In this enlightening episode of the International Gospel Hour, we delve into the biblical book of Ezekiel, specifically chapter 33, to explore the profound lessons on living a life aligned with God’s will. Our host, Jeff Archie, draws parallels between the ancient Israelites’ struggles and our own modern-day challenges in embracing faith beyond mere words. This episode encourages introspection and action as it unpacks the timeless message of commitment and true worship.
Friends, we would all agree that not only saying something, but doing it and living it means more. We’re going to look at an example in the Old Testament today for our application. That’s from the International Gospel Hour. Stay with us.
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Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour.
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For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, starting now.
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Well, thank you to our J-Web, and greetings to all of you. It’s great having you with us for our broadcast today, and I want to begin… by sharing with you a free book from our friends at Apologetic Express. That’s right, friends. Right off the bat, we’d like to send you a copy of Why People Suffer, penned by Dave Miller of ApologeticExpress.org. Now, here’s all you have to do to receive this free book. Call us toll free at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say, Suffer. That’s all you have to do. You can also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information, name, address, and just type SUFFER in the message box, and we’ll send that book to you as soon as possible. It is free, courtesy of our friends at ApologeticsPress.org. Please check out their website at ApologeticsPress.org. You know, friends, people do suffer today. Even in the days of old, people suffered today. You know, in a previous broadcast, we spent time in Ezekiel 33 and addressed a question asked in verse 10, how can we then live? We answered the question from verse 11 of how people could live would be to turn away from their lives and to turn unto God. And with specific warnings brought forth in verse 12, here’s the result as just mentioned. To those that turn from God, you will die. That’s Ezekiel 33, 13. But Ezekiel 33, 14 through 16 says, Those that turn to God, you will live. Now, friends, you would think that would be enough to correct Israel. But when you continue in Ezekiel 33, verses 17 through 20, would you believe the children of Israel complained more than embraced correction that would help them? That’s nothing new. We find that today, do we not? You know, they complain that God’s way is not equal, but, oh, friends, it is. You see, God’s ways are equal, His ways are set, and His word is firm, and we know what God expects of us, and we know the good things that He has done. Yet it seemed Israel of old had other ideas, much like many of us today. So, regrettably, we continue in Ezekiel 33, verse 31, and we see an attitude that we should avoid. Here is the phrase, With their mouth they show much love. Now, if you look at that on the surface by itself, that sounds okay. With their mouth they show much love. You hear love comes forth from their mouth. But when you look at the context, there’s much more to consider. So we’re going to pick up with our study from the book of Ezekiel. But first, not only the free book from Apologetics Press we mentioned earlier, but now we’d like to share with you another free tool from International Gospel Hour. Here is our Jay Webb.
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The International Gospel Hour app is available for your iPhone or Android. A free download awaits you at the App Store for iPhones and Google Play for your Android. Just search International Gospel Hour and download our app free. Our app allows access to our study resources all in the palm of your hand. Please download the International Gospel Hour app today.
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Picking up from Ezekiel 33, and of course due to our time available today, let’s summarize just a bit. In verses 21 through 29, we find within the time of Babylonian captivity under King Jehoiachin, One coming unto Ezekiel, expressing how Jerusalem was captured. Ezekiel was no longer mute in verse 22. In other words, he responded as the Lord would have him to respond. In verses 23 through 26, it is amazing to see the sheer arrogance of the people using the inheritance of the land and even using the teaching of Scripture mentioning Abraham, yet they were not living for God who gave them the land. So in verses 27 through 29, God knew their thinking and He knew their hearts, obviously. and how their arrogance and desire for the land, yet not living for God, would be their downfall, whether they are in wastelands, the fields, or the caves, no matter where they would be. It is the abominations and disobedience to God that will take them away from the blessings God has given them. Friends, I will submit to you today, in the nation wherein you live, Allow the arrogance and desire and to go after the creation more than honoring the Creator and our downfall will be the same. Back now to Ezekiel 33. This brief synopsis of those first 32 verses of Ezekiel 33 allow us to see a background that’s needed and a foundation for how they showed their so-called love to God and their fellow man. Now let’s consider verses 30-33 of Ezekiel 33. As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses, and they speak to one another, every one saying to his brother, Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord. So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them. For with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed, you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument. For they hear your words, but they do not do them. And when this comes to pass, surely it will come. Then they will know that a prophet has been among them. I want you to notice with me three characteristics. In verse 30, come and hear. Now, here’s a plea to hear the words of the preacher, in this case, Ezekiel. But not a need to obey them. And it appears their covetousness and worldly desire that swept them away into captivity has continued. It’s like this was a comfort zone, or give me just enough of the prophet Ezekiel to say… Well, let’s use some terminology today that they had been to church. You know, according to the Scriptures, friends, there are three types of people that assemble for worship. One, according to Mark chapter 3, verses 1 through 2, and dropping down to verse 6, they come looking for something. You know, this example from Mark 3 is brought forth in the time of Christ as He entered the synagogue, and they watch solely to accuse Him. Now, friends, I have encountered individuals in church foyers that made their interests known right after the worship of why they were there or their agenda. So sometimes there are people coming to look for something. And then there are those that engage in a vain or empty worship, according to the doctrines of men, Matthew 15, verse 9. Much like the offering of Cain in Genesis 4, 3-5, we’re not offering our best or we’re offering things not authorized by God as Nadab and Abihu did in Leviticus 10, verses 1-2. The third individual… Those that desire to worship and they’re eager to serve God, following the pattern of worshiping the Lord in spirit and in truth, John 4, verses 20-24, as well as Acts 2, verse 42. Now, friends, we’re not minimizing nor ignoring the necessity of attention. For Jesus said often, He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear. And we are to hear and understand, according to Matthew 15, 10. So our attitude of coming here must not be an end to the means as meant in Ezekiel’s time. And friends, we see this attitude prevalent. And note that by and far the majority that say come in here are eager for others to share in the blessings they enjoy, the salvation, the beauty of the church that we read of in the New Testament. Now not only with their mouths are they showing love, but with their lives. So now we’re understanding. In verses 31 and 32, they do not do. I mean, here’s a great crowd, and they’re coming to hear Ezekiel. They love to hear him, but that’s the extent of it. You see, loving with one’s mouth will not cut it. Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven, Matthew 7, 21. And how Jesus warned those who would say and do not, Matthew 23 and verse 3. But you see, their mind was on covetousness, greed. They had the world on their mind. And we’re warned against covetousness, which is idolatry. In Ephesians 5 and verse 5, if we pursue that life, we have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. You see, the things of the world move them further from God. But we must embrace and to have our treasure, as the old hymn says, laid up beyond the blue. Colossians 3 verses 1 and 2. allow the obedience to show love, not just mere words. And then he warned them, it will come to pass. They will know a prophet has been among them. In other words, you wished you would have heard and obeyed. So friends, their length of captivity might have been different than had they turned to God sooner rather than just to revel in what they had with a just enough religion attitude. Our lesson to learn, let’s simply not say how much we love God, but express that in obedience. With that being said, friends, may we share with you a Bible study course by mail. Yes, we can have this mail to you as well, friends. We share with you everything free from International Gospel Hour. Very quickly, here is our J-Web with the details.
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Our well-received Bible study course by mail is available to everyone absolutely free. Would you like to try it? All you do is call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. At your own pace, you can study the Bible in your own home. Again, it’s free. Give it a try. And it’s from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
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Friends, let us not just show our love by what we say, but it’s more important what we do than what we say will really matter. Thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
