Ezekiel 22:30 – The Man God Seeks – Bible study

Ezekiel 22:30 The Man God Seeks Portions of this message may be difficult for some, but instead of you turning the message off or just walk out, I pray that you will listen to it in the spirit with which it is intended. Eze 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Never in Americas history has this verse applied more to our country than today. In fact, I do not know that this verse adequately compares our condition today. Israel was in bad shape in Ezekiels day. The same prophet who penned these words would still preaching when Israel was conquered by the Babylonians, much of its population being be killed, many more taken as prisoners to a foreign land, and the remainder scattered through the nations. Yet, God described Israels condition has a hedge WITH A GAP that needed to be filled. I believe America is more of a hedge uprooted and completely cast aside. Even so, the cure for what ails American is the same as the cure that could have saved Israel. Men needed to stand where and how God told them. God was and is looking for men to stand in the gaps. On this Fathers Day, let me share a few thoughts with you. I. God is looking for men. A. God is not looking for women to stand in this gap. 1. Ladies, you do not qualify to stand in this gap; although I am certain, some of you well could. 2. You are saved, love Jesus, already serve Jesus, and want to do even more for Him. 3. But this is not a gap God wants you to fill. 4 God is looking for men. B. Again, the verse says that God is looking for men, not homosexuals, transgenders, or any of the other 30 something man-made genders, to stand in the gap. 1. I am not trying to be funny or ugly, but if you dont know what a man is, you are not qualified to stand in this gap. 2. God created men, and God created woman. a. If you dont know, understand, and accept that, you are not qualified to stand in the gap. b. Just to be frank, you, your mindset and your lifestyle are part of what the men God is calling are to stand against. C. Two thoughts: 1. To the Confused: If you are in or thinking about this sinful lifestyle, know that God has condemned it, both in the Old and the New Testament. Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Lev 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. a. I know the world is teaching that it is all right. b. I do not think it was by accident that June, the month we celebrate fathers, happens to be pride month for those whom the devil has confused and deceived. c. The devil wants such people to stand up and stand proud, but they need to know that God has not made them that way d. To engage in that behavior is rebellion against God, and God decreed before He ever created the world the judgement for those who die in rebellion against Him, HELL. e. You may feel that you have sinned against God in such a way that you cannot be forgiven, but you can. f. Sin is sin and Jesus came to die for sinners. g. Not only can God save you, He can change you. 2. To the Saved: Christians need to put aside hate and rage for those who are engaging in this sin. a. Hate and rage are just as sinful and more often condemned in the Bible than homosexuality. b. Remember, sin is sin. c. The fact is that homosexuality and all of the other twisted sins are on the rise only because the church failed to do what God called to do. c. Their sin is as much a condemnation of the church as it is of them. d. If we had been the kind of church God called us to be, wed have gotten the gospel to them and their parents before the devils crowd polluted their minds and hearts in the first place. e. Instead of our railing against them, we should be asking their forgiveness and doubling our efforts to win them to Christ and to help them experience the life changing power of Jesus. D. So first, God is looking for men. 1. Daddies, you could qualify, but do you. 2. There is more. II. God is looking for a certain KIND of man. A. God is looking for saved men. 1. Again if you are not saved, you do not qualify to stand in this gap. 2. I understand that you may be a good person. a. It is possible that you are of high morals, good reputation, honest work ethic, and faithful character; but even with all that goodness, you do not qualify to stand in the gap. b. I know and acknowledge that there are good people on this globe who have never been saved. (1) For years I have heard and even used the expression that man is totally depraved. (a) The Bible does not say that. (b) I dont think he is. (2) What the Bible says is that man is totally separated from God. (3) There is a difference. (a) If man were totally depraved, then he would have no desire to find God; he would not look for God; and he would not consider as good the "the law written in their hearts, \#Romans 2:15\. (b) But if man is totally separated, he can still do good things. i. He can search for God. ii. He can keep at least some of Gods commands. iii. He can even fool himself into believing that he belongs to God! c. Church Member: Here is an extreme danger for everyone sitting on church pews this morning. (1) It is possible that you have confused your goodness with salvation. (2) It is a common mistake. (3) You dont beat your kids or the dogs; you dont steal; you go to church. (4) You try to keep the Ten Commandments, but you have never acknowledged that despite all of that, you are a sinner, unworthy of heaven, and you have never cast yourself upon the cross of Jesus as your only hope for heaven! (5) If that is the case, not only can you not stand in the gap, but you cannot go to heaven! B. God is looking for spiritual men. 1. Just as good men are not necessarily saved men, so neither saved men necessarily spiritual men. a. They should be. b. Many arent. 2. If you are not a spiritual maneven though you may be a saved manyou still do not qualify to stand in this gap. 3. Spiritual is a big term. C. What do we mean by it? 1. Spiritual people are Holy Spirit lead. a. If you are not a saved man lead by the Holy Spirit, you will not know where to stand or for what we are to stand. 1Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. b. It is sad but some of the biggest enemies of the church are good men, even saved men, who are NOT filled with or lead by the Holy Ghost. c. Isnt it sad that for every righteous cause you can think of, someone who claims Christ, claims salvation, and claims to know God stands against Him. (1) If you believe they are what they say, then there are Christian churches pastored by Christian shepherds who say that homosexuality is not a sin. (2) If you believe they are what they say, then there are Christian churches pastored by Christian shepherds who say Jesus is not the only way to heaven. (3) If you believe they are what they say, then there are Christian churches pastored by Christian shepherds who say that the Bible is not the inspired, inerrant, preserved Word of God. (4) I am not their judge, but I dont believe they are who they say. d. The same thing is true concerning America. (1) Many who call themselves Christians believe in the cancel culture, the woke mentality, open boarders, and socialism. (2) Whats more, they thinks the Bible and reason are on his side. (3) I think that they need a good dose of the Holy Ghost; but that is all right. Id like to have several more helpings myself. e. The problem for those who are not saved and spiritual is that no human being can figure out where God wants them to stand and for what God wants them to stand unless he is guided by the Holy Spirit. 2. Spiritual men are sanctified men. a. To be sanctified does not mean Christians are sinless, but it does mean they will sin less. b. The word means to be set a part, not to be common or unclean. c. Jesus prayed that the Father would sanctify us, in praying, He told us what tool will sanctify us. Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. d. It is the Word of God. e. The more we read and obey the Word of God, the more we like Jesus we will become and the more different we will beinside and out. 3. Spiritual men are sensitive. a. Sensitive to God and to others. b. Not boo-hoo sensitive, but "God can help you" sensitive. D. God is looking for strong men. 1. I am afraid that even if you are a man, even if you are a saved man, even if you are a spiritual man, if you are not a strong man, you are not qualified to stand in this gap. a. Why? b. Because the men who stand in the gap must not merely take the position, they must hold it. 2. When I am speaking of strength, I am not speaking of physical strength but of strength of character. 3. God is looking for a man to stand in this gap that will stand and keep on standing. a. Men who will stand when the world laughs at them. b. Men who will stand when the boss fires them. c. Men who will stand when their family doesnt understand them. d. Men who will stand when the law arrests them. e. Men who will stand when the state prosecutes them. f. Men who will stand when the devils crowd hurts and even kills them. 4. Maybe you have not noticed it, but this world is running at top speeds against God and Gods commandments. 5. Like a tide wall that stands against the unrelenting fury of the sea so the men who stand in these gaps must stand strong no matter what the world or the devil hurls at them. 6. So much so that just as salvation and spirituality are necessary, so strength is needed if you are going stand in this gap. III. The kind of men that God is looking for are not born but born again, dedicated, and then re-made by the hand of God. A. It is obvious that there are not a lot of men like this. If there were, neither out church, our families, nor our nation would be in the peril they are in today. B. We need men to stand in the gap today! C. Daddies, as I have preached for years, we are running out of time. 1. I can promise you that: a. What this world has to offer is not worth what it will cost you. b. What this world has to offer will not remain intact once God does what He has promised to do. 1. I believe God would revive our homes, our churches, and even our nation, if men would step into the gap. 2. No matter who you are, you are somewhere on the rung of steps I have addressed today: a. Maybe you have not reached the first step and are confused about your sexuality. Start by acknowledging God is right and trusting His Son to save you and change you. b. Maybe you are the good man with the morals and fidelity of a Puritan, but you have never trusted Jesus to save you. Do so today, right now, this very moment. c. Maybe you are the saved but not the spiritual. You have accepted Jesus as your Savior but not as your Lord. Rectify that this morning. Become a true soldier of the cross. d. Perhaps you know Jesus, perhaps you have a relationship with the Holy Spirit, but courage and fortitude are lacking. Let God remake your heart as He has rebuilt your soul. Start standing and stand regardless.