse 2 specifically points out that one is taken from the many to become the watchman and therefore the greater application is to those whom have been called, those whom God has placed in this position. Look at verse 7… Ezekiel Chapter 33 Verse 7 • The people may be doing it but it is God who raises up one and puts down another. (Psalm 75:7) And so while I do want to apply this to you and to me and to everyone who is in Christ today, and truly it should be, there is a more acute application that I believe is most appropriate. The point I’m going to make and truly this is an indictment of my own calling, is that the watchmen are the ones who God has called to lead within the Body of Christ and to teach the whole counsel of the Word of God… • Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” • When He said this, to whom was He speaking? It tells us back in Matthew 5:1-2, “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them.” This teaching was not given to the multitude but rather to the disciples. Look also at Matthew 10… • Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” When Jesus spoke these often-quoted words, to whom was He speaking? Matthew 10:1 tells us, “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him…” These weren’t words for the masses…although there is most certainly applicability there…more acutely, these were words for the watchmen. • Now it settles and makes complete sense why James would say in James 3:1, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” The greater application is this. As a watchman, made one by God and acknowledged by man, we must teach the whole counsel of God’s Word. Not just from the pulpit, which is already hard to find, but also in our counseling and interactions. Because as that watchman, you and I will give an account and will be held accountable for if we shied away to not offend or so they wouldn’t leave the church…or if we held to the soundness of the Word of God even when it was not what they wanted to hear…∞ • It’s interesting that God says the sword here and not an army or a storm or a tornado or a pestilence… The Biblical implication is that we can apply this as the Word of God. It is the sword that takes you out ultimately in terms of judgment. And judgment never comes without warning. Here, God uses the watchman, but truly all the watchman any of us need is the one that we have and that is the Word of God. • The watchman however is blessed. He has been given position by God, vision, he sees what others do not…but with that also comes responsibility. Don’t get high on yourself if you have understanding…if you are intellectually higher or you understand and see more…you don’t have all of that to entertain your ego, you are responsible. Arrogance is bad, but arrogance with intelligence is terrifying…you will give an account. Ezekiel Chapter 33 Verses 8 – 9 • Every city that had any value had a watchman or several watchmen that would man the walls of the city. What’s interesting, just an interesting question and thought, ask yourself, who in my life can pull my card…sound the alarm, call me to turn from the flesh effectively…if the answer is no one then I would question the value of the city. You see, we value the wrong things. And pride is top of the list. The true rich man or woman has friends and family in their lives that aren’t afraid to love and protect you even if that means to correct you. If you can’t be corrected without throwing a fit then your city is a slum, and you need to mature…just being real. Proverbs 12:1, “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” HA! • Every city worth anything had watchmen…if the watchmen were alert and faithful, and the people were obedient and wise, many lives would be saved. If the watchman was unfaithful and or the people were careless, lazy and stupid then eventually the city would fall. Whatever situation you’re in, Christian if you don’t repent and submit to God, you will lose it all. And look, no matter the response of the people, the faithful watchman had clean hands. No matter the response of the people, the unfaithful watchman had hands stained with blood. Ezekiel Chapter 33 Verses 10 – 11 • The word “turn” is used 8 times in this chapter. Five times already and three more to come and yes it means repentance, yes it is God making it clear that to break free from something its not a decision or a feeling or a sorrow but it’s an action. He doesn’t want you to suffer, that is a missed fact about God on those that don’t know Him. He says here that discipline isn’t fun for him…just like it’s not fun for you parents…but it must be done in order to save the kiddo. And listen, discipline is action. Can you imagine, do you think God speaking disciplines you? Nope. Why do we use our mouths with our own kids and call it discipline? It’s not. Something happens…something actually changes… • And notice, what is this a call to turn from? The excuse of sin or something ruining their lives. The only person that has the authority to ruin my life is me…and the faster I learn that the faster I will turn my life over to God! Why should you die!? Turn and live!! Ezekiel Chapter 33 Verses 12 – 16 • See there it is…repentance is not agreement alone with God or sorrow alone over sin but it is a restitution of the wrong! It is an action. It is to create a void by removing the thing or the way or the attitude and then to fill it with something that is right and good and Godly… Ezekiel Chapter 33 Verses 17 – 20 • No one else’s fault and no excuses. The clarity here is immutable. You will not be able to plead the case that your sin was because of someone else’s…no generational sins, no sins of the fathers, none of that is Biblical and all of that is unfair as God judges them fairly here. Each one will stand on their own… Ezekiel Chapter 33 Verse 21 • Its just crazy what we just read. “Escaped from home?!” But this is where the flesh takes you…makes your own home, your own life a sort of prison and you only escape to run to Babylon! Twice the prison, twice the captivity of home. And then Babylon becomes home and you escape from that too and the cycle escalates…better to just turn ASAP to God and keep your home! Ezekiel Chapter 33 Verses 22 – 26 • You can’t claim the promises of Abraham when you have departed from who Abraham was…a worshipper of God! Ezekiel Chapter 33 Verses 27 – 33 • Why does the destruction come to pass on people that so love to hear the Word of God? It’s pleasant, its lovely, they come and sit and listen, they encourage, they show much love…but it bears no profit in their lives and they ultimately become destruction because they don’t do what they love to hear! • Ezekiel sees this and it no doubt pains him as it pains the Lord and he and the Lord sit for a while and God thanks Ezekiel for his faithfulness. Today they treat you as entertainment…but one day they will say that a prophet was among them. They are hearing and not doing but they wouldn’t hear if you weren’t sounding the trumpet…doing what is right. • They say things they don’t mean to get out of you what they want…they don’t heed your heart for them although they listen, they don’t do what you say even though if they did then they would be spared…they love you for what they can get from you when you just simply love them…son, I know exactly what that is like…lets just sit a while together…
Ezekiel 32 vs 1-32
November 11, 2020 • Pastor Matt Korniotes
Ezekiel Chapter 32 Verses 1 – 2 • This chapter is dated 18 months after the previous chapter. More than a year has passed since the fall of Jerusalem, and Egypt is up next. The previous four chapters dealt with the judgment upon Egypt, this final chapter of the second section of the Book of Ezekiel, deals with a lamentation over Egypt. Not so much a judgment but a grieving over the fall of the wicked. • We will see in the next chapter, in Ezekiel 33:11 we read, “As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Even when those that hate Him fall, our Lord grieves. • And this chapter is indeed the end of section two of this book. If you recall, or by way of review, you can divide Ezekiel into three sections. Section 1 is chapters 1 through 24 and they deal with the judgement of Israel. Section 2 is chapters 25 through 32 and they deal with the judgement of the surrounding nations. And finally, Section 3 is chapters 33 – 48 and they deal primarily with the future of Israel. • And so, the lamination over Egypt and notice, God says about Pharaoh, you think you are a lion, and surely you could have been, that was what you were destined to do and be under the blessing and leadership of God, but instead you have become a monster in the waters. Perhaps a crocodile as many suggest. And remember the waters are a picture of the peoples. • But rather than lead well and serve well, the statement here is that he as the leader that troubled the waters and fouled the rivers. He stirred up the trouble, he was the source of it, and in turn, the people were fouled. They were trampled. A sobering thought, that when we allow ourselves to start problems, especially relational problems, what we are really doing is trampling them under our feet. ∞ Ezekiel Chapter 32 Verses 3 – 5 • The idea here is that he will be taken from where there is comfort, where he is comfortable, and will be placed where there is no comfort. Like a fish out of water. Stirring up trouble and trampling others under your feet, trampling God’s calling on your life under your feet, lands you in great discomfort…disquieted…discomposure. • I sense that God has a fishbowl for me in this life. Like specifically constructed for how I am constructed. Maybe a bowl isn’t enough for you, ok, a fish tank. And perhaps its an ocean, I don’t know. Don’t get hung up on confinement. The point is that God has a plan for me. A future, a hope, love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness…where I am not a slave to my flesh but in complete self-control…and that place has been fashioned for me, only me…but if I choose to forsake God…three-dollar Bible word that simply means, leave Him for something else…then I’ll miss something. • Maybe you grew up with everything a child could ever want or need… For me there were things that a child needs that were withheld. A father, acceptance, approval, consistency, stability, godliness…and I think about that…if there was a way I could have had those things… I can’t go back. But I can move forward and there is a way today…find and follow the Lord in my days. Grow towards Him…and in me finding those things, my children just simply get them. Isn’t that beautiful? • In walking in the fruit of the Spirit, those that love you and you say you love benefit so very greatly. They get also, the fruit of the Spirit. Here we see a completely different picture. I wonder if you noticed, those that come around him are filled with flesh. The Bible says that the flesh profits nothing and that from the flesh comes forth corruption…it kills me personally to think that I am perhaps feeding my family waste and corruption… • You are what you eat. I freak out at this thought, man. Like you’re too close to a ledge…you haven’t fallen over but the sensation in your gut is just like you have…I can’t…I can’t accept a version of April’s husband, a version of their dad, a version of pastor of this church that feeds flesh to the people. So, what am I to do? No choice or decision to be made…not difficult even to answer…grow stronger in the Lord. Ezekiel Chapter 32 Verses 6 – 9 • That short phrase “not known,” is an important one for several reasons. The affect of the flesh, the reach of sin is far more than we know. And I am convinced, you all, we are good people…if it were shown to us the full runway of that sin landing in your life, we would think again before running after it. But there’s also a flip side of this. That when you do make a change, start reading your Bible, start studying each day, spending a short time just sitting alone with the Lord in the moments and letting Him “right” your heart and thinking…when you do make the decision to serve in church, when you do finally drop that grudge, overlook that offense, forgive that wrong that someone has done to you…that too has an affect far more than we know…and it is very good. • There’s also what could have been…I often wonder, am I living the best version of me I could be living? Maybe I’m the only one that thinks about these things…because its not just what I have amassed in life that defines me, its who I am…and who I am is not today’s decision…it is yesterday’s. It cannot be known what is the best version of my heart possible today…but I can put an insurance policy on it…by walking in the Spirit and growing up in the Lord and that gives me rest. Ezekiel Chapter 32 Verses 10 – 14 • This is speaking of a cleansing of the peoples. The waters are muddy and it is ungodly leadership stomping about causing all the trouble. And so, the waters won’t be cleaned, they will be cleared…and replaced with oil, which is a picture of the presence of God. What I believe is soon ahead for this world…especially evident and obvious and seen in our own nation… • Forget if you think one presidential candidate is evil and the other is good…we’re past that now…now we are at no president…no leader, no direction and the nation is literally divided. Will the Word of God be proven wrong? Mark 3:25 says, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Abraham Lincoln gave a speech when he was simply a candidate for senate on June 16th, 1858 and in that speech, he said, “We are now far into the fifth year, since a policy was initiated, with the avowed object, and confident promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation. Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only not ceased, but has constantly augmented. In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed -"A house divided against itself cannot stand." I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved - I do not expect the house to fall - but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing, or all the other.” • We are here. The division will cease or we will cease…its sobering for sure and I don’t know how this will play out for how long…but I do know this, you had better be right with God right now…because not only is tomorrow not promised but man its not even partly predictable. God speaks not of cleansing here, but clearing and the clearing is met with the presence of the Lord which is truly our hope… Ezekiel Chapter 32 Verse 15 • The constant element of grace throughout the judgment and lamentation of the world is that the enemies of God would come to know Him… Ezekiel Chapter 32 Verses 16 – 21 • The Jews regard this portion of the scripture as the worst thing that can be said about a people or a nation. The sorest of lamentations. And Ezekiel makes reference to folks conversing in hell…knowing who they are…and later we will see that they wait in shame and anguish for the final judgement. • Now, understand, that is hell. What the Bible refers to as the grave, Sheol, Hades, Hell. That is not the final destination for those that have died in their sins. That is the holding place, the temporary, awaiting final judgment. The Bible speaks also of the Lake of Fire which is not hell. The Lake of Fire is outer darkness, it is nothingness, it is hopelessness…described in the Bible as a place where the fire is not quenched…and yet gives no light…where suffering over what could have been never meets its completion, because now, all is revealed… • The name for that place is Gehenna or in the Greek, “ge hinnom.” The word is used twelve times in the New Testament…eleven times by Jesus. “Ge hinnom,” or “Valley of Hinnom.” This was an actual place in ancient Israel. Hinnom was probably the name of a person in Israel who owned this area and it was a narrow valley just outside of Jerusalem where bones and trash were sent to be burned…and since there is always trash, the fire never stopped. It was basically the dump… • Interestingly enough, in the Old Testament it was also the place where Molech was worshipped and kings like King Ahaz burned his own children alive there in worship to this false god. Jesus used the symbolism of Gehenna to describe the place of everlasting abandonment and separation from God. The suffering there is eternal and while shame persists and loss and regret persists, we have no indication that there is ever interaction again…it is Alone… Absolutely not God’s will for you as Jesus said, His will, I’ll never leave you…You and I need to ensure that we are right with God and that Way is through Jesus Christ. Ezekiel Chapter 32 Verses 22 – 24 • Elam was ancient Persia…and Persia of course is ancient Iran…. Ezekiel Chapter 32 Verses 25 – 32 • I would contest that this is truly a poor translation or perhaps culturally we would understand this differently. This does not mean comfort as in relief, this literally means that he will see them filled with suffering and grief that matches his own… • It’s been said, “Misery loves company,” and that is a way you could think about this idiom, but I would both agree and disagree with that statement. These are the last days…and so many are miserable living that beach life…Life is hard and then you die…that saying…when Romans 12:21 says that we ought not be overcome by evil but we should overcome evil with good…that is our call in these last days. Beginning first with our own selves…and then with the church we attend, the neighborhood in which we live, the job where we work and the nation that we love… A perfect setup for the next chapter so read ahead!