What a tragedy it is when the church acts like the world. Ezekiel continues in his assault on unfaithful Israel.
Ezekiel 22: Israel's Shedding of Blood
1 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2 "And you, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Then declare to her all her abominations.
3 You shall say, Thus says the Lord GOD: A city that sheds blood in her midst, so that her time may come, and that makes idols to defile herself!
4 You have become guilty by the blood that you have shed, and defiled by the idols that you have made, and you have brought your days near, the appointed time of your years has come. Therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mockery to all the countries.
5 Those who are near and those who are far from you will mock you; your name is defiled; you are full of tumult.
6 "Behold, the princes of Israel in you, every one according to his power, have been bent on shedding blood.
7 Father and mother are treated with contempt in you; the sojourner suffers extortion in your midst; the fatherless and the widow are wronged in you.
8 You have despised my holy things and profaned my Sabbaths.
9 There are men in you who slander to shed blood, and people in you who eat on the mountains; they commit lewdness in your midst.
10 In you men uncover their fathers' nakedness; in you they violate women who are unclean in their menstrual impurity.
11 One commits abomination with his neighbour's wife; another lewdly defiles his daughter-in-law; another in you violates his sister, his father's daughter.
12 In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take interest and profit and make gain of your neighbours by extortion; but me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD.
13 "Behold, I strike my hand at the dishonest gain that you have made, and at the blood that has been in your midst.
14 Can your courage endure, or can your hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with you? I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.
15 I will scatter you among the nations and disperse you through the countries, and I will consume your uncleanness out of you.
16 And you shall be profaned by your own doing in the sight of the nations, and you shall know that I am the LORD."
17 And the word of the LORD came to me:
18 "Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me; all of them are bronze and tin and iron and lead in the furnace; they are dross of silver.
19 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have all become dross, therefore, behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.
20 As one gathers silver and bronze and iron and lead and tin into a furnace, to blow the fire on it in order to melt it, so I will gather you in my anger and in my wrath, and I will put you in and melt you.
21 I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of my wrath, and you shall be melted in the midst of it.
22 As silver is melted in a furnace, so you shall be melted in the midst of it, and you shall know that I am the LORD; I have poured out my wrath upon you."
23 And the word of the LORD came to me:
24 "Son of man, say to her, You are a land that is not cleansed or rained upon 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 human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst.
26 Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain.
28 And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD has not spoken.
29 The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice.
30 And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.
31 Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord GOD."
Things to think about…
1. The shedding of innocent blood is a theme in Ezekiel 22. Those who were poor or undervalued were considered expendable in ancient Israel. Such is surely the case with some among the unborn in the West. What a tragedy it is that Australia abortion is legal, we have passed the most violent and extreme abortion laws on the planet. And we ask why we are in a spiritual drought? May God have mercy on us.
2. Cries of ‘Hypocrisy’ are rightly voiced by those have been hurt or grieved by many actions of the church in the past. Unfortunately, even when it comes to apostasy or immorality there is nothing new under the sun – even within circles of faith. Israel had followed the ways of the world and worse. Ezek 22:6-12 lists some of the disgraceful practises in which they were involved. We can point the finger to other churches, but in what ways are we, not honouring God in our walk before the unbeliever?
3. The Lord says that Israel had become dross, like bronze, tin iron and lead – common metals – the dross of silver, gold is not mentioned. They had become common, they had no purity or worth, Ezek 22:18. God’s fire was about to be ignited to burn away the dross. How does the Lord burn away dross in the church today? He uses the word of God. When that is not preached fully or faithfully, the world takes over the church.
4. Ezek 22:24-28 says that the leaders, the prophets, priests and the princes have all conspired to lead the people astray, this is why the judgement had come. Accountability of any church leadership is vital in maintaining integrity in the way the church is being led. As the leadership goes, so the body follows. Have you ever thought about being put in a position of leadership at CBC. If so, are you prepared to be challenged with regards to your motivation and be held accountable for your actions?
5. Have a look at Ezek 22:30. Judgement could have been averted. God looked for a man that would build up the wall and stand in the breach – just one man, but found none. We are in a similar situation today, the Lord is looking for one person to stand up and be a moral leader and voice for His name in Australia. Is this you!? Praise God He has raised up Jesus who stood in the gap to pay for our sin. We are now reconciled back to the Father.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “What do we do with Lazarus?” – Reading Jon 12:1-11
1. The raising of Lazarus was an incredible miracle that nobody could deny. Martha showed incredible faith. Discuss her faith after reading John 11:21-27.
2. Her sister Mary also displayed incredible devotion, John 12:3-8. Discuss the different reactions to the raising of Lazarus.
3. In what ways can we fall into the same areas of control that the Pharisees fell into?
4. Pray for each other and the outreach of the gospel
Prayer Points
1. Pray for the people who have been affected by hurricane Ian in Florida. Over one hundred lives have been lost.
2. Pray for the people of Iran. There is horrible oppression of women who are being beaten and killed by a corrupt government, simply for refusing to wear a head covering.
3. Pray for Ukraine and the final defeat of Russian aggression.
4. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023 and the finances to support them.
5. More young families and youth into the church.
6. Ministry leaders within the church.
7. Our One for Israel ministry.
8. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
9. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Visitors to church on Sunday.
2. Some returning back to church after a while away.
3. Worship on Sunday – thankyou Paul, Suzy, Gina. Maddison on Words and Doug on sound. Thankyou. Suzy and Maddison in café always do a stellar job. Thankyou for those who welcomed at the door.
4. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
