I. God's coming to Judge is as certain as any of His Promises
1 The Mighty One, God, the LORD, has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its going down. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. 3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; a fire shall devour before Him exceedingly tempestuous...5 "Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice." 6 Let the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge. Selah The Righteous are those correctly related to God and His Word; the Wicked aren't Ps 1
Ex 24:7...read Book of the Covenant in the hearing of the people..."All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient." 8 Moses sprinkled blood on the people, and said "This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words."
Dt 30:19 I call heaven-earth as witnesses that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that you may live
II. God wants Reality and Relationship rather than Ritual
[wedding vs marriage]
A. God doesn't need our outward “offerings” (Worship=Response {heart mind soul strength} to Revelation)
7 "Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God! 8 I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings before Me 10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness. 13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats?
B. God wants us, specifically having a relationship of inner dependence (daily trust) with Him, so we can glorify Him
Praise 14 Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay (piel) your vows to the Most High.
Prayer 15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble ; I will deliver (piel) you, and you shall glorify (piel) Me."
Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.
1Kings 8:32 then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.
III. Ritualists (who don't walk the talk) have Reason to Fear
Talk but no Walk (purposeful progressive purification 1Pt 1:22) 16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth, 17 Seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you?
Unsanctified values 18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers.
Bad Self Image 19 You give mouth to evil, tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son.
Wrong View of God 21...I kept silent; You thought that I was like you; But I will rebuke you, and set charges in order before your eyes.
Forget (no fear) God 22 "Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver: .
Dt 8:17 say in your heart, 'My power...gained me this wealth.' 19 if you forget the LORD..serve other gods..you shall surely perish.
Religious Pr 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Prosperous Ps 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Self is central Ps 10:4 The wicked, thru the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
No Trust Ps 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusts in the LORD, hesed shall surround him.
No Fear Ps 36:1 An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.
Unbiblical Thinking Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Stubborn Eze 3:19 warn the wicked, and he doesn't turn from his wickedness, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul
Eze 33:19 But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it.
Judged Pr 11:31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
No Service Mal 3:18 Then you shall again discern b'twn the righteous and the wicked, b'twn one who serves God and does not serve Him
IV. The Really Righteous Fulfill their Purpose for Living and Experience the Blessings of God
23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct/way rightly I will show hiphil the salvation of God 91:9;16
Person and Acts Pr 20:11 Ps 9:16; 92; 117; Ex 34:6 the LORD passed before him and proclaimed,
Provider of life: past, present, future Excellencies: infinitely good, just, holy, loving Redeemer Savior/Sustainer Omni...(attributes) Names of God
Response to Revelation Gen 22:5 2Chron 20:22 = Worship
Awe, Adoration, Admiration, Appreciation Psalm 145
Intelligible & Emotional John 4:23-24 Deut 6:5
Sacrificial Submission as well as Song & Speech Psalm 24; 101
Edification of God & others Psalm 31:23-24
Hag 1:7 Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Consider your ways!”
Ps 119:57 You are my portion, O LORD; I have said that I would keep Your words. 58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word. 59 I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60 I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments. 61 The cords of the wicked have bound me, but I have not forgotten Your law.
Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response: - Why do we tend to focus on the outward rituals rather than the inner reality of a relationship with God? Contrast wedding vs marriage.
- Why are unbiblical views of God so common? (always loving, never judging, not to be feared, “believers” immune, no differentiation/justice, etc)
- Why is praising/glorifying God for answering our prayers important? What happens if we don't do it?
- Do you think most Christians fit the profile of the righteous or wicked? What will be the consequences for each?
- Have have you called out to God and how has He responded? How have/will you glorify Him/order your way?
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