Mind the Gap

End result: Call the committed of the church to truly intercede

Text: Ezekiel 22:30

Thesis (sermon in one sentence): God is seeking out new gap-standers for a new generation.

Story: Me falling in a hole as a kid

Image: Mental image “mind the gap” text in subways

Metaphor: Step into the gap for the sake of saving others, not around it!

Layer 1: Warm-Up

Ezekiel 22:30 NIV

“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.

Mind the Gap

Layer 2: Confirmation Bias

Many of us have encountered a scenario in which we needed to, “mind the gap” in our everyday lives.

For some of us: it’s because we are apt to travel. So we see that literal phrase, “mind the gap” between the subway car or trolley car and the walkway.

Layer 3: Funny

For others, like myself, we’ve had gaps that we should’ve been more mindful of like holes in the ground that we fell into chasing after a bird. Yes, that’s a real story.

Layer 4: Ouch

There are some gaps in our life that are meant to be avoided, but many more that are actually meant to be stewarded.

They are gaps that God calls us to step into, not just step around.

This is the type of “gap” that God is calling Ezekiel to step into.

It’s a gap that, by way of Ezekiel stepping into it, by way of both instruction and intercession: averts calamity.

Layer 5: Emotional Surgery

To stand in the gap is to participate with God in inviting His Kingdom to come, in the lives of others that sometimes don’t even know how bad they are in need of His rule and reign, His very grace.

It’s us being a part of God’s hand reaching into:

Their financial needs

Their prodigal children

Their marital struggles

Their broken hearts

And God looks across all of creation, and says that you & I are the men & women for the job.

Layer 6: Theological Application

We see ample biblical precedence for these gap-standing types of leaders:

Genesis 18:22–33 — Abraham Intercedes for Sodom

Abraham pleads with God to spare the city for the sake of the righteous.

He says to the Lord, “Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked…”

He “stands in the gap” for a city on the brink of destruction.

Exodus 32:11–14 — Moses Intercedes for Israel

After Israel makes the golden calf, God wants to destroy them.

And yet the Scriptures say, “But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God… Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people.”

Moses’ prayer actually changes the outcome.

Psalm 106:23 (NIV) So he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them.

There are gap-standers throughout the Scriptures, but God is looking for new gap-standers for a new generation.

Bystanders do just that; they stand by.

God is seeking those who would rather stand in the gap for others, than to simply stay safe.

Layer 7: Full Circle

As much as I could have needed someone step into stop me from falling: sons & daughters of God all around us need us to step into the gap for them!

To stand in the gap is not an obligation; it is our honor. To pray for those who need it, like we would want someone to pray for us.