They Will Know He is Yahweh
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
A cup plunger is a type of plunger, but using it for your toilet can lead to disappointment because it is not designed for that purpose. The same concept applies to our Christian walk. Focusing on what we can get out of Christianity is like using a cup plunger for a toilet—it misses the mark. Instead, we need to set aside our self-interests and approach our faith from a different perspective.
Scripture Introduction
72x the expression “Know that I am Yahweh” is used
50 of those occurrences were in this week’s reading
Some in reference to destruction
Others, as today’s, in relation to Yahweh being their God
A millennial emphasis in the prophecy
Connection: God’s promise of His kingdom and restoration for those who follow him.
Take Home: The Christian walk is not about us, but is meant to reveal Yahweh to the people we encounter.
Potential Impact
Message Focus: This perspective affects how we view the Christian walk.
Purpose of God’s Action vv. 22-23
Purpose of God’s Action vv. 22-23
Motivation: How the meaning comes to life
“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.
Not for your sake
We come to Jesus understanding we have done nothing to deserve the gift of salvation, but we somehow start to feel like God owes us safety from distress when it come to our Christian walk as though we have sacrificed so much to live lives that can be blessed. For we have limited our use of His name in vain, and have looked on the brighter side of things. Such huge sacrifices. It is like a person who thinks their spouse should be proud of the fact that they have stayed faithful to them over the years. That isn’t anything outstanding, that is what is to be expected.
Titus 3:5 “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”
Same goes for the Christian, we are righteous not by what we have done, but through Christ.
For the sake of my holy name
Moses effectively used the appeal to God’s name and character to stay the judgment of annihilation upon Israel after the incident of the golden calf in Exod 32:11–18. He gave the same appeal when the people chose not to enter the land of promise in Num 14:13–19.
The Problem
The Problem
“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.
Taking on the name Christian is a serious matter. We represent Christ to the world. To live unworthy of our calling is to profane God before the lost
And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.
I will
Fifteen “I will” statements from God
The Objective
The Objective
And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.
The restored lives and restoration of the promise would vindicate God’s righteousness in judging them.
God wants the holiness of His name know and he will do it through us.
Kingdom Promise vv. 24, 28-30
Kingdom Promise vv. 24, 28-30
Motivation: How the meaning comes to life
I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.
Land given to their fathers
you shall be my people, and I your God
Abundance of produce
We are given the Kingdom of God here on earth.
1 Thessalonians 2:12 “we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”
Restoration Promise vv. 25-27, 31
Restoration Promise vv. 25-27, 31
Cleansing
Cleansing
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.
Phraseology taken from the law: the “water of separation” (ashes of the heifer)
Hebrews 9:13–14 “For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”
John 3:5 “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Restoration
Restoration
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
A new mind and will.
And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Holy Spirit (“my Spirit”)- to empower them; aspirations, attitude, disposition, motivation, divine nature (2 Pe 1) and more.
Divine nature- want to obey divine will. Nature determines conduct (dogs act like dogs).
Sorrow
Sorrow
Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations.
One of the evidences of the Holy Spirit within you is an awareness of where you rebel against God and a disgust of yourself in those areas pushing you to want to make a change.
Enablement
In 18:31 they are commanded, “Make you a new heart and a new spirit.” Here “I give you” Re
Results of the Promise vv. 33-36
Results of the Promise vv. 33-36
Robert Mohler Jr. transforming The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Restoration
Restoration
“Thus says the Lord God: On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be rebuilt.
It's not about us sacrificing valuable things for God in hopes of being rewarded. Instead, we are restored so that others can witness the transformation God can bring into their lives. Restoration enables people to see the world from a different perspective, find joy in difficult times, and experience peace amidst trials.
Kingdom
Kingdom
And the land that was desolate shall be tilled, instead of being the desolation that it was in the sight of all who passed by. And they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’
People will notice. The Kingdom of God shapes the church and is distinct from anything else the world offers. It is not a social club; rather, it is a place where we inspire, encourage, admonish, serve, and pray for one another in a spirit of godliness.
Instead of focusing on whether you are receiving these benefits, consider whether you are providing them for others.
Objective Complete
Objective Complete
Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.
The objective will be met
Multiplication Promise vv. 37-38
Multiplication Promise vv. 37-38
“Thus says the Lord God: This also I will let the house of Israel ask me to do for them: to increase their people like a flock. Like the flock for sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
Flock
resuming the from Ezekiel 34:23
Not just a few, but a flock
Flock for sacrifices
Holy and without blemish
During feasts the number of animals increased greatly, just like Jews in the kingdom
Multiplication comes after His people are restored and live according to Kingdom principles.
Summary
Purpose of God’s Action
For the sake of His holy name
Kingdom Promise
Consider whether you are providing a Kingdom experience for others.
Restoration Promise
Others can witness the transformation God can bring into their lives.
Multiplication Promise
God’s principles are what cause growth in his Kingdom
Results of the Promise
People take notice and God’s holiness is exalted
A Possible Next Step
Take what you need, what you desire others to do for you, and instead of complaining about not receiving it, take the initiative to start doing it for others.
