LAST SUNDAY'S SERMON NOTES
Read Peter's preaching notes....
“Danger, Will Robinson!”
Ezekiel 3:16-21
6/18/17
I’m due to get my car inspected
overdue to have bloodwork done that doctor wants
could be worse: at pharmacy, saw colonoscopy prep kits waiting to be picked up
inspections & tests range from annoying to un-nerving, but purpose for them
to let us know if something’s wrong
bad brakes, high cholesterol, polyps
if didn’t have them, no warning if facing serious problem
All sorts of people & devices out there to warn us about something bad
raise hand if have smoke detectors & CO detectors in house
anti-virus software on computer
security system protecting house (better raise hand if don’t want people to know!)
church has people to warn us if problem
auditors to go over books, make sure church isn’t paying for Judy’s trips to D’world
inspectors come in regular to check fire suppression system in kitchen
when fellowship hall built, building inspectors to make sure work done correctly
As society, many people watch over to warn about any possible danger
esp after 9/11, massive intelligence network to warn of possible terror attack
emergency alert system to warn if tornado or flooding
NORAD during Cold War in case of Soviet missile launch or attack
even NASA watching space to warn if comet or meteor going to land in laps
Call them whatever you want: monitors, inspectors, sentries
two things in common
1. Someone gave them job to do
township hires building inspectors, church elects auditors, select doctor
hope suspicious if random person shows up, tells you hacker trying to steal ID
2. Expected to do good job: blamed for severe consequences if don’t
MZ auditors slipshod, treasurer stole more than $50,000
TSA investigation: 70 tests for banned items going through screening: only found 3
huge controversy in London after terrible fire: lax & inadequate building inspections
Why am I talking about all this? because we’re all sentries or monitors
God has given us job to do: wants us to warn people about spiritual dangers
severe consequences if we don’t
God appointed us as watchmen (or watchwomen): warn if life veering away from God
our duty to speak up if don’t include God in lives
do what we can to turn them toward Lord
stakes incredibly high: will die if they do not
death may not come physically, as if struck by lightning
but certainly spiritual death, both now and in next world
if we do our duty and warn people, but they don’t take heed, will still die
tragic, but at least we’ve done our job, not be held responsible
Different story if we see that they’ve strayed from God and we do or say nothing
w/out our warning, no way to realize danger they’re in
tragically, they will still die, just as they would if we had warned & they did nothing
but different for us: now we are responsible for what happens to them
responsible because God appointed to warn and we did not
like doctor who sees mass on MRI, see high PSA levels in blood work but doesn’t treat
when patient dies of cancer and family sues for malpractice, no leg to stand on
like sentry at military outpost who sees Taliban approaching but doesn’t sound alarm
no military expert, but suspect good candidate for court martial
in same way, if see not open life to God & do or say nothing,
consequences in that person’s life on us
God has been very clear to us at OU that we’re to warn people about sin
couple yrs ago very clear: “Encourage one another…” that’s what OU is all about
but παρακαλεω more than “cheer up” or “comfort”
can also be trans “urge, exhort, implore:” Gr word not always trans “encourage”
NT reading: “correct, rebuke, encourage:” often trans “exhort:” fits rest of passage
speak out truth in situations where lies & deception seem to rule the day
implore to seek God
God has given us message: life through X alone
if keep silent, like seeing truck about to hit someone and do nothing
Role God gives to us isn’t always popular: people won’t always appreciate
didn’t for Ezek, or other prophets: Hebr 11:35b-38
YOB Paul in Acts had plenty of people upset at him
we’re not in it for the popularity
can be difficult for someone like me: people pleaser
challenge: is faithfulness to God more important than getting along w/ others?
let’s be clear, doesn’t mean license to be mean or rude
NT: “with great patience and careful instruction”
Eph 4: “speak the truth in love”
if anything, work hard to be cooperative so people are receptive to what have to say
Is it our place to tell others how to live their lives? I’d rather let people live life as see fit
if my words or actions inspire you to see things differently, great!
don’t want to impose my way of seeing things on you
but have to remember: God has set us up as messengers
warn people about how separating selves from Lord, will lead to death
testify to grace of JX: when accept, will live
when see someone who has moved self far from Lord,
can’t just shake head & say “things going to end badly for them”
have to warn them, like doctor telling you that have high blood pressure
Our job is not to make sure they turn life to X: work of HS alone
not to harangue and harass & push, but to get message out clearly
we do our part, trust God to work in person’s life after that
Ezekiel 3:16-21
6/18/17
I’m due to get my car inspected
overdue to have bloodwork done that doctor wants
could be worse: at pharmacy, saw colonoscopy prep kits waiting to be picked up
inspections & tests range from annoying to un-nerving, but purpose for them
to let us know if something’s wrong
bad brakes, high cholesterol, polyps
if didn’t have them, no warning if facing serious problem
All sorts of people & devices out there to warn us about something bad
raise hand if have smoke detectors & CO detectors in house
anti-virus software on computer
security system protecting house (better raise hand if don’t want people to know!)
church has people to warn us if problem
auditors to go over books, make sure church isn’t paying for Judy’s trips to D’world
inspectors come in regular to check fire suppression system in kitchen
when fellowship hall built, building inspectors to make sure work done correctly
As society, many people watch over to warn about any possible danger
esp after 9/11, massive intelligence network to warn of possible terror attack
emergency alert system to warn if tornado or flooding
NORAD during Cold War in case of Soviet missile launch or attack
even NASA watching space to warn if comet or meteor going to land in laps
Call them whatever you want: monitors, inspectors, sentries
two things in common
1. Someone gave them job to do
township hires building inspectors, church elects auditors, select doctor
hope suspicious if random person shows up, tells you hacker trying to steal ID
2. Expected to do good job: blamed for severe consequences if don’t
MZ auditors slipshod, treasurer stole more than $50,000
TSA investigation: 70 tests for banned items going through screening: only found 3
huge controversy in London after terrible fire: lax & inadequate building inspections
Why am I talking about all this? because we’re all sentries or monitors
God has given us job to do: wants us to warn people about spiritual dangers
severe consequences if we don’t
God appointed us as watchmen (or watchwomen): warn if life veering away from God
our duty to speak up if don’t include God in lives
do what we can to turn them toward Lord
stakes incredibly high: will die if they do not
death may not come physically, as if struck by lightning
but certainly spiritual death, both now and in next world
if we do our duty and warn people, but they don’t take heed, will still die
tragic, but at least we’ve done our job, not be held responsible
Different story if we see that they’ve strayed from God and we do or say nothing
w/out our warning, no way to realize danger they’re in
tragically, they will still die, just as they would if we had warned & they did nothing
but different for us: now we are responsible for what happens to them
responsible because God appointed to warn and we did not
like doctor who sees mass on MRI, see high PSA levels in blood work but doesn’t treat
when patient dies of cancer and family sues for malpractice, no leg to stand on
like sentry at military outpost who sees Taliban approaching but doesn’t sound alarm
no military expert, but suspect good candidate for court martial
in same way, if see not open life to God & do or say nothing,
consequences in that person’s life on us
God has been very clear to us at OU that we’re to warn people about sin
couple yrs ago very clear: “Encourage one another…” that’s what OU is all about
but παρακαλεω more than “cheer up” or “comfort”
can also be trans “urge, exhort, implore:” Gr word not always trans “encourage”
NT reading: “correct, rebuke, encourage:” often trans “exhort:” fits rest of passage
speak out truth in situations where lies & deception seem to rule the day
implore to seek God
God has given us message: life through X alone
if keep silent, like seeing truck about to hit someone and do nothing
Role God gives to us isn’t always popular: people won’t always appreciate
didn’t for Ezek, or other prophets: Hebr 11:35b-38
YOB Paul in Acts had plenty of people upset at him
we’re not in it for the popularity
can be difficult for someone like me: people pleaser
challenge: is faithfulness to God more important than getting along w/ others?
let’s be clear, doesn’t mean license to be mean or rude
NT: “with great patience and careful instruction”
Eph 4: “speak the truth in love”
if anything, work hard to be cooperative so people are receptive to what have to say
Is it our place to tell others how to live their lives? I’d rather let people live life as see fit
if my words or actions inspire you to see things differently, great!
don’t want to impose my way of seeing things on you
but have to remember: God has set us up as messengers
warn people about how separating selves from Lord, will lead to death
testify to grace of JX: when accept, will live
when see someone who has moved self far from Lord,
can’t just shake head & say “things going to end badly for them”
have to warn them, like doctor telling you that have high blood pressure
Our job is not to make sure they turn life to X: work of HS alone
not to harangue and harass & push, but to get message out clearly
we do our part, trust God to work in person’s life after that
Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com
