Living On A Fault Line

Talking about living on the edge, about taking chances we know we shouldn’t, of ignoring God’s boundaries and violating God’s best will for our lives. Our whole nation is living on the fault line of God's Judgment!

So let me ask you a thought provoking question ….

ARE YOU AND I LIVING RISKY LIVES?

Imagine you’re driving down the interstate 580 about 75 mph. You know your brakes are leaking fluid – you saw a puddle underneath your car this morning. It’s been 3 or 4 days since you checked the level of fluid. It’s very possible that at any moment, you could shove down the break pedal and nothing would happen – your car would be out of control! Would you continue to keep driving? Many do, because they don’t have the time or money to get their brakes fixed!

Today, we’re going to talk about living on the edge, about taking chances we know we shouldn’t, of ignoring God’s boundaries and violating God’s desires for our lives.

The title for today's message is: "LIVING ON A FAULT LINE"

Our scriptures for today are taken from Hebrews 12:25-29

Hebrews 12:25–29 NLT

25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.

BACKGROUND

Most of us know that California is notorious for its earthquakes, with nearly 38,972 of them taking place last year alone.

QUAKES IN 2022:

1 quake above magnitude 6

2 quakes between magnitude 5 and 6

37 quakes between magnitude 4 and 5

411 quakes between magnitude 3 and 4

3125 quakes between magnitude 2 and 3

38972 quakes below magnitude 2 that people normally don't feel.

From <https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquakes/california/archive/2022.html>

The 1906 San Francisco earthquake hit with a magnitude 7.8 impact. It occurred along the northern end of the (San Andreas) fault, causing an estimated 3,000 deaths and destroying over 80 percent of the city.

https://geology.com/articles/san-andreas-fault.shtml

However, the section just north of Los Angeles hasn’t ruptured for more than 150 years, and the section east of Los Angeles hasn’t ruptured in more than 300 years.

The U.S. Geological Society has stated that there’s a 75% probability that a 7.0 or greater earthquake will strike Southern California within 30 years – during our lifetime. It sounds crazy, but...

I. SOME PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LIVE ON FAULT LINES

A. WARNED, BUT MOVE THERE ANYWAY

https://seismo.berkeley.edu/hayward/goole_earth_hayward_fault.jpg

Earthquake scientists say that 2.4 million people live along the Hayward Fault (part of the San Andreas System) adjacent to Berkeley, Oakland and San Jose California. Satellite pictures show it running right through a football stadium at UC Berkeley!

Do these people not know about the earthquake potential? Yes, they do! One Palm Springs article said that “most locals don’t have earthquake insurance” [Desert Sun; 11-15-17].

If a massive quake hits, they’d lose their homes!

The USGS is projecting that a quake of at least 7.8 will strike, costing 1,800 lives and $200 Billion in destruction. Yet despite all these warnings, people move into these areas, get jobs, build houses, and raise families. People like us from Pennsylvania – who’ve never been around earthquakes – don't consider this a deal breaker, when moving to California.

B. LIVING IN SIN = QUAKE ZONE

What would it be like to live in California on a fault line? An earthquake WILL HAPPEN, it’s only a matter of time. Why would a person build over a fault line? It’s like tempting God - living with your life in jeopardy; at any moment the ground may open up and you'd be swallowed up!

Living in sin is exactly like that. We don’t know when our earthquake of judgment will hit, but it is a promise from God, that it will happen, don't believe me read it for yourself in

Number 16:28-34 NLT

The story actually starts in verse 1 of this chapter. It begins with a few men from the tribe of Levi, who as my mother would say smelled themselves, 250 leaders of the community, decided to incite a rebellion against Moses.

But God had other plans and dealt with those that joined in the rebellion. Listen as I read verse 28 thru 34.

Numbers 16:28–34 NLT

28 And Moses said, “This is how you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things that I have done—for I have not done them on my own. 29 If these men die a natural death, or if nothing unusual happens, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord does something entirely new and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them and all their belongings, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have shown contempt for the Lord.” 31 He had hardly finished speaking the words when the ground suddenly split open beneath them. 32 The earth opened its mouth and swallowed the men, along with their households and all their followers who were standing with them, and everything they owned. 33 So they went down alive into the grave, along with all their belongings. The earth closed over them, and they all vanished from among the people of Israel. 34 All the people around them fled when they heard their screams. “The earth will swallow us, too!” they cried.

Again, I suggest you read the chapter for yourself.

Romans 14:11 and 12 make another promise to each of us …

Romans 14:11–12 NLT

11 For the Scriptures say, “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance praise to God.’ ” 12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

Question is -- Will we continue to stay in the place of danger?

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 8:11-13 (NLT) ,

Ecclesiastes 8:11–13 NLT

11 When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong. 12 But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off. 13 The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.

Warning Will Robinson, Just because God HASN'T judged, doesn't mean He WON'T Judge!

My second question is …

II. WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE TO TAKE RISKS?

A. SIX REASONS WHY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO TAKE RISKS

1st REASON WHY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO TAKE RISKS: they THINK: “God won’t condemn me; I’m an exception. God & I have a special arrangement.” That’s NOT true; God treats all people the same (Acts 10:34). He doesn’t give anyone a free pass. Judgment is universal!

2nd REASON WHY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO TAKE RISKS: “Christians exaggerate the danger. Yes, God IS holy, but He’s going to overlook my sin.” Listen very closely, God doesn’t see the 10 commands as optional. If you’ve lied, stolen, disobeyed parents, used God’s name in vain, lusted, etc. – the Bible says you’re a sinner, and without true repentance you’re headed for Hell! “But I’ve only done one sin!” That’s all it takes. James said, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). So we fall into one of two categories: completely Innocent OR Guilty. Which are you?

3rd REASON WHY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO TAKE RISKS: “Others did it & got away with it.” Let's correct this -- they haven't gotten away with it. If you commit a crime, it may take weeks or months or even years before the police track you down & arrest you. Just because you haven't been arrested yet doesn't mean you're going to get away with your crime! The Bible says that without genuine repentance, “every violation and disobedience [will] receive its just punishment” Hebrews. 2:2.

4th REASON WHY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO TAKE RISKS: “The thing I desire is worth the risk.” Sin is never worth the cost. The end of sin is always death. “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” Just keeping it real.

5th REASON WHY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO TAKE RISKS: “I had to, to keep my friends” (peer pressure). Will you ditch God as your friend, for earthly friends? Galatians. 1:10, “Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God?...If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ” (1:10, RSV).

6. 6th REASON WHY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO TAKE RISKS: “I didn’t have time to make a good decision.” God tells you to decide NOW – so that when the test comes, you won’t fail. For me and my House we WILL serve the Lord!

As we continue with the question of why people take risks. It takes us to the question …

So,

B. ARE YOU QUAKE RESISTANT?

In the spiritual realm, areas which are liable to collapse/ be shaken, when judgment falls, must be rooted out or they will destabilize our whole lives!

Let me remind you that Earthquakes can come in lots of ways to our lives:

a. An Accident

b. A Bad Decision

c. Family Problem/ loss

d. Job Termination

e. Physical Health Breakdown, etc.

Reality says that often they're something we can do nothing about.

In Mexico City there was a 13-story apartment building called Nuevo Leon. The building had hydraulic stabilizers in case of earthquake, but they broke and remained unrepaired for 2 years.

Then, unexpectedly, on Sept. 19, 1985, a devastating earthquake shook Mexico City. The 13-story building began to sway. Without hydraulic stabilizers to cushion the shocks, the building continued to sway until finally a third of it broke loose at the foundation and fell over sideways.

Another third came crumbling down, floor on floor, crushed like a tin can. Only one third was left standing. For fifteen days rescuers dug through the rubble to search for survivors.

Unfortunately, for most, the results of neglecting the inner defects were tragic. Our lives are going to be like that building: we will be shaken.

The thing is, and Listen very closely, Only what's built on the Rock of Jesus Christ will stand!

[Green, Illus. for Biblical Preaching, p. 348 (#1289)]

The third question is …

III. ARE YOU LIVING ON A FAULT LINE?

A. Do any of these BEHAVIORS FOR THE CHRISTIAN, belong to you?

1. DABBLING WITH SIN.

2. NOT TAKING IN REGULAR SPIRITUAL NUTRITION.

3. Not having a SOLDIER MENTALITY –> “I’m in a war zone, so I need to constantly be armed and ready to fight.”

4. Allowing a SELF-PLEASING SPIRIT or a compromising attitude

A SPIRITUAL QUAKE IS IMMINENT – it's called -- Judgment Day

Acts 17:31 says,

For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed,(NLT)

THE DATE IS SET. IT IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING. WE DON’T KNOW WHEN IT IS, BUT WITHOUT CHRIST – EVERY MOMENT WE ARE LIVING IN JEOPARDY!

In the early morning of Dec. 28, 1908, an earthquake totally destroyed the flourishing and extraordinary beautiful city of Messina, Italy, and 84,000 people died.

Only a few hours before the devastating earthquake, which laid Messina and the surrounding districts in ruins, the wicked inhabitants had passed a series of laws overturning godliness and instituted wicked behavior in its place.

📷

Messina’s local newspaper, “Il Telefono” had published on Christmas Day, a defiance to Almighty God. In parody, they dared the Almighty – if He existed – to make Himself known by sending an earthquake! And in 3 days the earthquake came! The city was leveled and the inhabitants judged!

[John Lawrence, Down to Earth [Wheaton, Ill.; Tyndale, 1983], p. 51].

God is not mocked!

The question is; Are we listening to God’s warnings or Are we persisting in sin, rebellion, and compromise?

Are we repenting & humbling ourselves before God?

Hebrews 12:25 (NLT) says "Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!"

So as I close today, let me ask you, … Here are two illustration for you to ponder…

WHAT DOES A ‘SHAKING’ FEEL LIKE?

📷

A man who was in the great earthquake of Charleston, S.C., says that he had the strange experience of feeling that he had nothing to stand on or to hold on to. He looked at the most solid structures and they were toppling and falling. He rushed out into an open space but the firm ground was heaving. He looked to the great forest trees and they were swaying like reeds in a storm. The hills were reeling. The sea was rocking in a raging tumult.

It was only when he looked up and saw the firmament and stars that his eyes rested on something that was steadfast!

[A. H. Mecklin in 7,700 Illus. #1257]

So it is, when everything is giving way, we should look up to God and His eternal kingdom, which cannot be shaken!

A WORLD-SHAKING GOD.

During an earthquake a few years ago the inhabitants of a small village were very much alarmed. One old woman whom they all knew, was surprisingly calm & joyous. At length, one of them said to her, “Mother, aren’t you afraid?”

(She said), “No. I rejoice to know that I have a God who can shake the world!”

[Paul Lee Tan, Encyclop. Of 7,700 Illus., #1258]

As we close, let me ask you one more time, Will you repent NOW of your weaknesses? 1st John 1:9 says: 9 "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness."

Let’s trust in Christ and ask Him to give us overcoming power to be faithful until HIS return!

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