Is There Anyone Who Will Stand in the Gap?
Tony Schachle
Is There Anyone Who Will Stand in the Gap? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 7 viewsIs there anyone who will stand in the gap? In Ezekiel 22:30 we find that God sought for someone to stand in the gap for the house of Israel, but He found no one. What a sad commentary on the condition of God’s chosen people. Her prophets, priests, princes, and people were all spiritually bankrupt and morally corrupt. As a result, God declared that He would pour out His wrath and judgment upon Israel. The spiritual and moral condition of our society today sounds very similar to Israel 2,500 years ago. God is still seeking for men and women who will make a wall, stand in the gap, and intercede on behalf of our families, our communities, our churches, and our nation. What about you? Will you answer the call? Is there anyone who will stand in the gap?
Notes
Transcript
SCRIPTURE
SCRIPTURE
23 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 24 “Son of man, say to her: ‘You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’ 25 The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. 26 Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. 28 Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. 30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.
FOCUS
FOCUS
30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
MESSAGE
MESSAGE
God’s Condemnation
Prophets (25 & 28) [nāḇî' = those who speak on behalf of God]
Like a roaring lion tearing the prey,
they have devoured the people,
they have taken treasure and precious things,
they have made many widows,
plastered them with untempered mortar,
seeing false visions,
divining lies for them saying “thus says the Lord God” when the Lord has not spoken.
Pregnancy Prophecy
Priests (26) [kōhēn = the religious leaders/pastors]
have violated My law,
have profaned My holy things,
have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy,
have not made a difference between the clean and the unclean,
have hidden their eyes from my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned before them.
Preaching Truth
Princes (27) [nāḇî' = the governmental leaders]
like wolves tearing the prey,
to shed blood,
to destroy people,
to get dishonest gain.
Politicians Today
People (29) [ʿam = nation/congregation]
have used oppressions,
committed robbery,
mistreated the poor and needy,
wrongfully oppress the stranger.
Follow Leaders
Jesus Stood in the Gap
30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
There was no one worthy to stand in the gap between God and man except Jesus
He came to earth and died on the cross to bridge the gap between God and humanity.
33 Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us both.
5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
Individuals Needed to Stand in the Gap
God used individuals to stand in the gap for a group.
Aaron (Numbers 16)
Moses (Exodus 32)
Paul (276 people on ship - Acts 27)
Who Will Stand in the Gap?
Intercessory Prayer
For
Spouse/Marriage
Children
Family
Friends
Country
Church
CLOSING
CLOSING